what is the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question

Patient is 62 years female and RA positive.
Now she is under allopathic treatment,So there are many side effects in steroid and other medicine. So kindly guide me for the betterment.If I am going to stop the medicines then immediate pain and swelling is occurring.

Dr. Surya Bhagwati · Accepted Answer

Sihnad guggul 1-0-1
Gokshuradi guggul 2-0-0
All after food with water and 
Maharasnadi kadha 15 ml twice daily after food with water 
Mahavatvidhvansh vati 1-0-1
After food with water and 
Sahachar oil for Massage on body before bath 
Avoid sour fermented foods, pickles.citrus fruits 
Avoid exposure to direct breeze and cold wind, fan , AC

Dr. Snehal Tasgaonkar · Answer

Taper your allopathy medicines slowly as treatment of R A included DMD (diseases modulating drugs) and steroids which when discontinued suddenly may worsen your symptoms.

Some regime you should follow

Do's:
Eat freshly cooked food.
Chew an inch of fresh ginger half an before meal.
Eat only fruit vegetables.
Limit dairy products (stop if possible)

Dont's:
Sitting directly under a fan or right in front of the A.C
Oily, spicy, processed food.
Packed food products.
Sour and fermented items.
Bakery items.
Fried food products.
Potatoes.
Too much application of any oil or pain killer gel or ointment.

Tab. Ampachak Vati.
2 tabs twice a day before food.
Tab. Sinhanad Guggul
2 tabs twice a day before food.
Tab. Punarnavadi Guggul.
2 tabs twice a day before food.
Syp. Maharasnadi Kwath
3 tsp twice a day before food with warm water.

Tab. Shankhavati
2 tabs twice a day after food. Suck and eat like hajmola

Sunthi Siddh Castor Oil.
3 tsp at bed time with a cup of hot water.

Continue the tabs till pain and swelling subsides but keep taking castor oil for lifetime it will prove AMRIT for R.A

Hot fomentation with either sand or a piece of red brink. No water fomentation. Avoid using oils. You can use only MAHANARAYAN TAILAM or SAHACHARADI KUZUMBU... no other oil to be used or you will experience aggrevation  of symptoms.

Dr. Arun Desai · Answer

Hello Purnima

" NO NEED TO WORRY'

" I WILL HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND RECOVER WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ISSUES SAFELY COMPLETELY"

PATIENT ISSUES

62 Yrs Female RA Positive on Allopathic Treatment  Steroids Dependant on Medicine Withdrawal causes Pain Inflammation Recurrs

MY ASSESSMENT

• Pravridha Amavat ( Acute on Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis ) 
• Steroid Dependent RA 
• Autoimmune Disorder 
• Hypothyroidism Complications

MANIFESTATION AS PER AYURVEDA

Above Causes ---> Weak Agni ( Digestive Fire) ---> Ama ( Toxins ) + Vata Imablance ---> Amavat Dohsa ( Autoimmunity ) ---> Affects Asthi Sandhi Rakta  ---> Amavat & Affects Gala (Thyroid) ---> Amavat & Thyroid Issues

FACTS TO KNOW

• RA & Thyroid Both are Autoimmune in Nature Both Manageable and Not Curable 
• It's has Psychosomatic (Manosharirika) Symptoms like Both Physical & Psychological symptoms 
• Treatment Aim to Control Autoimmunity and reduce its Impact Like Pain Inflammation Stiffness under Good Control,To Improve Quantity of Life 
• For Both Diseases Only Medicine is not enough, Those need Proper Periodic Monitoring and Panchakarma Detoxification 
• Along with Medicine Diet Yoga Exercise Lifestyle Modifications Stress Management etc must be Followed well to Keep these under well control 
• For Both These there are Tiggers needed to avoid
• Her RA is Steroid Dependent so Steroid needed intermittently sometimes when RA in Acute Phase Otherwise not Necessary 
• Such problem need time to recover Patient needs Patience 
• Allopathic Medicines ( DMRD NSAID Corticosteroids ) Best to Control Autoimmunity effects immediately on shorter basis but has lots of side effects.Allopathy Doesn't treat Root cause 
• Ayurveda Best in Managing Both Treatment on Longer basis and have minor to no side effects.It Treats Root cause to recover completely

