Basti:Medicated Enema

Vata’s predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic basti involves the introduction of herbal substances into the rectum, like oil and decoction etc in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. This is one of the five pradhan karma of panchakarma.

Mode of action:
Vata is a very active principle in pathogenesis. If we can control vata through the use of basti, we have gone a long way in going to the root cause of the vast majority of diseases.

Vata is the main etiological factor in the manifestation of diseases. It is the motive force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta. Vata is mainly located in the large intestine, but bone tissue (asthi dhatu) is also a site for vata. Hence the medication administered via rectum effects asthi dhatu. The mucus membrane of the colon absorb the medication and is carried to all micro and macro channels thus also nourishes the bones. Therefore, any medication given through rectum goes into the deeper tissues, like bones, and corrects vata disorders.

There are Eight main types of basti, according to traditional texts, each with their own indications and contra-indications as listed below.

1. Anuvasana Basti (oil enema) its purpose is to nourish the body.Thus the oil administered naturally lubricates and nourishes the dhatus, an effect which is opposite to drying and wasting influence of excessive vata.

2. Niruha Basti (decoction enema) is used to cleanse toxins from the dhatus and removes naturally accumulated malas from the colon.

3. Uttara Basti: Medicated liquids sent through the vagina in females and through urethra in males.It is used in selected seminal and ovulation disorders and for some problems involving painful urination or bladder infections. This is not to be used for someone with diabetes.

4. Matra Basti (daily oil enema) is done with small amount of medicated oil.It can be given any time of the day. It is used by someone emaciated by overwork or too much exercise, too much heavy lifting, walking too long a distance, too much sexual activity or someone with chronic vata disorders. It does not need to be accompanied by any strict dietary restriction or daily routine and can be administered, in the appropriate cases, in all seasons. It gives strength, promotes weight and helps elimination of waste products.

5. Karma Basti (schedule of 30 bastis):A month long treatment given to people with vata dominant constitutions and vata related disorders.it begin with anuvasana Basti and alternates with Niruha Basti for 25 consecutive days .the thirty day program ends with five days of anuvasana Basti

6. Kala Basti (schedule of 15 bastis): It last for 15 days and used for pitta predominant constitutions and vata disorders.It starts with an anuvasana Basti,which then alternates with Niruha Basti for 10 or 12 days and ends up with 3 or 5 anuvasana Basti.

7. Yoga Basti (schedule of 8 bastis):Given for 8 days, suites Kapha predominant constitutions with vata diseases.In this first we give anuvasana Basti and alternates 3 times with nirooha Basti and it concludes with 2 days of anuvasana Basti.

8. Brumhana Basti (nutritional enema) is used for providing deep nutrition in selected conditions. Traditionally, highly nutritive substances have been used, such as warm milk, meat broth, bone marrow soup and herbs like shatavari or ashwagandha.

Benefits:
It relieves constipation, distension, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti

General Indications for Basti:
1) Constipation
2) Low back ache
3) Inflammatory disorders like Gout, Rheumatism
4) Neurological disorders like Sciatica
5) Nervous disorders like Vata headache
6) Obesity
7) Emaciation
8) Sexual weakness, Infertility
9) Muscular atrophy

General Contra-Indications for Basti (include but are not limited to the following):
Enema therapy should not be used if the patient is suffering from diarrhoea, bleeding of the rectum, chronic indigestion, breathlessness, diabetes, fever, emaciation, severe anaemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, old age or for children below the age of seven years.

For Oil Enemas : diabetes, obesity, indigestion, low agni, enlarged liver or spleen, unconsciousness, tuberculosis and cough.

For Decoction Enemas : debility, hiccough, haemorrhoids, inflammation of anus, piles, diarrhoea, pregnancy, ascites, obesity, diabetes and some conditions involving painful or difficult breathing.

For Nutritional Enemas : diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, ascites.

For Urethra or Vaginal Enemas : diabetes.