In Ayurveda, knee pain is generally related to an imbalance of Vata, which presides over movement, and controls the nervous system. The aggravation of Vata brings dryness and degeneration to the joints, resulting in stiffness, pain, and inflammation. Knee pain can also be related to an accumulation of toxins, known as Ama, in the body, which obstructs the channels and impairs joint function. 

Ayurvedic home remedies for knee pain, primarily centered around reducing inflammation, improving joint mobility, and pain relief, are:

Turmeric & ginger paste 

1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of ginger powder, warm water. 

Make a thick paste from these. Apply it on the knee and wrap with a cloth. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and wash with lukewarm water. Repeat this process once a day. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin in turmeric reduces inflammation. The addition of ginger improves blood circulation and eases pain. 

Methi/fenugreek seeds 

1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds, warm water. 

Soak the fenugreek seeds at night and consume them in the morning.
Alternatively, the seeds can be powdered and mixed with hot water in order to form a paste, applied directly on the knee. Fenugreek contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help fight swelling and pain in the joints. 

Castor oil massage 

Heat a little amount of castor oil and gently massage the knee in a circular motion. Perform this massage for 10-15 minutes. Give it a gentle heat after the massage with a hot water bag or warm towel. The ricinoleic acid present in castor oil exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, hence reducing the pain in the knees.

Garlic and sesame oil 

2-3 cloves of garlic, 1/4 cup of sesame oil. 

Heat sesame oil and add crushed garlic cloves. Let the garlic turn brown. Cool the oil, then massage the knee. Anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and sesame oil nourish the joint, hence reducing stiffness.

Ajwain/carom seed soak 

1 tablespoon ajwain/carom seeds, warm water. 

Add ajwain/carom seeds to a bucket of warm water and soak your knee in it for 10-15 minutes. Ajwain will be of great use in imparting relief due to its anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. 

Epsom salt bath 

Epsom salt 1/2 cup and 1 bucket of warm water. 

Take a bucket of warm water, add Epsom salt to it, and soak your knees in it for 15 to 20 minutes. Epsom salt is composed entirely of magnesium, which helps in soothing muscles as well as reducing pain and swelling in the knee area. 

Additional tips
Diet: include anti-inflammatory foods such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, and ghee in your diet. 

Exercise: mild exercises like yoga, stretching, and walking, that maintain the loosening of the joints in a mobile condition. 

Hot & cold compress: the application of hot and cold compresses alternatively can loosen the stiffness and thereby reduce inflammation. 

Article by :              Dr. Pankaj Chansarkar    

              dr@doctorpankaj.com