“The Colon is the seat of Vata”
Colon Hydrotherapy is widely practiced in the west, which helps to clear obstruction in the colon. However, repeated water into the colon may aggravate vata dosha in the colon, which will affect vata dosha of the whole body. Ayurvedic enemas with various herbs &oils is the primary way to treat vata dosha, which is the main etiological factor in the creation of diseases. Vata is the force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excretion and all the movement in the body.
Of the three main vata organs in the body, which are the colon, bone and skin, Vata is mainly located in the colon. The colon membrane is related to the membrane of the bone tissue. Hence, any medications introduced into the colon naturally affect all the tissues up to bone tissue.
Basti may benefit these symptoms
Constipation, Lumbago or Slipped disk, Diverticulosis, Gout, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Arthritis, Distention and gas, Nervous disorders, Vata headache, Insomnia, Hernia, Tinnitus.
Contraindications
Pregnancy, Menstruation, Diarrhea, Inflammation of anus, Bleeding from rectum, Extreme debility and weakness, Before internal oleation, Same day as vamana or virechana, Within 3 hours after eating.
Procedure of BASTI
If you intend to self-administer basti, the following guidelines have been suggested:
Basti is often administered in many ways: an oil and herbal concoction emulsified with oil, any nutritional liquid that’s beneficial for the healing. In Ayurveda, dashamula tea and sesame oil is commonly used for the colon. Five ounces of sesame oil together with sixteen ounces(more or less) of a tea made from herbs (dashamula tea, or any other herbs) simmered in a low heat for 5 minutes and then strained and cooled to body temperature or slightly warmer. Then blend in the blender for no more than 3 seconds.
The enema bucket or bag may be suspended three feet above your position. After filling the bag with the appropriate fluid, allow all the air to be expelled from the tube.
Lie on your right side with your left leg flexed and right knee extended. Lubricate the tip of the catheter with oil or ghee or KY jelly. Clean and lubricate the anal orifice with oil and check that there are no hemorrhoids, fissures or fistulas. Carefully and slowly insert the tip into the rectum and release the clip allowing all the fluid to enter a little at a time by closing and opening the clip. This ensures that the liquid does not stimulate the colon to release too fast. Allow all the fluid to enter, and then remove the tip from the anus. If you feel the urge to release too fast, use toilet paper with your left hand to push the anus, preventing the leaks until the urge has pacified. If possible, it is helpful to massage tummy during holding.
When fluid has been retained approximately 30 minutes (try to hold this long; it takes a little practice to hold. If urge to release is too strong, do not force to hold.), sit on the toilet to allow the passage of the fluid and fecal matter. You may wish to wear a sanitary pad for a few hours following basti, in case there is some seepage of residual oil. It can be good to eat an hour or so after a basti, but only when hungry.
Expected results
Dashamula Tea
Dashamula is a combination of ten roots: bilva, agnimantha, shyonka, patala, gambhari, bruhati, kantakari, shalaparni, prishniparni and gokshura. Dashamula is rejuvenative, tonic, analgesic, anti-depressant and anti-arthritic. It is also a mild diuretic and improves the kidney threshold. It is used in building bone, cartilage and to help in cases of arthritis and sciatica, but should be used with great caution during pregnancy. It decreases vata. It is widely used in enemas along with any other herb.
(click here for Printer-friendly page)