A comparative clinical study of Khanda Shunthi and Prasarni Avaleha in the Management of Ama Vata w.s.r. to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease characterized by swollen, painful and stiff joints. Amavata is a disease of Madhyama Roga Marga as it affects Sandhis and Haridaya Marma. Though Ama and Vata are the predominant pathogenic factors but the disease represents Tridoshic vitiation. The affliction of Sandhis by Vata dosha in association with Ama reflects the equal role of both Dosha and Dushya in the causation of disease. Moreover, the chief pathogenic factors, being contradictory in nature possess difficulty in planning the line of treatment. The objectives of this randomized parallel group comparative study were to evaluate the effect of Khanda Shunthi and Prasarni Avaleha in the management of Amavata. This Study was conducted on 40 patients selected randomly from OPD and IPD of Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic Hospital and divided into 2 trial groups A and B having 20 patients in each group. Group A received Khanda Shunthi 10 gms BD and Group B received Prasarni Avaleha 10 gms BD with lukewarm water for 60 days. Results showed statistically significant difference in effect of Group A and Group B on, Pain, Swelling, Stiffness, ESR, Walking time and Grip Strength except on Fever and HB. Percent wise Khanda Shunthi is found to be more effective than Prasarni Avaleha for all assessment criteria in the management of Amavata