REVIEW ARTICLE ON AMAVATA

Amavata a is disease of Rasavaha strotasa. The word Amavata is made up of two words Ama and Vata. Amavata causes due to Agnidushti, Amotpatti and Sandhivikruti. It is the disease of Madhyam Rogamarg.[1] Clinically Asthi and Sandhi are the chief sites for the manifestation of cardinal symptoms such as Sandhishool, Sandhisotha, Sandhigraha, Angamarda, Gaurava and Aruchi. These clinical manifestations closely resemble those of Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis, morning stiffness, and progressive joint damage. Rheumatoid Arthritis is understood in modern medicine as an immune-mediated disease involving synovial inflammation, pannus formation, and cartilage destruction. The pathophysiological concepts of Ama and Avarana of Vata in Amavata can be correlated with immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation seen in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ayurvedic management of Amavata emphasizes Ama Pachana, Agni Deepana, Vata Shamana, and Shodhana therapies such as Langhana, Svedana, Virechana, and Basti, along with appropriate Ahara and Vihara. This article aims to highlighting the holistic approach of Ayurveda in understanding disease pathology and management. Although there is no direct description about the diseases Amavata given in the Brihattrayi, however Amavata as a separate disease entity was described for the first time in detail by Madhava Nidanam dealing with the etiopathogenesis of the disease in a systematic manner besides the signs, symptoms, complications and prognosis.