Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options: What's Best for You?

Approximately 456,000 Australians have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. That’s 1.9 per cent of the total population.

Are you one of these people? Are you curious about how you can manage your symptoms without relying on traditional medications and modalities?

If so, read on to learn more about your natural rheumatoid arthritis treatment options.

Herbal Remedies

When it comes to figuring out how to treat rheumatoid arthritis, treatment involving herbs is often one of the most helpful options. The following are a few commonly used herbs included in RA treatment:

Turmeric

Turmeric is a herb known for its bright yellow colour. It’s often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Many practitioners find that including turmeric supplements in RA patients’ daily regimens can help to minimize joint inflammation and pain. This, in turn, helps to improve movement quality and overall quality of life.

Rasna

Also known as Alpinia galanga, Rasna is a herb that’s often included in Thai and Indonesian cuisine.

Rasna has a bitter taste and supports healthy digestion. It also contains compounds that reduce inflammation and pain, which makes it a good choice for those who are struggling with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Eranda

Eranda (or Ricinus communis or Castor plant) is a widely used ayurvedic herb. It’s found throughout the world and has a bitter, yet slightly sweet taste.

Eranda boasts significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as anti-bacterial properties.

Sunthi

Sunthi is more commonly known throughout the world as ginger. This bitter herb is often recommended to those who are struggling with poor digestion, but it also can be a powerful tool for RA patients who are dealing with chronic joint pain and inflammation.

By including more ginger in your diet, you can support your body’s natural detoxification processes, minimize inflammation, and improve your joints’ range of motion.

Nirgundi

Nirgundi is also known as the five-leaved chaste tree or Vitex negundo. It’s a potent herb that is found throughout South Asia and North Africa.

Nirgundi can provide relief from a variety of issues, including muscle spasms and chronic inflammation. It can help with anxiety and breathing challenges, too.

Shallaki

Shallaki (or Boswellia serrata) is a well-known herb that’s often recommended to those struggling with both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

For these people, as well as those who deal with other types of musculoskeletal pain, Shallaki may be used as a natural pain-reliever. It has a bitter taste, like many of the herbs included on this list, and it also supports healthy digestion and detoxification.

Guggul

Guggul is a herb native to India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It comes from the same family as Shallaki and its sap is tapped from plants in the same way that maple syrup is tapped from maple trees.

Guggul is best known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties make it very beneficial to those dealing with chronic pain and inflammation.

This herb may also help with weight loss, immune system support, and blood sugar balance, all of which can further minimize symptoms and improve the quality of life for someone dealing with RA.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to herbal remedies, certain lifestyle changes can also help RA patients to manage their symptoms without medication. The following are some common changes that holistic practitioners will recommend:

• Avoiding alcohol
• Limiting consumption of sweet, sugary, or sour foods
• Avoiding foods that may trigger acid reflux (such as tomatoes or citrus fruits)
• Quitting smoking
• Eliminating foods that may cause inflammation in the body

In addition to cutting out and avoiding certain things, it’s also important to add in practices that enhance one’s life and promote healthy, mobile, pain-free joints. This includes movement practices like yoga and making it a priority to get a good amount (7-8 hours in most cases) of quality sleep each night.

Ayurvedic Therapies

Beyond lifestyle changes and herbal remedies, other ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis can also make a difference. Here are some of the most helpful practices you may want to try:

Langana

Langana (sometimes written as “Langhana”) comes from the world “Laghu,” which translates to “light.”

Langana is all about creating a sense of lightness in the body. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, this can be beneficial because it helps to reduce heaviness that may be weighing on the joints and increasing pain and inflammation.

Langana practices may include eliminating certain foods that increase inflammation and heaviness, as well as using herbs and supplements that help to support proper digestion and detoxification.

Ruksha Sweda

Ruksha Sweda is a powerful practice that can help to minimize pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Ruksha Sweda involves the use of a herbal bolus, which is used to massage affected areas of the body and correct imbalances that may be contributing to pain and other RA symptoms.

The herbal bolus can be used to create “dry” heat with pungent herbs, rock salt, and raw rice. It may also create an “oily” heat with cooked rice, herbs, and warm milk. A practitioner will use dry or oily heat depending on the specific imbalances you’re dealing with.

Panchakarma Therapy

Panchakarma therapy is another practice that helps to support better blood flow and circulation. This, in turn, prevents “clogs” in the body, which can lead to toxin accumulation in the blood and feelings of sluggishness, as well as increased inflammation and pain.

Panchakarma involves a series of strategies that help to eliminate toxins. For example, Vamana, which includes therapeutic emesis, Basti, or enemas, and Nasya, or toxin elimination through your nose.

These therapies might seem a bit intimidating at first. They can provide a lot of relief for those who are struggling with pain and other RA symptoms, though.

Get Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Today

You now know a lot more about holistic rheumatoid arthritis treatment options. With these details in mind, are you curious about giving one or more of these options a try?

If you’re looking to work with an ayurvedic practitioner who understands natural treatment methods for RA, we’re here to help at Ayurherbs in Melbourne. Reach out to us today to book an appointment.

• October 25, 2021
• 0 Comments
•  Arthritis General Latest Blog Our Blog
• Dr. Stomy Jose