What is Basti Karma (Medicated Enema)?-Introduction, Classification & Clinical Use

Abstract

Basti karma (Medicated enema) is one of the five panchakarma procedures recommended in ayurveda i.e.Vaman (Therapeutic emesis), Virechan (Therapeutic purgation), Basti (Medicated enema), Nasya (Infiltration of the drug through nostrils)and Raktamokshan (Bloodletting). It is also called Ardha Chikitsa (Half treatment). Basti Karma (Medicated enema) has wider medicinal action on all the tissues of the body. In this article, we are discussing the basti karma (Medicated enema).

Introduction of Basti Karma (Medicated Enema)

Basti Karma is an ayurvedic enema therapy for vataj vyadhi (Neuro-muscular disorders). According to Acharya Charaka, the ayurvedic oil or medicines which are prepared according to classical references conduct into the anal, vaginal and urethral route which reaches upto the Nabhi Pradesh (Naval region), Kukshi (Coeliac region), Kati Pradesh (Lumbar region), Parshva Pradesh (Lateral region), the accumulated Dosha and Purisha, spreads the potency of drugs all over the body and easily comes out along with the  Doshas and churned Purisha  is called Basti Karma.

Classification Of Vasti Karma

1. ADHISHTHANA BEDHA (According to the site of administration)
2. DRAVYA BEDHA (According to the drugs used in basti)
3. KAMUKTA BHEDA (According to the action)
4. SANKHYA BHEDA (According to the number)
5. ANUSHANGIKA BHEDA (According to nomenclature)

Adhishthana Bedha (According to the site of administration)

Internal

1. Pakwashayagata Basti (Anorectal medicated enema)
2. Mutrashayagat Basti (Urethro-vesicle medicated enema)
3. Garbhashay Gata Basti (Uterine medicated enema)
4. Vranagata Basti (Wound medicated enema)

External

1. Shiro Basti (Over the scalp)
2. Kati Basti (Over the lumbosacral area)
3. Uro Basti (Over the chest)

2. Dravya Bedha (According to the drugs used in basti)

a. Niruha Basti

It is also known as Asthapana Basti. When vitiated vatadi doshas are eliminated from the body it is known as Niruha Basti. It mainly contains kashaya kalpana.

b. Anuvasana Basti

It is also known as snehan basti. The snehan basti will not cause any harm. It can be administered every day after taking food.

c. Uttara Basti

In this type of basti medicine is inserted into the urethra or vagina.

3. Karmukta Bedha (According to the action)

1. Shodhana Basti (Refinement medicated enema)
2. Lekhana Basti
3. Snehana Basti (Medicated enema for lubrication)
4. Brihana Basti

4. Sankhya Basti (According to the number)

1. Karma Basti:- It contains 12 Niruha Basti and 18 Anuvasana Basti thus the total number of Basti is 30.
2. Kala Basti:- It contains 6 Niruha Basti and 10 Anuvasana Basti thus the total number of Basti is 16.
3. Yoga Basti:- It contains 3 Niruha and 5 Anuvasana Basti thus the total number of Basti is 8.

5. Anushangika Bedha (According to nomenclature)

1. Yapana Basti
2. Siddha Basti
3. Teekshna Basti
4. Mridu Basti
5. Picha Basti

Clinical Use Of Basti Karma (Medicated Enema)

Basti Karma is an important part of Ayurvedic treatment that is known as Ardha Chikitsa. Basti can be used for various types of diseases:

1. Neuro-Muscular Disorder
2. Vibandha (Constipation)
3. The Disease of the male reproductive system
4. The Disease of the female reproductive system
5. Mutradoshaja vyadhi (Urinary bladder diseases)

Contraindications Of Basti Karma

1. Garbhini (Pregnant women)
2. Rajasrava (Menstruation)
3. Atisara (Diarrhea)
4. Rectal bleeding disorders

Preparation Of Different Types Of Basti

1. Madhu Tailik Basti

Ingredients

1. Madhu (Honey) – 20ml
2. Til taila (sesame oil) – 20ml
3. Saunf (Fennel) powder – 10gm
4. Sendha namak (Himalayan salt) – 10gm
5. Madanaphala churna (Randia dumetorum) – 10gm
6. Anandmula (Ricinus communis) kwath – 100ml

