Seven Steps A Simple Solution to India's Diabetes Crisis at Hand

Bamboo

Bamboo

by Vedic Society

Bhavaprakasha nighantu:
Sanskrit name:- Vamsha

Latin name:- Bambusa arundinacia

English name:- Thorny bamboo

• Madhura, kashaya rasa
• Sheeta veerya
• Kaphaghna, pittaghna
• Chedana, sara
• basti shodhana(purifies the bladder), kushta(skin disorders), asra roga(blood disorders),
• vranashodhana(purifies the wound)

Bamboo sprout:

• Sanskrit name:- Kareera
• Kashaya, madhura rasa
• Katu vipaka
• Kaphahara, vata and pitta janaka
• Rooksha(dry), guru(heavy), sara
• Vidahi(causes burning sensation)

Bamboo seed:

• Kashaya rasa
• Katu vipaka
• Sara, rooksha(dry)
• Vata, pitta kara, kaphahara.
• Ushna veerya
• Baddha mootra janaka(causes urine retention)

Bamboo salt:

• Sanskrit name:-Vamshalochana
• English name:- Bamboo manna
• Brumhana(nourishing)
• Vrushya(aphrodiciac)
• Balya(strength promoting)
• Madhura, kashaya rasa
• Sheeta veerya
• Vatahara
• Used in conditions like-
• Trushna(thirst), kasa(cough), jwara(fever), shwasa(Breathing difficulty)
• Kshaya(emaciation)
• Pittasra(bleeding disorders)
• Kamala(jaundice)
• Kushta(skin disorders)
• Vrana(wounds)
• Paandu(paleness of the body)
• Mootrkruchra(Dysuria)

AYURVEDIC HOME REMEDIES

AYURVEDIC HOME REMEDIES

Within the home, Ayurveda provides for numerous self-help remedies that use easily available household ingredients. Unlike modern medicines that greatly weaken the system, Ayurvedic potions strengthen one’s immunity by aiding the body in fighting and preventing disease. In addition to being readily accessible and low on cost, these remedies provide the added advantage of having no side effects. For this reason the following measurements need not be precise, as taking more or less of any particular ingredient would not harm the body in any way.

Purifying Breast MilkTake Ajwan (wild celery seed) as a tea or with hot organic milk. Ajwan is easily available in Indian spice stores.

 

Blood thinningLime juice taken with hot water or fresh ginger taken as a tea
 

Aiding CelibacyCorriander tea (roast and grind corriander seeds) is very good for balancing and transforming sexual energy.

It also purifies the genital-urinary tract and transforms shukra (semen) to ojas.

 

DiureticCorriander

 

Cleaning WoundsNeem

 

Natural external deodorantSandalwood powder or oil
 

Reduce weightGuggulu

Cleanses meda dhatu.

 

DiahhreaPommogranite juice taken 3-4 times daily (1 cup)

 

To stimulate digestionTake hot freshly grated ginger water after meals. Take a pinch of fresh ginger with black salt and lime juice before meals

 

Pollen allergyTake fresh corriander juice and drink it frequently. Take basil leafs and black pepper corns, chew and take warm water afterwards

 

Anger and FrustrationApply ghee to the temples. Drink the juice of raisens (soaked in water overnight). Soak and then blend into a juice.

 

Anxiety and FearApply ghee to the temples. Prepare a tea of cumin seeds, fennel seeds, rose petals, corriander seeds, jaggery. Boil, cool and drink.

 

ArthritisTake 1tsp fenugreek (methi) seeds with hot water in the evening before bedtime. Swallow the seeds, do not chew it.

AsthmaFresh ginger juice can be used to manage an asthma attack. It is strong and pungent but will help open the chest. 

Toothache
Place a clove near the painful tooth and surrounding area. Clove has antiseptic properties that will decrease the chances of infection. 

 

Minor Burns
A paste made of turmeric powder and water, applied locally, provides instant relief to a burn injury. 

 

Nausea
Add the juice of 1 lemon or lime to ½ glass of soda water and sip in small doses.

 

Stomach Pains
To relieve indigestion-related abdominal pains consume one spoonful of extracted ginger juice, mixed in ½ a spoonful of ghee.

 

Mouth Ulcers
A few drops coconut oil applied locally alternatively chewing on a piece of grated coconut is very beneficial for this condition.

Home remedies using Amla:

PilesTake cream top of yoghurt with wild amla juice or powder with cream top of yoghurt twice a day.

 

White Femal Vaginal Discharge (Leucorea)1g Amla with 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp crystal sugar mixed together.

 

FeverAmla with crystal sugar

 

Internal Bleeding (Rakta Pitta)Wild Amla with Honey

 

HiccupWild Amla powder with Pippali (or black pepper). 1g Amla, 3-4 pinches of Pippali.

 

Slow and Burning UrinationJuice of Amla

 

Dry CoughAmla taken in a little ghee (liquify the ghee)

 

DiabetesAmla and Turmeric 

Nidra

Nidra

by Vedic Society

When the mind and the sense organs are tiered and retract from their respective functions, then the person goes to sleep.
Effects of proper sleep on the body:
It gives sukha(happiness), pushti(nourishment), bala(strength), vrishata, jnana(knowledge), jeevita(life).
Effects of less sleep on the body:

Dukha(unhappiness)

Karshyata(emaciation),
Abala(weakness),
Kleebata(impotant)
Ajnana(impaired knowledge or unwise)
Destroys the life.

Effects of akala nidra(untimely sleep), atinidra(excess sleep) and anidra(no sleep):
Destroys the life like Kalaratri(the night of destruction at the end of the world).
Effects of proper sleep:
Proper and timely sleep leads to sukhayusha(happy life) like a yogipurusha attains siddhi on reaching stya buddhi.
Indications for day sleep and its benefits:

• One who is tiered due to
• singing(geeta),
• Studing(adhyayana),
• alcohol(madya),
• sexual intercourse(stree),
• purification procedures(karma),
• wait lifting(bhaara),
• walking(adhwa).
• Ajeerni(indigestion)
• kshata(injured)
• Ksheena(weak)
• Vriddha(old aged)
• Bala(child),
• Abala(weak)
• trishna(suffring from thirst)
• Atisara(loose and excess stools)
• shoola(suffering from pain in the abdomen)
• Shwasa(breathing difficulty)
• Hikka(hiccough)
• krusha(emaciated)
• Patita(fallen)
• Abhihata(injured)
• unmatta(intoxicated)
• klanta(fatigued)
• yana(travalling)
• Prajagara(awake at night)
• Who is affected by krodha(anger), shoka(grief), bhaya(fear)
• In greeshma rutu. This rutu being the part of adana kala there will be predomonance of rookshata(dryness) and vata dosha. Nights are short in this season. So day sleep is advised.

Benifits:
Day sleep in above conditions leads to

• dhaatu saamya(balance of body tissues)
• Bala(strength)
• sleshma pushnati changani(the phlem nourishes the body parts)
• Stabilises the ayushya(life span).

Contraindications:

• Other rutus except greeshma rutu as it will vitiate kapha and pitta in these seasons.
• medaswi(who has excess fat in the body)
• Sneha nitya(who takes unctuous substances daily)
• Shleshmala(kapha prakruti)
• Shleshma rogi(diseases of kapha)
• Dooshi vishaarta(poisoning)

Diseases caused by divaswapna:

• Haleemaka(advanced stage of jaundice)
• Shirashoola(head ache)
• Staimitya(stiffness)
• Guru gatrata(heavyness in the body)
• Angamarda(body pain)
• Agni nasha(destroys agni)
• Pralepo hrudayasya(feeling as if something is applied around the chest)
• Shopha(swelling)
• Arochaka(tastelesness)
• Hrullasa(excessive salivation)
• peenasa(coryza)
• Ardhavabhedaka(migraine)
• Kotha
• Pidaka(rashes)
• kandu(itching)
• Tandra(sleepiness or sluggishness)
• Kasa(cough)
• Galamaya(diseases of throat)
• Pramoha of smruti and buddhi(infatuated memory and intelligence)
• Srotorodha(obstruction in the channels)
• Jwara(fever)
• Indriyanam asaamartyam(inefficiency of the sense organs)
• Visha vega pravartanam(increases the speed of the poison spreading in the body)

Qualities of divaswapna(day sleep):

• Snigdha(unctous)

Sleeping in the day time in sitting posture is arooksha(doesnot cause much unctousness) and anabhishyandi.Qualities of ratri jagarana(not sleeping at night):

• Rooksha(dry).

Importance of sleep:
Just like taking proper food keeps the body healthy the proper sleep leads to arogya(health) and sukha(happiness).

Food and sleep are responsible for sthulya(obesity) and karshyata(emaciation).
Sleep inducing food and activities:

• Abhyanga(oil application on the body)
• Utsadana(rubbing the body with powders)
• snana(bath)
• Gramya, anupa, audaka rasa(meat soup of animals of dry land, marshy land,and aquatic animals)
• Shalyanna(rice)
• Dadhi(curd)
• Ksheera(milk)
• Sneha(unctous substance)
• Madya(alcoholic drinks)
• mana sukha(happyness of mind)
• Exposure to smell, sound which are liked by manaas(mind).
• Akshi tarpana(filling unctous substance in a dam built around the eyes)
• Lepa on head and vadana(oral cavity)
• sukha shayya(comfortable matress)
• Yathochita kala(proper timing)

Sleep reducing factors:

• kaya virechana(inducing purgation)
• Shirovirechana(nasal drops)
• Chardhana(inducing vomiting)
• Bhaya(fear)
• chinta(sadness)
• Krodha(anger)
• dhoomapana(smoke inhalation)
• vyayama(physical exercise)
• raktamokshana(blood letting)
• upavasa(fasting)
• Asuhkashyaa
• Karya(engaged in some important work)
• Kala(time) Like old age and Other than routine sleeping hours.
• Vikara(diseases)
• Vata prakopa
• Improving the satwa guna or victory over the tamo guna.

Types of sleep:

1. Tamobhva(due to tamo guna) - This is the origin for all papakarmas.
2. shleshma samudbhava(due to excess phlem)
3. Mana shareera shrama sambhava(due to the tierdness of mind and body)
4. Agantuki(
5. Vyadhyanuvartini(following some diseases)
6. Ratri swabhava prabhava(by nature sleeping at night) - This sleep protects the living beings with great affetion It is called bhoota dhatri.

2,3,4,5 are considered as vyadhi(diseases).

1. Nidra is one of the 13 non suppressable urges.
2. Suppresion of the sleep causes yawning, body pain, tandra, shiroroga and akshi gaurava.

