Ayurvedic Treatment of Post Chikungunya arthritis

Chikungunya Arthritis is a viral infection transmitted by an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito lays eggs in stagnated water. CHIKV & CHIKF viruses are the main causes of chikungunya in humans. It is a type of disease that has no initial symptoms and appears after 3 - 4 days of infection. This fever is very similar to dengue fever & is examined through serological tests like ELISA, which helps in the detection of antibodies. There are many medicines in Ayurveda that are highly effective in controlling chikungunya. Ayurvedic treatment for chikungunya primarily aims at controlling the viral infection and reducing the symptoms.

Common signs & Symptoms include

The most common signs and Symptoms of Chikungunya are given below-

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rashes
• A headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain

Common joints affected are

• Hand Joints
• Wrist and Elbow
• Ankle joints
• Hip Joints

Why do you Suffer from Joint Pain in Chikungunya Arthritis?

The reason behind this pain is the counter-attack by the body's immune system to the infection caused. The immune system of the body gets activated on exposure to different virus-causing organisms. The system somehow recognizes the body's own cells at diseased agents and hence starts attacking its own body with the chikungunya virus. This results in tissue inflammation and damage to muscles and joints, causing severe pain in joints and other body parts. Also, Read about: How Is Chikungunya Diagnosed & Treated?

What is Ayurveda management for Chikungunya?

In Ayurveda, Sannipatik jwar is much similar to chikungunya. The treatment for this is very effective in controlling chikungunya arthritis. Ayurvedic medicines like shallaki, Guduchi, Rasna, and Guggulu are some of the very effective medicines in controlling arthritis. Given below are some management tips.

1. For instant relief from joint pain, do hot sand fomentation. Take sand on a pan & heat on the stove. Then cover hot sand in a thick cloth and apply on affected joints, keep it moving to avoid overheating. This sand portal sedan (fomentation) will decrease pain & stiffness of joint instantly. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes daily. Then you can apply ayurvedic oil to reduce inflammation & pain.
2. Mix 1teaspoonon turmeric + 1 cup cow milk boil as a Drink: Turmeric is a proven drug that reduces IL6, IL17, TNF-alpha, and other inflammatory particles, thereby effectively reducing pain and swelling.
3. Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia) powder Tea: Take 1 teaspoon of Guduchi powder in the vessel, then add 2 cups of water to it, and allow it to boil on the gas stove. Turn off the gas when a half cup of water remains. Filter this herbal tea with a cloth & drink two times daily on empty stomach. Guduchi is the best immune modulator & gives strength to the joint structures, and also reduces pain & swelling.
4. There are other several effective and clinically tried herbs available, like Shallaki, Rasna, Tinospora- Guduchi, Chirayata, Andrographis paniculate, Neem, Guggulu medicines, etc but they must be taken only after being evaluated by an expert Ayurveda Physician.

Also, Read about: Blood Tests for Chikungunya and Lab InvestigationsAbout the Author Dr.Yogesh Chavan is a renowned Ayurvedic Doctor from Nashik, India. He is also a passionate blogger with the motto to spread Ayurveda Sciences to the community. He is spreading Ayurveda & health knowledge through articles in many newspapers & his blog www.ayushmanbhavayurveda.com. Dr. Chavan is an expert in Ayurveda medicine & Panchakarma treatment. His work & sound knowledge in this field has been acknowledged by many institutes.