Manufacturing Process Of Madhu Tailik Basti

1. Boil 50 gm of arandmula (Ricinus communis)  into 1-litre water. After 1/8th part of the water is remaining the contents were then filtered.
2. After that crush the sendha namak (Himalayan salt).
3. Now sendha namak (Himalayan salt) and madhu (Honey) are mixed followed by adding sesame oil.
4. When this mixture was thoroughly mixed, saunf (Fennel) powder and madanaphala churan were mixed in them.
5. After this decoction of arandmula (Ricinus communis) is mixed into it and now it is used in basti karma (Medicated enema).

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

1. Prameha (Diabetes)
2. Arsh (Hemorrhoids)
3. Kusht rog (Leprosy)
4. Antravriddhi (Bowel growth)

2. Ksheera Basti

Ingredients

1. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) sidh dugdh – 100ml
2. Ghrit (Ghee) – 20ml
3. Til tel (Sesame oil) – 20ml
4. Madhu (Honey) – 20ml

 Manufacturing Process Of Ksheera Basti

1. Boil 500gm shatavari into 100ml milk and 100 ml water when the only milk left is filtered.
2. After filtration mix ghrit, til taila and madhu (honey) into filtered milk. Now it is used in ksheera basti.

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

1. Amlapitta (Hyperacidity)
2. Polio

3. Shaktivardhak Basti

Ingredients

1. Ashwagandha kwath (Withania somnifera) – 100ml
2. Dugdh (Milk) – 50ml
3. Madhu (Honey) – 20ml
4. Til taila (Sesame oil) – 20ml
5. Cow ghee – 20ml
6. Sendha namak (Himalayan salt) – 5gm

Manufacturing Process Of Shakti Vardhak Basti

1. Boil 50 gm of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) churan into 800ml water when the 100ml water left filters it.
2. Then mix dugdh (milk), madhu (honey), ghrit (ghee),til taila (sesame oil) and sendha namak (Himalayan salt) now it is ready to use.

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

1. Increase Sperm motility
2. Improve quality and quantity of semen

4. Krimighna Basti

Ingredients

1. Triphala kwath – 100ml
2. Vidang (Embelia ribes) churna – 10gm
3. Nagarmotha (Cyperus scariosus) – 10gm
4. Shigru (Moringa oleifera) churan – 10gm
5. Madanaphala (Randia spinosa) churan – 10gm

Manufacturing Process Of Krimighna Basti

1. Boil 50 gm triphala into 1-liter water. After 1/8th part of the water is remaining, filter it.
2. Then add vidanga (Embelia ribes) churan, nagarmotha (Cyperus scariosus) churan, shigru (Moringa oleifera) churan, madanphal (Randia spinosa) churan and mix it.
3. Now it’s ready to use, it is always used in lukewarm form.

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

The krimighna basti is beneficial for intestinal worms and parasites. It also helps with bowel disorders.

5. Lekhana Basti

Ingredients

1. Triphal kwath – 100ml (Triphala- Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chibula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica).
2. Gomutra (Cow urine) – 50ml
3. Madhu (Honey) – 20ml
4. Yavakshar – 10gm

Manufacturing Process Of Lekhana Basti

• Boil 50 gm triphala into 1-litre water. After 1/8th part of the water is remaining, filter it.
• Then add gomutra (cow urine), madhu (honey), yavakshar (Hordeum valgare) and mix it.
• Now it’s ready to use.

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

Krimighna basti is beneficial in Obesity.

6. Mutra Krich Basti

Ingredients

1. Gokshura kwath (Tribulus terrestris) – 100ml
2. Pashanbhed (Bergenia lingulata) – 10gm
3. Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – 10gm
4. Misri (Rock candy) – 10gm

Manufacturing Process Of Mutra Krish Basti

1.  Boil 50gm gokshura  into 1-litre water. After 1/8th part of the water is remaining, filter it.
2. Then add yashtimadhu (honey), pashanbhed, mishri and mix it.
3. Now it’s ready to use.

