Basti ( Medicated Enemata ) --Introduction

Basti ( Medicated Enemata )  –

Part 1 on 19  Nov 15,Thursday

Introduction

•      The word ‘Basti’ or ‘Vasti’ literally means bladder. In ancient times, bladders of animals were used to conduct this procedure. Hence, the procedure is named as Basti karma. Basti karma simply means medicated enema. In this process  Medicated decoctions and oils are administered in the body through anus with the help of instrument specially made for Basti process

Action of Basti

•      The site of action of Basti karma is Pakwashaya i.e. lower gastrointestinal tract. It is the main site of Vata dosha. Hence enema is mainly useful for the treatment of vitiated Vata.

Vata is the Bioenergy responsible for all voluntary & involuntary activities of the body .In normal or physiological states vata dosha is responsible for all important functions of the body like heart beats ,Inspiration & Expiration,Peristaltic movements,musculo skeletal movements ,urination ,defaecation,Menstrual discharge ,semen ejaculation & even delievery process. So basti can be helpful in preventive & curative aspect for all these conditions . Due to faulty diet  & Life style ,vata dosha gets vitiated & in this pathological state ,it is responsible for many diseases . Basti karma helps to reset and maintain the balanced state of Vata dosha and thus helps in treatment of many diseases.

•      Hence, Basti karma is the most important and powerful treatment or procedure among all the five processes. Basti is said as half of the treatment of Ayurveda.

•      Basti is not only cleansing process as Vaman and Virechan .It performs various types of functions according to the type of Basti implemented e.g. Shodhan Basti acts as a cleansing process; Bruhan Basti is nutritive in function.

•      Basti is mainly of 2 types .1) Anuvasan Basti – Maily contains only sesame or medicated oils .This is usually given in small amount like 60 to 100 ml 2) Asthapan or Niruha Basti – It contains other material in addition to oil like decoction, herbal paste,honey etc

Indications of when to use Basti

•      General indication for both kinds(Niruha and Anuvasan) of Basti --

•      Mainly Basti is useful in the diseases created due to vitiated Vata ,problems of muscles & bones .

•      Diseases affecting the whole body (sarvangaroga) eg. Rheumatoid arthritis, localized diseases (ekangaroga) e.g. Sciatica, Spondylosis.

•      Digestive tract problems like abdominal pain due to gas ,Constipation,Ulcerative colitis etc, retention of  flatus, urine or stool.

•       Muscle atrophy ,dystrophy

•      Nervous disorders or Neurological problems (vatavyadhi) like Hemiplegia, Parkinsonism ,Sciatica ,Motor Neuron disease 

•       Heart problems like Palpitation,Angina pectoris.

•       Psychosis.

•      Disorders of udana vayu like Dry Bronchial Asthama ,Dry cough ,Hiccough .Diseases of  Apana vayu like Menstrual disorders  ,Infertility ,Oligozoospermia

Basti is recommended for all types of Vata dominant conditions where pain & stiffness are the main features.

•      Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande --- 9226810630

•      Dr.Sachin Sarpotdar -------- 9822795363

•      Dr,Mayura Shinde ---------- 7276866831