Introduction

Vasti Karma is one of the main therapies used in Panchakarma treatments, which mainly focuses on treating the disorders which are caused by the imbalance of Vata Dosha (one of the main basic elements of our body). Because Vayu is the motive force behind all physiological and pathological states of the body, Vasti is considered a complete treatment because it incorporates all the treatment aspects of Ayurveda into it.

People are having a wrong understanding of Vasti karma, they always correlate it to the enema therapy used in the contemporary treatment which is given to evacuate the faeces but the Vasti Karma which is explained in Ayurveda is entirely different from Enema and helps to evacuate the Dosha’s (toxins) which are formed due to the imbalance of Vata Dosha.

Indications

Neurological disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders
Skin disorders
Sciatica
Arthritis
Lumbar spondylitis
Osteoporosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Avascular necrosis
Fibroid uterus
Infertility
Being underweight
Obesity
Kidney stones
Osteoarthritis

Treatment Procedure

The treatment procedure is divided into three parts

Purva Karma (pre-procedure)
Pradhana Karma(main Procedure)
Pashchat Karma (Post Procedure)

Purva Karma For Vasti (Pre Procedure)

Ayurvedic Physicians at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic take a detailed history and carry out thorough medical and Ayurvedic assessments and examinations. The Ayurveda assessment can consist of assessing Vyadhikala or disease manifestation, Vayokala or considering age, Kriyakala or duration of treatment, Aharakala or dietary regimen of the patient.

By assessing the physical and psychological conditions of the patient, Roga Bala, or disease severity and potency of medicines, treatments are recommended and administered with properly selected and suitable Ayurvedic medicines.

Preparation of the patient

Deepana Karma: Carminative procedure where medicines are given to the patient for maintaining adequate appetite or digestive power before the main procedure
Pachana Karma: Digestive Procedure is helpful to promote easy digestion with the help of certain special medicines and helps to carry out the effective main procedure.
Snehana and Swedana: Snehana or oilation is done in the form of external body massage or Abhyangam followed by which Sudation or Swedana is given followed by Abhyangam.

Mode of Action of Abhyangam and Swedana:

Abhyangam or external oleation will enhance circulatory system functioning including a lymphatic system that triggers nerve plexus and also helps to drain the impurities through the excretory system.

Soon after Abhyanga is done, Swedana is done to make all morbid impurities excrete in various forms, the procedure of Swedana karma promotes raise in surface temperature and core temperature of the body, and also the herbs that are used in steam are helpful to give localized benefits and vasodilatation take place. As a result of vasodilatation and increased flow in the circulatory system, the necessary oxygen and nutrition materials are supplied and waste products are eliminated accordingly.

Pradhana Karma for Vasti (Main procedure of Vasti):

Soon after Purvakarma of Abhyanga and Swedana. The medicines which are prepared under hygienic conditions are kept ready for administration. The medicated substances can be medicated oil, medicated ghee, and decoctions in liquids that are selected according to the patient’s condition and are administered with the help of Vasti Yantra (A special device to administer medicines) via the anal route.

Mode of Action:

The action of Vasti dravya or special herbal medicines is mainly by their Veerya (its potency). Vasti is given in the trans-rectal route. The rectum has a rich blood and lymph supply and Ayurvedic drugs for bast can cross the rectal mucosa and can easily be absorbed in the rectum mainly due to lipid-soluble substances present in the enema medicines.

The medicine starts its action almost immediately without changing its form as no digestion needs to take place. It stimulates and increases mass peristalsis of thelarge intestine thus helping in the immediate excretion of morbid materials (toxins). When the Vasti medicines enter the pakwashaya (large intestine), the water and minerals absorb in the proximal colon. The sodium and potassium- essential fundamental substances for the nervous system- will get absorbed in the colon and along with Vit B12.

Behind the pakvashaya (large intestine) there are a large number of nerve plexuses called colonic plexuses which originate from the hypogastric nerve plexuses (which influence the functions of the digestive system) and lumbosacral plexuses (which influence the functions of the spine and vertebrae). Basti medicines and actions of the basti procedure influence the work of these nerve complexes thereby helping with managing digestive system and musculoskeletal system illnesses.

Vastikarma helps to increase the absorption capacity of the colon through its action and finally, it nourishes, purifies, and also expels the toxins from the body, thus Vasti Karma is a complete treatment according to Ayurveda.

Pashchat Karma (Post-procedure):

Soon after administering, medicines patient will be monitored for a certain period, vitals are taken, and accordingly, the patient is asked to follow a special diet.

After undergoing Vasti Karma in the prescribed time, a special diet is given called Samsarjana Karma. As metabolism gets transformed and recuperates itself, the special diet will assist the patient to improve the digestion of food as well as medicines.

Vasti Chikitsa