16
Ayurveda
: Ancient Heritage in the Age of Globalisation
dosha
is made possible through
vamana
(inducing
vomiting for
kapha
),
virechana
(inducing purgation for
pitta
),
vasti
(decoction or oil enema for
vata
),
nasya
(nasal application exclusively for head) and
raktamoksha
(blood-letting). These procedures are popularly known as
“panchakarma”
.
In addition there are
snehana
(oleation/
lubrication) and
svedana
(fomentation) procedures
which are administered either for
samana
purpose or for
preparation for the
sodhana
. Among them there are
treatments like
sirodhara
(treatment done on head with
medicated oil/buttermilk/milk) which are popularly
known as special Kerala treatments, practised worldwide
and is also well studied. In Japan a robot has been
developed by a scientist to perform sirodhara and study
its physio-psychological impact.
Sattvaavajaya
is through practices like yoga,
meditation etc for gaining control over the mind. As
Caraka
says
6
it is“restrainingmindfromtheunfavourable”.
Daiva
vyapaasraya
is remedial measures for “unseen”
causes of the disease
7
. It is spiritual therapy achieved
through chanting, use of spiritually significant herbs,
indulging in auspicious and charitable activities, fire
rituals etc.
6
Charakasamhita. Sutrasthaana. 11.54
7
Charakasamhita. Sutrasthaana. 11.54