Sushruta samhita: (Su. Sha 4/ 32)
Nidra is one of the mayas of Vishnu. It is also called as papma.It affects all living beings by nature. When the sanjavaha srotas(channel responsible for conciousness) is covered by tama predominant kapha, the person goes to sleep. This type of sleep is called as tamasee nidra. This type of sleep prevents the person from waking up and it happens during the pralaya kala(universal destruction). The people who have predominance of tama goes to sleep in the day time as well as in the night time. The rajo guna predominant people goes to sleep in अनिमित्त time.(Their sleepingtime cannot be predicted) The satwa guna people goes to sleep in the midnight(अर्धरात्रि). People who have ksheena kapha, vata prakopa, mana and shareera abhitapa does not get sleep. This is the vikara(disease). Hrudaya is the place of (चेतना). When the hrudaya is covered by tama guna the person gets the sleep. So tama guna is responsible for the sleep and the raja guna is responsible for waking up. The main reason of the sleep is (स्वभाव). Some acharyas believe that when the sense organs are affected by tama guna they become विकल(weak), then the bhootatma who doesnot sleep also goes to sleep.
Swapna(dreams):
When the bhootatma of the sleeping body percieves the good and bad events of the past body through the raja guna predominant manas is called as swapna or dreams.
Indications for diva swapna(day sleep):

• Greeshma rutu Bala(children)
• Vruddha(old aged people)
• Stree karshita(one who is weak because of sexual intercourse)
• kshata ksheena(weak due to injury)
• Madya nitya(one who takes alciholic drinks daily)
• Yana(travelling), vahana(travelling by vehicle)
• Adhwakarma parishranta(who is tierd due to walking)
• Abhuktavatam(who doesnot take food on time)
• Ksheena meda(who has less fat)
• Ksheena sweda(less sweat)
• Kseena Kapha(less kapha)
• Ksheena rakta(less blood)
• Ksheena rasa(less rasa)
• Ajeerni(indigestion)

In these cases sleeping in the day time for one muhurta kala is advised.
People who were awake at night can sleep in the day time and the duration should be half of the lost sleep.
Effects of day sleep on the body:

• sarva dosha prakopa(aggravation of all doshas)
• kasa(cough)
• shwasa(breathlessness)
• pratishyaya(coryza)
• shirogaurava(heavyness of the head)
• angamarda(body pain)
• arochaka(tastelessness)
• jwara(fever)
• agni daurbalya(weak digestive fire)

Effects of ratri jagarana on the body:

• Vata and pitta diseases.

Keeping these points in the mind one should not stay awake at night and should not sleep in the day time. The person who follows this rule will be

• Aroga(free from all diseases)
• sumana(pleasent mind)
• balanvita(strong)
• varnanwita(having good complexion)
• Vrusha
• Nati stoola(not very obese)
• Nati krusha(not emaciated)
• Jeevet sama shatam(will live for hundred years)
• Sreeman(will have lot of wealth)

People for whom the ratrijagarana and diva swapna are satmya, they will not have any kind of doshas by practicing them.
Reasons for nidra nasha:

• Vata and pitta prakopa
• Manastapa(mental agony)
• Kshaya due to abhighata(weakness due to injury) etc

Treatments for nidra nasha:

• Abhyanga(oil application)
• Moordhni thaila(oil application on head)
• Gatrasya udwartana(rubbing the body with powders)
• Hitam samvahana(gentle rubbing of the body)
• Shali(rice)
• Godhooma(wheat)
• Pistanna(foods prepared by flours)
• Foods prepared with ikshu(sugarcane)
• Madhura, snigdha bhojana(sweet and unctous foods)
• Ksheera(milk)
• mamsa rasa of vileshaya and vishkira animals(meat soup)
• Draksha(grapes)
• Sita(candy sugar)
• Ikshu(sugarcane) and its various preparations at night.
• Pleasent and soft shayana(matress) and seatings
• Pleasent yana(vehicle)

Atinidra chikitsa(Treatment for excess sleep):

• Vamana etc samshodhana therapy(vomiting etc purification procedures)
• Langhana(fasting)
• rakta mokshana(blood letting)
• Manovyakulata (sadness of the mind)

Indication for ratri jagarana(Indication for staying awake at night):

• Kaphaja vikara
• Meda vikara(diseases of the fat)
• Vishaarta (one who is affected by visha)

Indications for diva swapna(Indications for day sleep):

• Trushna(thirsty)
• shoola(pain)
• hikka(hiccough)
• ajeerna(indigestion)
• atisara(loose stools)

Astanga sangraha:- (A. S. Su. 9/ 38)
Reasons for the sleep:

• कालादिसर्गप्रभवा(origin by nature)
• तमोमूला(root is tama)
• तमोमयी(composed of tama or made of tama)
• बाहुल्यात्तमसो(due to excess tama)
These are the reasons of nidra at night.

• When the srotas are covered by sleshma and when the sense organs are tired and withdraws from the respective functions, puts the persons to sleep.
श्लेश्मावृतेषु स्रोतःसु श्रमादुपरतेषु च।
इन्द्रियेषु स्वकर्मभ्यो निद्राआविशति देहिनाम्॥

Swapna(Dream):
When all the indriyas are tierd and withdraw from their functions(सर्वेन्द्रियव्युपरतौ) but the mind is engaged with its functions(मनोअनुपरतं विशयेभ्यो), the person will see dreams in his sleep.

Effects of proper, excess and less sleep on the body:
निद्रायत्तं सुखं दुःखं पुष्टिः कार्श्यं बलाबलम्।
वृष्ता क्लीबता ज्नानमग्ज्नानं जीवितं न च॥
अकाले अतिप्रसंगाच्च न च निद्र निषेविता।
सुखायुषी पराकुर्यात् कालरात्रिरिवापरा॥
Effects of proper sleep:
sukha(happiness)
pushti(nourishment)
bala(strength)
vrushata
jnana(knowledge)
jeevita(life)
Effects of improper sleep:
dukha(unhappiness)
kaarshya(emaciation)
abala(weakness)
kleebata(impotence)
agjnana(lack of knowledge)
will loose the jeevita(life).

So the person who wants to have a happy life(sukha ayushya) should avoid akaala nidra, atinidra and anidra considering them as kalarati.

सैवा युक्ता पुनर्युंक्ते निद्रा देहम् सुखायुषा ।
योगाभियोगिनां बुद्धिर्निर्मलातपसा तथा॥
The proper sleep joins the body with the sukha ayushya, just like the nirmala bhuddhi helps the yogis to become one with the satwa.
Properties of raatri jagarana(staying awake at night) and divaswapna(day sleep):
Ratri jagarana is rooksha.(staying awake at night is drying)
divaaswapna is snigdha.(day sleep is unctous)
Sleeping in the sitting posture is not dry(arooksha) and not channel onstructing(anabhishyandi).
Indications for divaswapna(day sleep):

• greeshma rutu - Because of the vata sanchaya, adana kala,rookshata in the nature and short nights in greeshma rutu the day sleep is indicated. Day sleep in other rutus aggravates kapha and pitta.
• Bhashya(who talks more)
• yaana(travels more)
• adhwa(walking)
• madya(alcoholic drinks)
• stree(one who enjoys with woman)
• भार(who carries weight)
• क्रोध, शोक, भय क्लान्त(who is affected by anger, grief and fear)
• श्वास(breathing difficulty)
• हिक्का(hiccough)
• अतिसार(loose stools)
• वृद्ध(old age)
• बाल(children)
• अबल(who has less strenghth)
• क्षीण(weak)
• क्षुत् पीडित(affected by hunger)
• तृट् पीडित(affected by thirst)
• शूल पीडित(affected by pain)
• अजीर्ण(indigestion)
• अभिहत(injuried)
• उन्मत्त(intoxicated)

Day sleep in above people helps in balancing the body tissues(dhatu samyata). The kapha generated due to day sleep nourishes their body parts(अंगानि).
Contraindication for day sleep:

• बहुमेद(who has excess fat)
• बहुकफ(excess phlem)
• स्नेहनित्य(who takes unctous substance daily)

Contraindication for sleep:

• विषार्त(who is affected by visha)
• कंठ रोगि(throat diseases)

Reasons for ahita nidra(unhealthy sleep):

• हलीमक
• शिरोजाढ्य(sluggishness of the head)
• स्तैमित्य(stifgness)
• गुरुगात्रता(heavyness of the body)
• ज्वर(fever)
• भ्रम(giddyness)
• मतिभ्रंश(impaired mental functions)
• स्रोतोरोध(blockage of channels)
• अग्निमन्दता(weak digestive fire)
• शोफ(swelling)
• अरोचक(tastelessness)
• हृल्लास(nausea)
• पीनस(coryza)
• अर्धावभेदक(one sided headed head ache)
• कण्डु(itching)
• रुक्(pain)
• कोठ(rashes)
• पिटका(rashes)
• कास(cough)
• तन्द्रा(sleepiness)
• गलामय(throat diseases)
• विषवेग प्रवृत्ति(poison)

Reasons for Atinidra(excess sleep):
अपच्यमानो बाहुल्यात्स्रोतांस्यावृणुते कफः।
ततः स्रोतःसु रुद्धेषु जायते गात्रगौरवं॥
गुरुगात्रस्य चालस्यमालस्यादतिनिद्रता।
When the major part of the food is not digested the kapha covers the channels. This leads to gatra gaurava(heavyness in the body). The gurugatrata causes lazyness ( alasya). Alasya causes excess sleep(atinidra).
Treatment for atinidra(excess sleep):

• कायविरेचन(purgation)
• शिरोविरेचन(nasal drops)
• वमन(vomiting)
• रक्तमोक्षण(blood letting)
• धूमपान(smoke inhalation)
• क्षुत्(hunger)
• तृट्(thirst)
• व्यथा(agitation)
• हर्ष(happiness)
• शोक(sadness)
• मैथुन(sexual intercourse)
• भय(fear)
• क्रोध(anger)
• चिन्ता(sorrowfull thinking)
• उत्कण्ठ(anxity)
• असुख शय्या(unpleasent matress)
• सत्वौदार्य(increasing satwa quality)
• तमोजय(reducing the tama quality)
• रूक्षान्न(dry foods)

Reasons for loss of sleep:

• The factors which are responsible for reducing excessive sleep are the reasons for loss of sleep.
• काल(time)
• शील(habits)
• धातुक्षय
• व्याधि(diseases)
• वात वृद्धि, पित्तवृद्धि

Treatment for raatrijagarana(staying awake at night):
असात्म्याज्जगरादर्धं प्रातः स्वप्यादभुक्तवान्।
If one could not sleep in the night, he should sleep half the quantity of lost sleep in the daytime without eating food.
Treatment for loss of sleep:

• क्षीर(milk)
• इक्षुरस(sugarcane juice)
• आनूप, औदक मांसरस(meat soup)
• गौडिक(preparations of jaggary)
• पैष्टिक(preparations of flour)
• शालि(rice)
• मद्य(alcohol)
• माष(blackgram)
• किलाट
• महिषदधि(curd prepared by buffalowmilk)
• अभ्यंग(Oil application on the body)
• उद्वर्तन(rubbing the body with powders)
• स्नान(bath)
• मूर्धपूरण(covering the head with oil)
• श्रवण पूरण(filling the ear with oil)
• चक्षुस्तर्पण(filling the unctous substance in adam prepared around the eyes)
• शिरसो लेप(appling the paste on the head)
• वदन लेप(appling the paste on tthe oral cavity)
• प्रवाते सुरभौ देशे सुखां शय्यां यथोचिते(sleeping on a pleasent matress in a pleasent place which is exposed to breeze)
• संवाहन(gentle rubbing of the body)
• स्पर्शसुखं चित्तैरनुजीविभिः(Gentle rubbing of the body by hands of a person whom he likes)
• Ghee processed with jeevaneeya gana drugs with milk as anupaana.
• कान्ता बाहुः(sleeping by hugging a woman)
• मनोअनुकूल विषयाः(listening to things which he likes)

The person who is already suffering from excess sleep should not indulge in above factors.
Types of sleep:

1. काल स्वभावज
२. आमयज
३. चित्त खेदज
४. देह खेदज
५. कफज
६. आगन्तुज
७. तमोभव

Among these kalaswabhavaja is the one which helps to maintain the shareera and the rest of the sleep types are papatmika or are caused by vyadhis(diseases).

