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Vasti: Enema Therapy
Medicated enemas are used for various specific reasons. In general, this treatment is used to flush the loosened doshas out through the intestinal tract. There are over 100 specific enemas listed in Ayurveda. Vasti involves introducing medicinal substances such as sesame oil, calamus oil, or other herbal decoctions in a liquid medium into the rectum. Vasti is especially good for vata disorders. It alleviates constipation, distention, chronic fever, the common cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, vomiting, backache, neck pain and hyper acidity. Such vata disorders as sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, and gout can also.
be treated by Basti. There are about 80 vata related disorders in Ayurveda. About 80 percent of them can be treated with medicated enemas. Since vata is mainly located in the colon and bones, the medication is administered rectally.
Type of Enemas:
1. Oil Enema or Nirhua Vasti –
Niruha Basti - medicated enema of decoctions and medicated oils.
1/2 to 1 cup of warm sesame oil (for chronic constipation)
2. Decoction enema or Anuvasana Vasti (Herbal enema) –
Anuvasana Vasti - medicated oil enemas
1/2 cup of gotu kola or comfrey decoction with 1/2 cup of warm sesame oil
3. Nutrition Enema –
1 cup of warm milk, 1 cup of meat broth or 1 cup of bone marrow soup
The enema should not be given to persons suffering from chronic indigestion, bleeding from rectum, cough, breathlessness, diarrhea, diabetes, severe anemia, to aged or to children under 7. Don't give decoction enemas to people suffering from acute fever, diarrhea, cold, paralysis, heart pain, or severe pain in the abdomen. Vata's predominant site is the colon.
Ayurvedic Vasti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Vasti is the most effective treatment of Vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Vasti.
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