According to Ayurveda text among all three Doshas vata is supreme and prime factor for manifestation of different type of diseases. To balance the vata, basti is the best line of treatment.
Basti predominates in all Panchakarma therapies. This is prescribed specially when vata gets state of imbalance in body and mind, and has capacity to overcome all health issues, revive ojah and rejuvenate the body.
Mainly basti is two types:
1. Basti with medicated oil (Anuvasana /sneha /matra)
2. Basti with decoction (kashaya/nirooha basti)
There are many types of basti has explained in Charak Samhita according to ingredient, dose, time, frequency, action and duration.
One can take the benefit of Basti in following conditions:
- Constipation
- All vata related disease
- Obesity
- Joint pains, back ache
- Tremors
- Headache
- IBS
- Body pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Low immunity
- Feeling numbness in legs
- Dysmenorrhoea
Steps in basti process-
- Consultation and Examination of the individual for:
Prakruthi (Body constitution), Vikruti(Abnormality), Satva(state of mind), Satmya(likes and dislikes), indicated /contraindicated and Ama(toxins in body).
- Ama pachan, selection of right choice of basti then preparing and educating individual for basti process.
- Guiding individual for dietary precaution and daily ritual precautions during basti.
- Preparing basti.
- Introducing basti content.
- Incorporating Rasayan(rejuvenating herbs) therapy.
Benefits of Basti:
- Basti purifies all system of body, clears micro channels by results it gives sense of lightness.
- Basti can be administered at any age and at any stage of vata related problem after proper examination.
- Basti improve the sense of wellbeing, provides better life.
- Basti increase physical as well as mental strength, improve digestive power, voice quality and complexion.
- Basti helps to restore balance.
- Basti relives stiffness, and effective in paralytic condition.
- Basti gives strength to muscles, induce sound sleep, and lightness to mind and body,
- Basti gives clarity and sense of refreshment to the mind.
- Basti can be given in all season with necessary precautions.
Verse from Ashtamgahridaya (Su.19-36):
“Tasmat chikitsardha iti pradista,kritsna chikitsa api ca vastirekai”
Basti is considered as best treatment in Ayurveda, there is no other treatment except basti which is able to control vata .some ancient scholars consider basti as half treatment where as some consider that basti is the only treatment which is complete in its own nature for all human imbalances.