Substances, Methodology of Preparation, Advantages

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Palasha Basti

Reference – The reference of this decoction enema is from Charaka Samhita – Siddhi Sthana, Chapter 3, verse 44-45. It’s the 5th Niruha Vasti – decoction enema defined on this chapter.

Title evaluation & mode of motion – This can be a uncommon kind of enema recipe defined by Acharya Charaka, whereby there is just one major ingredient within the preparation, Palasha – Butea monosperma.

In fact, there are different substances (herbs) within the kalka dravya i.e. herbs for making paste, as part of preparation, however it’s typically the substances / herbs used within the preparation of Kashaya that we depend whereas giving a title for the preparation.

Palasha is the one major ingredient and in addition the chief ingredient and therefore the identify Palasha Basti. The a part of Palasha for use within the preparation has not been specified by the writer. So, by default it’s Palasha Mula i.e. roots of Butea monosperma that must be thought of and brought on this context.

Motion – This vasti successfully cures ailments like gulma, udavarta, anaha and so on. however what has been talked about proper firstly is eye-catching i.e. balavarna krt i.e. it bestows and restores energy and complexion.

Kind of Vasti – Palasha Basti is a kind of Niruha or Asthapana Vasti during which the natural decoction ready with Palasha is run as enema, after making ready the recipe in keeping with classical technique. 

Palasha Asthapana / Niruha Vasti (Basti)

जलद्विकंसेऽष्टपलंपलाशात्पक्त्वारसोऽर्धाढकमात्रशेषः|
कल्कैर्वचामागधिकापलाभ्यांयुक्तःशताह्वाद्विपलेनचापि||४४||
ससैन्धवःक्षौद्रयुतःसतैलोदेयोनिरूहोबलवर्णकारी|
आनाहपार्श्वामययोनिदोषान्गुल्मानुदावर्तरुजंचहन्यात्||४५|| 

(Cha.Si.Sth.3/44, 45)

Substances

1. For the preparation of Kashaya / Kwatha – decoction

Palasha (mula) – Eight Palas in amount

Jala – water – Two Kamsas – 128 pala in amount

(Notice – 1 pala = 48 grams)

1. For preparation of Kalka – paste

Paste must be ready with the beneath talked about substances –

–        Vaca – Acorus calamus – 1 pala

–        Magadhika – Piper longum – 1 pala

–        Satahva – Anethum graveolens – Dill seeds – 2 pala

1. For Sneha – oil / ghee, Makshika – honey and Saindhava lavana – rock salt, the amount has not been specified. This implies to say that, they need to be taken as talked about classically within the texts and the amount of every must be proportionate to the opposite substances used within the recipe.

Notice – The optimum amount of Vasti Dravya is 12 Prasrta i.e. 24 pala – 1152 grams roughly or 1200 ml roughly. Even this dose can’t be given to the affected person as a result of the colon doesn’t retain such a big amount and there will probably be instant rejection. These days solely 450-600 ml is given as per capability of people after trial doses. If we hold it to 600ml additionally, it is going to be half of the textually prescribed amount i.e. 6 prasrta or 12 pala.

The amount of substances shall be decreased for sensible functions, proportionally or 12 prasrta must be ready and divided into two parts or the precise amount of what has been prescribed for Palasha Basti must be ready and one eighth of ready Kwatha – decoction must be taken and different substances added after proportionally lowering their amount.

Methodology of Preparation of Palasha Basti

Going via the textual reference of Palasha Vasti, the amount of the ultimate Kashaya ready from Palasha itself is 32 palas i.e. 16 prasrta, which undoubtedly exceeds the usual dose of Kashaya Vasti i.e. 12 Prasrta.

So, a sensible doctor ought to put together this recipe by following Acharya Charaka’s directions whereas proportionally lowering the talked about substances in such a method that the ultimate product obtained is 12 prasrta. He shall additionally plan in accordance to the person intestine permeability as per current day context (as defined above) and customise it accordingly.

Saindhava Lavana – rock salt, Makshika – honey, Sneha – fat (oil, ghee), Kalka – paste of talked about substances and Kwatha – decoction of Palasha – must be blended in that chronology till they kind a homogenous combination. Avapa will not be talked about on this context, the amount of decoction (kwatha) itself could be saved little extra. The resultant combination shall be administered as Vasti, following the ideas of administering Niruha / Asthapana Vasti.

For Sensible functions

Beneath talked about calculations could be considered for making ready 12 prasrta vasti –

1.   Saindhava Lavana = 1 karsha = 12 gram roughly
2.   Makshika – honey = 2 Prasrta = 192 grams
3.   Sneha – Any Vatahara Taila – Ksheerabala Taila or Tila Taila ideally (because the indications for this enema consists of vata situations primarily) – 3 Prasrta – 288 grams
4.   Kalka – Vacadi Kalka – Paste of Vaca, Magadhika and Satahva collectively (one fourth of talked about amount) = 1 Prasrta = 96 grams
5.   Kwatha – Palasha Kwatha (one fourth of talked about amount) = 4 Prasrta

Avapa has not been talked about on this context. The full amount of the Palasha Vasti sums as much as 10 Prasrta, roughly 1 litre. Half of this amount i.e. 500ml can be utilized for 1 vasti administration, for sensible functions.

For Kashaya – Palasha (8 pala) and Water (128 pala) are taken in 1:16 proportion, boiled and lowered to 1 fourth i.e. 32 palas or 16 Prasrta. A portion of this (one fourth i.e. 8 pala = 4 prasrta, which ought to suffice for the preparation as per classical reference) shall be taken, after filtering it.

