 |
| Basti – Ayurvedic Panchakarma |
Out of the 5 essential therapies which form the prime actions of the Panchakarmas or the techniques for the thorough detoxification and overhauling the body, Basti Karma or the Ayurvedic Enema therapy is regarded as the most important in Ayurveda healing. This is because this specific therapy aids greatly in balancing and combating the vitiated Vata dosha or the Air body humor, which alone is responsible for 80 types of diseases and disorders. Basti Karma has been the prime part and parcel of Ayurveda treatment of Panchkarma since ages. It is believed that if properly performed, alone Basti karmas can be rendering to the human body, would be nothing short of a miracle.
What is Basti?
In the right understanding of the word, Basti means ‘to stay’. Basti is also regarded as the urinary bladder. In earlier times, the bladder of goat was used to give enemas, thus its name. Today plastic enemas and syringes are used to push medicated decoctions viz. medicated oil enemas and cleansing enemas into the intestines of the patient.
Basti Karma – Ayurvedic Enema Therapy
Considered as the mother of all treatments, Basti cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, especially the Vata toxins, through the colon. The importance of Basti Karma is that other than providing thorough detox, this procedure effectively balances the Vata dosha. This is much needed because not only does the Vata dosha cause majority of diseases in the human body, yet due to its mobile and erratic nature, the Vata dosha moves the other two doshas viz. Kapha and Pitta from one part of the body to another and thus aids in their disturbance and implementing symptoms in the form of an ailment. It is for this reason that Vata dosha has to be balanced so as to cure the disease as well as stay clear of the same. Basti Panchkarma therapy mainly aids to eradicate the disturbed or aggravated Vata dosha and thus finds its importance.
Efficacy of Basti Karma
-
Basti karma has the reputation to be half of the entire treatments that can be available to provide substantial cure and relief.
-
Ayurveda justifies the efficacy of Basti karma with its possible outcome to balance all the three doshas viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This is because whereas Basti balances Vata dosha, also when the vata dosha is balanced, the other two doshas i.e. Pitta and kapha would be balanced spontaneously. This is the best part of this particular Panchakarma therapy.
-
It also nourishes and feeds the colonic flora.
-
Basti also enhances the immune system of the individual by cleansing and nourishing the colon.
-
Basti puts the body into a state of total balance by nourishing the base prana of the body which is formed in the colon.
Procedure of Basti Karma
Medicated oil or ghee and herbal decoction is given as enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone. This procedure is usually recommended for 8 to 30 days, based on the medical condition of a person.
While performing the Basti Karma, the client who is taking the Ayurvedic Panchkarma therapy of Basti karma is advised to first lie on his left lateral position. The right knee is folded touching the abdomen. After this, the previously lubricated nozzle is pushed into the rectum for about 4 to 6 inches so as to make the oil or decoction enter and move through the colon. It is taken care that no air is infused and also that the liquid that is being inserted is at room temperature. The client is advised to inhale deeply while taking the Basti. After the procedure, the client is advised to hold the Basti for as much time it is possible for him and the soles of his feet are massaged.
2 Main Types of Basti
Asthapan Basti
Asthapan Basti or the enema therapy is also called as Niruhana Basti. This basti helps in removing the doshas (stuck inside the body tissues) in the form of faeces. Judging by the form of the disease, properties and actions of the medicines to be used, time of the day, type of the season and whether the patient is strong enough to respond to the treatment, this Basti, when given to the patient, purifies all the body pores. More often Aasthapan Vasti is given in the disease of the large intestine and the digestive tract.
Anuvasan Basti
If the roots of the tree are filled with water, it also fills the tree with leaves, flowers and fruit. Similarly, inside the detoxified and purified body (from which the aggravated doshas have been removed), this particular Basti provides vigour, vitality and strength to the body. In this method of treatment, medicated oils are given in enemas that lubricate the body tissues. It works by purifying and nourishing the seven dhatus (body tissues) inside the body viz. Rasa, Rakta, Maans, Medha, Asthi, Majjha and Shukra (Juice, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow and semen) dhatus or the body tissues. Furthermore it helps in holistic healing and thus enhancing the total health of the individual.
