Body Purification/ Sodhana Chikitsa

As the name suggests, the Sodhana Chikitsa is administered for purification of the body. By undergoing the Sodhana Chikitsa, those vitiated humors, which got accumulated in body, are expelled out. This helps in the curing of ailments, repairing the body and rejuvenating it. Ashtanga Hridaya, one of the important treatises, explains this idea in one simple slokha or verse.

“Yadeerayedbahirdoshaan………….tat II”

(Ashtanga Hridaya: Suthra Sthana: Chapter-14: Verse-5)

TYPES OF SODHANA CHIKITSA

The 5 types of Sodhana Chikitsa are:-

1. Niruha Basti
2. Vamana
3. Virechana
4. Nasya
5. Rakta Moksha

Let us see in detail.

1. Niruha Basti:- Also known as Kashaya Basthi. Mainly different forms of Kashayas or decoctions are administered as enemas. But it is not merely an enema. It is a systemic therapy having a wide range of therapeutic effects. This helps in the elimination of the vitiated Vata Dosha.
2. Vamana:- Emesis therapy. This helps in the elimination of vitiated Kapha Dosha. The individual, after proper analysis, is administered with the emetic drugs at proper time.
3. Virechana:- Purgation therapy. This helps in the elimination of the vitiated Pitta Dosha. Here too, the procedure and the selection of drugs are done after thorough analysis.
4. Nasya:-  Errhine  therapy. Here the medicines are administered through the nose. This is usually done to eliminate doshas from sinus, throat, nose or head. Nasya is really effective in the treatment of various CNS disorders, facial palsy etc.
5. Rakta Moksha:- Blood-letting therapy. In this method, letting out of the vitiated blood is done. This method is of two types, based on the instrument used. The first category includes methods that use surgical instruments for blood-letting. The second method includes those procedures that use alternative methods for blood-letting, eg. Leeches etc.

WHY SODHANA IS IMPORTANT?

           To explain the importance of Sodhana Chikitsa the Charaka Samhitha gives a beautiful example. Consider an unwanted tree or a plant. It cannot be destroyed by just destroying its branches. To destroy it completely, the destruction should be done at its root. The same is the case with the treatment of a disease too. When destroyed from the root levels the disease will not recur. This can be done with the help of Sodhana Chikitsa.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SODHANA CHIKITSA?

• Helps in removing the disease from its roots
• Improves digestion
• Enhanced metabolism
• Helps in the proper action of the medicines administered
• Improves health

Note:-

The type of Shodhana Chikitsa is chosen after a careful examination of the individual by a physician. If eligible, the physician will instruct about the routine to be followed. The individual must follow the instructions to get the best results.

REFERNCES:-

• Ashtanga Hridaya

• Charaka Samhitha

• Susrutha Samhitha

• Principles and Practice of Panchakarma