Upakrama

Shiro – abhyanga:-

Smearing the oil followed by massage by specific maneuvers refers to shiro abhyanga. This procedure is most ideal for routine practice especially in healthy persons. Mere smearing the oil with no following massage, smearing the oil followed by simple massage and smearing the oil followed by placing specific strokes on the head, all these three methods are known as shiro-abhyanga. One can get all the beneficial effects of murdha taila by this shiro-abhyanga procedure. If the client is suffering from painful lesions of the scalp, or other dermatological conditions like ulcerations and inflammation then simple massage or massage with specific strokes cannot be performed for evident reasons.

Where the prakriti of the person is formed by the combination of dosha, mixture of the above oils in equal amounts may be effectively used in accordance with the dosha involved in the formation of prakriti. Further if the client has any complaints related to head, scalp or hair specific oil may be used for the abhyanga as detailed below:
Hair fall: Dhaturapatradi taila.
Dandruff: Dhaturapatradi taila.
Cranial nerve order: Naryana taila, Dhaturapatradi taila, Masha taila.
Permature graying: Nilibhringadi taila, bhrigrajadi taila, bhringamlaka taila.
If these specific tailas are not available, simple murchhita taila may be used to get the benefits of abhyanga.

Shiro Dhara:-

Continuous pouring of decoction, oil or other liquids on the forehead and then allowing it to flow over the scalp, using a special instrument dhara yantra is known as Shirodhara.
It is specifically indicated in the following conditions:

• Mental stress
• Hypertension
• Dermatological conditions like eruptions
• Pediculosis
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Psychological illness
• Insomnia
• Mental exhaustion

Shiropichu:-

A simple procedure of applying the oil to the vertex using a cotton pad impregnated with oil, medicated or otherwise is known as shiropichu. Once again here the application of oil does not follow any form of massage. This procedure is said to be more beneficial in dermatological conditions of scalp as well as psychological disorders. As this process does not involve massage, It can be confidently performed in painful conditions or ulcerations of the scalp.

Shirobasti:-

The oil poured on to the head is allowed to remain there for certain period, and this procedure of murdha taila is called as shirobasti. To be more precise, a special hat, preferably made of leather is fixed around the head just above the ear and eyebrow, and the joint between the head and hat is made leak proof. On to this positioned hat lukewarm oil is poured, and is allowed to remain there for a prescribed period. This therapeutic procedure of bahya sneha to the head is referred as shirobasti. Then this is followed by shiro-abhyanga.

*Shirobasti may be followed by shiro-abhyanga to ensure better results. Practice of shirobasti alone without following shiro-abhyanga is also advisable. As this procedure can be done without any form of massage, for the same reason shirobasti is most ideal to treat the dermatological conditions of the scalp. Ulcerating lesions, bleeding from the wound, painful or tender lesions if present one cannot go for oil application followed by massage. In all these conditions shirobasti should be the choice. In addition, this procedure is found to be effective is combating disease like numbness of the head, insomnia, headache, psychological disorders etc.

Sharirabhyanga (Massage):-

Application of oil to the skin followed by massage in specific directions is well known by the name abhyanga in Ayurveda. Along with nonsexual pleasurable sensation, this abhyanga has a multitude of beneficial effects. Massage in specific direction improves blood circulation, facilities removal of the toxins from the tissues, relieves physical and mental fatigue, betters the functioning of the musculo-skeletol system, clears stiffness and heaviness in the body, helps in improvement of body fatigue, recuperates the body tissues and reduces body weight as well as fat.

Added to this in a plethora of diseases abhyanga has curative effect by the pharmacological actions of the drugs used in the processing of the oil. Considering these advantageous effects of this special maneuver, in the promotion and maintenance of the health in the healthy, as well as cure of illness in diseased, this procedure of touch has gained ample importance in the clinical practice. This process of manipulation of skin and muscle is highly recommended in Ayurveda for routine practice even for a healthy person who has the conscious of happy healthy life. This is also reckoned to be an effective therapeutic procedure in abating and eliminating the pathological process playing havoc in the body tissues.

Abhyanga is not a simple procedure of application of oil and maneuvers. Depending upon the prakriti of a person, when oil is used in abhyanga, it supports the maintenance of excellence of body tissues. Hence is recommended in normal persons for routine practice. Further when the oil is selected according to the illness in the diseased, it cures the diseases also. It is not the simple nonsexual pleasurable sensation obtained by the abhyanga; rather it is an easy method of drug administration. Thus it is found to be very much useful in curing many of the diseases belonging to different systems in the body. The beneficial effect of abhyanga treatment in the management of vata-vyadhi vis-à-vis neurological disorders is unequivocal.

*Adequate precautions should be taken if the client is suffering from any contagious disease. Abhyanga is avoided or performed gently if the client has any tender points. Jerky movements of the client’s body should always be avoided during abhyanga maneuvers. It is better to distract the clients mind with conversation while performing abhyanga in more sensitive areas like abdomen and inner thigh.

Akshitarpana:-

Unique procedure of application of the sneha to the eyes is called akshitarpana. This procedure is useful both in healthy as well as diseased persons. In healthy persons akshitarpana is carried out to protect the eye from degeneration due to ageing process and to improve the eyesight. For the purpose of the therapeutic effects this procedure is advocated in clients suffering from the disease of the eye. Eye is considered to be a local route of drug administration. Systemic absorption from this route is minimal or absent. In contrast to this, high concentration of the drug can be achieved locally by applying the medicines to eye. Thus akshitarpana gives desired results in clients suffering from the diseases of the eye.

