Materials & Types of Swedan or Fomentation

Swedana  (Fomentation or Sudation ) – 

Part 2 on 6 Nov 15

Materials & Types of Swedan or Fomentation

Material used for fomentation may be in liquid or in solid state. These may be oily or dry Substances or medicines. 

Examples are --- 

          Water steam – used in tube fomentation or steam inhalation

          in URTI, Sinusitis etc.

•       Milk –-- used in Shalishastik Pinda Sweda in debilating conditions like cachexia,   muscle development, degenerative arthritis, sleep disk problem etc.

•      Plain sesame Oil or Medicated oils  --- Dhanvantaram oil, Sahacharadi oil, Vishagarbha oil for Muscular Stiffness, Murivenna for traumatic swelling etc. 

•      Cow’s Ghee or Medicated Ghee --- Triphala Ghee, Yashtimadhu ghee in Akshi Tarpana ( Augen Bad in German language) 

•      Kanji, meat & salt ---- Used in Traumatic Swelling in panda sweda form.

•      Medicinal Herbs or Plants --- Vacha, Rasna, Erandmool, Jatamansi, Turmeric, Dashmool etc are used in Nadisweda or Bashpasweda.,Leaf of Nirgudi, Eranda, Shigru are used in Patra pottali  swedan

Fomentation treatment – Types

1.  According to use of fire:

             i.        Agni swed (fomentation with use of fire)

•      Tapa Swedan- Heating pad, Infra Red Lamp, hot water bag, hot silica  used as dry fomentation in Amavata i.e. RA ,Backache

•      Ushma Swedan-

•      a) Nadi Sweda-Tube fomentation- Used for local region like in cervical spondylosis, Knee Pain

•      b) Steam Box- For generalized, whole body-e.g. Hemiplegia

           ii.        Anagni swed (fomentation without use of fire)

•      Vyayama (Exercise) –Yogic stretching expercises or Aerobics or running,jogging in winter

•      Ushna sadana (being inside the warm chamber) --- In European cold countries Internal heating system or Fire place inside the house

•      Gurupraavaranam (wearing of heavy clothing) –Wearing of woolen clothes ,while visiting to Kasmir,Himalaya ot Swiss

•      Kshudha (hunger) ----Fasting stimulates digestive fire or Metabolic process

•      Bahupaanam (excess drinking of alcohol) – Ayurvedic Medicinal wines i.e Asav & Arishtas can  help to generates heat & reducing Kapha problems like Excess cough with expectoration. Bhallatakasav or Kanakasav are good examples

•      Bhaya (fear) ---- Stimulates Sympathetic system & secretion of more adrenaline .Abdominal blood supply reduces but blood supply to extremities increases.This happens in Fight or Flight response

•      Krodha (anger) --- Stimulates Sympathetic system & secretion of more adrenaline .Abdominal blood supply reduces but blood supply to extremities increases.This happens in Fight or Flight response

•      Aahat (wrestling) --- Physical strenuous activities also generates heat in the body  

•      Aatapa (exposure to sun) --- Sun bath is very popular in Europe ,to protect themselves from cold

2.  According to the area to be fomented :

Ekanga sweda- Regional- Local inflammation like ankle sprain

Sarvanga sweda- Whole body steaming. eg.in Hemiplegia

3.  According to nature of swedana :

Snigdha sweda- ( Wet Fomentation)

•      Fomentation done after oil application and Oleation therapy.

•      This is used as purvakarma in panchkarma and in diseases due to mal-nourishment or degenerative arthritis like osteoarthritis.

•       Also in this type swedan material used is of snigdha guna.eg. milk, oil, meat, decoction etc.

•      Shalishashti pinda sweda, Upanaha sweda, Nadi sweda, Bashpa sweda are the types of snigdha sweda.

Ruksha sweda ( Dry Fomentation) 

•      Fomentation done without oil application and Oleation therapy.

•      This type of fomentation is used in conditions like increased levels of ama, kapha, blockage of minute cavities due to impure doshas or in Amavata

•      It is done with sand pack, infra red lamp or electric heating pads.

4.  According to the intensity of fomentation

•      Mrudu sweda ( Gentle Fomentation)

Mild fomentation is applied to very young child, weak patient, fomentation of eyes,Testis & Heart ( These 3 organs are in fact contraindicated for Fomentation .But mild swedan ,under supervision & advice of Vaidya  can be done)

•      Madhyam sweda ( Moderate Fomentation )

Moderate fomentation is applied when patient is not so weak but not so strong also.

•      Maha sweda ( Strong Fomentation )

Strong fomentation is applied when patient is strong enough to bare the fomentation.Also in Kapha predominant problems like Obesity with stiff joints .It is done on following sites-Hands, legs & back. 

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

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

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