Ayurvedic Home Remedy For Sciatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis With Haritaki
Rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica are very painful joint disorders. They both require proper Ayurveda treatment. But a few home remedies are also very helpful in keeping the symptoms under check and to treat complications. Here is an Ayurvedic home remedy, useful in both these conditions.
Home remedy video
Ingredients
What you need?
Castor oil – 5 ml
Fine powder of Haritaki – Terminalia chebula – 5 grams
Warm water – half a cup.
Method of preparation
How to make?
Mix fine powder of Haritaki with castor oil and make a fine paste. This is to be consumed along with warm water.
Dose
Dose? How to take?
3 grams of this paste is to be consumed once in a day, either in the morning or in the evening, after food. Since the taste is astringent-bitter, it is good to drink warm water after taking this remedy. It helps in easy swallowing.
How long to take?
This remedy can be taken for a period of 1 – 4 weeks, based on symptoms and severity of the disease.
Storage
How long can this remedy be stored?
If you store castor oil and Haritaki powder separately, both can be stored upto 2 – 6 months, in air tight containers.
If you are mixing equal quantities of each and keep the paste ready, the paste needs to be emptied within 7 days.
Taste? Astringent, slightly bitter.
Indications
It is indicated as a remedy for Rheumatoid arthritis and Sciatica (lumbar spondylosis).
Mode of action
How does it work in Rheumatoid arthritis?
As per Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis is caused due to Ama – product of improper digestion strength, altered immunity, blocking the body channels. Both Haritaki and castor oil are indicated in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to clear the Ama out of the body. It helps to cleanse stomach and intestine by inducing purgation.
Haritaki is very beneficial in treating ‘Áma’ and has rejuvenating property. It balances tridosha and it is one among Triphala group of fruits. Read more about Haritaki.
Castor oil is very effective in reducing the pain and stiffness of joints, which are the cardinal features of this disease.
Constipation is one of the associated features of Rheumatoid arthritis. This remedy acts as mild laxative and hence very useful.
How does it work in sciatica?
Lumbar spondylosis (sciatica / slip disc) is a degenerative disease of the bone. In the Ayurvedic approach to treat bone degenerative disorders, oils are used. That is why you see lot of oils being used in treating arthritis.
For example,
Use of oils like Mahanarayana taila for Abhyanga (oil massage), Sneha basti (oil enema) etc.
Use of oils like Kottamchukkadi taila, Bala Ashwagandhadi taila etc in Kati Basti, etc.
Use of Ksheerabala taila 101 for oral intake in case of osteo arthritis and so on.
Hence, castor oil is used as a rejuvenating agent in sciatica, aimed at regeneration of the bone mass in the affected joints. Castor oil along with Haritaki bring about anti inflammatory effect and useful to relieve pain and inflammation.
Side effects
Since it has laxative effect, people with diarrhoea should avoid this.
Some may not tolerate the taste / odour of this remedy.
Always consult your doctor before taking up this (or any other) home remedy.
FAQs
Can the Haritaki powder be replaced with capsule or tablet?
Traditionally Haritaki powder is told. Hence, better to stick to the traditional reference. If one cannot tolerate the taste, then 1 tablet / capsule along with castor oil can be used
Safe for kids?
No.
Safe during pregnancy and lactation?
Avoid this during pregnancy. Seek medical advice during lactation period. At the best, it can be taken for a period of 5 – 10 days during lactation. Long term usage of this remedy is not recommended during lactation.
Related articles
Understanding Rheumatoid arthritis in detail – causes and symptoms
Recommended Diet for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis – food to avoid
Useful lifestyle advice for Rheumatoid arthritis, obesity and allergy
27 comments
RAGURAMAN
Fantastic and informative.Please mention the tamil meaning of haritaki.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Tamil name of Haritaki is Kadukkai. More information about Haritaki here – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/01/05/haritaki-terminalia-chebula-uses-side-effects-ayurveda-details/
Liz
Thank you very much for such useful and practical information, Doctor. All the best for the New Year.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Thank you Liz. Wish you too a fantastic 2014 🙂
Rasamanjari Devi dasi
Hare Krishna Doctor. Hope your new year is wonderful. Thank you for this, i am going to try it. with love,
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Thank you Maaji for the new year wishes. Wish you too a very healthy and productive 2014
fausta
Thanks Dr for useful information. Tired about taking allopatic medicine. Surely will try this. Is there any home remedy for eye cataract
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
There are no proven home remedies for eye cataract.
fausta
tHANKS. IS THERE ANYOTHER MEDICINE OR ANY ADVICE
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
There are many medicines that can be used in treatment. Please consult an Ayurveda doctor in person.
fausta
Thanks
donroy
Hello Dr.Hebbar,
Is this a good remedy for ligament and joint injuries? Also can triphala be substituted for haritaki?
thank you for this easy remedy.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Hi, it is not very ideal remedy for injury related joint disorders. In this remedy, for the particular diseases, it is best to stick with Haritaki.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Welcome and wish you too a very healthy and happy 2014.
Dr.archanashree
Hi sir..can we use HINGVASHTAKA CHURNA instead of HARITAKI..?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
No Dr Archanashree. In this particular home remedy, It cannot be replaced with Hingwashtaka churna.
For Hingwashtaka CHurna, ghee is the ideal anupana, as explained in its formula itself.
Bhargav
Thanks for the Home Remedy for R.A. Since I am used to taking warm milk after dinner, can this remedy be consumed with warm milk?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Though castor oil is the best vehicle, Haritaki can also be consumed along with warm milk.
anand richhariya
What a good remedy for arthritis and spondylosis.
Sam
Dear Dr. Hebbar, Thank you for the article. Does this preparation completely cures RA. I read at another place in your website about Aamvatari Ras (tablet) for the treatment of RA. How do both compare as treatment option for RA?? Also, in the same article you mentioned that Aamvatari is used mostly in north India. Is it not the case in South India?? If not then what is used in South India.
Thank you for choosing to answer these questions.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Hi, this castor oil – Haritaki remedy is useful to relieve constipation and to improve flexibility of the joints. A complete cure for RA with this remedy alone cannot be promised.
Amavatari ras is useful in relieving pain and inflammation of joints. So, the castor oil remedy and Amavatari ras cover two different aspects of RA.
Some Ayurvedic medicines are more famous in some regions.
Sam
Also, I understand RA involves deformity of joints…….how does Ayurveda address to it. Thanks once again.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)Author
Deformities of the joints are addressed by rejuvenation treatment by administering Rasayanas like Brahma Rasayana, Chyawanprash etc. Before that, usually Panchakarma therapies are conducted.
Read more – Diet for RA – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2011/01/13/diet-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-ayurvedic-recommended-food/
Snehal
Dear sir , erand haritaki tablets can be given for RA. As contents are same but its in tablet form, n in above article its in paste form.
Dr.Yogesh Ghanokar
erand taila sanyukta haritaki bhakshayonnaro vidhivat |
aamniryati yuktam grudhrasi vrudhha arditam ||
Renu
Sir a patient of R.A. is taking panchkol churna BD. Can this remedy (haritki nd erand) be provided to her along with panchkol.
Renu
Thanks sir