AYURVEDIC CLINICAL APPROACH FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS)

In Ayurveda, Acharya Madhava Kar mentioned first the Amavata as a special disease entity. According to the clinical features and pathogenesis Amavata very closely resembles Rheumatoid arthritis. In Amavata, Ama (bio- toxin) and Vata (biophysical force or kinetics) are playing the most important role in the samprapti (pathogenesis) of this disease. The Chikitsa (management) of Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis) is more clearly and precisely de- scribed in Chakradutta. Acharya Chakradatta was the pioneer in describing the principles of treatment for this disease, which are Langhana (body lightness procedure), Swedana (warm compress), drugs having Tikta-Katu Rasa (bitter-pungent taste) and Deepana (gastric stimulant) action, Virechana (purgation therapy), Snehapana (intake of grita or oil) and Anuvasana (enema with Ayurvedic oil) as well as Ksharabasti (enema with Ayurvedic alkali preparation).Keywords: Amavata, Rheumatoid arthritis, Chikitsa, management, Chakradutta