Dosha-Specific Arthritis Remedies: Mustard Seed Baths, Pitta and Kapha Care

Add a “teabag” of brown mustard seeds to the water. You can make the bag by wrapping 2 tablespoons of mustard seeds in a handkerchief or cheesecloth. • Helpful yoga postures include Forward Bend (don’t strain), the Chest-Knee pose, Maha Mudra, and the Half Bridge pose. (For illustrations of yoga postures, see appendix 4.) FOR PITTA-TYPE ARTHRITIS Pitta arthritis often has more pain and inflammation associated with it than other types.

• Follow the pitta-pacifying diet (chapter 8). Particularly avoid hot, spicy foods, pickles, spinach, and tomatoes. • These Ayurvedic herbal formulas will help you. Take 1 tablet of kaishore guggulu (350 mg.) 3 times a day, and ½ teaspoon sudarshan twice a day, washed down with warm water.

• Externally, apply cool castor oil or coconut oil to the painful area. • Application of a cooling substance, such as sandalwood powder paste, is soothing. Make the paste by taking 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder and adding sufficient water to make a paste. Rub it gently onto the joint.

• If the joint is hot and inflamed, you can put an icebag on it. This will help to ease the pain and inflammation. • Helpful yoga postures include the Boat, Bow, Camel, Cow, and Locust poses, as well as the series of postures known as the Moon Salutation. (See appendix 4 for illustrations of yoga postures.) • You can also perform shitali pranayama, as follows: Make a tube of your tongue.

Breathe deeply through your mouth down into your belly. Hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale through your nose. Do about 12 repetitions. (See illustration in chapter 6.) FOR KAPHA-TYPE ARTHRITIS Arthritis is classified as kapha when the joint is painful, swollen, stiff, and feels cold and clammy to the touch.