Basti in Panchakarma (पंचकर्मसु बस्तिः )

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.

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.

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.

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.

Niruha basti,

Anuvasana basti and

Uttar basti