Role of Agnimandya in Nidana Evum Samprapti of Amavata with special reference to Rheumatoid Arthritis

In Ayurveda, many systemic diseases are thought to have their root cause in Agnimandya, or the diminished function of Agni. Among these, Amavata is a prime example of how Mandagni leads to the production of Ama, a toxic metabolic by product. This Ama travels throughout the body and localizes in the Sandhis when paired with vitiated Vata dosha. It causes the traditional symptoms of Angamarda, Stabdhata, Sandhishoola and Sandhishotha. The pathophysiological characteristics of RA, a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation, joint erosion and systemic malaise, are strikingly similar to these manifestations. This literary review also establishes a cross-reference with contemporary biomedical insights into the gut-mediated autoimmune mechanisms involved in RA. According to the review, the Agni-Ama axis is a key pathogenic pathway in Ayurveda and poor digestion and metabolism serve as a crucial link between internal imbalance (Ama) and systemic immune dysfunction. Additionally, it examines how Agnimandya starts a chain reaction in which Ama sanchaya, Srotorodha, Vata Prakopa and Dhatu Dushti, specifically of Asthi, Majja and Rasa Dhatu, come to an end. This knowledge not only connects traditional Ayurvedic pathology with autoimmune models in RA, but it also creates opportunities for therapeutic and preventive strategies focused on Ama-Pachana and Agni-Deepana.