NOTE - ONLY TAKING MEDICINES IS NOT ENOUGH FOR GET RA UNDER FOOD CONTROL

IN MY CLINICAL PRACTICE I HAVE SEEN BEST PROMISING RESULTS BY COMBINING FOLLOWING TREATMENTS

" Proper RA assessment ( Severity Presentation effects) + Pain Stiffness Oedema Assessment + Periodic Ayurvedic Panchakarma Detoxification + Ayurvedic Medicine + Proper Diet + Physical Activities + Physiotherapy+ Lifestyle Modifications+ Stress Management + Yoga + Dhyan + Meditation+ Counselling + Periodic Monitoring + Allopathic Treatment as an Emergency Care "

A) ASSESSMENT OF SEVERITY

RA Anticcp CRP ESR HB TC 
Physical Examination

B ) PANCHAKARMA PROCEDURE 
*** ONLY IF PATIENT IS MARKED" FIT FOR PANCHAKARMA" BY PANCHAKARMA PHYSICIAN ***
( OTHERWISE MEDICINE & OTHER TREATMENT TO CONTINUE)

* As She has High Autoimmune Effect & High Ama & Vat Imbalance needs Panchkarma Detoxification 
* Due to High Ama and Vata level Medicine line of treatment won't seem working initially 
* Any Medicine will Work Best Early After Panchakarma Detoxification

I Recommend to Do Below Panchakarma In Good Ayurvedic Panchakarma Center under guidance of Efficient Panchakarma Physician

1) Langhan Deepan Pachan - Agnisandeepan Vaishwanar Churna 
2) Baluka Sweda - Valuka Sweda 
3) Sarwang Abhyang - Mahanayayan Taila + Kottamchukkadi Tailam 
4) Sarvang Baspa Sweda - Nadi Swedan 
5) Vaitaran Kshar Basti 
6) Erand Taila Anuvasan Basti 
7) Samsarjan Karma 
8 ) Karti Basti Janu Basti - Mahanarayan Tailam Ksheerabala Tailam Sahacharadi Tailam Kottamchukkadi Tailam

C ) 100 % WORKING EFFECTIVE AYURVEDIC MEDICINES

( As Already taking more medicine I will suggest Minimum Ayurveda Medicine Maximum Effects)

U MUST TRY

(Consider Ayurvedic medicine best works After Panchakarma Detoxification,U can Start Now Also ) 
( Pain Stiffness Inflammatory Goes away and improves Joint Mobility)

* FOR AGNI DEEPAN AMA PACHAN 
Ajamodadi Churna ( Baidyanth Pharma) 1 Tsf -0- 1 Tsf Before Food 
* FOR RA & PAIN
Cap.Rhumartho Gold Plus ( Baidyanth Pharma) 1 -0- 1 After Food 
* RA & AUTOIMMUNITY AMA VATA IMABLANCE 
Tab.Amavatari Ras ( Dhootapapeshwar Pharma) 1 -0-1 After Food 
* FOR INFLAMMATION 
Tab.Punarnavadi Guggulu ( Dhootpapeshwar Pharma) 2 -0- 2 After Food 
Dashmoola Kadha ( Dhootapapeahwar Pharma) 15 ml -0- 15 ml After Food 
* FOR IMMUNITY & REJUVENATION 
Erand Pak ( Baidyanth Pharma) 1 Tsf - 0- 1 Tsf Night After Food Preferably with 1 Glass of Luke Warm Water 
* FOR THYROID 
Tab.Thyrokalp ( Kerala Ayurveda Pharma) 1 -0- 1 After Food 
* EXTERNAL APPLICATION 
Dashang Lep For Local Application over Pain swelling joints

