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− | Vamana karma is one of the panchakarma procedure wherein there is controlled therapeutic emesis or vomiting. Vamana translates to act of vomiting, ejecting or emesis. Thus, it is a type of shodhana karma (detoxification process) in Chikitsa or treatment aspect where the doshas which are morbid are eliminated from stomach through vomiting. vamana karma is a frontline treatment protocol in the treatment of various kapha dosha related disorders. Vamana karma along with other panchakarma therapies are amongst the most known and widely used procedures not just for treatment purposes but for prevention of diseases as well and are considered as rejuvenating therapies commonly. | + | Vamana karma is one of the panchakarma procedure wherein there is controlled therapeutic emesis or vomiting. Vamana translates to act of vomiting, ejecting or emesis. Thus, it is a type of shodhana karma (detoxification process) or Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda where the doshas which are morbid are eliminated from stomach through induced vomiting. Vamana karma is a frontline treatment protocol in the treatment of various kapha dosha related disorders. Vamana karma along with other panchakarma therapies are amongst the most known and widely used procedures not just for treatment purposes but for prevention of diseases that might develop due to seasonal changes as well and are considered as rejuvenating therapies commonly. However, it is not a procedure that can be done casually. It needs thorough screening, expert monitoring, strict compliance to the pre & post diet lifestyle recommendations. |
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| + | == Definition of Vamana therapy == |
| + | Acharya Charaka has defined the process of vamana as follows,<blockquote>तत्र दोषहरणमूर्ध्वभागं वमनसञ्ज्ञकम् (Char. Samh 1.4)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Kalpasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 4)</ref></blockquote> |
| + | Meaning: When the morbid doshas in the body are eliminated through oral route in a controlled manner by vomiting, the procedure is known as vamana karma. |
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− | DEFINITION
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− | तत्र दोषहरणमूर्ध्वभागं वमनसञ्ज्ञकम् (char. kalp.1.4)
| + | Acharya Sharangadhara in his treatise Sharangadhara Samhita described that, the procedure wherein undigested pitta dosha and kapha dosha (both) are forcibly made to travel towards oral route and by there are expelled out through vomit is called as vamana karma.(shar. purv.4.8) |
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− | When the morbid doshas in the body are eliminated through oral route in a controlled manner by vomiting, the procedure is known as vamana karma.
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− | (shar. purv.4.8)
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− | The procedure wherein undigested pitta dosha and kapha dosha are forcibly made to travel towards oral route and by there are expelled by the action of vomiting is vamana karma.
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− | DERIVATION
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| + | == Etymology == |
| (vachaspatyam) | | (vachaspatyam) |
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| Vama and lyut pratyaya together makes word vamana. | | Vama and lyut pratyaya together makes word vamana. |
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− | Meaning, to vomit, to expel,to move or movement. | + | Meaning, to vomit, to expel, to move or movement. |
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− | VAMANA VIDHI (PROCEDURE)
| + | (वमथु पु० वम--अथुच् । वमने उद्गिरणे अमरकोषः । |
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| + | वमन न० वम ल्युट् । १ मर्दने २ छर्दने मेदि०) (vachaspatyam) |
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| + | == Vamana Procedure == |
| The whole vamana therapy is divided in 3 sections, | | The whole vamana therapy is divided in 3 sections, |
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− | PURVA KARMA (pre procedure/before procedure)
| + | # Purva Karma (pre procedure/before procedure) |
− | | + | # Pradhana Karma (main procedure) |
− | PRADHANA KARMA (main procedure)
| + | # Pashchat Karma (after procedure) |
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− | PASCHAT KARMA (after procedure)
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− | PURVA KARMA (before procedure)
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| + | === Purva Karma (Pre procedure/before procedure) === |
| It mainly includes the procedure which is supposed to done before vamana karma. | | It mainly includes the procedure which is supposed to done before vamana karma. |
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− | 1. Collection of materials- though a very basic karma or part of process it is essential to keep the ingredients and materials required for the therapy ready beforehand.
