Some Ayurvedic practitioners use Ayurveda to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which they call “Yamagata.” Ayurvedic treatment can include supplements, dietary changes, and exercise.
This article will review Ayurvedic treatment for RA, including the basic principles and whether research supports its use.
The term “Ayurveda” is a combination of two Sanskrit terms “ayu” (life) and “Veda” (knowledge). Practitioners work to balance the three energy forces, or “doshas,” of life: “Vata,” “pitta,” and “Kapha.”
Ayurvedic treatments for RA depend on which diagnostic guidelines the practitioner uses.
For example, those who practice from the guidelines “Madhava Nidana” believe that imbalances in the gut and inflammatory compounds cause RA.
On the other hand, practitioners from the “Ashtanga Hridaya” school of thought believe that RA is the result of poor dietary and lifestyle habits that cause inflammation in the body.
Both approaches use herbs, supplements, dietary changes, and exercise to help relieve RA symptoms.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe the following dietary habits may cause or worsen the symptoms of RA:
- drinking alcohol
- eating spicy foods
- taking in excess salt
- consuming too many sour, sweet, or sugary foods
- eating uncooked foods
- eating foods that cause acid reflux
As a result, an Ayurvedic practitioner will recommend avoiding these foods.
Some Ayurvedic practitioners also recommend soups that contain barley and rice, as these are thought to add a sense of lightness to the body.
Sometimes, a practitioner may recommend a castor oil fast. This is when a person consumes castor oil, a natural laxative, to encourage intestinal purification.
Over several days, a person will reintroduce foods and ultimately progress to a healthy routine diet.
Unfortunately, little high-quality research exists to support the use of Ayurvedic treatments for RA.
However, with a doctor’s supervision, many of the dietary and exercise-related changes may be beneficial. Also, any reduction in inflammation is likely beneficial. Since RA can damage joints without effective treatment, working with a rheumatology doctor along with an Ayurvedic practitioner is important.
Currently, there is no licensing program for Ayurvedic practitioners in the United States, nor is there an official training or certification process. This is different from Ayurvedic training in India, which has many regulations.
Anyone considering Ayurvedic treatment should speak to their regular doctor and be sure to ask about an Ayurvedic practitioner’s training and safety practices.