Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Snehapana means oral consumption of medicated fat. It is a crucial and obligatory purvakarma – preparatory process for Panchakarma therapies, primarily Vamana – therapeutic emesis and Virechana – therapeutic purgation.
The aim of snehapana is to saturate the physique with medicated fat given in giant doses, in arohana krama – growing doses, for a time interval of three to seven days or logically till the indicators of correct oleation i.e. Samyak snigdha lakshanas are obtained.
As soon as the physique will get saturated with Sneha, as identified by Samyak snigdha lakshanas, swedana is run to liquify the doshas and convey them from the saka – tissues to the kostha – intestine. As soon as the doshas come to the intestine, they’re eliminated by administering vamana or virechana, relying on which dosha is being handled.
So, for shodhana, snehapana turns into an vital preparatory process which must be carried out correctly. Every thing from deciding the dose of snehapana to acquiring correct indicators of oleation ought to work out exactly for the shodhana to be administered.
Planning the food regimen for the affected person throughout snehapana is equally vital. The doctor ought to know what sort of meals must be given to the affected person present process snehapana and what must be prevented. The particular person positively can’t be placed on a normal-regular food regimen throughout snehapana.
Within the subsequent a part of the article, we will see what sorts of food regimen must be deliberate for the one that is present process snehapana as purvakarma for shodhana.
Dietetic routine for these present process snehapana
भोज्योऽन्नं मात्रया पास्यन् श्वः पिबन् पीतवानपि।
द्रवोष्णमनभिष्यन्दि नातिस्निग्धमसङ्करम्॥२५॥
Ref – Ashtanga Hridaya SutraSthana – Chapter 16, verse 25
Acharya Vagbhata says that correct food regimen must be deliberate and given for the affected person present process snehapana. A dietetic routine shall be deliberate for all of the three phases of snehapana. They’re –
Stage 1 – Shvaha Pasyan – for the one that is about to devour Sneha the subsequent day. This implies to inform that the beneath talked about food regimen shall be prescribed proper from the day earlier than administering snehapana. As soon as the snehapana has been deliberate and the affected person is said eligible for snehapana and the primary day of snehapana is fastened, the food regimen plan shall be completed and applied the day or evening earlier than snehapana.
Stage 2 – Piban – for the one that is within the technique of consuming Sneha or has consumed Sneha on that day. This is a sign for the food regimen plan to be applied on the day of Snehapana additionally. Since snehapana will probably be completed in arohana krama i.e. every day growing dose, for 3-7 days, the dietetic routine talked about beneath shall be applied on all snehapana days.
Stage 3 – Pitavan api – for the one that has accomplished the course of taking Sneha. This calls for a similar food regimen plan talked about beneath to be applied even after the snehapana has been accomplished i.e. post-snehapana interval and shall be continued until earlier than administration of swedana.
So, the dietetic schedule talked about beneath would be the similar in any respect the three phases and shall be applied strictly earlier than, throughout and after snehapana.
What sort of food regimen must be administered earlier than, throughout and after snehapana?
Drava Ahara – Liquid meals must be given for the individuals who’re present process snehapana. Liquid meals are simple to digest. The one that is present process snehapana won’t really feel hungry, as he repeatedly feels as a result of the Sneha takes a whole lot of time to digest. In such situations, if strong meals is given, there will probably be no adequate agni to digest that meals. The strong meals will stagnate and a whole lot of ama will probably be shaped, which is able to hamper the therapy course of and also will produce extreme problems attributable to indigestion of meals.
Ushna Ahara – The meals must be sizzling and contemporary. Including what has been mentioned within the above paragraph, the meals shall be liquid, sizzling and contemporary. Chilly meals attributable to their coldness high quality and post-digestion impact, would trigger sthambana i.e. constipation of meals and medicines. So, chilly meals are contraindicated. Likewise, stale, saved and refrigerated meals must be prevented in any respect three phases of snehapana.
Anabhishyandi Ahara – Abhishyandi meals are these which might produce extreme moisture or liquidity within the physique after consumption. These meals may even improve kapha. This may in flip result in agnimandya which is able to additional result in indigestion and lots of problems as a result of similar. Subsequently, anabhishyandi meals must be deliberate and given throughout all three phases of snehapana. Anabhishyandi meals have reverse qualities to these of abhishyandi ahara and can neither produce extreme moisture nor will improve kapha.
Na ati snigdham aharam – Meals which aren’t too unctuous must be given throughout all three phases of snehapana. So, the food regimen must be devoid of an excessive amount of oil or ghee or it ought to have solely little or no amount of oil or ghee. Because the affected person is already taking giant portions of Sneha throughout snehapana, extra Sneha within the meals would add to the snigdhata – unctuousness within the intestine which isn’t desired. Doing so will produce atisnigdha lakshanas i.e. indicators of extreme oleation.
Asankaram aharam – The food regimen given throughout all three phases of snehapana mustn’t comprise a combination of many sorts of meals supplies that are mutually contaminating or incompatible. When totally different sorts of meals substances are combined and given, the abdomen finds it tough to digest and the mixtures might produce untoward results. Ama and amavisha can also be shaped which might produce severe problems throughout snehapana.
The meals consisting of the above mentioned qualities solely must be deliberate and given throughout all three phases of snehapana. The meals must be served in correct amount i.e. it must be lesser in amount, satiating and simply digestible, with out inflicting any problems.
The food regimen thus deliberate and given will assist snehana to happen correctly and put together the physique for shodhana.