CLINICAL EVALUATION OF VIRECHANA THERAPY IN AMAVATA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Amavata is a disease of chronic joint and body pain, accompanied by a swelling of some or all of the synovial joints. These symptoms are typically accompanied by stiffness of joints, loss of appetite, indigestion, lack of enthusiasm, feeling of heaviness and fever.

Among Shodhna therapy described in Ayurveda, Virechana is mostly used in the disorders originated from vitiated Pitta. Along with this, it is also useful in the disorders in which Pitta is associated with Vata or Kapha dosha. It has direct effect on the Agni Adhishthan and also works on Kapha and Vata Adhishsthan. Thus, it rectify not only Pitta but Vata and Kapha Dosha also.

A clinical study of 20 registered cases of Amavata revealed that Virechana karma is a very effective treatment of Amavata. This study proved the significance of Virecana karma on classical symptom of Amavata i.e., Angamarda, Aruchi, Trishna, Jwara, Shoth, etc. It reflects that Virechana karma is a potent Shroto-vishodhna, a good anti-inflammatory and pain relieving in patients of R.A.

Statistically significant results were found in Morning stiffness (83.02%, P<0.001), Swelling (81.67% , P<0.001), Trishna (56%, P<0.001), Aruchi (80.00%, P<0.001), Gaurava (85.37% P<0.001) and Apaka (81.39%). This study reveals that Virechana therapy is a very effective Panchakarma procedure with potent Sroto Shodhana effect to produce good anti- inflammatory and pain reducing feature in patients of R.A.