Ayurvedic Treatment For Chikungunya – Arthritis

Chikungunya outbreak has caused a lot of panic among people. It is a viral fever that spreads by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Most of  the symptoms of chikungunya and dengue have resemble each other though there is slight difference between the two. Severe, sometimes persistent, joint pain (arthritis), as well as fever and rash are the main characteristic features of Chikungunya. But in dengue, at later stages, the platelet count depletion sets in.

Chikungunya, in the acute phase, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain are also known to occur. Several varieties of viral infections are spread through droplets discharged into the atmosphere by the cough or sneeze of infected patients. It is seldom life-threatening.

However, the most painful aspect of chikungunya is the extended period of pain and swelling in the joints following the recovery from fever. This is due to the response of ones’ own immune system to parts of the virus which resemble the joint. This phenomenon is called as auto immune response. While the symptoms are less severe in younger patients, the older people and those with pre-existing arthritic tendency suffer badly.

Chikungunya and other similar viral infections have become very prevalent these days and are a grave cause for concern, affecting life of hundreds and thousands. The unbearable joint pain leaves many prostrated and unable to carry on with normal day to day activities.

Arthritis associated with Chikungunya  –
Post chikungunya arthritis affecting multiple joints can leave a person debilitated for a very long period of time.

Allopathic treatment options are largely symptomatic for mitigating pain and fever using anti-inflammatory drugs along with rest. While recovery from chikungunya is the expected outcome, convalescence can be prolonged (up to a year or more), and persistent joint pain may require analgesics (pain medication) and long-term anti-inflammatory therapy.

Ayurveda, has a great deal to offer by way of relief from Chikungunya & other forms of post-viral arthritis. The principle of Ayurvedic treatment in such acquired infections is of immuno- modulation. The medications and therapies help to modulate the immune response of the body against viral antigens which inadvertently affect the joints. Hence, in addition to the symptomatic relief which is very quickly felt, the immuno-modulation helps to reverse the inflammatory process as well as prevent tissue damage. This results in a faster recovery and a shortened convalescent period.

Chikungunya – Ayurvedic treatment

Line of treatment

1. Preventive medicines to improve immunity. – These medicines can be taken to prevent the chikungunya or at least to reduce its severity.
2. Medicines to reduce fever and bring down muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rashes (small red spots) all over the body.
3. Medicines to relieve muscle and joint pains.
4. Rejuvenation medicines that are administered once the disease is relieved. This is to restore body strength and immunity. These medicines give energy to the patient to get on with day to day activities after recovery.

Warning: Before trying any of these medicines, consult your doctor directly. I do not guarantee that these will work. These can be taken along with your allopathic treatment.
Please consult your Ayurveda doctor before trying any of below medicines
All the medicines that I have mentioned below are easily available in any local Ayurveda store or at shimply.com, eayur.com etc online Ayurveda shopping websites.

A. Preventive medicines and remedies against Chikungunya

These medicines do not offer any guarantee that you will not get chikungunya. But your body will be better equipped to fight this disease.
1. Nimbadi Kashayam tablet (AVN company)-
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

2. Trishun tablet (Zandu company) –
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

3. Panchanimbadi Vati tablet (AVN company)
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

Trishun with Nimbadi Kashayam tablet
OR
Trishun with Panchanimbadi vati tablet – is advised as a preventive medicine combination.
The above two medicines can be continued for up to 1 month time.

B. Ayurvedic medicines to reduce Chikungunya fever

The below medicines are targeted to reduce fever.
Amritarishta (liquid) – 15 ml, mixed with 15 ml of water, 2 times a day. This is not recommended in diabetic people.
Trishun tablet
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.
Sanjivani Vati tablet –
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

Amrutottaram kashayam tablet –
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

Combinations –
Sanjivani with Trishun + Amritaristhta
Amrutottaram with Sanjivani and Trishun
They can be continued up to 4 – 6 weeks of time, based on your doctor’s advice.

C. Ayurvedic medicines and remedies to relieve pain and inflammation

R compound tablet – 2 tablets 2 – 3 times a day after food.
Shallaki capsule – 1 – 2 capsules – 1 -2 times a day after food (Excess of this may cause stomach irritation in some people)
Sallaki MR tablet – 1 – 2 tablets 1- 2 times a day after food.
Yogaraja Guggulu
Vatari Guggulu etc.

Any one or two among the above can be continued for up to 2 – 4 months, with gradual decrease in dosage, as per your Ayurvedic doctor’s advice.

D. Ayurvedic Medicines to restore energy after the fever is relieved

Ashwagandharishta, Amrutarishta, Balarishta – any one among the above – 15 ml, mixed with 15 ml of water, 2 times a day after food. (Cannot be administered to diabetic people)
Swamala compound – 1 teaspoon 2 times a day (Cannot be administered to diabetic people)
Ashwagandha capsule, Shilajit capsule, Shatavari capsule etc.

External application

Oils and liniments to apply externally over joints to reduce pain:
Please note that while you have fever, you cannot apply oils to the joints. But liniments can be applied to relieve pain. Liniments are oils + volatile principles. After application, they evaporate quickly. The below mentioned liniments are good to apply 4 – 5 times a day for 4 – 6 weeks time.
Some good liniments are –
Arnopen liniment
Arthorub liniment
Myostaal liniment
Rhukot liniment
Rumalaya liniment etc.

Oils for application –
These oils can be applied after the fever is completely relieved. These oils improve joint strength and relieve pain.
Mahanarayana taila
Kottamchukkadi taila
Mahamasha taila
Balaswagandhadi taila
Vishagarbha taila

Rejuvenative medicines

Rejuvenative Ayurvedic medicines for Chikungunya joint care:
Especially in old people, chikungunya may cause permanent joint pain and difficulty in walking. For them, the below medicines help to strengthen joints. These can be started during the fever and can be continued for up to 3 – 4 months of time, with gradual decrease in dose.
1. Ksheerabala 101 drops – 10 drops, 2 times a day after food.
2. Ksheerabala capsule -1  capsule 2 – 3 times a day after food.
3. Gandha tailam drops – 10 drops 2 times a day after food.
4. Lakshadi guggulu tablet – 2 tablets 2 -3 times a day after food.
5. Gandha tailam capsule -1  capsule 2 times a day after food.

Beware of false promises:
As you may have noticed any tablet or capsule that I have enlisted above does not cost you more than 4 – 6 rupees per piece.
Some fake Ayurvedic doctors may push you to buy costly Swarna Bhasma, Heera Bhasma for thousands of rupees to relieve this. They may or may not work, but they are not necessary.

Home remedies

A decoction or herbal tea prepared with neem powder + ginger – once or twice a day.
Herbal tea prepared with neem powder + Ashwagandha powder + ginger
Tulsi herbal tea
Consult your doctor before trying any home remedies or medicines.

Chikungunya in children

For kids below seven years age, they will have to strictly follow the advice of the consulting doctor. Amrutarishta – 5 ml, mixed with 5 ml of water, 2 times a day, after food can be administered in them to bring the fever under control. This can be administered along with the regular medication prescribed by the doctor.
Other medicines such as Trishun tablet – half a tablet twice a day can also be prescribed, but it needs a doctor’s direct consultation. Self medication without consulting a doctor is too risky, especially in children.
Once after the fever is relieved, if the children are having joint pains, then any of the oils / liniments explained in the article can be used to relieve joint pain.
For infants, it is too risky to try any remedies. Better to go with the advice of the doctor.