Shamana Chikitsa

This is specially done after the shodhana therapy and in mild vitiation of doshas. Herbal medicines are used internally and externally to correct the derangement of functions of Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni and also to increase body immunity. The restoration of normality is brought about without any elimination

Purvakarma : Pre-purification Measures
Before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to prepare the body in prescribed methods to encourage the body to let go of the toxins. The two procedures are 'snehan' and 'swedan'.

Snehan
Is the oil massage. Oil is applied to the entire body which helps the toxins to move towards the gastro-intestinal tract. Oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple. Medicated oil and ghees are also given internally which are capable of softening of doshas. Snehan is given daily for three to seven days, as indicated.


Swedan
is sudation or sweating and is given every day immediately following the snehan. Steam of herbal decoctions is added to further loosen the toxins from the individual. Swedan liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins into the gastro-intestinal tract. After three to seven days of snehan and swedan, the doshas become well "ripened". A particular Panchkarma method is then given according to the individual's constitution and disorder, Prakriti and vikriti, respectively. 

Vaman: Emesis Therapy

When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic emesis or vaman to eliminate the vitiated kapha causing the excess mucus. First, after the snehan and swedan, i.e the preparation of the patient, the emetic drugs which are specified for specific diseases are administered and vomiting is induced. Once the mucus is released the patient will feel instantly relieved. It is likely that congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will disappear and that the sinuses will become clear. Therapeutic vomiting is also indicated in chronic asthma, diabetes, chronic cold, lymphatic congestion, chronic indigestion, chronic skin disorders like extensive dermatitis psoriasis etc and edema.

Emetic Substances:

Madan-emetic nut, Madhuka-Yastimadhu-Licorice, Neem-bitter leaf, Bimbi, Kutaj-kurchi- Conessi bark, Murva clematis, Triloba-devdaru-deodar, Rock Salt, Ela-cardamom, Vacha, honey etc used according to the nature of the patient and the diseases he is suffering from.
Indications for Vaman:
Used for all kapha type disorders like headache, dizziness, nausea, Psychiatric problems, respiratory congestion, bronchitis, chronic cold, sinus congestion, asthma.

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.