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

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

Basti is commonly used along with Ayurveda medications. In some instances it can be administered alone. Various health conditions in which basti is recommended are listed below,   

Basti is commonly used along with Ayurveda medications. In some instances it can be administered alone.   <blockquote>स्तब्धाश्च ये सङ्कुचिताश्च येऽपि ये पङ्गवो येऽपि च भग्नरुग्णाः| 

 

 

 

 

 

क्षीणेन्द्रिया ये च नराः कृशाश्च बस्तिः [३] प्रशस्तः परमं च तेषु||३४|| (Char. Smah .Siddhi 1. 32-34)</blockquote>Various health conditions in which basti is recommended are listed below,   

# Vata related disorders in extremities like spasms, sprains, stiffness, pains, fracture etc.<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita (Siddhisthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 9-10)</ref>  

# Vata related disorders in extremities like spasms, sprains, stiffness, pains, fracture etc.<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita (Siddhisthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 9-10)</ref>  

# Diseases of any body part causing stiffness or spasm or restricted range of movements<ref name=":1" />  

# Diseases of any body part causing stiffness or spasm or restricted range of movements<ref name=":1" />  

In addition to this, there could be many other illnesses that are not mentioned here, but, after assessment, a vaidya may feel that basti would be beneficial. In such cases basti helps to balance aggravated vata which could be possibly exacerbating the actual illness. Ayurveda scholars have also described the states specifically suitable for different types of bastis. The indications for 2 different types of basti are listed below.

In addition to this, there could be many other illnesses that are not mentioned here, but, after assessment, a vaidya may feel that basti would be beneficial. In such cases basti helps to balance aggravated vata which could be possibly exacerbating the actual illness.  

 

Ayurveda scholars have also described the states specifically suitable for different types of bastis. The indications for 2 different types of basti are listed below.

=== Indications for niruha basti ===

=== Indications for niruha basti ===

* '''Bath, food intake'''- There are certain rules regarding when should the food be taken, when one can take a bath after basti etc. The consulting vaidya instructs these to the patient and all these rules need to be followed strictly so as to get maximum benefits and least adverse effects of the basti treatment.  

* '''Bath, food intake'''- There are certain rules regarding when should the food be taken, when one can take a bath after basti etc. The consulting vaidya instructs these to the patient and all these rules need to be followed strictly so as to get maximum benefits and least adverse effects of the basti treatment.  

== How basti is absorbed in body ==

== How basti is absorbed in the body ==

  Lipid soluble drugs are absorbed by passive diffusion and some of the active ingredients are absorbed through active transport. The bioavailability of the drug i.e the part of the drug which is able to produce an active effect on the body, will be higher when given as Basti. As per Ayurvedic classics Basti works as plant watered at its root & then root circulate it in all branches (su.ch.35/24-25). It has also been described as Ardha Chikitsa (Ch.si.1/39). i.e. half treatment for management of diseases.

Basti is administered per rectally like an enema. According to Ayurveda, the administered basti reaches the pakwashaya (part of large intestine) of gut. This is known to be the chief site of vata dosha in body. Vata can perform the function of Shoshana (absorption) with its ruksha (dry) [[Gunas or Qualities : An Ayurvedic perspective (आयुर्वेदे गुणाः)|guna]]. Thus basti ingredients are absorbed by vata in pakwashaya. However Ayurveda scholars opine that the action of basti occurs due to its prabhava irrespective of its retention inside body. <blockquote>वीर्येण बस्तिरादत्ते दोषानापादमस्तकात्” (सु.चि.अ.३५) इति</blockquote>The vata dosha present in this part controls all the activities in the body including movement of other 2 doshas namely kapha and pitta. Therefore basti which directly acts on vata at this site has the capacity to impart effect on all the activities in the body occurring under the control of all 3 doshas mainly vata. It is therefore said that Basti works as plant watered at its root & then root circulate it in all branches.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 35 Sutram 24-25)</ref>  It has also been described as Ardha Chikitsa<ref>Charaka Samhita (Siddhisthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 39)</ref>  i.e. half the treatment for management of diseases. Basti contains decoction of herbs, oil, ghee, honey, salt and similar ingredients. Lipid soluble drugs in basti are absorbed by passive diffusion and some of the active ingredients are absorbed through active transport. The bioavailability of the drug i.e the part of the drug which is able to produce an active effect on the body, will be higher when given as Basti.  

== Mode of Action of Basti ==

== Mode of Action of 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 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.  

शाखागताः कोष्ठगताश्च रोगा मर्मोर्ध्वसर्वावयवाङ्गजाश्च|  

 

 

शाखागताः कोष्ठगताश्च रोगा मर्मोर्ध्वसर्वावयवाङ्गजाश्च|

ये सन्ति तेषां न हि कश्चिदन्यो वायोः परं जन्मनि हेतुरस्ति||३८||

ये सन्ति तेषां न हि कश्चिदन्यो वायोः परं जन्मनि हेतुरस्ति||३८||

तस्माच्चिकित्सार्धमिति ब्रुवन्ति सर्वां चिकित्सामपि बस्तिमेके|४०| Cha si 1

तस्माच्चिकित्सार्धमिति ब्रुवन्ति सर्वां चिकित्सामपि बस्तिमेके|४०| Cha si 1

It is the Best threapy to regulate the Vata Dosha which is the chief governing force behind all the physiological and pathological processes both in the body and the mind. (Cha. Su.12/8, 17/118, 25/40,

It is the Best threapy to regulate the Vata Dosha which is the chief governing force behind all the physiological and pathological processes both in the body and the mind. (Cha. Su.12/8, 17/118, 25/40,