Padaghata:-

It is a form of external snehana treatment. Application of the oil over the body followed by a special massage, in which the therapist uses his feet to apply firm pressure on the client’s body, is the unique feature of padaghata. The word pada means feet, and hence massaging with feet is known as padaghata.

Snehavagaha:-

Immersing the body parts in a bath tub filled with medicated oil up to the umbilicus is known by the name snehavagaha. Unlike avgaha sweda, the body is not subjected to any sudation procedure in snehavagah. For the same reason medicated oil in room temperature is used in this procedure. This procedure when employed improves the physical strength. Contrary to this warm oil is used in the avagaha sweda to induce perspiration.

Shashtikashali-pinda Sweda:-

Inducing perspiration by using heated round packs of rice is referred as shashtikashali panda sweda. The whole body below the neck or a portion of the body is subjected to the swedana therapy, and this belongs to the category of agnisveda, as well as snigdha sveda. Here shashtika shali refers to the rice that grows in 60 days. This rice is used in the procedure and hence the name shashtikashali panda sveda. This is also popularly known as Navarakizhi. This is an easy and effective procedure of svedana and is ideal in healthy persons, in children and also in clients suffering from illness due to morbid vata dosha.

Valuka Sweda:-

Application of the heat and there by inducing perspiration by using heated pack of sand is known as Valuka Sweda. The procedure somewhat simulates shashtikashali panda sveda. Here in Valuka Sweda body part is subjected to sudation procedure without prior application of oil, and is the unique feature of this treatment. For the same reason in diseased conditions where snehana is contraindicated, svedana is best done by this procedure.

Patra pinda Sweda:-

Application of the heat and there by inducing perspiration by using heated pack of specific heabal leaves is known as Patrapinda Sveda. The procedure is similar to shashtika shali pind sveda. Following the abhyanga procedure any part of the body may be subjected to svedana procedure by the method of patrapinda sveda.

Kati Basti:-

The procedure of applying heat to the sacral or lumbar region by retaining warm medicated oil with in a specially formed frame on this area is popularly known by the name Kati Basti. The term basti here is a misnomer. Basti generally refers to the administration of the medicine through the rectal route by using the specially designed basti instrument. But the kati bassti does not involve any such procedure rather than this is a localized form of svedana procedure. As warm oil is used to apply heat, this is considered as a variety of snigdha sveda.
*Kati basti is indicated in painful conditions of low back region. The procedure svedana itself is beneficial in relieving the pain; in addition to this the medicated oil that gets absorbed form the skin has unique therapeutic effects. This procedure is proved to be effective in disease like, lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sacroileitis, and lumbosacral strain.

Griva Basti:-

Quite similar to the kati basti the procedure of applying heat to the cervical region by retaining warm medicated oil with in a specially formed frame on this area is known by the name Griva Basti. This basti is indicated in painful conditions of cervical region like, cervical spondylosis, spondylolysthesis, disc prolapse, ankylosing sponditis, rheumatoid arthritis etc.

Janu Basti:-

Retaining the warm oil over the painful knee joint for certain period is known by the name Janu Basti. This is a form of snigdha sveda and is achieved by pouring warm oil into a frame prepared on the surface of the knee joint. Janu Basti is proved effective in conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other painful conditions of the knee.

Uro Basti:-

This is a variety of sveda where in heat is applied to the painful anterior chest by retaining warm medicated oil with in a specially formed frame on this area. This basti is indicated in painful conditions of anterior chest, like costochondritis.

Annalepana:

Inducing perspiration by applying the warm paste of rice is referred as annalepa. The whole body below the neck or a portion of the body may be conveniently subjected to the svedana therapy by this procedure. In this procedure the rice that grows in 60 days is preferred for carrying out the treatment. This is an easy and effective procedure of svedana and is ideal in healthy persons, in children and also in clients suffering from illness due to morbid vata dosha.

This procedure is indicated both in healthy as well as diseased. More specifically this procedure is ideal in following disorders:-

• Hemiperesis due to different causes
• Hemibalismus
• Motor neuron disease
• Bulbar palsy
• Parkinsonian syndrome
• Emaciation
• General debility
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Peripheral vascular disease

Mukhalepa:-

The topical application of the herbal paste to the face and keeping it undisturbed for certain period is known as Mukhalepa. This therapy is used to clear the morbidity of dosha or any toxic substances in facial skin, as well as to improve the color and complexion of the skin. Accordingly there are three types of mukhalepa and are named as Doshaghna Mukhalepa, Vishaghna Mukhalepa and Varnakarna Mukhalepa.

• Dosaghna Mukhalepa: This refers to a variety of mukhalepa in which the herbs used in the facial application are efficacious in clearing the morbidity of dosha located in the face.
• Vishaghna Mukhalepa: The accumulation of any toxic substances in the face are eliminated by the application Vishaghna Mukhalepa.
• Varnakara Mukhalepa: The application of the mukhalepa for beautifying the face by improving the color and complexion is known by the name Varnakara Mukhalepa.

*Types of application: Both warm and cold applications are practiced in mukhalepa. Application of warm herbal paste is preferred in clients suffering from morbidity of vata as well as kapha in the facial skin. Contrary to this when morbidity of pitta dosha is identified in the facial skin, the cold herbal paste is applied. So also, vishaghana and varnakara mukhalepa is also carried out by applying the cold herbal paste.