The word ‘Basti’ means ‘to stay for some time’. Basti karma is the most powerful of the five main procedures of Panchakarma.
It has been the prime part and parcel of Ayurveda treatment since ages. Basti karma concentrates on the elimination of vitiated vata dosha out and detoxifies the body.
What is basti ?
It involves the introduction of herbal oils and decoctions into the colon through rectum.there are two types of basti :
1) Anuvasan basti or oil basti :
2) Niruha basti or kadha basti :
In Nirooha Basti,herbal decoctions are used and in Anuvasana or Snehavasti, medicated oils.
When to give basti ?
The appropriate time for performing Basti is one or two hours before noon or early in morning .
rainy season is best for basti chikitsa from june to august .
Anuvasan basti is performed immediately after meals. The herbal fluid is allowed to remain in the colon for a specific period for proper absorption. When it is let out, toxins(doshaj) from the dhatus are eliminated along with the faecal matter.
Who is contraindicated for basti chikitsa :
Basti is not recommended for patients suffering from diarrhoea, rectal cancer ,Swelled Bleeding piles .
Diet restrictions after basti ?
There are no restrictions in diet as compared with vaman and virechan procedures .
Why Basti Karma??
Vatadosha causes majority of diseases in the human body. If the vata gets vitiated, it moves the other 2 doshas, kapha and pitta from one part to another part of the body which causes disturbances in the human body.
Generally vata dosha is aggravated in Varsha Ritu – rainy season. So balancing vata is very important and Basti is the best treatment for balancing this vata dosha.
Efficacy of this treatment :
• Highly beneficial in cleansing and detoxifying the body
• Basti is called as Ardhachikitsa means half of the entire treatment, which is available to provide cure and relief.
• Balances all the three doshas- vata, pitta and kapha. This is because Basthi balances Vata dosha and when this vata dosha is balanced, the other two doshas i.e. pitta and kapha dosha get balanced spontaneously.
• As it remains sometime in the body it nourishes and feeds the colonic flora.
• Enhances the immune system of the individual by cleansing and nourishing
Basti indications : who can take basti chikitsa ?
Metabolic disorders :Obesity,Pcod ,Thyroid disorders,Diabetes mellitus
Paralysis like neurological disorders
Arthritis : Back Ache,cervical and lumbar spondylitis,Rheumatoid arthritis
Digestive disorders :Constipation,flatulance
Dryness of the body skin disorders ,eczema
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Avascular necrosis of bones.
Atrophic conditions of the muscles Neurological disorders
Diseases of the brain Hormonal disorders