| + | # '''Collection of material''': Though a very basic karma or part of process it is essential to keep the ingredients and materials required for the therapy ready beforehand. Includes oil for abhyanga, medicines used to induce vomiting, medicines required for dhumapana (therapeutic smoking post vamana) etc |
− | | + | # Materials like weighing scale, measuring flask, medicines for management of any complications, dravya or drugs to be used for vamana karma etc. |
− | Materials like weighing scale, measuring flask, medicines for management of any complications, dravya or drugs to be used for vamana karma etc. | + | # Assessment of patient – there is consideration of few aspects in patient or individual before vamana karma. Whether the individual is vamya(indicated for vamana) or avamya(contraindicated for vamana). Ashta vidha pariksha or 8 factors of examination (bowel,bladder etc). dosha and bala(strength) of patient. |
− | | + | # Dosage – according to acharya charaka the dose of vamaka dravya (emetic drug) should be as much as patient can hold the drug in one hand’s fist. (char. kalp.1.14). there is also one another pramana or measurement mentioned by commentators of ashtanga hrudaya, that the dosage should be considered according to individual’s strength and the disease affected, and more importantly with respect to koshta (digestive ability). Koshta is one another unique and wide concept, but precisely if koshta or digestive ability of individual is mrudu(weak) then the matra(dose) of drug or dravya is alpa(small) if koshta is madhyama(medium) then matra(dose) is also madhyama(medium) if koshta is krura(strong) then matra(dose) will be uttama(high). (asht. hrud. sutr.18.14) |
− | | + | # Diet before vamana karma- diet starts from the day of snehapana (oral administration of ghee or oil). Individual is advised to take food which are liquid in consistency, ushna (hot) in potency and which is abhishyandi (heavy and slimy, eg;curd), should not be unctuous and should be clean.(asht.sutr.16.25). |
− | 2. Assessment of patient – there is consideration of few aspects in patient or individual before vamana karma. Whether the individual is vamya(indicated for vamana) or avamya(contraindicated for vamana). Ashta vidha pariksha or 8 factors of examination (bowel,bladder etc). dosha and bala(strength) of patient.
| + | # Patients who are old, very young, have low strength or are weak, and are afraid of vamana karma, to them Yusha(water in which various pulses have been boiled), sugarcane juice, milk, meat soup etc should be given. |
− | | + | # Pachana karma (improving digestion) is an essential purva karma to avoid complications. |
− | | + | # Snehana and swedana(fomentation) - oral administration of Sneha (ghee or oil) is given for a period of 3-7 days according to the condition, disease of the individual in increasing order according to the digestive ability of the individual. |
− | 3. Dosage – according to acharya charaka the dose of vamaka dravya (emetic drug) should be as much as patient can hold the drug in one hand’s fist. (char. kalp.1.14). there is also one another pramana or measurement mentioned by commentators of ashtanga hrudaya, that the dosage should be considered according to individual’s strength and the disease affected, and more importantly with respect to koshta (digestive ability). Koshta is one another unique and wide concept, but precisely if koshta or digestive ability of individual is mrudu(weak) then the matra(dose) of drug or dravya is alpa(small) if koshta is madhyama(medium) then matra(dose) is also madhyama(medium) if koshta is krura(strong) then matra(dose) will be uttama(high). (asht. hrud. sutr.18.14)
| + | # Later, on the day of completion of snehapana, abhyanga (oil massage) is done for 2-3 days followed by swedana(fomentation) until the day of vamana karma. (char. kalp.1.14) |
− | | + | # Every pre procedure plays an important role in the whole vamana karma, thus, in a nutshell with snehapana, there is aggravation of the doshas in the body and when abhyanga and swedana is done these doshas are moved from the affecting area to stomach, then with the help of vamana dravya these doshas are expelled out from the body through controlled vomiting. |
− | | + | # Manasaupchara(counselling) – individual or patient must be well acknowledged about the procedure beforehand. To keep the patient in good mental health, patient is required to have a good sleep, overhead bath, worn clean clothes, worshiping god, brahmin, Vaidya(physician). Thus, a happy and calm atmosphere must be created. |
− | 4. Diet before vamana karma- diet starts from the day of snehapana (oral administration of ghee or oil). Individual is advised to take food which are liquid in consistency, ushna (hot) in potency and which is abhishyandi (heavy and slimy, eg;curd), should not be unctuous and should be clean.(asht.sutr.16.25).
