In Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a result of imbalanced Vata dosha, often aggravated by cold weather. To manage your condition, it’s important to focus on balancing Vata and reducing inflammation. Begin with a warming diet, emphasizing cooked, easy-to-digest foods like soups, stews, and ginger-infused herbal teas to promote circulation and reduce stiffness. Avoid cold and dry foods. Herbal remedies like Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Guggul, and Boswellia (Indian frankincense) can help reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility. For your low weight, incorporate nourishing foods like ghee, mung dal, almonds, and milk for strength and vitality. Gentle exercises, such as yoga and Pranayama (breathing exercises), can also improve flexibility and reduce pain. Regular massage with warm sesame oil can soothe joints and improve circulation. Always consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalized treatment plan.
Sounds like you’ve had a pretty tough time with this… rheumatoid arthritis can really be a challenge, I hear ya. So, let’s look at it from an ayurvedic standpoint. Based on the symptoms you mentioned—painful joints, especially in cold weather, weight issues—I’m thinking there’s probably some vata and maybe kapha imbalances goin’ on. Vata is cold and dry by nature, and winter can make it skyrocket, especially in joints.
Now, we gotta work on balancing that vata. You might want to incorporate warming, nourishing foods into your diet. Like, avoid anything too cold or crunchy or raw. Cooked grains such as rice and wheat are good, along with soups and stews with spices like ginger, turmeric, and cumin. These spices are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Ghee is great, if you can get it in your diet—it helps with lubrication.
Try swapping cold water for warm, and even consider drinking some herbal teas with valerian or ashwagandha. Those adaptogens can be really calming. Speaking of calming, meditation or gentle yoga can be SUPER helpful in grounding vata, too, even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day.
Topically, applying warm sesame oil on affected joints might provide relief. Self-massage, or “abhyanga,” as we call it, can be great for the circulation and brings warmth to those tired joints. It’s like a mini spa, at home!
At 39kg, nourishing the tissues is vital. Supplements like ashwagandha or triphala can help, but do consult a practitioner for doses. And keep in mind that Ayurveda works with lifestyle adjustments, so patience is important.
Remember whatever approach you choose, keep your doc in the loop and always make sure it complements your current treatment. Let’s not replace needed medical intervention, alright? Do what’s right for your body!



