Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Palasha Basti
Reference – The reference of this decoction enema is from Charaka Samhita – Siddhi Sthana, Chapter 3, verse 44-45. It is the 5th Niruha Vasti – decoction enema explained in this chapter.
Name analysis & mode of action – This is a rare type of enema recipe explained by Acharya Charaka, wherein there is only one main ingredient in the preparation, Palasha – Butea monosperma.
Of course, there are other ingredients (herbs) in the kalka dravya i.e. herbs for making paste, as a part of preparation, but it is generally the ingredients / herbs used in the preparation of Kashaya that we count while giving a title for the preparation.
Palasha is the only main ingredient and also the chief ingredient and hence the name Palasha Basti. The part of Palasha to be used in the preparation has not been specified by the author. So, by default it is Palasha Mula i.e. roots of Butea monosperma that should be considered and taken in this context.
Action – This vasti effectively cures diseases like gulma, udavarta, anaha etc. but what has been mentioned right at the beginning is eye-catching i.e. balavarna krt i.e. it bestows and restores strength and complexion.
Type of Vasti – Palasha Basti is a type of Niruha or Asthapana Vasti in which the herbal decoction prepared with Palasha is administered as enema, after preparing the recipe according to classical method.
Palasha Asthapana / Niruha Vasti (Basti)
जलद्विकंसेऽष्टपलंपलाशात्पक्त्वारसोऽर्धाढकमात्रशेषः|
कल्कैर्वचामागधिकापलाभ्यांयुक्तःशताह्वाद्विपलेनचापि||४४||
ससैन्धवःक्षौद्रयुतःसतैलोदेयोनिरूहोबलवर्णकारी|
आनाहपार्श्वामययोनिदोषान्गुल्मानुदावर्तरुजंचहन्यात्||४५||
(Cha.Si.Sth.3/44, 45)
Ingredients
- For the preparation of Kashaya / Kwatha – decoction
Palasha (mula) – Eight Palas in quantity
Jala – water – Two Kamsas – 128 pala in quantity
(Note – 1 pala = 48 grams)
- For preparation of Kalka – paste
Paste should be prepared with the below mentioned ingredients –
– Vaca – Acorus calamus – 1 pala
– Magadhika – Piper longum – 1 pala
– Satahva – Anethum graveolens – Dill seeds – 2 pala
- For Sneha – oil / ghee, Makshika – honey and Saindhava lavana – rock salt, the quantity has not been specified. This means to say that, they should be taken as mentioned classically in the texts and the quantity of each should be proportionate to the other ingredients used in the recipe.
Note – The optimum quantity of Vasti Dravya is 12 Prasrta i.e. 24 pala – 1152 grams approximately or 1200 ml approximately. Even this dose cannot be given to the patient because the colon does not retain such a large quantity and there will be immediate rejection. Nowadays only 450-600 ml is given as per capacity of individuals after trial doses. If we keep it to 600ml also, it will be half of the textually prescribed quantity i.e. 6 prasrta or 12 pala.
The quantity of ingredients shall be decreased for practical purposes, proportionally or 12 prasrta should be prepared and divided into two portions or the exact quantity of what has been prescribed for Palasha Basti should be prepared and one eighth of prepared Kwatha – decoction should be taken and other ingredients added after proportionally reducing their quantity.
Method of Preparation of Palasha Basti
Going through the textual reference of Palasha Vasti, the quantity of the final Kashaya prepared from Palasha itself is 32 palas i.e. 16 prasrta, which definitely exceeds the standard dose of Kashaya Vasti i.e. 12 Prasrta.
So, a wise physician should prepare this recipe by following Acharya Charaka’s instructions while proportionally reducing the mentioned ingredients in such a way that the final product obtained is 12 prasrta. He shall also plan in accordance to the individual gut permeability as per present day context (as explained above) and customize it accordingly.
Saindhava Lavana – rock salt, Makshika – honey, Sneha – fats (oil, ghee), Kalka – paste of mentioned ingredients and Kwatha – decoction of Palasha – should be mixed in that chronology until they form a homogenous mixture. Avapa is not mentioned in this context, the quantity of decoction (kwatha) itself can be kept little more. The resultant mixture shall be administered as Vasti, following the principles of administering Niruha / Asthapana Vasti.
For Practical purposes
Below mentioned calculations can be taken into consideration for preparing 12 prasrta vasti –
- Saindhava Lavana = 1 karsha = 12 gram approximately
- Makshika – honey = 2 Prasrta = 192 grams
- Sneha – Any Vatahara Taila – Ksheerabala Taila or Tila Taila preferably (since the indications for this enema includes vata conditions mainly) – 3 Prasrta – 288 grams
- Kalka – Vacadi Kalka – Paste of Vaca, Magadhika and Satahva together (one fourth of mentioned quantity) = 1 Prasrta = 96 grams
- Kwatha – Palasha Kwatha (one fourth of mentioned quantity) = 4 Prasrta
Avapa has not been mentioned in this context. The total quantity of the Palasha Vasti sums up to 10 Prasrta, roughly 1 litre. Half of this quantity i.e. 500ml can be used for 1 vasti administration, for practical purposes.
For Kashaya – Palasha (8 pala) and Water (128 pala) are taken in 1:16 proportion, boiled and reduced to one fourth i.e. 32 palas or 16 Prasrta. A portion of this (one fourth i.e. 8 pala = 4 prasrta, which should suffice for the preparation as per classical reference) shall be taken, after filtering it.