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| + | === Pradhana Karma === |
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− | Patients who are old, very young, have low strength or are weak, and are afraid of vamana karma, to them Yusha(water in which various pulses have been boiled), sugarcane juice, milk, meat soup etc should be given.
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− | Pachana karma (improving digestion) is an essential purva karma to avoid complications.
| + | Vamana dravya (emetic drug) is administered which is based on the above assessment and differs with everyone. The patient is made to sit on a comfortable and relaxed chair. Just before administration of vamana dravya milk, curd, decoction of yashtimadhu (glychirhyza glabra) etc is given to elderly and very young patients, boiled pulses soup(yavagu) mixed with ghee is also given. |
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| + | Patient must swallow vamana drug at once to avoid initial nausea. |
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− | 5. Snehana and swedana(fomentation) - oral administration of Sneha (ghee or oil) is given for a period of 3-7 days according to the condition, disease of the individual in increasing order according to the digestive ability of the individual.
| + | After administration of drug, patient must be kept under constant observation. A large vessel must be kept ready to collect the vomitus. |
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− | Later, on the day of completion of snehapana, abhyanga (oil massage) is done for 2-3 days followed by swedana(fomentation) until the day of vamana karma. (char. kalp.1.14)
| + | Once the bouts of vomiting start, forehead and chest of patient must be held by nurse. Back of the patient’s is gently massaged to comfort the patient. |
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− | Every pre procedure plays an important role in the whole vamana karma, thus, in a nutshell with snehapana, there is aggravation of the doshas in the body and when abhyanga and swedana is done these doshas are moved from the affecting area to stomach, then with the help of vamana dravya these doshas are expelled out from the body through controlled vomiting.
| + | Each Vega (bout) should be observed, counted and assessed by sound, colour, taste, consistency, odour etc. |
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− | | + | There are few parameters addressed by acharyas to assess the vitiation of doshas, and effects after procedure. |
− | 6. Manasaupchara(counselling) – individual or patient must be well acknowledged about the procedure beforehand. To keep the patient in good mental health, patient is required to have a good sleep, overhead bath, worn clean clothes, worshiping god, brahmin, Vaidya(physician). Thus, a happy and calm atmosphere must be created.
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− | PRADHAN KARMA
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− | 1. Vamana dravya (emetic drug) is administered which is based on the above assessment and differs with everyone. The patient is made to sit on a comfortable and relaxed chair. Just before administration of vamana dravya milk, curd, decoction of yashtimadhu (glychirhyza glabra) etc is given to elderly and very young patients, boiled pulses soup(yavagu) mixed with ghee is also given.
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− | 2. Patient must swallow vamana drug at once to avoid initial nausea.
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− | 3. After administration of drug, patient must be kept under constant observation. A large vessel must be kept ready to collect the vomitus.
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− | 4. Once the bouts of vomiting start, forehead and chest of patient must be held by nurse. Back of the patient’s is gently massaged to comfort the patient.
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− | 5. Each Vega (bout) should be observed, counted and assessed by sound, colour, taste, consistency, odour etc.
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− | 6. There are few parameters addressed by acharyas to assess the vitiation of doshas, and effects after procedure.