Yagya

Yagya Yagya is the science of purification of the atmosphere through the agency of fire given through Vedas, the ancienmost body of knowledge known to humankind.

Health Tips

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Vedic Society Ayurvedic Tips

Yellow split mung beans are praised in ayurvedic texts for their nutritional value and ease of digestion.

Eat in a calm and peaceful atmosphere without rushing.

Avoid yoghurt, cheese or other heavy foods after sunset as they are best taken in the daytime for optimal digestion!

Avoid yoghurt, cheese or other heavy foods after sunset as they are best taken in the daytime for optimal digestion!

Swim in summer - walk in winter and do yoga all year round!

Try to choose land that slopes N or E or NE for ideal peaceful and prosperous living.

Take a short gentle walk after lunch to improve digestion and assimilation of food. Moderate excercise is always a panacea for digestion.

For a simple and effective detox drink 4-6 cups of hot water (filtered or mineral) when thirsty throughout the day!

Always try to eat freshly cooked food which is high in intelligence and prana - avoid microwave, canned, frozen or re-heated food which weakens the digestion!

Herbal chai tea (cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, clove, black pepper and saffron) is amazing in winter to prevent coughs and colds.

Papaya taken after a meal is an excellent boost for digestion and immunity!

Sip hot ginger water made with feshly grated ginger after meals to increase Agni (digestive fire) and for more energy and better immunity!

Water

Water	Display:
Water is an essential element existing throughout the universe and in great amounts in our bodies, our brains, our hearts, our food, our environment, our atmosphere and all life as we know it on earth.

Below is a list of articles with the most recent ones listed first.
Shastric references to water and its healing effects, properties by Martin Gluckman	Topic: Water
Water is an essential element existing throughout the universe and in great amounts in our bodies, our brains, our hearts, our food, our environment, our atmosphere and all life as we know it on earth.
Published: Thursday 14 September, 2006
How to save water by Biophile	Topic: Water
It is surprisingly easy (and cost-effective) for households to reduce water consumption by between 30% and 60%.
Published: Thursday 14 September, 2006
A Thirst for Control by Biophile	Topic: Water
There once was a time when water fell freely from the clouds in the sky and bubbled from the springs in the hills… when the rivers, streams and lakes were full to the brim… when ancient underground aquifers flowed like great veins beneath the continents… when water nurtured our people, like babes su...
Published: Thursday 14 September, 2006
Running low on H2O by Biophile	Topic: Water
Of all the water on this planet, 97.5% is in the oceans, two percent is frozen, three quarters of a percent is in the ground as groundwater, and a mere quarter of a percent makes up our surface water. The rest is in clouds and living organisms. So there is not much water available for us to live on....
Published: Thursday 14 September, 2006
More messages from water by Biophile	Topic: Water
Reiko Myamoto Dewey interviews Dr. Masaru Emoto, author of Messages From Water.
Published: Thursday 14 September, 2006

Copper Poisoning

Copper Poisoning

Rasaratna samucchaya:

The impure copper(tamra) dosha are:

Ayushya kshaya(reduction in life span)
Kanti kshaya(reduction in the complexion)
Veerya kshaya(reduction in the vigour or virility)
Balakshaya(reduction in the strength)
Vanti(vomiting)
Moorcha(fainting)
Bhrama(giddiness)
Utkleda(moist)
Kushta(skin disorders)
Shoola(pain)

Arogya prakasha:

8 doshas of impure copper are explained.
Bhrama(giddiness)
Moorcha(fainting)
Vidaha(burning sensation)
Sweda(sweating)
Kleda(moist)
Vanti(vomiting)
Aruchi(tastelessness)
Chittasantapa(mental distuebance)

It also leads to:

Kushta(skin disorders)
AtisaraLoose stools)
Vatarakta(gout)
Kamala(jaundice)

ANTIDOTE:

Munivreehi, Sharkara and Dhanyaka are administered with water for 3days.

Ghee

Ghee

Astanga samgraha Su. 6/73 to 77
Qualities of the Ghee:

• धी वर्धक(increases intellect)
• स्मृति वर्धक(memory booster)
• मधा वर्धक(retentive faculty of mind)
• अग्निबल वर्धक(increases the digestive power)
• आयु वर्धक(increases life span)
• शुक्रवर्धक(increases semen)
• चक्षुष्य(good for eyes)

Benificial for:

• बाल(childeren)
• वृद्ध(old aged people)
• प्रजार्थि(those who wants have progeny)
• कान्ति(beauty)
• सौकुमार्य(delicacy or tenderness)
• स्वरार्थि(who wish to have a pleasent voice)
• क्षतक्षीण(who is weak due to injury)
• परीसर्प(herpes)
• शस्त्राभिहत(injury due to weapons)
• अग्नि तप्त(burns due to fire)
• वातपित्तहर(vata pitta pacifier)
• विषहर(nullifies poison)
• उन्मादहर(destroys insanity)
• शोषहर(cures emaciation)
• अलक्ष्मीहर(destroys the evil fortune or poverty)
• ज्वरापह(cures fever)
• स्नेहानामुत्तमं(best among the unctous substances)
• शीतं(cold potency)
• वयसः स्थापनं परम्(stabilises life span)
• सहस्रवीर्यं विधिभिर्घृतम् कर्म सहस्रकृत्(it has multiple efficacies)

पुराण घृत:
Good for:

• मद(intoxication)
• अपस्मार(epilepsy)
• मूर्च्छा(giddyness)
• शिरोरोग(diseases of the head)
• कर्णरोग(diseases of the ear)
• अक्षिरोग(diseases of eyes)
• योनिरोग(diseases of genital system)
• वृण शोधन रोपण(cleans and heals the wound)
• पूर्वोक्तांश्च अधिकान्कुर्याद् गुणांस्तदमृतोपमम्(the properties normal ghee is many fold more in the old ghee and is equal to nector)
• Cow's milk and ghee are the best and sheep's milk and ghee are the nidita.(A.S.Su.6/80)
  Ghee is one of the 4 unctous substances. Among them ghee is the best because of its qualities like:
  1. संस्कारस्यानुवर्तनात्(on processing with other drugs, ghee aquires the properties of that drug)
  2. माधुर्यात्(sweetness)
  3. अविदाहित्वात्(doesn't cause burning sensation)
  4. जन्माद्येवशीलनात्(it is compatible food from birth itself) (A.S.Su. 25/5)

घृत मण्ड(the clear fluid on the ghee):

• तद्वच्च घृतमन्डोअपि(The properties of the clear fluid on ghee is equalant to the properties of old ghee)
• रूक्ष(dry)
• तीक्ष्ण(sharp or pungent)
• तनु(thin)

Charaka samhita:
Ch. Sa. Su.13/13

• Ghee is one of the 4 unctous substances. Among them ghee is the best due to its संस्कार्स्यानुवर्तनात्(the nature to aquire the properties of the drugs processed with) quality.
• Other qualities of the ghee are:
  • पित्तानिलहरpitta and vata pacifier)
  • रसशुक्रौजसां हितम्(good for rasa, shukra and ojas)
  • निर्वापणं(used in all sacred offerings)
  • मृदुकरम्(provides softness)
  • स्वरवर्ण प्रसादनं(good for voice and complexion)
  • Hot water should be taken as anupaana after drinking ghee.

Ch. Sa. Su. 27/231
Qualities of ghee are:

• स्मृति वर्धक(intellect booster)
• बुद्धि वर्धक(intelligence booster)
• अग्निवर्धक(increases the digestive fire)
• शुक्र ओजवर्धक(promotes shukra and ojas)
• कफवर्धक(increases kapha)
• मेधोवर्धक((improves the retentive faculty of the mind)
• वातपित्तहर(vata and pitta pacifier)
• विषापह(destroys poison)
• उन्मादहर(cures insanity)
• शोषापह(cures emaciation)
• अलक्ष्मीहर(desroys the evil fortune)
• ज्वरापह(cures fever)
• सर्वस्नेहोत्तम(best among the unctous group)
• शीत(cold)
• मधुर रस पाकयोः(sweet while tasting and after digestion)
• सहस्रवीर्यं विधिभिर्घृतं कर्मसहस्रकृत्(has many fold more efficacy and functions)

पुराण घृत(Old ghee):
It is good for conditions like:

• मद(intoxication)
• अपस्मार(epilepsy)
• मूर्छा(giddyness)
• शोष(emaciation)
• उन्माद(insanity)
• गर(poison)
• ज्वर(fever)
• योनिशूल(pain in the genital tract)
• शिर शूल(pain in the head)
• कर्णशूल(pain in the ear)

Sushruta samhita:
Su. Su. 45/96 - 106
Qualities of ghee are:

• मधुर(sweet)
• सौम्य(mild)
• मृदु(soft)
• शीत वीर्य(cold potency)
• अल्पाभिष्यन्दि(causes slight oozing)
• स्नेहन(unctus)
• उदावर्त प्रशमन्(cures the upward movement of wind in the gastrointestinal system)
• उन्माद प्रशमन(cures insanity)
• अपस्मार प्रशमन(cures epilepsy)
• शूल प्रशमन(cures pain)
• ज्वर प्रशमन(cures fever)
• आनाह प्रशमन(cures the bloated abdomen)
• वातपित्त प्रशमन(vata and pitta pacifier)
• अग्निदीपन(improves the digestive fire)
• स्मृति कर(intellect booster)
• मति कर(improves the thought process)
• मेधा कर(improves the retentive power of the mind)
• कान्ति कर(improves the beauty)
• स्वर कर(improves the voice)
• लावन्य कर(improves the charm)
• सौकुमार्य कर(provides tenderness or softnature)
• ओजो कर(improves the ojas)
• तेजो कर(improves the lustre or brilliance)
• बल कर(improves strength)
• आयुष्य(improves the life span)
• वृष्य(aphradiciac)
• मेध्य(good for intelligence)
• वयः स्थापन
• गुरु(heavy)
• चक्षुष्य(good for eyes)
• श्लेष्माभिवर्धन(increases kapha)
• पाप्मा प्रशमन(destroys the sin)
• अलक्ष्मी प्रशमन(destroys the evil fortune)
• विषहर(destroys the poison)
• रक्षोघ्न(guards against the evil spirits)

