Osteoarthritis & Joint Pain? Try These Powerful Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

Bone and joint health is essential for the well-being of the bones and joints in your body. Bones provide structure and support, while joints allow movement. Keeping them healthy is important for staying active and pain-free as you age. This involves staying active, eating nutritious foods, and protecting your body from injuries to maintain strong bones and flexible joints. If bone and joint health are not properly maintained, it can lead to various problems, including Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that involves inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. Over time, if joints are not cared for, they can undergo changes that result in arthritis. With age, the risk of arthritis also increases and if there are underlying comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, the risk gets higher.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis can damage any joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease. Most commonly it affects large joints in your body like, knees, hips and spine. In this, degenerative changes occur in joints and also synovial fluid is depleted. The joints are designed to bear the weight of the body and provide mobility. A joint consists of bones, cartilages, tendons, ligaments, synovial fluid, synovial membrane, bursae, and meniscus. Due to degeneration, the cartilage in joints breaks down, the synovial membrane gets inflamed and the synovial fluid gets depleted causing bones to rub together which causes friction in the joints. This leads to development of various symptoms like pain, swelling, stiffness, etc. Sometimes both knees are involved and sometimes only one is involved.

CAUSES/TRIGGERS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

1. Wear and Tear (Osteoarthritis): When bones and joints are not kept strong through physical activity and a balanced diet, the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in the joints can wear away. This leads to bones rubbing against each other, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
2. Injury and Stress: Not maintaining bone strength and joint flexibility can make your body more vulnerable to injuries. Repeated injuries or stress on a joint can lead to the development of arthritis over time.
3. Being Overweight: Extra weight puts stress on joints like the knees and hips, which can lead to osteoarthritis. BMI of over 30 keeps you at a greater risk.
4. Repetitive Stress: Repetitive movements or stress on a joint from work or sports can lead to osteoarthritis.
5. Lack of Nutrients: Nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for bones.
6. Aging: The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
7. Genetics: A family history of osteoarthritis can increase the risk of developing it. Few genetic conditions like hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can also predispose this.
8. Joint Deformities: Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage.
9. Joint Injuries: Injuries to the joints, such as fractures, strains, or cartilage damage, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
10. Metabolic Diseases: Some metabolic diseases, like diabetes, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
11. Sex: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men, especially after age 55.

SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

• Joint tenderness
• Weakness and muscle wasting (loss of muscle bulk)
• Joints appearing slightly larger
• Limited range of movement in your joints
• A grating or crackling sound (crepitus) or sensation in your joints
• Increased pain and stiffness when you have not moved your joints for a while

SIGNS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

• Bony enlargement, crepitus, and decreased range of motion
• Tenderness on palpation at the joint line
• Pain on joint motion
• Commonly weight-bearing joints are involved, i.e., knees and hips
• Sometimes hands are involved, particularly the proximal & distal interphalangeal joints
• Base of the thumb (first metacarpal joint) is sometimes involved in OA and can even become swollen and be mistaken for wrist involvement

DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

• X-Ray findings: include osteophyte formation, joint space narrowing, and cysts.
• MRI: helps to find out changes in cartilage, periarticular structures, and edema in subchondral bone.

TREATMENT/LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS

• NSAIDs for pain control
• Steroid injections
• Use of ortho-friendly footwear
• Exercises for maintaining joint mobility
• Weight management
• Surgery: partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, or joint knee replacement
• Cartilage grafting can be done with the help of healthy cartilage harvested from the body of the patient only

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

Acharya Charaka (Father of Medicine in Ayurveda) has explained about Osteoarthritis which can be correlated to Sandhivata which is explained under Vata-vyadhi Adhaya (diseases due to vitiated Vata dosha) in Chikitsa Sthana. The term Sandhivata is derived from “Sandhi” and “Vata” which means when Vata dosha lodges in Sandhi i.e.,joints causing swelling, pain, restriction of joint movements and other symptoms. Sandhivata commonly affects weight-bearing joints of the body like, knee joint, hip joint.

वातपूर्णदृतिस्पर्शः शोथः सन्धिगतेऽनिले |
प्रसारणाकुञ्चनयोः प्रवृत्तिश्च सवेदना ||

Ancient Reference – [Ch. Chi. 28/37]

In the above Shloka, Acharya Charaka has explained about the symptoms of Sandhivata (Osteoarthritis) stating, when vitiated Vata dosha gets accumulated in joints, it leads to a painful feeling of presence of air within joints i.e., crepitus, swelling, along with painful flexion & extension of joints.

In osteoarthritis as there is asthi dhatu kshaya which results in aggravated vata dosha and thus results in pain and crepitus in the joint.

बाह्याभ्यन्तरतः स्नेहैरस्थिमज्जगतं जयेत् ||

Ancient Reference – [Ch. Chi. 28/93]

Both Bahya (external) and Abhyantar (internal) Snehan are of utmost importance in the treatment of Sandhigata Vata. Bahya Snehan in the form of Janu Basti (Knee basti i.e., a small pool is prepared around knee with black gram flour in which hot medicated oils are poured), Abhyanga (hot oil massage), Dhara (stream of hot medicated oil is poured on knee) can be done.For Abhyantar Snehan, Snehapana with various medicated Ghrita can be done in accordance with the aggravated doshas and the presenting symptoms.

Abhyantara (internal) snehana is helpful in replenishing “meda dhatu” and then subsequently “asthi dhatu” and “majja dhatu” get replenished. Use of “Mahatikta ghrita” is indicated for internal snehan. Use of Janu Basti (Knee basti i.e., a small pool is prepared around the knee with black gram flour in which hot medicated oils are poured) with medicated oils like Ksheerbala tailam is also indicated in osteoarthritis for pain relieving.