D ) DIET

DO'S 
Cereals - Wheat, Oats, Brown Old rice, Barley Jwar Bajara Ragi 
Pluses - All Pulses, Legumes, Soybean.
Fruits - Pomegranate, Apples, Banana, Papaya, Pear, Avocados, Apricots, guava.
Vegetables - Broccoli, Lentils, Haricot beans, Spinach, Kale, Ridge Ground,Bottle Ground,Pumpkin, Green coriander, Onion, All gourds.
Dairy -Low-fat milk (Occasionally)
Oils -Cow ghee, Mustard oil, Olive oil, Soybean oil, Rice bran oil, Almond oil, Coconut oil
Spices - Ginger, Turmeric, Coriander, Fenugreek, Fennel, Cumin, Garlic.
Non veg - Boiled Eggs 
Dry Fruits -Almonds and Walnuts (Soaked)
Foods - Home made Healthy Food

DON'TS 
Cereals - Maida 
Pulses - Black gram
Fruits - All Citrus 
Vegetables - Tomato, Potato, Peas and Brinjal
Dairy - Whole milk and Cream, Cottage cheese, Curd, Buttermilk, Yogurt, Butter
Oils - Palm oil, Butter
Spices - Pepper Excess salt
Non veg -fish (Salmon, tuna), Chicken Mutton Pork
Dry Fruits - Cashew, Peanuts.
Food - Outside Fast Foods Bakary Mayonnaise, Spicy foods, Junk foods, Fried foods

E ) DIET PLAN

EARLY MORNING

Herbal Ginger tea / Cumin water / Fenugreek water

BREAKFAST

Broken Rava Ragi Oats porridge (Veg Dalia) / Veg Semolina (Veg upma) / Veg Vermicelli (Sewian) / Veg Ragi Upama / Chapatti with veg or Dal

MID MORNING

Fruit Salad

LUNCH

Chapatti +Boiled rice + Vegetable + Dal + Salad

EVENING SNACK

Green tea / Home made  Soup / Herbal Tea

DINNER

Chapatti +Boiled rice + Vegetable + Dal + Salad

E ) YOGA 
Anumol Vilom Pranayam 
Balasan Tadasan Paschimottanasan Vrikshasan Setu bandhasana Shavasan ( Each 5 Rounds)

F ) EXERCISE 
Walking Mild Mobility Flexibility Exercise 
Physiotherapy Ultrasound Massage Ultrasound Massage Thermal Therapy

G ) LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS 
Avoid Afternoon Sleep Be active Avoid late night sleep sleep early get up early Avoid Heavy Travels Overthinking Unnecessary Thoughts Panicness

H ) ANTISTRESS REGIME

Dhyan Meditation

REGARDS

Dr Arun Desai

GOD BLESS YOU 😊 🙏

If you have any questions u can ask me.I will answer to the level of your satisfaction.U have text option here

Dr. Prasad Pentakota · Answer

When åma and våta doshaa gets vitiated together, they collect in the
abdominal region, chest and in joints and cause inflammation, pain and
stiffness. Then the disease is called rheumatoid arthritis
Divya Sarvakalpa Kwath - 100 grams
Divya Peedantaka Kwath - 200 grams
Mix both the medicines. Take one teaspoon of the mixture and boil in 400 ml
of water till the residue remains 100 ml. Filter and drink in the morning and
evening on an empty stomach.
Divya Ajmodadi Churna - 100 grams
Divya Amavatari Rasa - 40 grams
Take half teaspoon of Ajamodådi Churna and 2-2 tablets of Amavatari Rasa
in the morning and evening, with the above mentioned kwath (decoction).
Divya Mahavatvidhvansan Rasa - 05 grams
Divya Pravala Pishti - 10 grams
Divya Swarnamakshika Bhasma - 05 grams
Divya Godanti Bhasma - 10 grams
Divya Brihat Vatchintamani Rasa - 1-2 grams(45)Aushadh Darshan
Mix all the medicines and divide into 60 doses. Take each dose half-an-hour
before breakfast and dinner with water/honey.
Diya Singhnada Guggulu - 60 grams
Divya Tryodashang or Yograj Guggulu - 60 grams
Divya Peedantaka Vati - 40 grams
Divya Punarnavadi Mandoor - 40 grams
Take 1 tablet from each, half-an-hour after breakfast, lunch and dinner with
lukewarm water.
Once a week drink a glass of milk with 20 ml castor oil added to it, at night
before going to bed. It gives dramatic relief in pain.
Note : To reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, use dry fomentation
with sand, castor seeds, rock salt and ajowan seeds.
Also apply Peedantaka oil on the affected area and foment with warm castor
or calotropis leaves.Wrap the area with warm leaves. It gives a good effect.