गोघृत(Cow's ghee):

• मधुर विपाक((sweet taste after digestion)
• शीत वीर्य(cold)
• वातपित्त हर(vata pitta pacifier)
• विषापह(destroys poison)
• चक्षुष्य(good for eyes)
• अग्र्य(it is the best among the ghee group)
• बल्य(strength promoting)

अजा घृत(Goat's ghee):

• दीपनीयं(improves the digestive fire)
• चक्षुष्यं(good for eyes)
• बलवर्धनं(strength promoting)
• कासे श्वास क्षये अपि पथ्यं(suitable for people suffering from cough, breathing difficulty and weakness)
• पाके च तल्लघु(light for digesting)

औष्ट्र घृत(Camal ghee):

• कतु पाक(pungent taste after digestion)
• शोफहर(reduces the swelling)
• क्रिमिहर(destroys worms)
• विषापह(destroys the poison)
• दीपन(improves the digestive fire)
• कफवातघ्न(pacifier of kapha and vata)
• कुष्टापह(good for skin diseases)
• गुल्मापह(cures abdomenal lumps)
• उदरापह(cures fluid retention in the abdomenal cavity)

महिष घृत(Buffalow ghee):

• मधुर(sweet)
• रक्तपित्तघ्न(reduces rakta and pitta)
• गुरुपाकि(heavy for digestion)
• कफवर्धक(increases kapha)
• वातपित्त प्रशमन(reduces vata and pitta)
• सुशीतं(very cold)

आवि घृत(Sheep's ghee):

• लघु पाक(light for digestion)
• न च पित्त प्रकोपणं(doesnot increases pitta)
• good to have in cases of:
  • कफविकार(diseases of kapha)
  • वातविकार(diseases of vata)
  • योनिदोष(disordres of the genital tract)
  • शोष(emaciation)
  • कम्प(trmors)

एक शफ घृत(Ghee of animals having one hoof):

• लघु पाक(light for digestion)
• उष्ण वीर्य(hot potency)
• कषाय रस(astringent taste)
• कफ नाशक(alliviates kapha)
• दीपन(improves the digestive fire)
• बद्धमूत्रकर(causes urine retention)

स्त्री घृत(Ghee prepared by breast milk):

• चक्षुष्यमग्र्यं(best for eyes)
• अम्रुतोपमम्(equalent to nector)
• देह वर्धक(nourishes the body)
• अग्नि वर्धक(improves the digestive fire)
• लघुपाक(light for digestion)
• विषापह(destroys poison)

करेणु घृत(Elephant ghee):

• कषाय, तिक्त रस(astringent, bitter taste)
• बद्धविण्मूत्र कर(causes urine and faces retention)
• अग्निकर(improves the digestive fire)
• लघु(light)
• कफहर(increases kapha)
• कुष्टहर(cures skin diseases)
• विषहर(cures poison)
• क्रिमिहर(destroys worms)

क्षीर घृत(Ghee extracted from milk):

• संग्राही(retains stools)
• रक्तपित्त प्रशमन(cures bleeding disorders)
• भ्रमप्रशमन(cures delusion)
• मूर्च्छा प्रशमन(cures giddyness)
• नेत्र रोग हित(good for eye diseases)

सर्पि मण्ड(clear fluid on the ghee):

• मधुर(sweet)
• सर(moving quality)
• योनिशूलघ्न(cures the pain in the genital tract)
• श्रोत्र शूलघ्न(cures the pain)
• अक्षि शूलघ्न(cures the pain in the eye)
• शिर शूलघ्न(head ache)
• बस्तिनस्याक्षिप्रपूरणषूपदिष्यते(suitable to use in basti, nasal drops, filling eyes)

पुराण सर्पि(Old ghee):

• सर(moving quality)
• कतु विपाक(pungent taste after digestion)
• त्रिदोषापह(alliviates three doshas)

Destroys:

• मूर्च्छा(giddyness)
• मद(intoxication)
• उन्माद(insanity)
• उदर(water retention in the abdomenal cavity)
• ज्वर(fever)
• गर(poison)
• शोष(emaciation)
• अपस्मार(epilepsy)
• निशूल(pain in the genital tract)
• श्रोत्र शूल(pain in the ear)
• अक्षि शूल(pain in the eye)
• शिर शूल(pain in the head)
• तिमिर(blindness)
• श्वास(breathing difficulty)
• पीनस(coryza)
• कास(cough)
• कुष्ट(skin disorders)
• विष(poison)
• ग्रह(evil spirits)
• बस्तिनस्याक्षिपूरणेषूपदिष्यते(suitable to administer in basti, nasal drops and filling the eyes)
• दीपन(improves the digestive fire)

The 11years old ghee is called as "Kumbha sarpi" or "Mahasarpi"
Its properties are:

• भूतघ्न(destroys evil spirits)
• कफघ्न(alliviates kapha)
• वातघ्न(alliviates vata)
• बल्य(strength promoting)
• पवित्र(sacred)
• मेध्य(boosts intelligence)
• विशेषात् तिमिरापह(specially good for blindness)
• सर्वभूत हर(destroys all evil spirits)

Bhaavaprakasha nighantu:
Synonyms: ghruta, Ajya, havi, sarpi.
Qualities:

• रसायन(rejuvinating)
• मधुर(sweet)
• चक्षुष्य(good for eyes)
• वह्निदीपन(increases digestive fire)
• शीत वीर्य(cold potency)
• विषापह(cures poison)
• अलक्ष्मीघ्न(destroys poverty)
• पापघ्न(desriys sins)
• पित्तनिलापह(alliviates vata and pitta)
• अल्पाभिष्यन्दि(causes slight oozing)
• कान्ति कृत्(improves beauty)
• जोकृत्(boosts ojas)
• तेजोकृत्(improves the lustre)
• लावण्यकृत्(improves the charm)
• स्वरकर(good for voice)
• स्मृतिकर(intellect booster)
• मेध्य(improves the retention power of the mind)
• आयुष्य(increases the life span)
• बलकृत्(strength promoting)
• गुरु(heavy)
• उदावर्तहर(cures the upward movement of wind in gastro intestinal tract)
• ज्वरहर(cures fever)
• उन्मादहर(cures insanity)
• शूलहर(cures pain)
• आनाह हर(cures bloatedness of the abdomen)
• वृणहर(cures wounds)
• स्निग्ध(unctous)
• कफकर(increases kapha)
• रक्ष(protects body from evil spirits)
• क्षयनुत्(cures weakness)
• विसर्पनुत्(cures herpes infection)
• रक्तनुत्(cures the disorders of blood)

गोघृत(Cow's ghee):

• चक्षुष्य(good for eyes)
• वृष्य(aphrodiciac)
• अग्निकृत्(improves the digestive fire))
• स्वादुपाक(sweet taste)
• शीत(cold)
• वातपित्तकफापह(alliviates vata, pitta,kapha)

Increases:

• मेधा(intelligence)
• लावण्य(charm)
• कान्ति(beauty)
• ओज(ojas)
• तेज(lustre)
• अलक्ष्मीघ्न(destroys evil future)
• रक्षोघ्न(protects from evil spirits)
• पापघ्न(destroys sins)
• वयसः स्थापकं(improves the life span)
• गुरु(heavy)
• बल्य(strength promoting)
• पवित्र(sacred)
• आयुष्य(increases the life span)
• सुमन्गल्यं(auspicious)
• रसायनम्(reguvinating)
• सुगन्धं(pleasent flavour)
• रोचनम्(imprves the taste)
• सर्वाज्येषु गुणाधिकं(has superior qualities )

पुराण घृत(Old ghee):

• त्रिदोषनुत्(alliviates three doshas)
• मूर्च्छापह(cures giddyness)
• कुष्टापह(cures skin diseases)
• विषापह(destroys poison)
• उन्मादापह(cures insanity)
• अपस्मारपह(cures epilepsy)
• तिमिरापह(cures blindness)

One year old ghee is called purana ghruta. As they become older their properties increases.
नवीन घृत(New ghee):
The new ghee should be used for:

• भोजन(along with meals)
• तर्पण(fuel for sacred fire)
• श्रम(for those who are tired)
• बलक्षय(reduced strength)
• पाण्डुरोग(aneamia)
• कामला(jaundice)
• नेत्र रोग(eye diseases)

Contraindications for ghee administration:

• राजयक्ष्म(tuberculosis)
• बाल(Childern)
• वृद्ध(old age)
• श्लेष्म रोग(kapha disorders)
• सोम रोग
• विसूचिका(cholera)
• विबन्ध(constipation)
• मदात्यय(intoxication)
• ज्वर(fever)
• दहने मन्दे(weak digestive fire)

Milk for Children

Milk for Children

Bhavaprakash purvakhanda bala prakarana 4th chapter 35th sloka:


क्षीरसात्म्यतया क्षीरमाजं गव्यमथापि वा ।
दद्यादास्तन्यपर्याप्तेर्बालेभ्यो वीक्ष्य मात्रया।(भा. प्र. पू. ख. ४/ ३५)

In case of non- availability of breastmilk of dhaatri(wet nurse) or mother, goat's or cow's milk can be given to the child as an alternative, because milk is saatmya(compatible or congenial) food for children.

Shaargadhara samhita poorvakhanda 6th chapter 40th shloka:

क्षीरसात्म्यतयाक्षीरमाजं गव्यमथापि वा।
दद्यादास्तन्य पर्याप्तेर्बालेभ्यो वीक्ष्य मात्रया।
Milk is the saatmya food for the child. Hence in case of non availability of mother's or dhaatri's(wet nurse) milk, goat or cow milk can be given to the child in required quantity.

Charaka samhita:

Acharya Charaka has not mentioned cow or goat milk as an alternative directly. But in many places he mentions that the cow milk as one of the hita food, jeevaneeya food, rasaayana, ojovardhaka.

Sushruta samhita:

क्षीरसात्म्यातया क्षीरमाजं गव्यमथापि च।
दद्यादास्तन्यपर्याप्तेर्बालानां वीक्ष्य मात्रया। ( सु. शा. १०/ ५३)
Milk is the only congenial diet to child, when mother or wet nurse are unable to feed the baby, goat or cow milk should be given in appropriate amount.(the quantity by which the baby feels satisfied.)

Astanga sangraha:

स्तन्यभावे पयश्छागं गव्यं वा तद्गुणं पिबेद्।
मूलैः सिद्धंबृहत्याद्यैस्थिराभ्यावासितायुतम्। (अ. सं. उ. स्था.१/ ३९)
when the mother's milk or wet nurse milk are not available to feed the child, goat or cow milk can be given in appropriate quantity.
This milk should be processed with बृहति, कण्टकारि, शालिपर्णि, पृश्निपर्णि, गोक्षुर and mixed with sita(candy sugar) and given to the child in appropriate quantity.

