Basti: Enema Therapy

Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic basti involves the introduction of herbal decoctions or medicated oils and certain herbal preparations into the rectum in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves paraplegia, motor neuron disorders, prolapsed of intervertebral discs, parkinsons diseases, constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, cardiac problems, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches can also be treated with basti.

Vata is a very active principle in pathogenesis of most of the diseases. If we can control vata through the use of basti, we have gone a long way in going to the root cause of the vast majority of diseases.

Vata is the main etiological factor in the manifestation of diseases. It is the motive force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta.

There are eight main types of basti, according to traditional texts, each with their own indications and contra-indications as listed below.

1. Anuvasana (oil enema) is used in pure vata disorders and when a person is having excess  dryness and other symptoms like pain and weakness  related to vata imbalances.

2. Niruha-Asthapana (decoction enema) is used, among other conditions, for evacuation of vata, diseases of nervous system, gastro-intestinal vata conditions, gout, certain febrile conditions, unconsciousness, certain urinary conditions, appetite, pain, hyperacidity and heart diseases.

3. Uttara Basti (through the urethra in men or urethra and vagina in women) is used for selected seminal and ovulation disorders and for problems involving urinary tract. This is not to be used for someone with diabetes.

4. Matra Basti (daily oil enema) is used by someone emaciated by overwork or too much exercise, walking too long  a distance, too much sexual activity or someone with chronic vata disorders. It does not need to be accompanied by any strict dietary restriction or daily routine and can be administered in the appropriate cases in all seasons. It gives strength, promotes weight and helps elimination of waste products.

5. Karma Basti (schedule of 30 bastis; 18oil + 12 decoction)

6. Kala Basti (schedule of 16 bastis; 10 oil + 6 decoction)

7. Yoga Basti (schedule of 8 bastis; 5 oil + 3 decoction).

8. Brumhana Basti (nutritional enema) is used for providing deep nutrition in selected conditions. Traditionally, highly nutritive substances have been used, such as warm milk, meat broth, bone marrow soup and herbs like Shatavari or Ashwagandha.

General Indications for Basti:

Constipation, Low back ache, Gout, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Osteoarthritis, Disorders of nervous system, Headache, Emaciation, Muscular atrophy and other vata disorders.

Nasya: Nasal Administration

The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called nasya. An excess of vitiated bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.

Prana, life force as nerve energy, enters the body through the breath taken in through the nose. Prana  in the brain maintains sensory and motor functions. Prana also governs mental activities, memory, concentration and intellectual activities. Deranged prana creates defective functioning of all these activities and produces headaches, convulsions, loss of memory and reduced sensory perception. Thus nasal administration of medicines specific to diseases is indicated for prana disorders like loss of memory, sinus congestion, migraine headaches, convulsions and certain eye and ear problems.

There are six main types of nasya, as listed below :

1. Pradhamana (virechan) Nasya (cleansing nasya) uses dry powders (rather than oils) that are blown into the nose with a tube. Pradhamana nasya is mainly used for kapha types of diseases involving headaches, heaviness in the head, cold, nasal congestion, sticky eyes, hoarseness of voice, sinusitis, cervical lymphadenitis, tumors, worms, skin diseases, epilepsy, drowsiness, Parkinsonism, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, attachment, greed and lust. Traditionally, powders such as brahmi are used.

2. Brumhana Nasya (nutrition nasya) uses ghee, oils, salt, Shatavari ghee, Ashwagandha ghee and medicated milk and is used mainly for vata disorders. It is said to benefit conditions resulting from vata imbalances such as vata-type headaches, migraine headache, dryness of voice, dry nose, nervousness, anxiety, fear, dizziness, emptiness, negativity, heaviness of eyelids, stiffness in the neck, dry sinuses and loss of sense of smell, torticolis.

