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Basti is the samskrit term which indicates urinary bladder or humans and animals. Ayurveda considers basti as one of the 3 chief vital organs of humans. When the term basti is used in reference to Panchakarma procedures of Ayurveda, it refers to the procedure of giving medicated enema. Basti as a type of panchakarma suggests a procedure wherein the medicated oils or decoctions or combination of multiple medicated ingredients and their administration per rectally. In this article a brief account on the panchakarma procedure basti has been given.  

Basti (बस्तिः) is the samskrit term which means urinary bladder. Ayurveda considers basti as one of the 3 chief vital organs of humans. When the term basti is used in reference to Panchakarma procedures of Ayurveda, it refers to the procedure of giving medicated enema. In this panchakarma procedure, medicated oils or decoctions or combination of multiple medicated ingredients is done and the fluid is administered per rectally. In this article a brief account on the panchakarma procedure basti has been given.  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Basti is one of the five procedures of panchakarma in Ayurveda. Classically, it is advocated in the diseases of vata. It is mainly of two types viz. asthapana and anuvasana. According to the classical texts basti administration is done with the help of animal bladder (bastiputaka) and specially prepared metal/wooden nozzle/catheter (bastinetra), the whole assembly is called as bastiyantra. Nowadays, except in some of the Vaidya traditions in Kerala, basti administration is often done using enema-can or douche-set. In the aforesaid classical procedure active pressure is expected to be given on the bastiputaka whereas, in conventionally used enema-can only passive or gravitational force plays a role.

Ayurveda has categorized the [[Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)|chikitsa]] (treatment) into 2 main types. Pacification of aggravated doshas with the help of medicines means Shamanam (शमनम्) while eliminating the excessively aggravated doshas out of the body through Panchakarma procedures is called as shodhanam (शोधनम्). Basti, the prime treatment in shodhana is considered as one of the most important treatments for many diseases according to Ayurvedic classical literature. It is the best treatment modality for all types of vata diseases. The route of administration of basti ensures the entry of medicines directly into the pakwashaya (part of large intestine) which is believed to be the chief site of Vata dosha in body. Thus the basti directly acts on the site of vata and facilitates easy control or pacification of vitiated  vata. Thus classically it is advocated in the diseases of vata. According to the classical texts basti administration is done with the help of animal urinary bladder and specially prepared metal/wooden nozzle/catheter, the whole assembly is called as basti-yantra i.e. Tool for basti. As basti is basically a receptacle having soft and elastic nature, it was used as an instrument for drug administration with a constant pressure.

 

''Basti'', the prime treatment in ''shodhana'' is considered as one of the most important treatments for many diseases according to Ayurvedic classical literature. It is the best treatment modality for all types of ''vata'' diseases.  

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

Etymology: According to Vachaspathyam the word “Basti” is derived from the root “Vas” by adding “Tich” Pratyaya and it belongs to masculine gender. Basti denotes a Karma wherein the drugs administered through the anal canal stays for certain time in the body (NIVASE) that produces the coating of the Sneha in the body (SNEHAACHADANA), and draws the waste substances from all over the body into the colon (GANDHA YACHANE), and eliminates them out of the body by producing the movement in the colon resulting into pleasant (beneficial) effect (SURBHIKARNE).

According to Vachaspathyam the word “Basti” is derived from the root “Vas” by adding “Tich” Pratyaya and it belongs to masculine gender.

Basti denotes an organ which is a receptacle or reservior of urine i.e. “Urine bladder”. As it is basically a receptacle having soft and elastic nature, it was used as an instrument for drug administration with a constant pressure.  

If the function of basti in the body is observed, it is understood that, bladder is that organ which collects waste liquid from all over the body up to certain capacity and then throws it all at one time not continuously. Thus basti has capacity to store and then expel out in a particular fashion which makes it suitable organ for giving basti. In the basti procedures, multiple ingredients are mixed in a specific manner, stored for little time and then the resultant mixture is administered.

== Types ==

== Types ==

The type of ''basti'' where decoction is the major part is called as ''asthapana basti'' or ''niruha basti'' and the ''basti'' in, which major part is oil or other ''sneha'' (oleaginous substance) is called as ''anuvasana''.

Basti is categorized into 3 main types by Acharya Vagbhata. In Ashtanga hrudayam, 3 types of basti have been mentioned as below,

Niruha basti,  

# Niruha basti : The type of basti where decoction is the major part is called as asthapana basti or niruha basti. In Niruha Basti/ Aasthaapana Basti, decoction of medicinal plants is the main content wherein other ingredients like honey, salt, lipids & other drugs are incorporated to form a colloid or a suspension. Word Niruha, indicates “To eliminate” or eliminate morbid Doshas or Disease from body, & its synonym word “Asthapan” indicates “establish life span & age (Su.Chi 35/38).

# Anuvasana basti : Basti in which major part of plain or medicated oil is used is called as ''anuvasana''. The word Anuvasan indicates “To stay”, the administrated medicines stay inside for a longer duration, but still do not cause any untoward problem

Anuvasana basti and

Other common basti types include following bastis,

Uttar basti

# Yapana basti: Basti indicated for strengthening, longevity, maintenance of health etc. Milk, broth, ghee, oil etc are common ingredients.