Cooked Food Verses Raw Food

Cooked Food Verses Raw Food

Astanga Sangraha: ( A. S. Su. 10/16)


When explaining the correct method of eating food, aachaarya says one should eat सुसिद्ध आहार(well cooked food).
नात्युष्णंमनुपदग्धं सुसिद्धमलोलो नासात्म्यम्...(अ. स. सु. १०/ १६)

Charaka Samhita:

Aachaarya Charaka while explaining the shaaka varga(group of of different types of vegetables), tells about the general qualities of vegetables, method of cooking the vegetable and the vegetables that can be eaten raw.

The general properties of the vegetables are heavy(गुरु), drying(रूक्ष), blocking(विष्टंभि), difficult to digest(अजीर्यति), sweet in taste(मधुर), cold in potency(शीतवीर्य), breaks the stools(पुरीषस्य भेदन). So it should be steamed and the watershould be discarded by sqeezing and prepared with plenty of unctous substance.

शाकं गुरु च रूक्षं च प्रायो विष्टंभ्यजीर्यति।
मधुरं शीतवीर्यं च पुरीषस्य च भेदनम्।
स्विन्नं निष्पीडितरसं स्नेहाढ्यं तत् प्रशस्यते॥ (च. सू. २७/ १०३)
One should not eat shaakas eaten by worms/insects, which has become dry due to wind and sun, old/ over ripe, grown in different seasons, unboiled, without removing water and prepared without unctous substance.
क्रिमि वातातपहतं शुष्कं जीर्णमनार्तवम्।
शाकं निःस्नेहसिद्धं च वर्ज्यं यच्चापरिस्रुतम्। (च. सु. २७/ ३१६)
शाकाs that can be eaten raw are of हरित वर्ग. The ones which were eaten by worms, dried , over ripe, and grown in different seasons should be avoided. But boiling, squeezing and cooking with unctous substance are not needed for this group of vegetables.
हरितानां यथाशाकं निर्देशः साधनादृते। (च. सू. २७/ ३१८)
The harita varga shaakas are आर्द्रक, जम्बीर, सुरस, यवानि, आर्जक, शिग्रु, शालेय, मृष्टक, गन्दीर, जलपिप्पलि, तुम्बुरु, श्रृ‘गवेरिक, भूस्तृण, खराह्वा, धान्यक, अजगन्धा, सुमुख, गृ‘जनक, पलांडु, लशुन.
In viruddha ahara context, one of the types of viruddha ahara is पाक विरुद्ध. The foods cooked with improper firewood(दुष्टदुर्दारु साधितं), uncooked food(अपक्वं), over cooked food(अत्यर्थ पक्वं) and burnt(दग्ध) foods come under this catagory.
विरुद्धंपाकतश्चापि दुष्टदुर्दारुसाधितम्।
अपक्वतंडुलात्यर्थपक्वदग्धं च यद्भवेत्॥ (च. सू. २६/ ९९)

Sushruta Samhita:

In sushruta sootra sthaana acharya explains how to serve different types of foods. There is no mentioning of raw foods except fruits which he says to be eaten in the begining.
आदौ फलानि भुन्जीत दादिमादीनि बुद्धिमान्।
ततः पेयांस्ततो भोज्यान् भक्ष्यांस्चित्रांस्ततः परम्॥ (सु. सू. ४६/ ४६७) 

Nasya Karma as per Classical Texts

Nasya Karma as per Classical Texts

Aacharya Vagbhata: ( A. S. Su. 29)

Definition of Nasya karma: The procedure of instilling medicines through the nasal orifice is called Nasya karma.

The nasal orifices are believed to be the entrance of the head. The medicine instilled through them easily penetrates the Sringataka and spreads to the Siras (arterioles) of head(shira), eyes(netra), ears(shrotra), throat(kantha) and expels out the impurities.

Types of nasya karma:

According to the functions the nasya karma is of 3 types.

• Virechana nasya.
• Brihmana nasya
• Shamana nasya.

According to the quantity of the nasya drug used it is of 2 types.

• Marsha nasya
• Pratimarsha nasya.

Virechana Nasya:

Indications:

It is mainly indicated in the diseases of head caused by Kapha dosha or its predominance like:

• Heaviness of the head(adhigaurava)
• Swelling or tumor in the head(shopha)
• Feeling as if something sticking on the head(upadeha)
• itching(kandu)
• stiffness(stambha)
• conjunctivitis(abhishyanda)
• excess secretions(srava)
• excess salaivation(praseka)
• anorexia(vairasya)
• Loss of taste(arochaka)
• hoarseness of the voice(swarabheda)
• worm infestation in the head(krimi)
• coryza(pratishyaya)
• epilepsy(apasmara)
• loss of smell(gandha agnana)
• cyst(granthi)
• tumor(arbuda)
• Ring worm infestation(dadru)
• Blebs(kotha).

Which form of the shirovirechana drugs should be used here?

• Decoction(Kwatha), powder(choorna),fresh juices(swarasa), unctuous substance(sneha) prepared with the shirovirechana drugs.
• Honey(madhu), salt(saindhva), fermented products(aasava), pitta(bile juice), Urine(mootra) mixed with the shirovirechana drugs can be used.
• Drugs and their preparations can be decided according to the disease.
• For persons timid or fearful(bheeru), lady(stree), imatiated(krisha), tender and delicate(sukumara), the virechana nasya drug should be used in the unctous(sneha) form.
• In the conditions like Diseases of throat(galaroga), fever due to vitiation of three doshas(sannipata jwara), excess sleep(atinidra), psychological disorders(manovikara), diseases of the head due to worms(krimija shiroroga), twitching of the eye(akshi spandana), disorders of vision(timira), krichra, Poison(vish peedita), conjunctivitis(abhishyanda), snake bite(sarpadamstra), loss of conciousness(visamjna) virechana nasya drug should be used in the powder form.

These conditions need quick acting drugs as they have highly aggravated doshas.
Powders(choorna) create vegas simply by keeping it near the nostril.

Brihmana Nasya:

Indications:

• Indicated in vataja or vata predominant diseases like-migraine( Sooryavarta)
• hemicrania(ardhavabedhaka)
• diseases of head due to worms(krimija shiroroga)
• constriction of the eyes( akshi sankocha)
• tremors of the eyes( akshi spandana)
• defects of the vision(timira)
• difficulty in getting up from sleep(krichravabobhaka)
• toothache(danta shoola)
• earache(karnashoola)
• tinnitus(karma nada)
• dryness of nose and the oral cavity( nasa mukha shosha)
• difficulty in speech(vaksanga)
• hoarshness of voice(swaropaghata)
• diseases of nape region(manya roga)
• orthotonos(apatanaka)
• frozen shoulder(avabahuka)
• insomnia(nidra naasha).

Which form of nasya drug should be selected here?

• Unctuous substance(sneha)
• exudation of trees or gum(niryasa)
• meat soup (mamsa rasa) and blood(rakta) processed with sweet and unctuous drugs which are indicated in the treatment of those particular conditions are used in the above conditions.

Shamana Nasya:

Indications:

• Indicated in diseases due to the vitiation of blood and pitta ( raktaja and pittaja) like premature wrinkles(akaala vali)
• premature graying of hairs(palita)
• hair fall ( khalitya)
• psoriasis of the scalp(daarunaka)
• redness of the eyes(raktaraaji)
• blackish discoloration on face (vyanga)
• neelika
• bleeding from nose(raktapitta).

Which form of the drug should be used here?

• Unctuous substance(sneha), fresh juice(swarasa) of the drugs indicated in the treatment of that particular condition are used.
• Milk(ksheera), water(udaka) are also used.
• In the balanced state of the humors(samyavastha ) or in healthy condition anu thaila can be used.

Different names of the nasya karma depending on the preparation of the drug:

• Avapeeda nasya: Virechana or shamana nasya where the paste of the drug(kalka) is squeezed into the nostril is called avapeeda nasya.
• Pradhamana nasya: Virechana nasya where the powder(choorna) is used is called pradhamana nasya.
• The main purpose of all nasyas is to expell the kapha dosha(Kapha virechana) from the head. So all nasya karmas are called as virechana nasya. When strong drugs are used in the virechana nasya karma it is called as shirovirechana nasya.

Marsha Nasya:

Quantity of the unctuous medicine in marsha nasya:

• Uttama maatra ---------10 bindu
• Madhyama maatra ------ 8 bindu
• Hrswa maatra ----------- 6 bindu

Quantity of decoction in marsha nasya:

• Uttama maatra --------- 8 bindu
• Madhyama maatra ---- 6 bindu
• Hrswa maatra ---------- 4 bindu.

Bindu: The amount of the liquid trickling down from the index( pradeshini) finger which is dipped in the liquid up to the 2nd interphalangal joint and taken out is called one Bindu.

Quantity of the powder in the pradhamana nasya:

The quantity of powder required to reach the throat (kantha) when blown through a 6angula long pipe is the quantity for pradhamana nasya. This can be repeated multiple times depending on the intensity of the doshas.

Contraindications:

Marsha nasya is contraindicated before the age of 7years and after the age of 80 years.

Nasya Kala: ( Proper Time To Administer Nasya)

• In Vata predominant diseases the nasya should be administered in the evening(aparaahnna)
• In Pitta predominant diseases the nasya should be administerd in the noon(madhyaahnna).
• In Kapha predominant diseases the nasya should be administered in the morning(poorvahnna).
• In conditions like excessive salivation(lalasrava), talking in the sleep(supta pralapa), teeth biting(dantakatakatayana), making different sounds from the throat in the sleep(krathana), difficulty in opening the eyelids(krichronmeelana), foul odor from the mouth(pootimukha), tinnitus(karma naada), thirsty(trishna), facial paralysis(ardita), diseases of the head(shiroroga), difficulty in breathing(shwasa), cough(kaasa), insomnia(anidra), the nasya should be administered in the night(raatri).
• In order to maintain the health(swsthavritta) and in the cold season(sheeta ritu) the nasya should be done in the noon(madhyahnna).
• In sharad ritu and in vasanta ritu the nasya should be done in the morning(praahnna).
• In greeshma ritu it should be done in the evening(aparaahnna).
• In varsha ritu it should be done whenever the sun is visible(aaditya darshane) in the sky.
• While administering the panchakarma procedures it should be done after the completion of medicated enema( vasti karma).

Contraindications For Nasya Karma:

• One who has taken food(bhukta bhakta)
• One who has taken unctuous substance(sneha peeta)
• one who has taken alcohol, water, or desirous of drinking them
• One who has gara visha in his body
• one who has taken head bath or one who wants to take head bath
• Siradivyadha sruta rakta( one who is bleeding due to the blood letting by puncturing the veins or any other causes)
• One who has urge for passing urine, stools etc
• One who is suffering from injuries(abhihata)
• immediately after vamana, virechana, basti karma, pregnant lady, first 45days after delivery(sootika), acute coryza (navapratishyaya),breathing difficulty( shwasa), cough(kasa), amenorrhea (anartava) and durdina(inauspicious day). In these conditions the nasya karma should not be performed.