Dr. Prajakta Kulkarni · Answer

Hi. Kindly don't stop allopathic medicines abruptly as it will increase pain, swelling and stiffness.  Continue for some time alongwith Ayurvedic medicines or decrease the dose under supervision of allopathic doctor. 
Tab.  Mahayogaraj guggul 1-0-0with milk after breakfast. 
Tab. Sinhnad Guggul 2-2-2 
Tab. Mahavatvidhvans 1-1-1
Syp. Maharasnadi kwath 3tsp-0-3tsp in lukewarm Water. 
Chaturbeej churna 1/4 tsp in lukewarm Water 2 time a day
Avoid sour food completely.  Avoid bakery product and carbonated drinks completely.  Have lukewarm Water for drinking.  Have more of drumstick, ajwain,  black pepper,  dry ginger,  in diet.  
Have castor oil 2 tsp at night before sleep. 
Hot sand fomentation regularly on affected joints.
Also follow physiotherapy under supervision of physiotherapist

Dr. Atul Painuli · Answer

Rehmatoid arthritis known as aamvata in ayurveda it's a autoimmune disease effects small joints in our body.. morning stiffness and swelling in most common symptoms in this..

Divya peedanil gold tab=1-1 
Nutrela suprulina tab=1-1 ..tab before meal twice daily

Singnaad GUGULU 
Punarnawadi mandoor 
Chandraprabha vati=2-2 tab after meal twice daily...

Avoid junk food/maida/red chilli/ khatayi/pickle etc

Regular do exercises like ANULOMAVILOM bhramri udgeeth pranayama

You can easily cured..

In this disease generally folitrax and HCQ steroids are given by allopathic doctor ITSS very harmful to body...

So accept ayurveda you can easily cured

Dr. Ayushya Kumar Singh · Answer

1. Sinhanad guggulu - 2 tabs thrice a day after food
2.Vaishvanar churna - 1 tsf with hot water thrice a day
3.Amritarishta - 4 tsf + 4 tsf water twice daily after food
4. Baluka sveda - hot fomentation with sand potli

Dr. Hemanshu Mehta · Answer

NAMASTE PURNIMA JI,
62 year old female patient with-
RA positive, 
hypothyroidism,
 dependent on allopathic steroids, 
which cause side effects,
 pain and swelling flare up immediately when medications are reduced

1)RA = AMAVATA IN AYURVEDA
AMA=undigested sticky toxins formed due to weak digestion
VATA=responsible for movement, dry, rough,and painful in imbalance
PATHOLOGY= Ama+Vata=Amavata->reaches joints->swelling, stiffness, pain

2)HYPOTHYROIDISM=low digestive fire+kapha imbalance
low digestive fire leads to low metabolism
sluggishness, weight gain,fatigue,dryness,stiffness-kapha-vata features

thus, both conditions share Agnimandya(digestive weakness)as a root.so key is to correct Digestion

Treatment should be divided in 2 phases
1)phase 1 - agnideepana +Ama pachana- for first 20 days and after that
2)phase 2- shaman aushadhi-anti-inflammatory + rejuvenating phase- for 3 months

