Special Ayurvedic Procedures

Basti (Ayurvedic Enema)

Ayurvedic enema treatment (basti) introduces into the rectum medicinals such as sesame oil, or herbal decoctions such as dashamoola, in a liquid medium. Medicated enemas pacify vat a and alleviate many vat a disorders, such as constipation, abdominal distension, insomnia, backache, neck pain, arthritis, sci­atica, anxiety, and various nervous disorders. It is said that there are at least eighty vata­related disorders, and that basti is a complete treatment for 80 percent of them. Basti also is effective for treating chronic fever, sexual disorders, kidney stones, hyperacidity, and numerous other conditions.

NOTE: Medicated enemas are not to be used by anyone suffering from diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, indigestion, cough, breathlessness, ascites, profuse edema, or active hemorrhoids. Individuals with dia­betes or anemia, the aged, and children below the age of seven should also not receive medicated enemas. Oil enemas should not be used if there is acute fever, diarrhea, cold, paralysis, heart pain, severe abdominal pain, or emaciation.

The best times for basti are in the morning or evening. The stomach should be empty, so wait at least three hours after eating. Make sure the environment is clean, warm, and comfortable: An area where you can lie down near the toilet is best. You will need an enema bag or syringe, a measuring cup, a hot plate or stove (this doesn't have to be in the bathroom!), the oil and/or herbal substance, and towels.

The usual procedure for basti is first to introduce 5 ounces of warm (not hot) sesame oil into the rectum and retain it for to min­utes. Then, without expelling the oil, intro­duce a mixture of oil and herbal tea and retain it for at least 30 minutes. The mixture should consist of another 5 ounces of sesame oil, mixed with t 6 ounces (t pint) of tea made from herbs steeped in hot water, then strained and cooled to about body tempera­ture. In this book, the most frequently sug­gested herbal formula is dashamoola, which is particularly effective for balancing vata.

To introduce the fluid into the rectum, first fill the enema bag, which should be sus­pended about 3 feet above your position. Allow all air to be expelled from the tube, and close the clip on the hose. Then lie on the floor on your left side, your left (bottom) leg extended and your right leg flexed at the knee. (For comfort, prepare a rug or a couple of towels to lie on rather than lying on a bare floor.) Lubricate the tip of the syringe with oil or ghee. Make sure the anal area is clean and lubricated. Carefully and slowly insert the tip of the syringe into the rectum, then release the clip and allow all the fluid to enter. When the enema bag is empty, remove the tip.

Again, try to hold the oil for to minutes, and then hold the oil/herbal mixture for another 30 minutes if you can. While hold­ing the fluid inside, assume a hands-and knees position for a while and elevate the buttocks; this relaxes the colon. Periodically massage the colon area lightly with a coun­terclockwise motion (as seen when you look down toward your navel). Massage up the left side to the rib cage, across to the right side, and down. (This is opposite to the way food journeys through and serves to propel the enema fluid up into the higher areas of the colon.)

When the fluid has been retained for the suggested time (or if you find you just can't hold it), sit on the toilet and allow the passage of the fluid and fecal matter.

You may wish to wear a sanitary pad of some kind in your underwear for a few hours following basti, as there is likely to be some seepage of residual oil.

You may note that for some conditions discussed in this book, only an oil enema, or only a dashamoola enema-and occasionally only a warm water enema-is recommended. Follow the recommendations for that condition.

For some individuals, the fluid does not come back out. That simply means that the colon was very dry and that all the liquid has been absorbed. This is entirely natural and is nothing to worry about.

Nasya

Nasya is the nasal administration of herbal oils, ghee, or fine powders. If you were to receive nasya in a panchakarma treatment at an Ayurvedic clinic, you would lie face up on a table with your head tilted back, nostrils "facing the sky." A small amount of an appropriate powder might be placed into your nostrils, or 3 to 5 drops of a medicated oil or ghee.

When you do nasya yourself, simply dip your little finger (clean and with the nail closely trimmed) into ghee or whatever herbalized oil might be recommended, and lightly massage the inside of your nostril with your little finger. Then gently sniff to draw the oil upward.

Nauli

Nauli is a simple method of massaging the internal organs, particularly the colon, intestines, liver, and spleen. It also maintains abdominal fire and helps to keep the colon clean.

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, and slightly flex your knees. Bend for­ward as shown in the diagram, and put each hand on its respective knee. Breathe in, a long deep breath, and gradually exhale it. After a complete exhalation, hold your breath out.

Contract your abdominal muscles so that you form a ropelike structure at the abdomi­nal wall. Then, by alternating the pressure on your right and left hand, you can move the abdominal muscles from right to left and left to right. Do this seven times.