Effects of nasya in above conditions:

• Nasya administered immediately after the intake of food makes the stimulated doshas to move in the upward direction and causes vomiting, breathing difficulty(shwasa), cough(kasa), coryza(pratishyaaya).
• The nasya administered to a person who has taken unctuous substance or who is going to take unctuous substance will destroy the secretions of his eyes, nose, oral cavity and causes defects of the vision(timira roga), diseases of the head(shiroroga).
• Nasya administered to a person who had his head bath causes head ache (shira shoola), pain in the eyes(akshi shoola), pain in the ears(karma shoola), diseases of the throat(kantha roga), rhinitis(peenasa), lock jaw(hanusthambha), stiffness in the nape region(manya stambha), facial paralysis(ardhita), tremors of the head( shira kampa).
• Nasya administered to a person who is going to take bath will cause stiffness in the head, sluggishness of the head( shirojaadyatwa), tastelessness(aruchi), rhinitis(peenasa).
• Nasya administered to the bleeding person causes emaciation( kshamata or krishata), tastelessness(aruchi), weak digestive fire(agnimaandya).
• Nasya administerd to a person who has suppressed the natural urges(vegas) like urination, defication, etc leads to the diseases caused by suppressing those particular natural urges.
• Nasya karma in injured person aggravates the pain.
• Nasya karma immediately after emesis(vamana), purgation(virechana), medicated enema(bastikarma) causes breathing difficulty(shwasa), cough(kasa), destruction of voice(swara haani), destruction of sense organs(indriya haani), heaviness in the head(shirogaurava), itching(kandu), worm infestation(krimi dosha).
• Nasya karma in pregnant lady causes hatred ness towards food( bhakta dwesha), fever(jwara), syncope(moorcha), hemicrania(ardhavabedhaka) to the mother, and causes blackish discoloration of the facial skin(vyanga), anomalies (vikalendriyatwa), mental disorders(unmada), epilepsy(apasmara) to the child.
• Nasya karma to a lady within the first 45days of the delivery (sootika) will cause the same effects as in bleeding.
• Nasya karma in acute coryza(navapratishyaya) will cause blockage of the channels(srotorodha), chronic coryza(dushta pratishyaya), hairfall(kesha shaata), worm infestation(krimi), itching(kandu), eczema(vicharchika).
• Nasya in a person suffering from breathing difficulty(shwasa) or cough(kasa) aggravate the condition.
• Nasya done on a wrong time and on a inauspicious day will lead to headache(shiroruk), tremors(vepathu), rigidity(sthaimitya), itching(kandu) and inflammation(paaka) in palate(taalu) and eyes(netra), stiffness in the nape region(manyasthambha), diseases of the throat(kantha roga), coryza(pratishyaya), boils on the scalp(arumshika).

Treatmaents For The Complications:


In case of complications the vaidya should analyze the site of the disease and aggravated doshas and plan the treatments like snehana(oliation), swedana(fomentation), shirolepa(application of the paste on the scalp), vaktra lepa(application of the paste inside the oral cavity), parisheka(pouring the warm liquid on the affected part), teekshna avapeeda, dhooma(medicated smoke), gandoosha, etc.

• When rooksha nasya administered in the pregnant lady milk processed with punarnava, kakoli, kapikacchu or milk processed with bala, vidari, shaliparni, meda is given to drink. Ghee prepared using the same drugs is also used internally.

For shiro vasti and karnapoorana oil processed with vata pacifying drugs is used.
Brihmana (nourishing) food should be given to her.

• In other complications the treatment of that particular disease should be followed.

Nasya Vidhi( Procedure):

Preoperative steps:

• Select a patient suitable for the nasya procedure.
• Identify a good day.
• Just before the nasya procedure the patient finish natural urdes like urination, defecation, etc or the patient should be should be free of all natural urges while administering the nasya.
• His face and the oral cavity should be cleansed.
• He should not be hungry.
• His head should be oileated and fomented, and the channels should be cleaned by prayogika dhoomapana.
• Select a room which is free of breeze.
• The person should lie on his back with extended hands and feet. The feet portion should be slightly raised.
• His supraclavicular part of the body should be fomented with the heat of the palms(paani taapena ) repeatedly.
• The nasya medicine should be divided into three portions and taken in silver or golden or copper or shukti container, and heated by keeping it over the hot water.

Operative steps:

• Slightly extend the patient’s head.
• Cover the eyes with a four folded cloth using the left thumb and little finger.
• Slightly lift the tip of the nose using the left middle finger. The left index and ring finger are used to close each nostril while instilling the medicine into the nasal orifice.
• Close one nasal orifice and instill the Luke warm medicine into the other nostril using the right hand. The medicine should be instilled as a uninterrupted flow(dhaara), so it should be taken in a pranaadi(a small vessej which has a pipe like projection) or a cotton swab. Repeat the same procedure on the other side also.

Post operative steps:

• The patient should slowly inhale the instilled medicine.
• Simultaneously his ears, forehead(lalata), Scalp(kasha bhoomi), ganda, nape region(manya), Shoulders(skandha), palms(paani tala), feet(paada tala) are gently massaged.
• When the medicine reaches the throat he should spit it by turning to his right side or left side. He should be instructed not to swallow the medicine. Swallowing the mucus mixed medicine suppress the digestive fire and increases the doshas. Spitting by turning to only one side will prevent the medicine from spreading into all siras(arterioles).
• Until all the medicine comes out repeat the fomentation and patient should repeatedly inhale and spit out the medicine.
• Once instilled medicine comes out completely, repeat the procedure with 2nd and 3rd portion of the medicine after assessing the strength of the doshas etc.
• In case of virechana avapeeda nasya in the post operative procedure one should administer sneha nasya after assessing the strength of the dosha.
• After the completion of the procedure the patient should lie down on his back with eyes open upto 100countings.
• Then to pacify the remaining doshas virechanika dhoomapanam should be done or which ever dhoomapana indicated in that particular condition is administered.
• Warm water gandoosha(gargling) should be done after the dhoomapana(medicated smoking).
• The restrictions explained for post snehapana should be followed here also. But here excess water intake should be avoided.
• Repeat the whole procedure on the 3rd day.
• In hiccough(hikka), derangements of the voice(swaropaghaata), stiffness in the nape region(manya stambha), convulsive disorders(apataanaka) and diseases of the head due to the vitiation of wind(vataja shiroroga) nasya karma can be done once or twice daily. The procedure can be repeated for 5 or 7 or 9 days or till the samyak nasya symptoms appear.

Samyak nasya lakshanas (Effects of proper application of nasya karma):

• Due to the proper oleation and expultion of doshas from the head the person will experiences sukha(strain free) inhalation and exhalation.
• He will get sneezing in proper time.
• His sleeping and waking up will be on time without any discomforts.
• His head(shira), oral cavity(vadana), and sense organs(indriyas) will be clear.
• The condition for which the nasya was done will subside(roga shaanti).

Nasya ayoga lakshanas( Effects of deficient application of nasya karma):

The deficient application of nasya karma will cause vataja diseases.

Nasya atiyoga lakshanas( Effects of excessive application of nasya karma):

The excessive application of nasya karma will cause kaphaja diseases.

Treatments for the complications:

Complications have to be treated according to their respective treatments explained in the other chapters.

What are the effects of ignoring the operative steps?

• The medicine should not be too little. The under dose of the nasya medicine will stimulate the doshas but is unable to expel them out. This causes heaviness(gaurava), tastelessness(aruchi), cough(kasa), excessive salivation(praseka), rhinitis(peenasa), vomiting(chardi) and diseases of the throat(kantha roga).
• Excess medicines instilled into the nasal orifice causes effects of excessive application of the nasya karma(atiyoga lakshanas).
• The complete dose of the medicine should not be instilled at once. By doing so the patient may suffer from excessive oleation of nose and throat(utsnehana), diseases of the head(shiroroga), coryzya(pratishyaya), excess moisture of the nostrils(ghrana kleda), difficulty in inhalation(ucchwasoparodha).
• The medicine should not be too hot. Hot medicine will cause burning sensation(daha), Inflamation(paaka), fever(jwara), bleeding from the nose(raktasrava), head ache(shirovedana), weakness of the vision(dristi daurbalya), unconsciousness (moorccha), giddiness(bhrama).
• The medicine should not be too cold. The cold medicine causes effects of deficient application of the nasya karma(ayoga lakshanas).
• While administering the medicines the head should not be raised. The raised head during the procedure prevents the proper spreading of the medicine in the head and causes ayoga lakshanas.
• The head should not be too low while administering the medicine. In the hyper extended head the medicine spreads fast and deep causing syncope(moorcha), sluggishness or inactivity(jaadya), itching(kandu), burning sensation(daha), fever(jwara).
• The patient should not constrict his body while instilling the nasya medicine. The constricted body prevents the proper spreading of the medicine and proper stimulation of doshas and causes pain, stiffness.
• If the patient becomes unconscious(moorccha) during the procedure due to incompetence of the medicine or due to the vega created by the medicine immediately cold water should be sprinkled all over body except on the head.
• The patient should not laugh, talk, shake, or become angry, inhale the medicine in upward direction (ucchindana ) while instilling the medicine into the nostril. These actions cause headache(shiroruk), catarrh or cold(pratishyaya), cough(kasa), defects of the vosion(timira), hair fall(khalitya), premature graying of hair(paalitya), blackish discoloration of the facial skin(vyanga), mole(tilakaalaka), acnes(mukhadooshika).

Pratimarsha Nasya:

Indications:

• Weak(kshaama)
• injury to the chest(urakshata)
• thirst(trishna)
• dryness of the oral cavity(mukhashosha)
• old age(vriddha)
• young(baalaka)
• timid(bheeru)
• tender or delicate personality(sukumara). Pratimarsha nasya can be administered in unseasonable time(akaala)
• inauspicious day(durdina) and rainy season(varsha)
• from birth to death (aajanma marana).

Contraindications:

• Chronic catarrha(dushta pratishyaya)
• worm infestation and diseases of head involving multiple doshas(bahudosha krimina shiro)
• one who drank alcohol(madya peeta)
• weakness of the hearing organ(durbala shrotra). Pratimarsha nasya given in these conditions will aggravate the condition as the doshas are in highly aggravated state.

Time for pratimarsha nasya:

Aachaarya Vagbhata explained 15 kaala(time) along with their specialties.

