Swedana (Fomentation or Sudation )

Swedana  (Fomentation or Sudation ) –

Part 1 on 5 Nov 15

Introduction -- Therapeutic sweating, fomentation & Sudation are the synonyms for Swedana .The process which relieves stiffness, heaviness, coldness of the body and produces sweat is called ‘Swedana’. Sweat is the waste product (mala) in the process of metabolism of ‘Med dhatu’ (fat) in the body. Sweats carry the water soluble waste products from the body and it is useful to cool down the body. That is why in Grishma rutu or summer ,we sweat more.

In Ayurveda Snehan & Swedana are important Purva Karma procedures ,before Panchakarma or Detox process. But of course Swedana can be used as a separate Therapeutic Procedure. By means of swedana therapy, toxins are excreted out of the body. This process is used in treatment of Musculoskeletal diseases like Arthritis, Metabolic disorders like Obesity etc. and as a pretherapeutic procedure in Pacha Karma

After Snehana, deeply embedded doshas become softer, swedana, liquefies those doshas and bring them to their main sites. It increases sweating and removes toxins from skin. Hence skin becomes glowing, soft. This help to increase skin elasticity.

Swedana  is recommended in Early and Late Winter after oil massage to maintain the skin soft and moist. It increases digestive power. It is beneficial in removing toxins from the body. It removes stiffness, heaviness, coldness of the body. It removes strotorodha i.e blockage of strotas (Macro & Microcirculation) and it maintain the normal direction of Vata ( Anulomana gati)

Qualities' of Swedana Dravyas

•      Ushna (Hotness) -- Because of this quality perspiration occurs. This is useful to reduce the stiffness and spasm of the muscles in Arthritis.

•      Tikshnam --- Penetrating  -- Because of this quality, deeply embedded impure doshas are separated from peripheral tissues.It is the property which can reach to the deep tissues of the body like Bones and hence can target the deep pathological sites or lesions.

•      Saram  -- This means ability to spread.Because of this quality, liquified doshas are moved out of the minute cavities to their main sites.Hence we can utilized this property in pre Panchakarma Procedure to bring Kapha In Amashaya in Bronchial Asthma patients

•      Sukshma – Minute -- Because of this quality, swedan material can reach up to the minute cavities to perform their function.

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

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

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