By Dr. Keshavan Nambisan
“Doctor, why is my own body attacking itself?”
This is one of the most frequent and heart-wrenching questions I hear from patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. They are confused, frustrated, and often tired of long-term medication with little clarity on the root cause.
Let’s understand this complex condition and how Ayurveda offers a gentle yet deep-rooted healing pathway—especially for autoimmune disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
In autoimmune disorders, the body’s immune system, which is designed to defend against infections, mistakenly starts attacking healthy tissues. This includes diseases like:
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
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Lupus (SLE)
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Psoriasis and eczema
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
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Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
Among these, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most painful and disabling conditions, where joints become swollen, inflamed, and deformed over time.
Modern Medicine vs. Ayurveda: A Comparative Insight
In modern medicine, autoimmune diseases are usually managed by suppressing the immune response through:
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Corticosteroids
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Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
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Biologics and immunosuppressants
These treatments help in symptom control, reducing inflammation, and preventing flare-ups. However, they often come with side effects such as fatigue, weight gain, weakened immunity, and dependency on long-term drugs. Also, the exact root cause often remains unexplored.
Ayurveda, on the other hand, takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of suppressing the immune system, we focus on correcting what caused the immune confusion in the first place.
Ayurvedic Understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata)
In Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis is closely related to a condition called Amavata.
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Ama – Toxic, undigested waste that forms due to weak digestion
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Vata – One of the body's biological energies, responsible for movement, circulation, and joint function
When Agni (digestive fire) weakens, food is not properly digested. The residual waste transforms into Ama, which spreads through the body, settling in joints and tissues. This Ama, when combined with aggravated Vata, causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation—leading to Amavata or rheumatoid arthritis.
Key Ayurvedic Concepts Behind Autoimmune Diseases
Let’s break it down simply:
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Weak digestion (Mandagni) → leads to formation of Ama
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Ama travels through Srotas (body channels) and blocks normal functioning
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The immune system gets confused by the presence of Ama and starts attacking healthy tissues
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This results in autoimmune disorders
Thus, the goal is not to suppress immunity, but to restore digestive balance, eliminate toxins, and regulate immune response.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis & Autoimmune Conditions
1. Deep Detoxification – Removing Ama
The first step is always to remove Ama from the body through:
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Langhana (Fasting or light eating)
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Deepana and Pachana (Herbs to ignite digestive fire)
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Panchakarma – A series of classical detox therapies including:
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Virechana (Herbal purgation)
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Basti (Medicated enema)
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Raktamokshana (Bloodletting in selected cases)
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These treatments are tailored based on the stage and severity of the disease. Detoxification is always done under the supervision of an experienced Ayurvedic physician.
2. Restoring Digestive Strength
Once Ama is removed, we focus on restoring Agni (digestive fire) using:
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Herbal formulations like Trikatu, Ajamoda, and Chitrakadi vati
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Simple, warm, easy-to-digest meals like rice gruel (kanji), moong dal soup, boiled vegetables
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Avoidance of cold, oily, processed, and incompatible food combinations
This is essential for preventing further formation of toxins.
3. Balancing Doshas and Strengthening Tissues
Autoimmune diseases disturb all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, but mostly Vata. We use Rasayana (rejuvenating) herbs and therapies to stabilize and strengthen body systems:
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Ashwagandha – To balance Vata and reduce inflammation
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Guduchi (Giloy) – A powerful immune modulator and detoxifier
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Guggulu – Known for its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying action
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Turmeric (Haridra) – Natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Regular Abhyanga (medicated oil massage) and Swedana (herbal steam therapy) are also recommended to soothe inflamed joints and improve circulation.
A Simple Analogy: Your Body Is Like a Kitchen
Imagine your body as a kitchen. If the stove (Agni) is not burning well, your food remains half-cooked (Ama). If this continues daily, food piles up, rots, and starts emitting harmful gases.
This is exactly how Ama behaves inside your body—blocking natural functions and misleading your immune system.
Realistic Healing: Ayurveda Is Not a Quick Fix
Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases is not about overnight relief. It is a gradual healing process that addresses:
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Diet and digestion
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Lifestyle and mental stress
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Seasonal routines
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Deep tissue rejuvenation
Patients often begin to feel lighter, more energetic, and experience fewer flare-ups as their system slowly rebalances.
Ayurveda and Modern Medicine Can Coexist
Ayurveda does not reject modern medicine. In fact, a combined approach often offers the best outcomes.
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Use modern diagnostics to track disease progression
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Take Ayurvedic support for long-term correction, better digestion, and reduced dependency on chemical medicines
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Focus on stress management, sleep, yoga, and pranayama
Patients who follow a balanced, integrative plan often report improved mobility, less joint pain, better gut health, and a sense of control over their condition.
Final Thoughts: Heal from Within
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease, ask yourself this:
“Am I only managing symptoms or am I working toward actual healing?”
At UWAY Health, our approach is rooted in time-tested Kerala Ayurvedic traditions, supported by modern diagnostics, and personalized to each patient’s lifestyle.
Ready to Take the First Step?
We help you understand your unique body constitution (Prakriti), correct your digestion, detoxify deeply, and support your immune system without harsh side effects.
???? If you're seeking a natural, sustainable way to manage rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune conditions, reach out to our team today.
About the Author
Dr. P.T. Keshavan Nambisan is a fifth-generation Ayurvedic Vaidya from the traditional Malabar lineage of Kerala. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in treating chronic and complex conditions including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. He co-founded UWAY Health, combining classical Ayurveda with modern medical insights for holistic patient care.