Benefits & Probable Mode of Action of Palasa Niruha Vasti
Palasha Niruha Vasti is said to bestow the below mentioned benefits –
- Bala-Varnakari – This enema promotes and restores strength, colour and complexion.
This action may be biphasic –
– bring about (enhance) bala and varna in those desiring it and
– to restore bala and varna in those who have lost it
The first action is due to the composition and action of vasti dravya.
Coming to its restorative functions in terms of bala and varna, it is beneficial in all conditions wherein the person is suffering from loss of strength and complexion. Bala and Varna belong to the territory of action of balanced Udana Vata, though not specified in the actions of this enema recipe. And Palasa Basti mainly acts on Apana Vata. So, since all vatas are interconnected with each other, including their functions, we need to consider ‘udana vata dysfunctions and disorders caused by predominant vitiation of apana vata and its influence over udana’ in this context. When apana vata is balanced, its influence on Udana will lessen and hence bala and varna will be restored.
Udana Vata governs functions of heart and lungs, the chest organs, being a chest dosha. When it is put into imbalance the circulation of nutrients and oxygen will be hampered. This will lead to bala and varna hani.
- Anaha – Anaha is a condition caused due to the blockage of passages of faeces and fart. This leads to constipation. It occurs in two ways. If it is due to accumulation of ama in the stomach leading to obstruction of passages, it is called amaja anaha. When it is due to accumulation of faeces in the colon, it is called purishaja anaha. This Vasti can be said as an effective remedy for Purishaja Anaha and may also have an extended benefit over Amaja Anaha as well. Constipation and accumulation of gases in the colon can cause many symptoms and diseases in the long run, if it is not addressed. It is also going to pollute the colon, the chief site of vata and may cause generalized vata disorders in due course of time. Palasa Vasti is highly effective in removing these blocks in the colon and also as for constipation and symptoms caused by the same. Anaha also includes obstruction of urine. Palasa Vasti is therefore useful in removing urinary obstruction as well. Constipation and urinary issues are always running hand in hand since the colon and bladder are neighbouring organs.
- Parshvamaya – Parshvamaya means diseases of the flanks. This is a generalized version. It is a broad-spectrum word since the Amaya word has been used, which means disease. It also means pain. So, we can concise the discussion to ‘flank pain’. We can also keep it as ‘sides of abdomen’ because of the role of this Vasti in balancing apana vata. Any painful condition of the ‘sides of abdomen’ caused by some disease or pathogenesis going on in the visceral organs or as a part of vata aggravation can be considered here. Conditions like adhmana – distension of abdomen due to various causes, mainly vata in origin, atopa – gurgling sounds in the abdomen, gulma – painful abdominal conditions, anaha – constipation, shula – colic etc presenting with pain in abdominal flanks shall be considered. The extended action may be on urah parshva i.e. sides of the chest as well (in conditions like pleural pain etc.).
- Yoni Dosha – This is also a broad-spectrum term and includes all doshic conditions of vagina in specific and the entire female genital system in general. Mainly, the vata type of diseases occurring in yoni with painful symptoms are ideal conditions to receive and be benefitted by Vasti. Yoni afflictions of pitta and kapha cannot be ignored since the term dosha has been mentioned. This may be a gamechanger for women and will be helpful in strengthening the yoni and also cure the doshic diseases therein. Yoni and its functions are also carried out by Apana Vata and Palasa Vasti is an ideal Vasti for Apana Vata dysfunctions.
- Gulma – This condition encompasses wide array of diseases causing spreading pain and other disturbing symptoms occurring in flanks, region of the chest (epigastric pain and discomfort), navel and in the region of urinary bladder (hypogastric region), in general – almost abdominal area. This is caused by different doshas and also by rakta (in women) but the pathogenesis is dominated by vata. Since there is no specification of the type of Gulma in the indications, all types of Gulma can be considered, but it may be an ideal vasti in treating Vataja Gulma.
- Udavarta Ruja – Udavarta is a condition wherein Vata has an abnormal course and tends to move upwards instead of its normal course of moving in downward direction. It is caused due to forcible obstruction of the body’s natural urges, mainly faeces (urge to defecate), urine (urge to urinate) and fart. It may include other vegas – urges also. When udavarta happens, the upward moving vata causes pain and discomfort in all areas where it moves, creating pressure on organs and tissues therein. Palasa Vasti helps in reverting this movement and would help in causing vatanulomana – channelizing vata into its normal downward movement. The role of this vasti in clearing the blocks in colon and urinary bladder i.e. in clearing constipation and urinary obstruction will also help in its therapeutic effects.
Action on Doshas
From the above discussion, it is clear that Palasha Vasti is highly beneficial in vata conditions, in treating vata disorders, mainly those caused by apana vata and also in balancing apana vata. Its therapeutic action on Udana Vata is also appreciable.
Action on Dhatus
‘Balakrt’ is one of the therapeutic benefits of Palasha Vasti, as discussed in the ‘benefits of palasa vasti’ above. Bala depends on many factors, but mainly on the quality and quantity of mamsa dhatu – the muscles. Since Palasa Vasti has a ‘strengthening role’ it is best for mamsa dhatu. In this way, it is also a Brimhana Vasti.
Action on Malas
Palasha Vasti has a potential role in removing the obstructions in the colon and urinary bladder. It has been appreciated in the treatment of anaha, which includes obstructions in the colon, impaction of faeces and accumulation of fart and also urinary obstruction. So, it is the best recipe for constipation, flatulence and urinary obstruction.
