Indian Remedy for Arthritis

Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic form of medicine that is practiced in India. It stresses a balance between the vaya, pitta, and the kapha, the three energetic forces of the body. The Ayurvedic treatment of arthritis involves herbs, oils and other practices that can help to improve this energy balance and to heal the pain of the arthritic patient. Consult a doctor before adding new supplementation to your diet.

Indian Herbs

• The first step in your Indian arthritis treatment is to become familiar with and try out some of the herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine. Here are a few to bring down your inflammation. Tumeric, which is known in Ayurvedic medicine as haldi, can act as both an anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever. It can also be found in many curries and in the spice section of your grocery store. Ginger root or sunthi in India has been connected to improving conditions of pain and inflammation in arthritis. Licorice is called yashtimadhu in Ayurvedic medicine and can help relieve pain the joints and reduce the body's inflammation. Garlic (lehsun) and guggul (Commiphora mukul) are used in Indian medicine to cleanse the body of toxins and improve the immune system. These supplements can be found in capsule form in your local health store. Try them out for a month and see if there has been any change in your symptoms.

Indian Oils

• There are many different oils in Ayurvedic medicine that have been used to help arthritis. If the herbs alone have not helped, try some of these to relieve your symptoms. Mahanarayan oil has been used to improve flexibility, muscle fatigue, stiffness and pain. You can mix it in a one-to-one ratio with sesame oil to remove blockages and begin healing. You can also combine mustard oil with sesame oil to relieve pain in your sore joints. Try Mahanarayan oil to improve circulation in the lower body, heal joint pain and help with imbalances in the body caused by aging. Castor oil or coconut oil can also help with pain relief. Have a friend or loved one massage this into your arthritic joints once in the morning and once in the evening. Many of these oils can be found at health food stores or in an Indian specialty store.

Other Practices

• If you have had little luck with the herbs and oils, it may be because of things that you need to cut out of or add into your diet and lifestyle. It is recommended that you embark on a 3- to 5-day detoxification diet full of vegetables, juices, herbs and spices to improve appetite and speed up your metabolism. Some of the foods and juices you should try to eat are carrot, beat root and cucumber juices, green salad, apples, grapes, papayas, oranges, squash, pumpkin and zucchini. You can cook your spices in turmeric, ginger, cumin and coriander to get an added affect. Ayurvedic medicine also recommends yoga, with specific poses that may help your specific case of arthritis. Consult a yoga instructor familiar with Ayurvedic medicine for further help. Try to make these changes in your life along with the herbal and oil therapy for at least a month.