Advantages & Possible Mode of Motion of Palasa Niruha Vasti

Palasha Niruha Vasti is claimed to bestow the beneath talked about advantages –

1. Bala-Varnakari – This enema promotes and restores energy, color and complexion.

This motion could also be biphasic –

–        result in (improve) bala and varna in these needing it and

–        to revive bala and varna in those that have misplaced it

The primary motion is because of the composition and motion of vasti dravya.

Coming to its restorative capabilities by way of bala and varna, it’s helpful in all situations whereby the particular person is affected by lack of energy and complexion. Bala and Varna belong to the territory of motion of balanced Udana Vata, although not specified within the actions of this enema recipe. And Palasa Basti primarily acts on Apana Vata. So, since all vatas are interconnected with one another, together with their capabilities, we have to contemplate ‘udana vata dysfunctions and problems attributable to predominant vitiation of apana vata and its affect over udana’ on this context. When apana vata is balanced, its affect on Udana will reduce and therefore bala and varna will probably be restored.

Udana Vata governs capabilities of coronary heart and lungs, the chest organs, being a chest dosha. When it’s put into imbalance the circulation of vitamins and oxygen will probably be hampered. This may result in bala and varna hani.

2. Anaha – Anaha is a situation precipitated because of the blockage of passages of faeces and fart. This results in constipation. It happens in two methods. If it is because of accumulation of ama within the abdomen resulting in obstruction of passages, it’s known as amaja anaha. When it is because of accumulation of faeces within the colon, it’s known as purishaja anaha. This Vasti could be stated as an efficient treatment for Purishaja Anaha and may have an prolonged profit over Amaja Anaha as properly. Constipation and accumulation of gases within the colon may cause many signs and ailments in the long term, if it isn’t addressed. It’s also going to pollute the colon, the chief website of vata and will trigger generalized vata problems sooner or later of time. Palasa Vasti is extremely efficient in eradicating these blocks within the colon and in addition as for constipation and signs attributable to the identical. Anaha additionally consists of obstruction of urine. Palasa Vasti is subsequently helpful in eradicating urinary obstruction as properly. Constipation and urinary points are all the time working hand in hand because the colon and bladder are neighbouring organs.
3. Parshvamaya – Parshvamaya means ailments of the flanks. This can be a generalized model. It’s a broad-spectrum phrase because the Amaya phrase has been used, which suggests illness. It additionally means ache. So, we will concise the dialogue to ‘flank ache’. We will additionally hold it as ‘sides of stomach’ due to the function of this Vasti in balancing apana vata. Any painful situation of the ‘sides of stomach’ attributable to some illness or pathogenesis occurring within the visceral organs or as part of vata aggravation could be thought of right here. Circumstances like adhmana – distension of stomach resulting from varied causes, primarily vata in origin, atopa – gurgling sounds within the stomach, gulma – painful belly situations, anaha – constipation, shula – colic and so on presenting with ache in belly flanks shall be thought of. The prolonged motion could also be on urah parshva i.e. sides of the chest as properly (in situations like pleural ache and so on.).
4. Yoni Dosha – That is additionally a broad-spectrum time period and consists of all doshic situations of vagina in particular and your entire feminine genital system generally. Primarily, the vata kind of ailments occurring in yoni with painful signs are ideally suited situations to obtain and be benefitted by Vasti. Yoni afflictions of pitta and kapha can’t be ignored because the time period dosha has been talked about. This can be a gamechanger for ladies and will probably be useful in strengthening the yoni and in addition treatment the doshic ailments therein. Yoni and its capabilities are additionally carried out by Apana Vata and Palasa Vasti is a perfect Vasti for Apana Vata dysfunctions.
5. Gulma – This situation encompasses big selection of ailments inflicting spreading ache and different disturbing signs occurring in flanks, area of the chest (epigastric ache and discomfort), navel and within the area of urinary bladder (hypogastric area), generally – nearly belly space. That is attributable to totally different doshas and in addition by rakta (in girls) however the pathogenesis is dominated by vata. Since there is no such thing as a specification of the kind of Gulma within the indications, all varieties of Gulma could be thought of, however it could be an excellent vasti in treating Vataja Gulma.
6. Udavarta Ruja – Udavarta is a situation whereby Vata has an irregular course and tends to maneuver upwards as an alternative of its regular course of transferring in downward course. It’s precipitated resulting from forcible obstruction of the physique’s pure urges, primarily faeces (urge to defecate), urine (urge to urinate) and fart. It could embrace different vegas – urges additionally. When udavarta occurs, the upward transferring vata causes ache and discomfort in all areas the place it strikes, creating strain on organs and tissues therein. Palasa Vasti helps in reverting this motion and would assist in inflicting vatanulomana – channelizing vata into its regular downward motion. The function of this vasti in clearing the blocks in colon and urinary bladder i.e. in clearing constipation and urinary obstruction can even assist in its therapeutic results.

Motion on Doshas

From the above dialogue, it’s clear that Palasha Vasti is extremely helpful in vata situations, in treating vata problems, primarily these attributable to apana vata and in addition in balancing apana vata. Its therapeutic motion on Udana Vata can be considerable.

Motion on Dhatus

‘Balakrt’ is among the therapeutic advantages of Palasha Vasti, as mentioned within the ‘advantages of palasa vasti’ above. Bala relies on many elements, however primarily on the standard and amount of mamsa dhatu – the muscle tissues. Since Palasa Vasti has a ‘strengthening function’ it’s best for mamsa dhatu. On this method, it’s also a Brimhana Vasti.

Motion on Malas

Palasha Vasti has a possible function in eradicating the obstructions within the colon and urinary bladder. It has been appreciated within the therapy of anaha, which incorporates obstructions within the colon, impaction of faeces and accumulation of fart and in addition urinary obstruction. So, it’s the greatest recipe for constipation, flatulence and urinary obstruction.