Also, the use of “Pinda Swedana” is indicated in painful joints. In this the medicinal paste is prepared with the help of Eranda (Ricinus communis) patra (castor leaves), Nirgundi leaves along with medicated oil or ghee. The paste is heated and then applied to painful joints.

AYURVEDIC HERBS BENEFICIAL IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

1. GUGGUL/COMMIPHORA MUKUL

Acharya Charaka has said guggul to be “medo-anilaharm” i.e., it balances vata dosha and is also helpful in reducing cholesterol levels, thus helpful in obesity. It is also tridosha shamak i.e., balances all the three doshas. Madhur (sweet) rasa balances Vata Dosha, Kashaya (astringent) rasa balances Pitta Dosha and Tikt (bitter) rasa balances Kapha Dosha. It also has “vran-ropan” (wound healing) properties, thus it helps in relieving joint inflammation.

2. NIRGUNDI/VITEX NEGUNDO

It consists of various alkaloids like phenol, vitricine, dulcitol etc. It is a potent Vata and Kapha dosha shamak as it is Laghu (lightness), Rooksha (dry) qualities and Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter). It is also “Rujapaha” i.e., it relieves pain and thus is useful in arthritic pain.

3. SHALLAKI/BOSWELLIA SERRATA

Its essential oil is called “frankenstein oil”. Shallaki is rich in Glucosamines. These are amino-acids that have anti-inflammatory action that help in relieving joint pain and increase joint mobility and flexibility. It balances Kapha and Pitta dosha as it has laghu (light), Rooksha (dry) properties. Externally Upanaha swedana (application of hot paste) with shallaki is recommended to use in joint pains.

4. ASTHI-SHRINKHALA/CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS

An ancient ayurvedic saying states “यत्र आकृति तत्र गुणा वसन्ति” meaning when something is similar to any body organ or structure, its functioning will be beneficial for that particular body organ. So in this case, Asthi-shrinkhala has a similar appearance to structure of bone and joints, & it is indeed very efficient for strengthening of bones and joints. It is also called “had-jod”. It balances Vata dosha as it is of Madhur (sweet) rasa and Kapha dosha as it has Laghu (light), Rooksha (dry) qualities and Ushna veerya (hot potency).The extract from this plant is rich in calcium ions. Had-jod is also “Bhagna Sandhankara” (helpful in healing broken joints or bones) and “Balya” (helpful in strengthening bones).

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda provides a combination of ayurvedic herbs for the management of OSTEOARTHRITIS. With the use of above-mentioned herbs, planet Ayurveda has compiled the “Osteoarthritis Care Pack”. This pack includes Bone Support, Joint Aid Plus, Coral Calcium Complex and Lakshadi Guggul. All the Planet Ayurveda medicines are 100% natural, vegetarian, additive free, chemical & preservative free and without any side effects. With ayurvedic intervention, Osteoarthritis can be managed efficiently and thus, increasing the quality of life.

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. BONE SUPPORT

These capsules are prepared from the standardized extract of herbs like Shudha Laksha (Laccifer lacca), Hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis), Sehjan (Moringa oleifera), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Mukta (Compound of Pearl Calcium) and Praval pishti (Corallium rubrum). These are helpful in increasing calcium absorption as well as increasing bone density. In addition, the formulation helps in strengthening the cartilages as well and improves joint mobility. Hadjod in it enhances bone density, and Arjuna helps in better circulation. Also Praval Pishti and Mukta increase the natural calcium levels in the body.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day with plain water after meals.

2. JOINT AID PLUS

These capsules are prepared from the standardized extract from the herbs like, Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Nirgundi (Vitex Negundo), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), and Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera). These herbs are helpful in reducing inflammation and strengthening of joint and bones. Guggul and Shallaki are helpful in reducing characteristic pricking pain which is increased on movement by pacifying the aggravated Vata dosha. Moreover, the presence of Shunthi in it aids digestion and Ashwagandha provides strength to the muscles and ligaments. This formulation has given effective results in almost all types of joint related conditions.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day with plain water after meals.

3. CORAL CALCIUM COMPLEX

These capsules are prepared from the standardized extract from the herbs like, Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Nirgundi (Vitex Negundo), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), and Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera).These herbs are helpful in reducing inflammation and strengthening of joint and bones. Guggul and Shallaki are helpful in reducing characteristic pricking pain which is increased on movement by pacifying the aggravated Vata dosha. Moreover, the presence of Shunthi in it aids digestion and Ashwagandha provides strength to the muscles and ligaments. This formulation has given effective results in almost all types of joint related conditions.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day with plain water after meals.

4. LAKSHADI GUGGUL

Lakshadi Guggul is a classical preparation that is available in the form of capsules. It is prepared with the standardized extract of Laksha (Laccifer lacca), Asthisambharaka (Cissus quadrangularis), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Nagabala (Grewia populifolia) and Guggul (Commiphora mukul). The Guggul and Ashwagandha are helpful in balancing the vitiated Vata dosha thus relieving pain. The Arjuna enhances the blood circulation. As it is also a rich source of calcium, it accelerates the healing process in the joints. Asthi shrinkhala is used to soothe the ligaments and for increasing the bone density.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice a day with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

To prevent arthritic changes, it’s important to maintain good bone health through regular physical activity, a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding excess strain or injury to your joints. Timely intervention can help slow down the progression of the disease and increase the chances of achieving positive results. The treatment protocol depends on the involvement of doshas. Selection of drugs for treatment of Sandhivata on the basis of its Kriyalakala (stage of disease manifestation in the body) can provide accurate results. Early diagnosis of Sandhivata such as through symptoms or screenings, can lead to better treatment and a higher chance of successful recovery.