Arthritis is one of the most common ailment for which Ayurvedic help is being sought these days.

It can occur in any part of the body but is most common in the knees, shoulders and hips. The pain can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by swelling and stiffness in one or more joints.

Severe joint pain, especially when caused by degenerative conditions like arthritis, needs proper diagnosis and treatment.

You should also consult your doctor if your joint pain is accompanied by swelling, redness and tenderness, or lasts for more than three days. But, you can get rid of mild joint pain with the help of natural lifestyle changes of Ayurveda.

Remedies for Arthritis:

Fasting is very beneficial for digesting the ama. The fasting be complete or partial depending on the strength of the person, season and place. Two teaspoons of lemon juice mixed in 250 ml. of warm water and a teaspoon of honey is good to take twice a day -morning and evening.

Body massage with sesame or mustard oil helps to reduce the vata and thus reduce the pain. The joints affected by pain can be massaged for longer time.

Light exercise is useful but you must know your limits: as a general rule if any exercise, including walking, causes pain after one hour, you have crossed your limit.

Liberal intake of orange juice or sweet lime juice or Vitamin C enhances the efficacy of any anti rheumatic drug, since Vitamin C can reduce skeletal pain.

Guggul is a very helpful herb for curing arthritis. If available it can be taken in one to 3 gm dose twice a day after meals with warm water. Contra-indications: Not recommended for people with kidney disease or acute rashes.

Diet and Regimen for Arthritis:

Foods which are easily digestible and do not make gas are good. Vegetable juices and soups are good. Juices of carrot, beetroot and cucumber mixed together is also beneficial. Green salad with a dressing of lemon juice and a little salt is also good. Fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and papaya can be taken. Cooked vegetables like squash, zucchini and pumpkin are good. Cooking with spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, asafetida, garlic, fennel and turmeric is also helps a lot.

Avoid eating hot,spicy and fried foods, sweets, wind forming foods like cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, okra and potatoes should be prohibited. Avoid taking too much tea, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, yogurt, chocolate and cocoa, excessive smoking

Sleeping during daytime, staying up late in the night and mental tensions like worry, anxiety, fear, stress and grief etc., should be given up. Regular physical exercise and every day massage with oil, once or twice a week, should form an important part of life style.