Basti and nasya karma, panchakarma part-3

 

Panchakarma (Part-3)

3. Basti (Cleansing Enemas)

Medicated enema or Basti

By Dr kavita Vyas

Among Panchakarma In basti treatment medicated decoction or oil is entered in large intestine through anus. Basti or enemas are mainly of two types 

1. Anuvasan - In which only oil is used.

2. Asthapan (Niruh Basti) - In which medicinal decoction and small quantity of oil is mixed.

This treatment is used to dispel high vata from its site in the large intestine.The oil or decoction used is lukewarm.This treatment is useful in arthritis, hemiplegea,paralysis,scitica and other vata related disorders. Also useful in constipation, diabetes mellitus,UTI infection,osteoporosisThe anuvasan basti can be given for the tonification of the body of a person who is weak.
Basti should not be given to person suffering from acute fever, piles, jaundice, leprosy, spleenomegaly, worm infestation.If this treatment is not given carefully then it may create some problems in the body. 

4. Nasya Karma (Nasal Cleansing)

Nasya karma

Ayurveda describes a whole variety of herbal preparations, including decoctions, oils, ghee and the smoking of herbs for direct action on the nasal passage, this is called nasya karma.Nasya is useful for many vata and kapha disorders. It allows for direct action on prana and the brain. It is helpful in the diseases of the head and the nasal passages like chronic cold, sinus, migraine, graying of hairs, ENT disorders, diseases of oral cavity, head ache, ophthalmic disorder, tumor, diseases of teeth, speech disorders. Etc.
Nasya karma is contraindicated for the person suffering from indigestion, who just had food or just taken bath, tired from exercise or heavy work, who has under gone the purgation therapy or basti (enema) treatment, for pregnant ladies.Massage of oil to the head and face, along with inhalation of steam is useful to help dislodge the toxins and make the nasal treatment more effective.

(see youtube video below.......)  

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