Changes

== How basti is absorbed in the body ==

== How basti is absorbed in the body ==

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 [[Veeryam (वीर्यम्)|Veeryam]] irrespective of its retention inside body. This veeryam is circulated or transported all over the body by Apana vata, Vyana vata Udana vata etc which are different 5 types of vata doshas active in specific part of body and responsible for movements in specific direction inside body. <blockquote>स चापि सहसा बस्तिः केवलः समलोऽपि वा |

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 [[Veeryam (वीर्यम्)|Veeryam]] irrespective of its retention inside body. This veeryam is circulated or transported all over the body by Apana vata, Vyana vata Udana vata etc which are different 5 types of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|vata doshas]] active in specific part of body and responsible for movements in specific direction inside body. <blockquote>स चापि सहसा बस्तिः केवलः समलोऽपि वा |

प्रत्येति वीर्यं त्वनिलैरपानाद्यैर्विनीयते ||२६|| (Sush. Samh. 35.26)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 35 Sutra 26)</ref>

प्रत्येति वीर्यं त्वनिलैरपानाद्यैर्विनीयते ||२६|| (Sush. Samh. 35.26)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 35 Sutra 26)</ref>

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.  

वीर्येण बस्तिरादत्ते दोषानापादमस्तकात्” (सु.चि.अ.३५) इति</blockquote>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 ==

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 was passed on through oral and then written tradition from thousands of years. In those times, the objective parameters and technology were not developed to the extent they are today. It is belived that the ancient scholars acquired knowledge about all the internal body processes through yogaja siddhi pratyaksha jnanam. However in the lack of objective parameters it was difficult

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.  

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.  

संस्नेह्य कायं सपुरीषदोषः सम्यक् सुखेनैति च यः स बस्तिः [२] |४१|

 

 

संस्नेह्य कायं सपुरीषदोषः सम्यक् सुखेनैति च यः स बस्तिः [२] |४१|</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 - A Supreme Line Of Treatment ==

== Basti - A Supreme Line Of Treatment ==