PHASE1 -FOR 20 DAYS
1) TRIKATU CHURNA- 1/4 tsp with warm water before lunch and dinner- it improves Agni,Melts undigested toxins

2) AJAMODADI CHURNA- 1 tsp with buttermilk-after meals twice daily= reduces joint pain, gas,stiffness

3)Hingwastaka churna-1/2 tsp with warm water post meals twice daly- relieves bloating, supports digestion

ginger+tulsi+ajwain+saunf-boil and sip warm through out the day

PHASE 2- FOR 3 MONTHS START AFTER 20 DAYS OF PHASE 1
-MORNING-EMPTY STOMACH
1)MAHASUDARSHANA VATI- 1 tab -clears low grade systematic inflammation
2)YOGARAJ GUGGULU- 1 tab- strengthen joints, relieve pain

-AFTER BREAKFAST AND DINNER-
3)SIMHANADA GUGGULU- 1 tab-removes toxins from joints, reduces swelling
4)KAISHOR GUGGULU- 1 tabb- reduces inflammation, and purifies blood
5)PUNARNAVA MANDOOR- 1 tab-improves blood, reduces fluid retention and supports thyroid

*start gradually, monitor response and reduce steroids or stop taking steroids at all

*LOCAL APPLICATION-
MASSAGE WITH DHANWANTARAM TAILA-
warm oil, gently massage affected joints for 15 minutes
followed by hot fomentation using hot water bag or steam towel

LEPA(HERBAL PASTE APPLICATION-DURIG SWELLING OCCURS)
mic DASHANGA lepa churna+warm castor oil
apply to swollen joints for 20-30 min, then wash with warm water

DIET TO BE FOLLOWED STRICTLY-
-Eat,warm easy to digest freshly prepared food
support thyroid by avoiding goitrogenic foods
eat:-
GRAINS- old rice, wheat,jowar,barley
DALS- moong,massor,toor dal(well cooked with hing and jeera)
VEGETABLES- bottle gourd, ridge gourd, pumpkin, snake gourd, spinach(well cooked no raw)
FRUITS- pomegranate, papaaya,apple,figs,raisins
SPICES- ajawain,jeera,saunth,methi,haldi,hing(improve digestion and reduce swelling)
FATS- cows ghee-1 tsp/day,sesame oil for cooking
BEVERAGES- warm water, herbal tea(ginger+tulsi), coriander water in mooring

AVOID STRICTLY
HEAVLY/COLD FOOD- curd, panner,yogurt, cold milk, ice cream
VEGETABLES- brinjal,tomato, potato,capsicum
PULSES- rajma, chana, urad dal
FERMENTED-dhokle, idli, bread,vingar, cheese
RAW FOOD-salads, sprouts, fruits with high water content like watermelon
GOITROGENS- soy,broccoli,cauliflower, cabbage strictly avoid

*YOGA AND LIFESTYLE-
GENTLE MORNING ROUTINE- 30 MIN
joint movements-neck, wrist,ankle rotation
TADASANA- stretches spine
Bhujangasana-Improves back flexibility
Ardha matsyendrasana- spine twist, helps digestion
Setu Bandhasana - gentle backbend
Makarasana and shavasana- relax joints and body

PRANAYAM-10-15 MIN
anulom-vilom- 5-10 min
ujjai-3 min
bhramari- 5 min
avoid. kaplbhati or strong pranayam during flare up

wake up early by 7am
warm water sip throughout the day
meal timing- fixed hours, no overeating
avoid- daytime sleep, cold exposure,night vigils,sudden movements
CASTOR OIL PURGE- once every 15 days. 1 tsp castor oil in warm milk at bedtime to reduce toxins

