Arthritis ranks second as the most prevalent chronic disease after heart disease. It usually occurs among older people, but Arthritis can affect younger ones, too.

     Alarming statistics estimate that 60 percent of the population will have some form of Arthritis by the age of 60. This disease is also three times more common in women than in men. Arthritic pain can be so excruciating that it can rob a person of his mobility. Basic movements, like getting out of bed, becomes a dreaded exercise in pain.

Arthritis literally means the inflammation of a joint caused by the destruction of the articular cartilage on the ends of the bones as they meet in the joint. It is a progressive disease which, left untreated, could lead to permanent disability.

The two most common types of Arthritis are

• Osteoarthritis
and
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
.

Other types are

• Juvenile Arthritis,
• Gout,
• Pseudogout,
• Traumatic Arthritis,
• Septic Arthritis,
• Psoriatic Arthritis, and
• Arthritis associated with systematic diseases such as Rheumatoid Fever, Fibromyalgia, Scleroderma, and Lupus.

Modern medical sciences have yet to find a cure for Arthritis. Patients suffering from Arthritis will have to seek medical attention and endure excruciating pain for the rest of their lives. Current medical treatments are aimed at relieving pain, increasing mobility, reducing inflammation, and stopping or slowing down joint damage. Medication such as Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce pain and inflammation, but these drugs are often associated with serious side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and abdominal pain.

Fortunately, the ancient Ayurvedic medical system has proven effectiveness in relieving Arthritis.

Ayurveda has been practiced for thousands of years, and its traditional formulations have been passed on and trusted for generations.

Piper Longum Plant	Piper Longum Dried	Piper Longum Leaves
Salai Guggul Resin	Salai Guggul Leaves	Salai Guggul Plant

Some Ayurvedic herbs such as the Salai Guggul (Boswellia serrata) and Piper longum have been known to possess marked anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and analgesic (pain relieving) properties.

Published clinical studies have shown that Boswellia serrata produces significant relief of pain, swelling, and joint stiffness in patients with Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In a recent placebo-controlled study, Boswellia serrata was significantly effective in relieving symptoms compared to placebo. (Reference: Kimmatkar et al, Phytomedicine 10:3-7 (2003))

Likewise, in a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial, patients receiving extracts of Boswellia serrata reported decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and walking distance, improvement in the capacity to climb stairs, better ability in kneeling, crossed-legged sitting, and squatting. The range of knee movement was also improved, while there was a decrease in the frequency of swelling in the knee joint. (Reference: Efficacy and Tolerability of Boswellia Serrata Extract in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee – MS Orthopedics, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Nagpur, India) Piper longum, on the other hand, showed potent analgesic activity on laboratory mice fed the piper longum root powder. (Reference: Vedhanayaki G., Shastri GV, Kuruvilla A: Analgesic Activity of Piper Longum Linn. Root, Dept. of Pharmacology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, India)

Finally, in the study “Efficacy of an Ayurvedic Formulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis,” patients treated with an indigenous Ayurvedic formulation experienced general pain relief. A significant reduction in time duration of morning stiffness and joint score was also observed. (Reference: Kulkarni et al; Double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study, Pune, India)

These and other studies provide the assurance that Arthrid is effective in relieving Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondylitis, Acute Muscular Rheumatism, and lower back pain.

Arthrid should be started with a dose of 2 capsules two times a day. Depending upon severity of the disease, it takes one to two months to achieve its full effect. After two months, the ideal maintenance dose is one capsule two times a day after food. Dosage during the maintenance period may be increased to two capsules twice daily if required depending on the intensity of the pain and swelling that occur.