1. Praatah kaala (Morning)
2. Bhuktavaschante(After the food intake)
   • Pratimarsha administerd in these 2 conditions leads to the clarity of the channels(sroto shuddhi), lightness of the head( shirolaaghava), clarity of the mind(manhprasada).
3. Vit visarjanante( after defication)
4. Mootra visarjanante(after urination)
5. After the head massage(shiroabhyanga)
6. Kavalante (after gargling)
7. Anjanante (after collyrium application)
   • Pratimarsha nasya in these conditions leads to clarity of the vision(dristi prasada)
8. After danta dhaavana(after brushing the teeth)
   • Pratimarsha nasya administered after danta dhavana will lead to strong teeth(danta dridhata), sweetness of the odour(saugandhya).
9. Adhwagamanante( afrer long walk)
10. Vyayamante( after the exercise)
11. Vyavayante ( after the sexual intercourse)
    • Pratimarsha in these conditions helps in reducing the tiered ness(shrama), klama, sweat(sweda), stiffness(stambha).
12. Divaswapnante( after the day sleep)
    • Pratimarsha nasya after the day sleep helps in reducing the sleepy feeling after waking up from the day sleep( nidra shosha), heaviness(gaurava) and gives clarity of the mind(manahprasada).
13. atihasitante(after excess laugh)
    • Pratimarsha nasya here will pacify the aggravated wind.
14. Charditante(after vomitimg)
    • Helps to expel the kapha dosha which is sticking inside the channels.
15. Dinante( at the end of the day)
    • Causes srotoshuddhi(clarity of channels) and proper sleeping and waking up(sukha nidra prabodha).

Quantity of Pratimarsha nasya medicine:

2 or 1 bindu is the quantity of the medicine indicated for Pratimarsha nasya by aacharya vagbhata.
That quantity of the medicine which does not aggravate the non-aggravated doshas is considered as the correct quantity.

• Administering the pratimarsha nasya daily gives us the effect same as that of marsha nasya, but they are not the same.
• Thaila is the best sneha(unctuous substance) for the daily use as head is the main seat of kapha dosha.

Aacharya Sushruta: ( Su. Ch. 40/ 20 – 57)

Types:

Aacharya Sushruta has explained 2 major types of the nasyas which have 5 subtypes.

1. Shirovirechana nasya
2. Snehana nasya

The five folded classification is –

1. Nasya
2. Shirovirechana nasya
3. Pratimarsha nasya
4. Avapeeda nasya
5. Predhamana nasya

Among these Nasya and Shirovirechana nasya are the two main and important ones. Pratimarsha nasya is a type of Nasya.

Avapeeda nasya and pradhamana nasya are the types of Shirovirechana nasya.


Indications Of The Snehana Nasya:

The sneha nasya is administered to make up the deficient oily matter in the head in cases like emptiness of the head(shoonya shirasa), to impart strength to neck, shoulders, chest(greeva-skandha-uraso bala jananartham), to improve the vision(dristi prasada jananartham).In conditions like the diseases of the head due to the vitiation of wind(vataja shiroroga), falling of teeth, hair of the scalp and beard(danta-kesha-smashru paata), ear ache(karna shoola), tinnitus(karna kshweda), defective vision(timira), hoarseness of the voice(swaropaghata), diseases of the nose(nasa roga), dryness of the mouth(aasya shosha), frozen shoulder(avabahuka), premature wrinkles-graying of the hairs(akaalaja vali-palita), disorders arising due to wind and fire(vatapittaja vikaras), diseases of the oral cavity(mukha rogas).

Drugs:
Unctous substance prepared by vata and pitta pacifying drugs.

Quantity of the medicines for Sneha nasya:

The dosage of the medicine should be decided after analyzing the strength of dosha, disease and the person.

Prathama maatra: 8 Bindus (first dose)
Dwiteeya maatra: Shukti ( 32 Bindu) (second dose)
Triteeya maatra: Paani shukti ( 68 Bindu) (third dose)


Indications For Shirovirechana Nasya:

Conditions of palate-throat-head due to the vitiation of kapha dosha(Taalu-kantha-shira effected by kapha dosha), anorexia(arochaka), heaviness of the head(shirogaurava), head ache(shira shoola), coryza(peenasa), hemicrania(ardhavabedhaka), worm infestation(krimi), coryza(pratishyaya), epilepsy(apasmara), loss of the smell sensation(gandha ajnana), diseases of the head due to kapha dosha)kaphaja shiroroga.

Drugs:

Unctous substance prepared by the shirovirechana drugs.


Quantity of medicines for shirovirechana nasya:

• Minimum dosage: 4 Bindu
• Medium dosage: 6 Bindu
• Maximum dosage: 8 Bindu

Time of administering Sneha nasya and shirovirechana nasya:

• These two types of nasyas should be administered during the annakala( before food).
• In kapha diseases they should be administered in the Morning(poorvahnna)
• In pitta diseases it should be administered in the Noon(madhyahnna)
• In vaata diseases it should be administered in the evening(aparahnna).

Nasya Procedure:

• Nasya should be performed when the sky is not covered with clouds.
• Person who is suitable for the nasya karma should be selected.
• Before starting the procedure the patient should clear his natural urges.
• The patient should be asked to clean his oral cavity with tooth twig and medicated smoking.
• His gala( neck), kapola(cheeks), lalata( forehead) should be gently massaged and fomented with the heated palms.
• Then patient should lie on his back with his arms and legs fully starched outwards, in a room which is free of breeze, sun and dust particles.
• The head should be slightly extended. Eyes should be covered with a clean cotton cloth.
• The medicine should be taken in a silver or golden or copper or mud container and heated by keeping it over the hot water.
• The tip of the nose is slightly lifted with the left pradeshini finger and the Luke warm oil is instilled into the nostril with the right hand. Here the medicine should be taken in a shukti or cotton swab in order to get the continuous flow while instilling. The care should be taken not to spill the oil into the eyes.
• While instilling the medicine the patient should not laugh, shake, talk, sneeze or get angry. These actions prevent the oil from reaching to the desired places and cause cough,coryza( pratishyaya), diseases of the head(shiroriga), diseases of the eyes(nerta roga).

Post Operative Procedures:

• The patient should spit out the medicine which has reached the throat without swallowing it, otherwise it may aggravate the kapha dosha.
• Immediately after the instillation of the medicine into the nostrils, patient’s neck and cheeks should be gently fomented and the medicated smoke should be administered.
• After the completion of the procedure a anabhishyandi(food which does not generate kapha) food should be given to the patient
• The patient should avoid the exposure to dust, smoke, sun, anger, and he should not take alcohol(madya), liquids, head bath, traveling(atiyaana), anger(krodha).

Nasya yoga( samyak lakshana) of snehana nasya:

Lightness of the head(shirolaghava), timely sleeping and waking up without any discomforts( sukha swapna prabodhana), alleviation of the disease(vikaropashamana), clarity of the sense organs(indriya shuddhi), happy feeling of the mind(manahsukha).

Atiyoga symptoms of snehana nasya(effects of excess application):

Excess secretion of the kapha(Kapha praseka), heaviness in the head(shirogurutwa), dullness of the sense organs(indriya vibhrama), excess oiliness of the head.

Treatment:

Drying treatments should be done. (rooksha upachaara)

Ayoga symptoms of snehana nasya( effects of deficient application):

(Vaata derangement, dryness of the sense organs, non-alleviation of the diseases(roga ashanty).

Treatments:

Repeat the nasya karma.

Samyak yoga of vairechanika nasya(effects of proper application):

Lightness of the head(shirolaghava), clarity of the channels(srotasam shuddhi), alleviation of the disease(vyadhi shanty), clarity of mind and sense organs(chitta and indriya prasada).

After the nasya samyak yoga, a sneha nasya with ghee should be administered.

Ayoga symptoms of vairechanika nasya(effects of deficient application)

Itching(kandu),coated feeling in the head( upadeha), heaviness(guruta), excessive secretion of kapha(kapha samsrava).

Treatment :

Kapha shamaka treatment.

Atiyoga symptoms of vairechanaika nasya(effects of excessive application)

Expulsion of the brain matter(mastulugagamanam), wind aggravation(vatavriddhi), dullness of the sense organs(indriya vibhrama), emptiness of the head(shira shoonyata).

Treatment:

Vata shamaka treatment.

• Nasya karma can be administered with a gap of 1day, 2days, 7days, or 21days.
• In the patient of wind aggravation (vata rogi) it can be administered twice in a day.

Indications for Avapeeda nasya karma:

• In the disorders of head due to the vitiation of kapha dosha and meda dhatu, a person who is unconscious due to snake bite.
• In these cases any one of the shirovirechana drug is crushed and the juice is squeezed into the nostril and follow the other procedures of virechana nasya karma.
• In case of weak person(kheena purusha) and raktapitta rogi the drugs like sugar(sharkara), sugar cane juice(ikshurasa), milk, ghee and extract of meat(mamsa rasa) are used for the avapeeda nasya.
• In case of emaciated(Krisha), weak(durbala),timid( bheeru), delicate(sukumara), lady(stree), the unctuous substance processed with shirovirechana drugs or the paste(kalka) of the shirovirechana drug are used for the avapeeda nasya.

Indication for Pradhamana nasya:

In cases of derangement of the mind(chetana vikriti), worm infestation(krimi), poisoning(visha peedita).
In these conditions one of the shirovirechana drug is powdered and sprayed into the nasal orifice.

Contraindications For The Nasya Karma:

One who has just taken his meals(bhuktavan), fasting(langhana), acute coryza(taruna pratishyaya), pregnant(garbhini), one who has taken unctuous substance-water- alcohol-or any other liquids(peeta sneha-udaka-madya-drava), indigestion(ajeerni), after vasti(dattabasti), one who is angry(kruddha), gara visha, Thirsty( trisha), one who is suffering with grief(shokabhibhoota), tierd(shranta), young(baalaka), old(vriddha), one who has suppressed natural urges(vegaavarodhita), who has taken head bath(shira snata) or one who wants to have bath, amennohrea(anaartava), when the sky is covered with clouds(meghaacchanna aakaasha). These conditions are contraindicated for dhooma pana also.

Complications Of Nasya Karma (Nasya Vyapad)

Instilling the nasya drug in under or over dose, in very hot in very cold temperature, by hyper extending the head, sneezing, shaking or administering the nasya in the contraindicated conditions will lead to conditions due to increased or decreased doshas, thirst(trishna), belchings(udgaara) etc complications.

Aachaarya Sushruta has classified the complications into 2 types.

1. Doshotklesha janita
2. Doshakshaya janita.

Their treatments should be done accordingly.
In doshotklesha janita complications shamana and shodhana treatments should be done.
In doshakshaya janita complications brihmana treatments should be done.


Pratimarsha Nasya:

Time:

Sushruta explains 14 times to administer the pratimarsha nasya.

1. 1. Praathkaala or talpothita(after getting up in the morning)
   • Pratimarsha nasya administered in this time helps in cleaning the mala (sticky secretion) from the nasa srotas which is collected in the night and also causes the cheer full state of the face( mukha prasannata).
2. Prakshaalita danta(after brushing teeth)
   • Leads to strong teeth(danta dridhata) and sweet odour of the mouth(vadana saugandhya).
3. Grihaannirgacchata(before going out of the house)
   • Keeps the nasa srotas moist and hence protects the body from dust and smoke.
4. Vyayamante(after exercise)
5. Vyavaayante(after sexual intercourse)
6. Adhwagamanante(after a long walk)
   • Helps in reducing the tiered ness.
7. Mootra vegante(after urination)
8. Adhovatante(after defication)
   • Helps in reducing the heaviness of the vision(drishti gurutwa).
9. Kavalante((after gargling)
   1. Anjanaante(after the application of collyrium)
10. It helps to invigorate the eye sight(drishti prasadana).
11. Bhuktavata(after eating food)
    • Leads to clarity of the channels(srotoshuddhi) and lightness of the body(laghuta).
12. Charditavata(after vomiting)
    • Will create the urge to eat food by clearing the kapha sticking to the srotas(channels).
13. Divaswapnothitena(after getting up from day sleep)
    • Helps in removing sleepy feeling(nidra shesha), heaviness(gaurava), filthy accumulations in nose,etc(mala), and hence creates concentrated state of mind(chittaikagrata).
14. Saayamkaala(evening)
    • Person will have sukha nidra and prabodhana(helps in getting a good sleep and easy awakening).