Basti Karma is broadly divided in two types according to the consistency of the drugs Sneha Basti(Anuvasan) and Niruha Basti (Aasthaapana) . In Sneha Basti/ Anuvasan Basti i.e. in this type medicated Oil/ Ghee, lipids are used, word Anuvasan indicates “To stay”, the administrated medicines stay inside for a longer duration, but still do not cause any untoward problem. In Niruha Basti/ Aasthaapana Basti, decoction of medicinal plants is the main content wherein other ingredients like honey, salt, lipids & other drugs are incorporated to form a colloid or a suspension. Word Niruha, indicates “To eliminate” or eliminate morbid Doshas or Disease from body, & its synonym word “Asthapan” indicates “establish life span & age (Su.Chi 35/38).

Basti is the chief treatment for aggravated vitiated vata dosha. Although it chiefly acts on vata, it does help to balance vitiated pitta and kapha too based on the selected ingredients. Therefore basti is called as ardha chikitsa or a supreme line of treatment.  

Basti is commonly used alone or along with Ayurveda medication, in all Vata Vyadhi (neurological disorders) & is also indicated in various diseases as Anaha (Abdominal spasmodic Pain), Malavrodha (Constipation), Rajokshaya (Amenorrhea), Adhmana (Distended painful Abdomen), Vatarakta (Gout), Pleeha (splenomegaly), Parshva graham (Slipped Disc), Prishta graham (Spondylosis), Akshepaka (a type of vata disorder like convulsions) etc. It is also used for increasing weight in emaciated peoples (by Brihan Basti) & to reduce weight in obese (by Lekhan Basti).

Basti have been categorised into various types according to type of ingredients action of Basti & number of Basti. Medicines/ ingredients used in Basti Karma are selected as per the condition of disease & condition of the patient. Basti is commonly used alone or along with Ayurveda medication, in all Vata Vyadhi (neurological disorders) & is also indicated in various diseases as Anaha (Distended Abdomen), Malavrodh (Constipation), Rajokshay (Amenorrhea), Adhman (Abdominal spasmodic Pain), Vatrakta (Gout), Pleeha (splenomegaly) Parshva graham (Slipped Disc), Prishta graham (Spondylosis), Akshepak (Paralysis) etc. It is also used for increasing weight in emaciated peoples (by Brihan Basti), & for reduce weight in obese (by Lekhan Basti). It can also be used in children as well but with utmost care under physician’s supervision.

 

Nowadays, except in some of the Vaidya traditions in Kerala, basti administration is often done using enema-can or douche-set. In the aforesaid classical procedure active pressure is expected to be given on the bastiputaka whereas, in conventionally used enema-can only passive or gravitational force plays a role.It can also be used in children as well but with utmost care under physician’s supervision.

== How basti is absorbed in body ==

== How basti is absorbed in body ==

== Mode of Action of Basti ==

== Mode of Action of Basti ==

Ayurveda is having its unique approach of explaining the complex subjects by giving the similes which are commonly seen in day to day life to understand the subject easily. Similes were used, because the objective parameters were not developed to an extent as they are today. Similies were used to explain complex mechanisms in the physiology, pathology (Symptomatology) and in the therapeutic measures. The same is true in the case of Basti also. A) Eliminative or purificative action of the Basti Acharya Charaka explained in Siddhi Sthana (7/64) that the Basti administered to the Pakvashaya draws the Dosha/Mala from all over the body from the foot to the head by virtue of its Virya, just as the sun situated in the sky draws the moisture from the earth by virtue of its heat. Why only the waste substance (Mala) is eliminated. This is explained by another simile in Charaka Siddhi (7/65). i.e. As the cloth sucks up the pigment only from the water dyed with flower, similarly Basti eliminates only the Mala (waste substances) from the body. B) Systemic action of the Basti Acharaya Sushruta explained in Chikitsa Sthana (36/25) that the Virya of the drugs administered through the Basti into the Pakvasaya reaches the whole body through the channels (Srotas), as the active principles in the water when poured at the root of the tree reaches the whole plant.

Ayurveda is having its unique approach of explaining the complex subjects by giving the similes which are commonly seen in day to day life to understand the subject easily. Similes were used, because the objective parameters were not developed to an extent as they are today. Similies were used to explain complex mechanisms in the physiology, pathology (Symptomatology) and in the therapeutic measures. The same is true in the case of Basti also. A) Eliminative or purificative action of the Basti Acharya Charaka explained in Siddhi Sthana (7/64) that the Basti administered to the Pakvashaya draws the Dosha/Mala from all over the body from the foot to the head by virtue of its Virya, just as the sun situated in the sky draws the moisture from the earth by virtue of its heat. Why only the waste substance (Mala) is eliminated. This is explained by another simile in Charaka Siddhi (7/65). i.e. As the cloth sucks up the pigment only from the water dyed with flower, similarly Basti eliminates only the Mala (waste substances) from the body. B) Systemic action of the Basti Acharaya Sushruta explained in Chikitsa Sthana (36/25) that the Virya of the drugs administered through the Basti into the Pakvasaya reaches the whole body through the channels (Srotas), as the active principles in the water when poured at the root of the tree reaches the whole plant.

== Basti - A Supreme Line Of Treatment ==

== Basti - A Supreme Line Of Treatment ==