Benefits of Basti Karma
Being the most effective therapy and technique to allay the aggravated Vata dosha, Basti karma provides much relief and cure in a wide variety of diseases. Efficacy of Basti karma finds its magnitude in a wide variety of Vata type diseases and disorders like hemiplegia, Paraplegia, Colitis, Convalescence, Cervical Spondylosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Constipation, Digestive disorders, Backache & Sciatica, Hepatomegaly & Splenomegaly, Obesity Piles, Sexual Debility & Infertility.
Herbs Used in Basti Karma
Vata Dosha –
Rasa Specific – Madhura, Amala and Lavana Rasas ( Sweet, Sour and Salty tastes)
Herbs – Eranda, Rasna, Dashmoola, Bala, Ashwagandha etc
Pitta Dosha –
Rasa Specific – Tikhta, Madhura and Kshaya Rasa (Bitter, Sweet and Astringent tastes)
Herbs – Giloy, Neem, Manjishtha, Shatavari, Kutaja, Vasa, Chandan etc.
Kapha Dosha –
Rasa Specific – Tikhta, Katu and Kshaya Rasa (Bitter, Pungent and Astringent tastes)
Herbs – Haridra, Punarnava, Trikatu, Ark, Vacha etc.
References of Basti Karma in Ayurveda Text
Vata (Air/Wind) is the cause for vitiation of the three doshas and highly aggravated wind destructs the body. There is no treatment to control the wind other than basti like how the seashore breaks down the speed of the waves created by the wind.
Reference from Astanga sangraha
Basti karma soon provides nourishment to the body tissues and also expels and combats the imbalanced and vitiated Vata (air) from its roots. It is for this reason, Basti karma is regarded as the prime therapy among all the Ayurvedic treatments. Vata is the leader among all the three doshas and is responsible for all activities of the body. It is of five types (Prana, Vyana, Smana, Udana and Apana) and moves all over body. The Vata is responsible for the creation, maintenance and destruction of internal as well as spiritual entities. It is responsible for all external, middle and internal diseases.
References from Charaka Samhita
The basti treatment with the proper analysis of strength of the patient and disease, doshas, time, constitution and the drugs selected accordingly cures the particular disease. There is no equivalent for basti treatment because – it does instant cleaning without any complications, does instant nourishing or depletion (of doshas), and it is safe and does not cause any complications. Basti karma is regarded to be superior also to the Virechana karma as it can be administered to all age groups. Basti is the only treatment which gives strength, complexion, happiness to the mind, softness and unctuousness to the body. Air / Wind is the prime dosha which vitiates stools, urine, pitta, kapha and their respective areas. There is no treatment other than Basti that can help control wind and is therefore considered as half treatment for any disease.
References from Sushruta Samhita
Among snehana etc treatments basti is the main treatment because of its many fold benefits. Basti nourishes the weak, depletes the fat, nourishes the eyes, cures premature graying and wrinkles, improves the reduced levels of the shukra dhatu (semen), stabilizes the age, nourishes the body, improves the complexion, strength, health and lifespan.
Special Mention in Ayurveda Text
Yapana- Basti karma yields nourishment of the body tissues.
Siddha – The Basti provides symptomatic relief.
Teekshana – When the Basti is performed using pungent substances like mootra (urine)
Kshara (alkali), it helps significantly in weight loss and lightness of the body.
Shodhana – Provides thorough detoxification and helps balance the three doshas vata, pitta and kapha.
Shamana – Basti karma helps to cure a wide variety of ailments.
Article published here
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
Related Posts:
Top Ayurvedic Remedies for Detoxification
Ayurvedic Insight and Case Studies on Diabetes
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks