Fact Check: Can ajwain, kaala namak and saunth with water cure rheumatoid arthritis?

An Instagram reel claims that ajwain (carom seeds), kaala namak (black salt) and sonth (dry ginger) with water cures rheumatoid arthritis. The claim by the user is False.

Claim

In the reel, it is claimed ajwain, kaala namak and sonth with water cures rheumatoid arthritis. The reel by the user doctorupasanavohra is titled, "Rheumatoid Arthritis Ko Kaise Theek kre" ( How to cure Rheumatoid Arthritis)  and in the reel user says, "Whoever has rheumatoid arthritis, what happens in it is that your own body’s cells start attacking themselves. Your defense mechanism fails. We are stabilizing the condition by taking anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers. The person who has rheumatoid arthritis, when they wake up in the morning, their hands don't move. The patient has so much morning stiffness that they can't even get up from the bed. They say it takes at least one to one-and-a-half hours just to get up from bed, meaning it takes that much time to activate the body like a machine. Now, how will you protect yourself? You will start from your home, your kitchen. Ajwain, kala namak, and saunth All three have sharp, penetrating properties. Like whenever something gets clogged or blocked, we use hot water or acid to clean the blockage. Similarly, what is happening in the body is also a kind of accumulated substance. Now, how do we clear it? We need to do scrapping. So Ajwain, kala namak, and saunth their job is to do the scrapping. Now what you have to do is take all of them in equal amounts, make a jar, store it — 10 grams, 20 grams, however comfortable you are. And daily, before meals, half an hour before, take half a teaspoon of this mixture with lukewarm water. When you start taking it, the patient who has morning stiffness will feel that slowly, gradually, it is reducing. The time they used to take 40 minutes to get out of bed, it might now shift to half an hour."

The reel by the user can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim by the user is FALSE. Ajwain and Ginger might provide some symptomatic relief due to their anti-inflammatory properties but Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease that is not curable and can be only managed.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent autoimmune disorder primarily targeting the joints. It develops when the immune system, which typically defends the body against infections and illnesses, mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. This immune response leads to joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and impaired joint function.

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Cured?

Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but early treatment with disease-modifying drugs or biologics can help control symptoms and achieve remission

In a conversation with The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team, Dr Daivik T Shetty, Orthopaedic Surgeon at KMC Hospital, Mangalore said, "Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that currently has no cure. However, early diagnosis and advanced treatments, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics, can effectively control symptoms, prevent joint damage, and help patients achieve remission. Ongoing management under medical supervision is essential."

What are the Nutritional Benefits of Ajwain (Carom Seeds), Kaala Namak (Black Salt) and Sonth (Dry Ginger Powder)?

Carom seeds, commonly referred to as ajwain, belong to the Apiaceae family and are widely valued for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Also known as bishop’s weed or ajowan caraway, these seeds offer a range of health benefits. They are rich in bioactive compounds that exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antilithiasis, nematicidal, anthelmintic, and antifilarial activities. Nutritionally, carom seeds act as natural stimulants, sialagogues, stomachics, carminatives, and possess aromatic and antiseptic qualities, contributing to digestive health and overall well-being.

Black salt, also known as kala namak, offers several nutritional benefits due to its unique mineral composition. It contains essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and small amounts of iron, contributing to electrolyte balance and supporting proper muscle and nerve function. Additionally, black salt contains trace compounds such as sodium sulfate, sodium sulfide, and iron sulfide, which release hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the body. H₂S acts as a gasotransmitter with potential cardiovascular benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory effects. Unlike regular table salt, black salt has lower sodium content, making it a healthier alternative for individuals managing blood pressure and sodium intake.

Dry ginger powder is made by cleaning fresh ginger, peeling it, sun-drying or mechanically drying it until completely moisture-free, and then grinding it into a fine powder. Ginger offers numerous nutritional benefits due to its rich composition of bioactive compounds and essential nutrients. It contains key compounds like gingerol, shogaols, zingiberene, and zingerone, which are known for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, ginger provides essential vitamins such as vitamin B6 and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese, supporting metabolic functions, electrolyte balance, and bone health. Its natural compounds may aid digestion, alleviate nausea, and may help regulate blood sugar levels, making ginger a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Can ajwain, kaala namak and sonth with water cure rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammatory arthritis. Ingredients such as ajwain, and sonth possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide symptomatic relief and aid in reducing inflammation. However, no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that these ingredients can cure Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease that cannot be cured and only managed.

A study featured in the Journal of Natural Remedies investigated the traditional uses of ajwain and its anti-inflammatory effects. The findings revealed that ajwain seeds exhibit multiple pharmacological actions, particularly showing significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby validating their traditional role in medicinal practices.

The therapeutic potential of ginger has been attributed to its bioactive compounds that amplify its anti-inflammatory effects. In their review, Nafiseh Shokri Mashhadi et. al. highlighted that ginger’s health benefits are primarily linked to its abundant phytochemicals, which play a crucial role in enhancing its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, as supported by contemporary scientific research.

The anti-inflammatory properties of ajwain and dry ginger may offer potential benefits in managing rheumatoid arthritis a systemic autoimmune disease marked by chronic inflammatory arthritis. However, it is important to note that while ajwain and ginger possess anti-inflammatory effects, there is currently no direct scientific evidence supporting their efficacy specifically in the treatment or management of rheumatoid arthritis.Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.  

Responding to the claim Dr (Prof.) Raju Vaishya, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Adjunct Professor, Clinical Tutor, and Research Advisor, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, INDIA, President, Arthritis Care Foundation responded, "The claim that consuming ajwain (carom seeds), kaala namak (black salt), and sonth (dry ginger) mixed with water can cure rheumatoid arthritis is false. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation of the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and eventual joint damage. It is a complex disease with genetic, immunological, and environmental factors at play.

While ajwain, kaala namak, and sonth have certain anti-inflammatory properties there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that they can cure RA. Some components like ajwain and ginger may help reduce inflammation mildly, but they cannot replace or substitute disease-modifying treatments.

Modern medicine approaches RA through a combination of Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), biologics, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. These treatments help control disease progression, reduce inflammation, and prevent joint damage.

Relying solely on such home remedies without medical guidance can be harmful, as untreated Rheumatoid arthritis may lead to severe disability, joint deformities, and systemic complications affecting the heart, lungs, and eyes.

Patients should always consult a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist for appropriate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. Complementary therapies like diet, gentle exercises, and stress management may help alleviate symptoms, but they are adjuncts, not cures."

Dr Daivik T Shetty, Orthopaedic Surgeon at KMC Hospital, Mangalore further said, "There is no scientific evidence that consuming ajwain, kaala namak, and sonth with water can cure rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition requiring medical treatment, including DMARDs and biologics, to control inflammation and prevent joint damage. While these ingredients may provide anti-inflammatory benefits which may provide some systematic relief, they cannot address the underlying immune dysfunction of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Relying solely on home remedies can delay appropriate care and worsen outcomes. Always consult a rheumatologist for evidence-based treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that ajwain, kaala namak, and sonth with water can cure rheumatoid arthritis is false and unsupported by scientific evidence. These ingredients may offer mild symptomatic relief due to anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits, but they cannot cure or halt the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Hence, the claim by the user is False.