Quantity of Pratimarsha nasya drug:

The quantity of the drug which being lightly snuffed in, reaches down into the oral cavity is deemed adequate for a dose of the Pratimarsha nasya karma.




General benefits of the pratimarsha nasya:


Cures the conditions peculiar to the supra clavicular regions of the body, causes clarity of the sense organs, imparts sweet aroma to the oral cavity.
Also helps in the prevention of premature wrinkles(valee), premature graying of hairs(palita), hair fall(khaalitya), blackish ness of the facial skin(vyanga).
Provides strength to the jaw-teeth-head-neck-trika-arms- chest(hanu, danta, shira, greeva, trika, baahu, uras).

The unctuous substance used for nasya according to the doshas:

• In savaata kapha(conditions arising due to the combination of vata and kapha) – Thaila is used.
• In kevala vata(conditions due to only vaata) – Vasaa is used.
• In conditions due to pitta –- Ghee (sarpi) is used.
• In savaata pitta(conditions arising due to the combination of vaata and pitta)—Majja is used.

Aacharya Charaka:


Aacharya Charaka explains about the drugs used for the purpose of shirovirechana and their benefits in the 2nd chapter of the sootra sthana.
Drugs use full in shirovirechana:

Apaamaarga beeja, pippali, mareecha, vidanga, shigru, sarshapa, tumburu, ajaaji, ajagandha, peelu, ela, harenuka, prutweeka, surasa, shweta, kutheraka, phaninjaka, shireesha beeja, lashuna, haridra, lavana dwaya, jyotishmati, naagara are used for the shirovirechana or nasya karma.

Their indications:

These drugs are used for shirovirechana in conditions like heavy ness of the head(shirogaurava), headache(shira shoola), rhinitis(peenasa), hemicrania(ardhaavabedhaka), worm infestation of head(shirogata krimi), epilepsy(apasmara), derangement of smell sensation(ghraana naasha), fainting(pramohaka).

(Ref : Cha. Su. 2/3,4,5,6)

Aacharya Charaka explains about the time and its benefits in dinacharya chapter.
Ref: Ch. Su. 5/56


Time:

Every year one should under go the nasya karma with Anu thailam in Praavrit(rainy season), Sharad(autumn) and Vasanta(spring season) ritus when the sky is free of clouds.

But in emergency conditions the nasya procedure can be done in other seasons also like in greeshma ritu it shoud be administered in the poorvahnna(morning), in sheeta ritu it should be done in the noon(aparahnna) and in varshaa ritu it should be done when the sky is not covered by cloudes.

Benefits:

• The healthy person who undergoes the nasya karma in suitable season with suitable drugs will never suffer from the impaired functions of eyes, nose, ears. The hairs of the scalp, beard will not fall and will not turn white or grey(kapila varna). The scalp hairs will start growing.
• Nasya karma performed in conditions like manya stambha(torticolis), shira shoola(head ache), ardita(facial paralysis), hanu sangraha(lock jaw), ardhavabedhaka(hemicrenia), peenasa(chronic coryza), shira kampa(head tremor) helps to cure those conditions.
• Anu thaila nasya administered in the suitable season nourishes the veins(siras), joints(sandhis), ligaments(snayu), tendons(kandara) of the head and makes them strong. The person’s face becomes cheerful and well developed (mukha prasannata). His voice will be melodious( upachita), snigdha, stable(sthira), grave(mahan). It imparts clarity( vaimalya )and strength(bala) to all sense organs. It prevents the diseases of supra clavicular region of the body. Even when the person is aging his supra clavicular region will not show any symptoms of aging.

In Indriya sthana aacharya mentions about 7types of nasya , classified according to the part of the plant used. They are:

1. Phala nasya
2. Patra nasya
3. Moola nasya
4. Kanda nasya
5. Pushpa nasya
6. Niryasa nasya
7. Twak nasya

Contra indications for shirovirechana: (Cha. Si. 2/ 21)

Indigestion(Ajeerni), ater food intake(bhukta bhakta), after drinking the unctuous substance(peeta sneha), one who wants to drink alcohol(madya) and water, head bath(shirasnaata) or who wants to have head bath, one who is suffering from hunger, thirst and tiered ness, intoxication(matta), Fainted(moorchita), injuired by weapon or stick(shastra or danda hata), one who is tiered due to exercise, sexual intercourse and alcoholic drinks,acute fever( nava jwara), grief(shoka), one who is under gone virechana and anuvasana vasti, pregnant lady,acute coryza( nava pratishyaya), in contraindicated seasons and durdina.



Complications of administering nasya in the contraindicated conditions.

• Nasya in a person suffering from indigestion or who is just eaten his food makes the doshas to block the channels moving in upward direction and causes cough(kaasa), breathing difficulty(shwaasa), vomiting(chardi), coryza(pratishyaya).
• Nasya administered to a person who has taken the unctuous substance or a person who wants to drink alcohol or water will lead to excess secretions from the nose, oral cavity and eyes, defects of vision( timira), diseases of head(shiroroga).
• Nasya karma performed in a person who has taken head bath or if the person takes the head bath after nasya karma leades to coryza(pratishyaya).
• Nasya karma performed in a person who is suffering from hunger will lead to aggravation of wind(vaata prakopa).
• Nasya karma in a person suffering from thirst will lead to aggravation of the condition and causes dryness in the oral cavity.
• Nasya karma in a person who is affected with tiered ness, intoxicated (mada), fainted(moorcha) leads to the symptoms similar to that of aasthapana vasti doshas like mental disorder etc.
• Nasya karma in person who is injured by weapons or stick(danda) will aggravate the pain.
• Nasya karma in a person who is tired due to exercise, sexual intercourse and alcohol intake will lead to pain in head, shoulders, eyes and chest region.
• Nasya karma performed in a person who is suffering from acute fever (navajwara) and grief(shoka) makes the heat to circulate through the nerves of the eye( netra naadi) and causes defects of vision(timira) and aggravates the fever.
• Nasya karma in a person who has undergone a purgation(virechana karma) destroys the sense organs due to the vitiation of the wind.
• Nasya karma performed in a person who has under gone anuvasana vasti leads to aggravation of the kapha and causes heaviness of the head, itching, worm infestation of the head.
• Nasya karma in a pregnant woman will block the fetus. The child will suffer from conditions like one eyed(kaanaha), hump backed(kuni), paralysis, peeta sarpi(one who crawls on his back).
• The nasya karma performed in acute coryza(navapratishyaya) causes the disorders of that particular channel(srotus).
• Nasya administered in improper season and on a bad day causes foetid nostrils(pooti nasya roga) and other diseases of the head(shirorogas) due to the effect of cold, heat etc of that particular season.

Indications for shirovirechana:

• Disorders of the head and teeth
• stiffness of the nape region(manya stambha)
• stiffness of throat and jaw(gala and hanu graham)
• rhinitis(peenasa)
• uvulitis(galashundika)
• tonsillitis(shaaluka)
• disorders of cornea (shukra roga)
• defects of vision(timira)
• diseases of eye lids(vartma roga)
• blackish discoloration of facial skin(vyanga)
• upajihvika
• hemicrania(ardhavabedhaka)
• disorders of neck- shoulders- scapular region(amsa)- oral cavity- nose- ears- eyes- head
• facial paralysis
• apatantraka
• convulsive disorder(apataanaka)
• goiter(galaganda)
• toothache(dantashoola)
• tingling sensation of teeth(danta harsha)
• looseness of teeth(danta chaala)
• redness of eyes(akshi raaji)
• tumour(arbuda)
• hoarseness of voice(swarabedha)
• obstructed speech(vaakgraha)
• stammering(gadgada)
• loss of speech(krathana )etc diseases of the supra clavicle region of the body and chronic vaata vikaras. In these conditions aacharya says the shirovirechana is the best treatment as it enters the head and expels only the vitiated doshas from the head.

References Of Panchakarma In Samhitas:



Charaka samhita:

1. In Apaamarga tanduleeya chapter aacharya Charaka says that the vaidya should perform snehana swedana followed by panchakarma when the doshas are in highly aggravated condition.
   • “taanyupasthita doshanaam sneha swedopapaadanai Panchakarmani kurveeta maatra kaalav vicharayeth”( Ref: Ch. Su. 2/ 15)
2. The diseases of the asthi dhaatu should be treated with panchakarma and medications.
   • “asthyshrayaanaam vyadheenaam pancha karmaani bheshajam”( Ref: 28/ 27)
3. One of the quality of pranaabhisara vaidya is having thorough knowledge about shirovirechna etc panchakarma aushadha ganas( knowledge about the groups of drugs used in pancha karma)
   • “ shirovirechanaadeshcha pancha karmaashrayasya aushadha ganasya….”(Ref: 29/7)
4. In siddhi sthaana the name of the 2nd chapter itself is panchakarmeeya siddhi chapter. Here he gives us a detailed explanation of indications and contraindications for panchakarma.
5. One of the deciple of aacharya punarvasu aatreya questions that is there any disease which does not respond to the panchakarma procedures?
   • Then Punarvasu aatreya replies that Urusthambha is one disease which does not respond to the pancha karma.(Ref: Ch. Chi. 27/ 5)
6. In the first chapter of the Siddhi sthana aacharya explains in detail about the Panchakarmas to his deciples.( Ref: Ch. Si. 1/ 3)

Aacharya Sushruta:

1. Aacharya Sushruta while explaining the treatments for Madhumeha says to follow the certain set of the treatments to a madhumeha patient who has firm faith in medicines and desirous of existence and in whose case the curative efficacy of panchakarma has been baffled.

“panchakarmagunaateetam shraddhavantam jijeevishum” (Su. Chi. 13/ 19)

Aacharya Vagbhata:

1. Aacharya Vagbhata while explaining the contra indications for sira vyadha (blood letting by venesection) says that it should not be performed on a person who has taken unctuous substance internally and one who has under gone pancha karma procedures.
“ snehapeete prayukteshu tatha panchasu karmasu” ( Ref: A. H. Su. 27/ 9)

2. Aacharya Vagbhata says the nasya karma should be performed after the vasti karma while doing the panchakarmas.

“ panchakarmaanyaacharato bastikarmottarakaalameeva” (Ref: A. S. Su 29/15)

In Sushruta samhita, Astanga sangraha and Astanga hridaya the word PANCHAKARMA is used in very few places. Where as in Charaka samhita it has been used in many occasions.