3. Shaman Nasya (suppression nasya) is used to balance the aggravated dosha but mainly for pitta-type disorders such as thinning of hair, conjunctivitis and ringing in the ears. Generally certain herbal medicated decoctions, teas and medicated oils are used.

4. Navana Nasya (decoction nasya) is used in vata-pitta or kapha-pitta disorders and is made from decoctions and oils together.

5. Marshya Nasya (ghee or oil nasya)

6. Prati Marshya (daily oil nasya) This helps to open deep tissues and can be done every day and at any time to release stress and also to prevent diseases above the clavicle.

Substances Used in Nasya :

Brahmi, Ginger, Ghee, Oils, Decoctions, Onion, Garlic, Piper longum, Black pepper, Curry pepper, Rose, Jasmine and  etc according to disorder and the constitution of the patient.

Indications for Nasya :

Stress, Emotional imbalances, Stiffness in the neck & shoulders, Dryness of the nose, Sinus congestion, Hoarseness, Migraine, Headaches, Convulsions, Loss of memory, Frozen shoulder, Stiffness of neck muscles.

Raktmokshana: Bloodletting :

 Due to excessive intake of hot, spicy, salty, sour and pitta increasing food stuffs or increased anger, depression  may lead to production of toxins in blood. These toxins which have qualities similar to that of pitta are removed by Raktmokshana or by blood letting. There are a lot of methods to do the same but currently two methods are in vogue. These include Siravedha (Venepuncture) and Jalokaavacharan (application of leeches).

1) Siravedha  : Various siras (veins) are punctured with the help of instruments to take out the toxic blood and to releive congestion of a specific area. For instance left elbow (brachial) vein is punctured in Splenomegaly.

This therapy is practiced in leukemia, vascular headaches ,sciatic pains, Ascites, Hepatomegaly ,thyroid disorders etc.

2) Jalokavcharan (application of leeches) Leeches are applied over the affected  area to suck the toxic blood and render the patient asymptomatic. When all the toxic blood has been sucked the leeches have a tendency to fall off. Only the non poisonous leeches are used. They are used in varicose veins, various eye disorders, vascular headaches, abscesses, liver and Splenic disorders, skin disorders including psoriasis and Vitiligo etc.

Besides Panchkarma therapies there are few other treatments which although are a part of poorvakarmas,they are still prescribed all alone as major treatments when cleansing is not required. These include the following.

Udwarthana: Deep and dry massage using herbal powder :

This massage stimulates hair follicles and subcutaneous fat tissue to break down subcutaneous fat storage. The dry powder massage reduces blood cholesterol, obesity, skin problems, imparts mobility to the joints, strengthens muscles and refreshes the body. The most promising effect is the slimming of the body.

Pizhichil: Combination of Snehana(Oleation) and Swedana(sudation) treatments :

In this highly sought after rejuvenation treatment, lukewarm herbal oils are applied all over the body by Ayurvedic therapists in a special rhythmic movement. The massage is very slow and light without exerting much pressure. Pizhichil is considered as the most natural way to purify the body systems. This massage protects the body from illnesses and builds up immunity for a healthy life. It is very useful for rheumatic diseases, sexual weakness, blood pressure, nervous weakness and helps to arrest the aging process.

Shirodhara: Gentle massage on the forehead :

Luke warm herbal oils, medicated milk and butter milk is poured in a continuous stream onto the forehead, while receiving a gentle massage on the forehead. Shirodhara rejuvenates and revitalizes the body and mind. This therapy relieves stress and strain related problems, slows the aging process, improves memory and is known to have a curative effect for paralysis and other neurological malfunctions. Shirodhara ultimately strengthens the physical constitution of the individual.

Navarkhizi : it is a special Kereliya Panchkarma technique in which boluses made of special variety of rice (shashtishali) cooked in milk and herbal decoctions are used for the massage of the patient. It found to be beneficial in the disorders of muscles like muscular dystrophies, atrophies, motor neuron diseases, hemiplegia and other disorders of the nervous system.