Clinical effect of Matra Basti and Vatari Guggulu in the management of Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis)

Amavata is the most crippling of the joint diseases. It occurs throughout the world in all climates and all ethnic groups. Though all the Doshas take part in the causation of this disease, Ama and vitiated Vata play the dominant role. The clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis, such as pain, swelling, stiffness, fever, and general debility, are almost identical to that of Amavata. Treatment provides symptomatic relief, but the underlying pathology remains unchecked because of the absence of effective drugs. In the management of Amavata all the acharyas have described the sequential employment of Dipana, Amapachan, Shodhan, and Shaman therapies. For this study, 118 patients of Amavata were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in group A (50 patients) were given Matra Basti with Brihat Saindhavadi Taila along with Vatari Guggulu; the patients in group B (53 patients) were given only Vatari Guggulu. All the patients responded favorably to the treatment in both the groups; however, patients treated with Matra Basti had better relief in most of the cardinal signs and symptoms of the disease.