Basti or Ayurvedic enema therapy is often
regarded as the key procedure of
panchakarma. Basti means introduction of
medicines or nutrients through the anus,
or openings in sexual organs. This is a
method of mobilizing and removing toxins
(ama) accumulated in the lower part of the
body. The medicated oil given as enema,
cleanses the colon. It also improved the
muscle tone.
There are eight types of Basti, they are:
1. Anuvasana (oil basti) is a method of
removing excess vata. It cures pure vata
disorders. Excess hunger or dryness is
usually vata disorders.
2. Niruha – Ashtapana is used to cure
nervous conditions, gout, certain urinary
problems, pain, and heart diseases.
3. Uttara Basti – or top basti is enema
given to urethral opening for men and
vagina for women. Cures disorders
associated with respiratory tissues.
4. Matra basti or dose basti – is daily
oil basti or daily oil enema for people
who exert too much or have too much sex.
It is also for persons with chronic vata
problems.
5. Karma Basti is a schedule of 30 Bastis
6. Kala Basti is a schedule of 15 bastis,
10 among them are oil bastis and 5 are
decoction bastis.
7. Yoga Basti is a schedule of 8 bastis,
five oil and three decoction bastis.
8. Bruhana Basti also called nutritional
basti or nutritional enema is the
application of warm milk, herbal ghees etc
for specific conditions.
Persons suffering from conditions like
diarrhea, bleeding at rectum, chronic
indigestion, diabetes, anemia,
tuberculosis, children below seven years
etc are not fit to receive these . This
list however is not exhaustive. The
physician will determine if basti is good
for the person after considering several
factors including his or her physical
capabilities.
