European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ERAND A POTENT DRUG FOR AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS)

Aradhna Saklani*, D. C. Singh and Rishi Arya

ABSTRACT

Ama is an unprocessed product of digestion formed due to agnimandya (poor digestive fire) which is the causative factor for the disease Amavata. Ama does not reveal itself directly physically but expresses itself through the effect it has on the body. Ama (undigested food) hinders the physiological channels of the body, it slows down the metabolism, impedes the supply of produced metabolites and toxins that are produced which results in increased production of Ama. Now as the level of tissue has been penetrated, our immune system starts to attack the affected cells. This causes the inflammation or allergic reaction that can lead to autoimmune disease. Ama then combines with Vata and lodges in the joints and causes amavata. Erand (Ricinus communis) can be used as a complete treatment in Amavata internally as well as externally. Single drug is cost effective, economical and easy to use. Amavata is a chronic in- flammatory disease and is a kaphaavrit vata vyadi. Erand is said to be kaphavata hanti and its Ras panchak breaks its pathogenesis at every step. Due to its ushna virya it works both on kapha and vata. Due to sukshma guna, it can enter minute channels of the body and due to its bhedniya, svedopug guna has mentioned by acharya charak. It causes the loosening of dosha-dushya samurchna and causes the bhedan of the samurchna. It has angmardprashman property too, which relieves the pain in Amavata, which is a major cry of the patients of Amavata. Due to its snigdha Guna it decreases the stiffness of the joint and increases the mobility of the joint.

Keywords: Erand, Ama, Amavata, Kaphaavrit vata, Ras panchak.