- Dr.Savitha
Suri 24/ 6 /08
As said in the earlier issue
Panchakarma involves 5 types of detoxification methods. They are
-
vamana
-
Virechana
-
Anuvasana basthi
-
Niruha basthi
-
Nasya karma
Vamana
Vamana means expelling doshas through oral route . It is emesis
therapy. Before inducing vamana the toxins and vitiated doshas are
brought to amashaya or stomach with various preparatory methods
like snehana and swedana. The emesis should never be induced in
empty stomach. Vamana therapy is conducted in early hours of day,
when kapha dosha is dominant. Vitiated doshas and accumulated
toxins are expelled through methodically induced emesis. Patient
is required to be relaxed calm and devoid of any mental stress
through out the therapy. After emesis therapy, patient is
gradually rehabilitated to regular diet and lifestyle.
Detoxification through vamana is suggested in diseases which
mainly involve kapha dosha. The disorders like cough, asthama,
indigestion, poisoning, repeated
attacks of tonsillitis, nasal discharge, tuberculosis, etc are
treated with vamana therapy. Children and elderly are not to be
subjected to this therapy. The same holds good for
obese
and weak persons. After vamana the loud speech, overeating,
continued sitting, too much walking, anger, anxiety, coitus,
retention of natural urges have to be avoided.
Virechana:
Virechana is expelling the vitiated doshas and toxins through
purgation. This therapy can be conducted as an individual
detoxification therapy or as a follow up therapy next to vamana to
ensure complete detoxification. Virechana is a non painful and
easiest procedure. Complications are usually very rare in this
therapy. This detoxification method helps to expel toxins and
vitiated doshas from blood, liver and
intestines. Usual
panchakarma preparatory methods like snehana and swedana are
completed before inducing purgation . Virechana is induced by
administering herbal purgatives in morning between 8 am to 9 am,
when pitta dosha is dominant. Patient is made to drink warm water
repeatedly as he passes stools. Patient is later rehabilitated to
his regular diet and lifestyle.
This therapy is suggested for disorders in which pitta is
prominent dosha.
Skin diseases, jaundice, constipation,
headache, fistula,
hemorrhoids, intestinal parasites,
herpes, anemia,
edema are few of many diseases in which Virechana is the chosen as
detoxifying therapy. Contraindications for virechana therapy are
ulcerated rectum, pregnancy,
obesity,
diarrhea, cardiac ailments, tuberculosis, children and elderly
Basthi Karma :
Basthi karma is expelling body toxins and vitiated doshas by
introduce medicated liquids or oils through anus, urethra or
vaginal canal. Basthi means urinary bladder. In ancient times the
enema apparatus used to be made up of urinary bladder of animals.
Hence this detoxification process is called Basthi karma.
Basthi karma is mainly used in vata dominant diseases.
Basthi karma is usually performed after the first two
detoxification process namely vamana and virechana or only after
virechana. After completing preparatory procedures (snehana,
swedana), patient is allowed to lie on his left side and medicated
oil or herbal decoction is administered under hygienic conditions.
Patient has to lie on his back for 10-15 minutes after basthi is
given.
There are two types of Basthi Anuvasana basthi and Niruha basthi.
Anuvasana basthi : In anuvasana basthi medicated oil is
introduced through anus, immediately after the consumption of
food. There will be no harm even if medicated oil remains inside
colon for a long time. This type of basthi nourishes and
strengthens the body.
Niruha basthi: In this type of basthi (also known as
asthapana basthi) an enema of herbal decoction is given. Niruha
basthi is administered in empty stomach. The administered
decoction has to come out from body within 45 minutes. The
expelled herbal decoction brings out toxins and vitiated doshas
along with it. Anuvasana basthi and Niruhabasthi are given
alternatively . Patient is advised to take bath after herbal
decoction is expelled. Unlike vamana and virechana , strict diet
and lifestyle rehabilitation is not required after basthi karma,
as basthi do not cause irritation in digestive system. But it is
necessary to take light and nourishing food .
Introducing medicated liquids and oils through urethra in men or
through vagina in women, is called uttara basthi.
Basthi karma is usually recommended in
1. Diseases involving joints like
arthritis, gout
etc,
2. Neuro muscular problems
3. Osteoporosis
4. paralysis
5. Low back pain
6. Obesity
7. Disorders of
intestines
8. Menstrual problems of women
Benefits of basthi: Basthi improves vision,
decreases weight in obese people, increases weight and
nourishes emaciated persons, slows down ageing process and boosts
health.
Nasya karma:
Nasya karma means administering drops of herbal liquid
preparations or medicated oils through nose. This detoxification
method is also known as Shirovirechana. Vitiated doshas and toxins
which are accumulated in head and neck are expelled through nose
and mouth along with nasal and oral secretions. As a preparatory
procedure the head and face of patient is
massaged with medicated oil
(Administering medicated oil before nasya karma is not advised)
and steam bath is given only to head and neck region. Patient is
made to sleep on his back with foot end elevated and head
reclined. The medicated liquid or oil is administered in drops to
both nostrils consecutively. Patient is advised to inhale the
medicine slowly. After nasya karma the patient must avoid talking
loudly, getting angry and laughing.
According to the type of medicine used, the nasya karma is divided
into four types . They are
Navana Nasya : In this type drops of medicated oil is used.
Avapidana Nasya: Here squeezed juice of herbs is used.
Dhmapana or pradhamana nasya : Fine powder of herbs are
made to inhale through an apparatus called “nadi yantra” ( a tube
like apparatus)
Dhuma nasya : Fumes of medicinal herbs are inhaled in this
type of nasya.
Nasya Karma is indicated in tonsillitis, stiff neck, stiff jaw,
headache, sinusitis, stammering,
hoarseness of voice etc. Nasya Karma should not be performed when
patient has indigestion, consumed alcohol, taken head bath, and
tiered, pregnancy.
All panchakarma or detoxification therapies have to be
conducted strictly under the supervision of well experienced
qualified ayurvedic doctors.
This article is copy righted. The
author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master
of http://www.ayurhelp.com
Go to free consultations
email
us
