Basti Therapy of India:
Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations 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 constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti.
constipation low back ache gout rheumatism sciatica arthritis nervous disorders vata headache emaciation muscular atrophy.
Enema therapy should not be used if the patient is suffering from diarrhea, bleeding of the rectum, chronic indigestion, breathlessness, diabetes, fever, emaciation, severe anaemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, old age or for children below the age of seven years.
Basti:
Enema Therapy
Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations 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 constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti.
Vata is a
very active principle in pathogenesis. 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. Vata is mainly located in the large intestine,
but bone tissue (asthi dhatu) is also a site for vata. Hence the
medication administered rectally effects asthi dhatu. The mucus
membrane of the colon is related to the outer covering of the bones (periosteum),
which nourishes the bones. Therefore, any medication given rectally
goes into the deeper tissues, like bones, and corrects vata disorders.
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)
Used in pure
vata disorders and when a person is having excess hunger or dryness
related to vata imbalances.
2.Niruha-Asthapana (decoction enema)
Used, among
other conditions, for evacuation of vata, nervous diseases,
gastro-intestinal vata conditions, gout, certain fever conditions,
unconsciousness, certain urinary conditions, appetite, pain,
hyperacidity and heart diseases.
3. Uttara
Basti (through the urethra with men or vagina with women)
Used for
selected semen and ovulation disorders and for some problems involving
painful urination or bladder infections. This is not to be used for
someone with diabetes.
4. Matra
Basti (daily oil enema)
Used by
someone emaciated by overwork or too much exercise, too much heavy
lifting, walking too long of 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)
6. Kala
Basti (schedule of 15 bastis; 10 oil + 5 decoction)
7. Yoga
Basti (schedule of 8 bastis; 5 oil + 3 decoction)
In karma,
kala and yoga bastis, it is better to give both types of basti in
combination and not the oil and decoction separately. The conditions
under which these are recommended are too detailed to be able to list
in this article. In general, the indications and contra-indications
that apply to basti also apply here.
8.
Bruhana Basti (nutritional enema)
Used for
providing deep nutrition in select 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 arthritis nervous disorders vata headache emaciation muscular atrophy.
General
Contra-Indications for Basti (include but are not limited to the
following):
Enema therapy should not be used if the patient is suffering from diarrhea, bleeding of the rectum, chronic indigestion, breathlessness, diabetes, fever, emaciation, severe anaemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, old age or for children below the age of seven years.
For oil
enemas: diabetes, obesity, indigestion, low agni, enlarged liver or
spleen, unconsciousness, tuberculosis and cough.
for
decoction enemas: debility, hiccough, hemorrhoids, inflammation of
anus, piles, diarrhea, pregnancy, ascites, diabetes and some
conditions involving painful or difficult breathing.
for
nutritional enemas: diabetes, obesity, lymphatic obstruction, ascites.
for urethra
or vaginal enemas: diabetes
No comments:
Post a Comment