IF FEASIBLE CAN GO FOR PANCHAKARMA PROCEDURE TO GET INSTANT RELIEF-
WHEN CONDITION IS STABLE AND THERE IS NO ACUTE PAIN EPISODE THEN ONLY GO FOR
RUKSHA UDWARTANA
SWEDANA
KATI BASTI/JANU BASTI
VIIRECHANA
BASTI-ANUVASANA +NIRUHA

advice-
regular blood test - ESR,CRP,RA FACTOR,TSH EVERY 2-3 MONTHS
STERIODS SHOULD STOP COMPLETELY
IMPROVEMENT SIGNS- BETTER DIGESTION,REDUCED JOINT STIFFNESS IN MORNING,REDUCED ESR/CRP

key principle of treatment is-
Ama pachana is first priority-correct digestion

do follow for 3 months and see results

thank you

Dr. Sumit Tasgaonkar · Answer

1.	Simhanad Guggul – Helps eliminate Aama and balances Vata.
2.	Maharasnadi Kwath / Dashmool Kwath – Reduces inflammation and stiffness.
3.	Rasnapanchak Kwath – Improves joint mobility.
4.	Sutshekhar Ras – Supports digestion and reduces acidity-related Aama.
5.	Ashwagandha, Shallaki (Boswellia), Nirgundi, Guggul – Effective for joint strength and pain relief.
6.	Punarnava Mandoor / Kaishor Guggul – Reduces inflammation and supports metabolism.

Panchakarma Therapies (if possible):

Basti (medicated enemas) – The most effective therapy to balance Vata.

Abhyanga (herbal oil massage) – Improves joint flexibility and reduces pain.

Swedana (steam therapy) – Relieves stiffness and swelling.

Virechana (purgation) – Helps detoxify the body and improve liver function.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice:

Recommended:
	•	Eat warm, easily digestible food.
	•	Use spices like ginger, turmeric, fenugreek, and garlic in cooking.
	•	Drink herbal teas, golden milk (haldi milk), and take Triphala powder at night.
	•	Take 1 tsp of castor oil in warm water once or twice a week (as advised).
	•	Practice gentle yoga and pranayama, especially Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, Tadasana, Anulom-Vilom.

Avoid:

•	Cold, heavy, or oily foods like yogurt, ice cream, refined flour, and deep-fried items.
	•	Daytime sleeping, excessive screen time, overexertion, mental stress.
	•	Long exposure to cold environments or air conditioning.

Dr. Ayush Varma · Answer

Managing rheumatoid arthritis, especially at 62 years, requires a balanceed approach where Ayurveda can beautifully complement allopathic treatments without immediately ceasing prescribed medications. It is crucial to ensure that any changes in treatment are done carefully, with professional guidance.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, rheumatoid arthritis (Aamavata) is seen as a result of imbalances in Vata and accumulation of Ama (toxins). The primary focus would be to strengthen digestive fire (Agni), to reduce Ama, and to pacify Vata.

Start with an Ayurvedic diet that enhances your digestive fire. Opt for warm, cooked foods like soups or stews, supplemented with spices like ginger, cumin, and turmeric which assist digestion. Avoid cold, heavy, or oily foods that can increase Ama. Include Triphala at bedtime, about 1 tsp in warm water, to regulate digestion and cleansing.

Incorporating lifestyle changes like self-massage (Abhyanga) with warm sesame oil before bath can help in pacifying Vata and alleviating stiffness. Ensure you are daily walking, as gentle exercise can help maintain joint mobility without overstraining them. Yoga and meditation can also be beneficial for their calming effects on the mind and body.

Herbal remedies can serve as supportive allies. Consider supplements like Ashwagandha or Guggul, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, but consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to ensure compatibility with your constitution and any ongoing medication.

Avoid abruptly stopping all bu allopathic medications—this could worsen symptoms. Instead, work with both your allopathic doctor and an Ayurvedic practitioner to safely adjust dosages, only when appropriate.

Lastly, regular detoxification under guidance, like Panchakarma, could help manage RA symptoms by removing deep-seated Ama and restoring balance. Remember, patience is key. The fusion of Ayurveda into your current treatment can gradually enhance comfort and wellbeing without causing undue stress on your body.

what is the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis - #22977

Doctors’ responses

About our doctors

Related questions

Popular questions

Doctors online

Latest reviews