By Dr Kasturi Desai
nother common disease where the patient experiences pain is arthritis. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. However, the most common form is osteoarthritis, which is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. It is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the protein substance that protects between the bones of the joints.
It’s also known as degenerative arthritis.
The other common form is rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis may be also due to infection of a kind of herpes virus. In both the cases of arthritis, constant pain is an every day feature. The pain may be localised to the back, neck, hip, knee or feet. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear-and-tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue.
There are a number of herbs used to reduce pain. One of the oldest treatments is application of a poultice made of the paste of any species of Datura (locally called Dutro) leaves with rice flour and water on the inflamed painful area. The application is effective even without rice flour.
Application of the paste of the bark of Ficus religiosa, our common Peepal is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Also the leaves warmed with sesamum oil and placed over the painful area gives relief. Vitex negundo plants available on the beaches can be identified by its tri or penta foliate leaves, greyish below is an excellent herb to treat rheumatism. The leaf paste can be applied after warming it a little or the leaves may be boiled and a steam bath can be taken. Hot water fomentation of is also effective.
Regular intake of fresh ginger, Zingiber officinalis has proved beneficial in both the types of arthritis. Ginger can be taken with tea, or used in regular cooking. Application of a paste of ginger to the affected part is also beneficial. Another traditional treatment is making pea size balls of powdered dry ginger and castor oil and taking them at night with warm water.
In this warm weather, a cooling drink can be made with ginger juice, honey and lemon can be had regularly. Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water are also beneficial. It must be taken twice daily.
Bromelain a compound present in pineapple Ananas comosus helps prevent inflammation. Pineapple juice with haldi is effective because turmeric also has anti-inflammatory action. Turmeric can be taken internally and can be applied externally. Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water is recommended. One raw clove of garlic or fried in ghee or castor oil taken everyday is very beneficial. This must be taken daily for two to three months.
Tinospora cordifolia locally called gulvel is used in Ayurveda to treat both the types of arthritis from time immemorial. Half a cup of the infusion of a fresh plant is suggested thrice a day with milk or honey. Even chewing a leaf daily is good but it tastes bitter. A daily intake of Sanbia or Flax seeds (available in grocery shops) is also effective. Sesame seeds can also be included in the diet. As far as possible animal food should be avoided or reduced. An arthritis patient must avoid eating hot, spicy and fried foods, sweets, wind forming foods like cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, okra and potatoes. In addition, foods responsible for causing allergens like dairy products, potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal must be avoided. Occasional fasting under supervision is helpful as it eliminates allergens from the body. Persons suffering from osteoarthritis should eliminate suspect foods from their diets. The diet should include carrots, sprouts, pumpkin and soya products, brown rice, millet, wheat, oats, barley. Lots coconut water, carrot juice, beet root juice, cucumber juice and cooked pumpkin, squash with spices like jeera, coriander, ginger, asafetida, fennel and turmeric can be the diet for the arthritis patients.