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| {| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" |
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| |pitta | | |pitta |
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| 1 prastha = 640 gm(approx.) | | 1 prastha = 640 gm(approx.) |
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− | 7. There are certain features stated by acharyas to assess whether the procedure has been done appropriately and if the doshas have been eradicated completely, which are samyak yoga(appropriate), ayoga(insufficient) and atiyoga(excess) lakshanas(symptoms) which are seen in patient or an individual. Following each feature are mentioned below in the tabular form,
| + | There are certain features stated by acharyas to assess whether the procedure has been done appropriately and if the doshas have been eradicated completely, which are samyak yoga(appropriate), ayoga(insufficient) and atiyoga(excess) lakshanas(symptoms) which are seen in patient or an individual. Following each feature are mentioned below in the tabular form, |
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| (char. siddh.1.15-17) | | (char. siddh.1.15-17) |
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− | 8. Individual is further observed for any kind of complications. Distension of abdomen, cutting like pain in anal region, cardiac spasms or ache, excessive discharge of any kind, blood discharge, rigidity and spasms etc. these complications can arise if the vamana karma is done inappropriately. Further treatment is given immediately in any such case. (char. sidd.6.29)
| + | Individual is further observed for any kind of complications. Distension of abdomen, cutting like pain in anal region, cardiac spasms or ache, excessive discharge of any kind, blood discharge, rigidity and spasms etc. these complications can arise if the vamana karma is done inappropriately. Further treatment is given immediately in any such case. (char. sidd.6.29) |
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− | PASCHAT KARMA
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− | It includes few dietic and behavioural restrictions and advises after the vamana karma.
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− | 1. After appropriate vamana karma patient is made to wash mouth clean with warm water and must rest in a room which is not very well ventilated or where there is not direct air
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− | 2. Dhumapana or inhalation of medicated smoke wherein the dravya or drugs are decided based on the condition of the patient. Dhumapana is essential procedure to eliminate the kapha doshas which are adhered to bodily channels locally. (sush. chik.33.11)
| + | === Pashchat Karma === |
| + | It includes few dietic and behavioral restrictions and advises after the vamana karma. |
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− | 3. There are certain behavioural instructions stated to avoid further complications. Patient should avoid sitting or standing in one position for too long, long walks must be avoided, speaking loudly, anger, grief, exposure to excessive cold, sunlight, winds etc. excessive sexual intercourse, sleeping during daytime, staying awake late at night are few restrictions to be avoided after vamana karma.
| + | # After appropriate vamana karma patient is made to wash mouth clean with warm water and must rest in a room which is not very well ventilated or where there is not direct air. |
| + | # Dhumapana or inhalation of medicated smoke wherein the dravya or drugs are decided based on the condition of the patient. Dhumapana is essential procedure to eliminate the kapha doshas which are adhered to bodily channels locally. (sush. chik.33.11) |
| + | # There are certain behavioural instructions stated to avoid further complications. Patient should avoid sitting or standing in one position for too long, long walks must be avoided, speaking loudly, anger, grief, exposure to excessive cold, sunlight, winds etc. excessive sexual intercourse, sleeping during daytime, staying awake late at night are few restrictions to be avoided after vamana karma. |
| + | # Samsarjana krama meaning diet after vamana karma (rehabilitation diet) must be given upto seven days depending on the level of shuddhi(purification) that is avara(high), madhyama(medium) or hina(low) shuddhi starting from the same day (evening) of the procedure or on the next day morning if there is any vitiation of doshas observed and remaining doshas are yet to be eradicated. |
| + | # On the first day or as a first meal, “manda” is specifically made with red variety of rice which is a gruel like food preparation which is given for three consecutive meals. This kind of preparation is liquidy in nature and helps the weak digestive ability which is present after the vamana karma. |
| + | # For the next three consecutive meals “vilepi” which is again a kind of gruel, made with red type of rice is given. This is semisolid in consistency. |
| + | # After this,” odana” which is a well cooked rice made with red rice along with mudga yusha(soup from green gram) is given for next three meals. Warm water is consumed during samsarjana krama. |
| + | # For the next three meals meat soup is given. Later, the patient is expected to have a normal diet. |
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− | 4. Samsarjana krama meaning diet after vamana karma (rehabilitation diet) must be given upto seven days depending on the level of shuddhi(purification) that is avara(high), madhyama(medium) or hina(low) shuddhi starting from the same day (evening) of the procedure or on the next day morning if there is any vitiation of doshas observed and remaining doshas are yet to be eradicated.