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

It is useful in the treatment of Urinary tract infections, kidney disease.

7. Shita Pitthar Basti

Ingredients

1. Gairik (Red ochre) – 10gm
2. Jal (water) – 25ml

Manufacturing Process Of Shita Pitthar Basti

Mix 10gm gairik (Red ochre) into 25 ml water and use it for shita pitthar basti.

Curative Diseases By Madhu Tailik Basti

It is useful in vata and pitta shaman.

8. SHIROVASTI

Ingredients

Dhanvantar taila

Manufacturing Process Of Shirovasti

Heat dhanvantara oil in lukewarm form and use it for shirovasti.

As we discuss the preparation of basti (medicated anema) in which it is made up of different types of herbal powders mixed with other ingredients. There are some herbs which are used in preparation of basti are prepared by Planet Ayuveda with natural herbs without using any preservatives. There is a list of that herbs which are prepared in Planet Ayurveda – Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asperagus racemosus), Lodra (Symplocos racemosa), Arandmula (Ricinus communis), Kutaj (Wrightia antidysenterica), Vidanga (Embelia ribes) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). These herbal powders are prepared naturally and do not cause any side effects. So you should use these natural side effect free powders to increase the efficacy of Basti (Medicated enema) procedure.

Basti Dana Vidhi (The Administration Method Of Basti )

There are three steps in basti sana vidhi

1. Purva karma (before basti dana)
2. Pradhan karma (during basti dana)
3. Paschat karma (after basti dana)

1. Purva Karma

With suitable saneha (medicated oil) firstly go with snehan after that swedana should be given to the patient before basti dana, especially in Vankshana (Inguinal region), Kati and Pakvashya regions. The patient is advised to have his meal which is prescribed by the doctor. After a meal, a short walk is important. Before lying down on the table of suitable height, confirm that the patient passed out urine and stool. Then the patient is put in a left lateral position with his/her right leg semiflexed and left fully straightened.

2. Pradhan Karma

The prepared medicinal basti is taken in basti yantra. Lubricant or some oil is applied on basti netra and introduced in the anal canal and should be introduced 2-4 fingers away from the anus to the rectum. Slowly push the basti material into the body. After that pull out the basti yantra.

3. Paschat Karma

After that, the patient is kept lying on his back and massage should be applied to the patient on the soles. If the patient wants to defecate, he/she should be allowed. If a patient is treated with anuvasana basti and saneha is passed out immediately another anuvasana basti should be applied to the patient. After passing the stool with basti dravya, the patient is allowed to take light food, if the patient feels hungry.

Features Of Properly Administered Basti

1. Anuvasana Basti

a. Ayogya lakshan

1. Pain over the lower portion of the body, back region and arms
2. Dryness
3. Roughness
4. Retention of urine and feces

b. Samyak Yog lakshan

1. Elimination of sneha with stools
2. Elimination of sneha within the proper time without any complications
3. Increase of strength
4. Lightness
5. Purification of tissues
6. Urge for defecation at the proper time

c. Atiyoga lakshan

1. Inactiveness
2. Nausea
3. Unconsciousness
4. Fatigue
5. Anal fissure

3. NIRUHA BASTI

a. Ayogya lakshan

1. Pain in bladder
2. Retention of urine
3. Headache
4. Stiffness
5. Pain in the cardiac region

b. Samyak Yog lakshan

1. Normal urination
2. Normal defecation
3. Relief in present disease
4. Maintenance of normal health
5. Lightness in the body

c. Atiyoga lakshana

1. Weakness
2. Bodyache
3. Hiccups
4. Sleepiness
5. Blackout
6. Numbness in the body

Conclusion

Basti karma is one of the best procedures of panchakarma mentioned in Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, 80% of diseases are because of vata dosha and basti is the best treatment for patients who are suffering from vataj diseases. There are different types of basti preparations for different types of diseases. The best evidence for the mode of action of basti is its therapeutic effects. In Ayurvedic classics, basti karma is mentioned as a health-promoting method.