PANCHAKARMA THERAPY

For increasing the Agni, excretion of Aama and removal of vitiated and accumulated Doshas, purification or Shodhana and pacifying or Shamana treatments are given. This category of treatment comes under Panchkarma therapy. It consists of

• Medicated or retention enemas.
• Medical emesis.
• Medical purgation
• Nasal medication.
• Bloodletting.

Out of these five treatments the medicated enema is considered to be the most effective and specific therapy for this category of diseases. Emesis and purgation may reduce Agni and hence are not much used in Aamavata. Bloodletting is effective but because of its invasive nature is not used much. Medicated or retention enemas include herbal retention enemas and oil retention enemas. Herbal retention enemas remove Aama and accumulated Doshas. Various herbs used are Dashmoola, Rasna, Eranda (Ricinis communis) Bala (Sida cordifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).

Oil retention enemas help to replenish the depleted body constituents. Various oils used are Panchkola Ghrita, Rasnadi Ghrita, Ashwagandha Ghrita, Castor Oil, Dhanvantara Tailam, and Narayana Tailam.

Based upon the clinical condition of the patient and judgment of the treating physician these enemas can be prescribed every other day or less frequently.

Pacifying treatments are called “Shamana treatments” and are recommended when the patient is not able to tolerate the Shodhana or purifying treatments. These are also given as maintenance treatments following the purifying treatments. These treatments help eliminate accumulated Doshas, Aama, and toxins and to regain strength. The following are various Ayurvedic herbal preparations used in the management of Aamavata.

DECOCTIONS
Maha Rasnadikwatha, Ashwagandharistha, Bhallatakasava-this can give rise to severe reactions in some patients especially with Pitta Prakriti hence it has to be used under medical supervision, Rasna Panchak Kwatha, Rasna Saptaka Kwatha, Dashamoolarishta, and Amritarishta.

HERBAL POWDER MIXTURES/CHURNAS
Ajmodadi Churna, Panchakol Churna, Shunthi Churna, Ashwagandha Churna, Dashamool Churna, Rasna Churna, Musta Churna, Vaishwanara Churna, Kariramoola.

TABLETS
Simhanad Guggulu, Mahayogaraja Guggulu, Yogaraja Guggulu, Punarnava Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu.

GHEE/OIL
Panchakola Ghrita, Rasnadi Ghrita, Ashwagandha Ghrita, Dashamula Taila, Eranda Taila (castor oil), Narayana Taila, Dhanvantara Taila.

AVALEHA
Bhallataka Avaleha, Gorakha Avaleha. Various preparations of Bhallataka can be used in Aamavata.

Treatments

PANCHAKARMA THERAPY
For increasing the Agni, excretion of Aama and removal of vitiated and accumulated Doshas, purification or Shodhana and pacifying or Shamana treatments are given. This category of treatment comes under Panchkarma therapy. It consists of • Medicated or retention enemas. • Medical emesis. • Medical purgation • Nasal medication. • Bloodletting. Out of these five treatments the medicated enema is considered to be the most effective and specific therapy for this category of diseases. Emesis and purgation may reduce Agni and hence are not much used in Aamavata. Bloodletting is effective but because of its invasive nature is not used much. Medicated or retention enemas include herbal retention enemas and oil retention enemas. Herbal retention enemas remove Aama and accumulated Doshas. Various herbs used are Dashmoola, Rasna, Eranda (Ricinis communis) Bala (Sida cordifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). Oil retention enemas help to replenish the depleted body constituents. Various oils used are Panchkola Ghrita, Rasnadi Ghrita, Ashwagandha Ghrita, Castor Oil, Dhanvantara Tailam, and Narayana Tailam. Based upon the clinical condition of the patient and judgment of the treating physician these enemas can be prescribed every other day or less frequently. Pacifying treatments are called “Shamana treatments” and are recommended when the patient is not able to tolerate the Shodhana or purifying treatments. These are also given as maintenance treatments following the purifying treatments. These treatments help eliminate accumulated Doshas, Aama, and toxins and to regain strength. The following are various Ayurvedic herbal preparations used in the management of Aamavata. DECOCTIONS Maha Rasnadikwatha, Ashwagandharistha, Bhallatakasava-this can give rise to severe reactions in some patients especially with Pitta Prakriti hence it has to be used under medical supervision, Rasna Panchak Kwatha, Rasna Saptaka Kwatha, Dashamoolarishta, and Amritarishta. HERBAL POWDER MIXTURES/CHURNAS Ajmodadi Churna, Panchakol Churna, Shunthi Churna, Ashwagandha Churna, Dashamool Churna, Rasna Churna, Musta Churna, Vaishwanara Churna, Kariramoola. TABLETS Simhanad Guggulu, Mahayogaraja Guggulu, Yogaraja Guggulu, Punarnava Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu. GHEE/OIL Panchakola Ghrita, Rasnadi Ghrita, Ashwagandha Ghrita, Dashamula Taila, Eranda Taila (castor oil), Narayana Taila, Dhanvantara Taila. AVALEHA Bhallataka Avaleha, Gorakha Avaleha. Various preparations of Bhallataka can be used in Aamavata. View

PANCHAKARMA THERAPY

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MEDITATION AND PRANAYAM (DISCIPLINED BREATHING)
These help in re-establishing the connection to the source to correct the “mistake of the intellect” and balancing the Doshas. View

YOGIC AASANAS, MASSAGE AND SWEATING OR SAUNAS
Yogic exercises help in regaining strength, correcting deformities and improving posture. (Also recommended are tai chi, swimming, walking) Self-massage/Abhyanga with sesame oil in winters and coconut oil in Niramavastha and in chronic conditions in summers has detoxifying, rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory and Vata pacifying effect. Using the sauna or sweating using various herbal preparations also has detoxifying effect. Local fomentation with Nirgundi has anti-inflammatory effect. A qualified Ayurveda practitioner should be consulted to ensure appropriate procedures and monitor progress. View

YOGIC AASANAS, MASSAGE AND SWEATING OR SAUNAS

Yogic exercises help in regaining strength, correcting deformities and improving posture. (Also recommended are tai chi, swimming, walking)

Self-massage/Abhyanga with sesame oil in winters and coconut oil in Niramavastha and in chronic conditions in summers has detoxifying, rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory and Vata pacifying effect. Using the sauna or sweating using various herbal preparations also has detoxifying effect. Local fomentation with Nirgundi has anti-inflammatory effect. A qualified Ayurveda practitioner should be consulted to ensure appropriate procedures and monitor progress.

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HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Ayurvedic practice often involves the use of herbs and supplements as treatment. Some of the herbs that Ayurvedic practitioners often use to treat RA include: • Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense) • Garlic • Ginger • Ricinus communis (castor oil) • Ashwagandha View