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− | 5. On the first day or as a first meal, “manda” is specifically made with red variety of rice which is gruel like food preparation which is given for three consecutive meals. This kind of preparation is liquidy in nature and helps the weak digestive ability which is present after the vamana karma.
| + | Before advising the patient for vamana karma, physician considers whether the patient is fit or unfit for vamana procedure. |
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− | 6. For next three consecutive meals “vilepi” which is again a kind of gruel, made with red type of rice. This is semisolid in consistency.
| + | == Indications for Vamana Karma == |
| + | Indications for vamana can be categorised according to the dominance of dosha in a particular disorder and the site at which dosha provokes. Thus, to mention few, |
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− | 7. After this,” odana” which is a well cooked rice made with red rice along with mudga yusha(soup from green gram)
| + | Acute fever, diarrhoea, bleeding disorders, tuberculosis, different types of skin disorders, diabetes, tumours, cough, asthma, obesity, heart diseases, epilepsy, piles, anaemia etc. (asht. sutr.27) (char. sidd.2.10) (sush.chik. 33.18) |
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− | 8.
| + | == Contraindications for Vamana Karma == |
| + | Vamana is mainly not considered in vata predominant diseases, where body is highly emaciated, in very weak and very old individuals. Thus, to mention few, |
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| + | In infant, very old, weak, tired, hungry, excessive thirst, exhausted from lifting weights, pregnancy, suffering from anxiety, worm infestations, bleeding disorders having pathology in upper half of body etc. |
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− | FIT AND UNFIT/ VAMANA ARHA AND ANARHA
| + | == Mode of action of vamana karma == |
| + | Vamana karma is not just a gastric lavage, or a pathological vomiting, it is a complete systemic cleansing of morbid Kapha dosha having widespread advantages. When vamana drug is given orally, the active principal present in the drug reaches the cell where it forces the cell to release the toxins back in the stomach. From there on the vomiting occurs. This process occurs due to the irritant action of the drugs, which leads to mild inflammation at the site of action. This in turn leads to increased permeability in the capillaries which will allow the absorption as well as excretion of the substances. The vamana drug are given in full stomach when the pyloric end of stomach is closed allowing all the activities of the vamana dravya to remain in stomach itself. At the end of process bile is seen in vomitus due to flux of antiperistalsis set during the process, which means that the pyloric valve is open, and the procedure is completed or the morbid kapha dosha has been completely expelled out. |
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| + | In a nut shell, vomiting in modern view is a cascade of events which leads to expulsion of upper gastrointestinal contents. |
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− | MODERN VIEW
| + | == Therapeutic considerations == |
| + | Vamana is advised even prophylactically in Vasant rutu where kapha dosha is seen in prakopa awastha (exaggerated). Mainly in chaitra month of hindu calendar which is mid-March to mid-April. (char. Sutr.10.46) |
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| + | Dashavidha(10 fold examination parameters) and astha vidha pareeksha (8 fold examination parameters) alongside modern clinical parameters, like respiratory system examination, Gastrointestinal Tract examination, Cardiovascular examination etc. also B.P, temperature, pulse etc before and during vamana karma. |
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− | IMPORTANCE
| + | Few pathological and biochemical examinations, ECG etc before vamana karma as a routine is done. |
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| + | Vamana is contraindicated in vata dosha related diseases but there can be certain exceptions also, in such cases mild vamana is indicated. |
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− | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
| + | Patients who are undergoing vamana karma for the first time in them, very low amount of matra(dose) is considered. |