Preparation for Basti (Ayurvedic Enema’s)
Enema's are best done under the guidance of a health care provider. This article is intended for individuals who have done enema's before and are curious about an Ayurvedic approach as it has been used in Pancha Karma (Ayurvedic detoxification). First you need to determine how many enema's you are going to do. The general rule is to do two oil enema's for every decoction enema that you do. This could be 3,6,9 days total. This depends on your constitution and the guidance of your healthcare provider. The first and third enema's will be oil enema's (anuvasana basti).
Oil Enema (anuvasana basti):
For this enema type you will use a small amount of warm sesame oil. It could be called an “implant” as opposed to an enema. You will use 2-3 ounces of sesame oil in order to protect mucous membranes of the colon from getting dried out when you do the decoction enema.
Preparation for any type of enema:
For your first time it is best to do this first thing in the morning. Once you are confident that the oil can be absorbed then you can do the procedure at night and the oil will be absorbed while you are sleeping. You will want to do this on an empty stomach or if you are doing it at night then at least 4 hours after you have eaten. In order to prepare make sure that your bowels and bladder are empty. Lightly massage your belly with warm oil for a few minutes and then put a hot water-bottle on your tummy for 10 minutes. Then you are ready for the oil enema procedure.
Oil Enema Procedure:
Supplies:
Do the oil enema on day 1 and 3. Or 1, 3, and 5. Or 1, 3, 5, 7. Or 1,3,5,7, and 9.
Decoction enema procedure (nirooha basti).
Supplies-
To purchase:
Ayurvedic Basti clean the lower part of the body (below umbilical part). The toxins (ama) accumulated in the lower part of the body or the toxins pushed to the colon, urinary tract or reproductive tract by previous ayurvedic procedures like Oil-therapy (snehan) or Sweat-therapy (swedan) can be cleared with bastis.
An Ayurvedic Basti has significant multiple effects and hence cannot be compared with contemporary enema, which is used for bowel cleansing or nutritive therapies. Though Basti practices directly affect the colon they are much more than a localized, symptomatic treatment. In administration, effects and intent the Basti differs significantly from Enema and Colonic treatments which only address the eliminative capacity of the colon.
The Basti procedure restores the balance of the doshas (physiological principles) in particular Vata (action, communication, movement). It increases weight in emaciated people, decreases weight in the obese, improves vision, prevents aging, brings back lustre strength, and improves longevity. It can relieve Vata disorders such as constipation, distention, colds, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Basti.
Basti is effective for most of the digestive disorders like dry colon, dry rectum condition and the tendency towards constipation resulting from such conditions. It also provides relief in conditions like distention of abdomen, flatulence, spastic colon, dryness of digestive tract observed in chronic fever, etc. Body debility, senile debility, impaired immunity, muscular dystrophy and bed ridden conditions like paralysis can also be treated by Basti. Basti can also be used to give some energy supplementation to the body, as the mucous membrane of the rectal canal is a semi permeable membrane.
Types of basti:
Basti is generally contraindicated in all types of diarrheas, dysenteries, rectal bleeding, diabetes, severe anemia, hypoproteinaemia, breathlessness associated with any problem and pulmonary tuberculosis (raj-yakshma). It is also contraindicated in infantile problems and senile debility.
Contra-indications for Nirooha Basti
Pregnancy (unless specified by physician), Children under 10 yrs, after meals, after sex, dysentery, internal obstruction, after vomiting or purging, if too tired, exhausted, serious skin disease, urinary disorder, intoxicated states, piles, anorexia, psychosis, dryness of throat, anal inflammation, edema, malnutrition, weakness, accumulation of fluid, peritonitis, and diabetes.
Contra-indications for Anuvasan Basti
In addition to the contraindication of Nirooha basti. Anuvasan is contraindicated in; anemia, jaundice, piles, fever, diarrhea, poisoning, emaciation, enlargement of the spleen, chronic catarrhal inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, and fasting.
Complications of Basti therapy
When Basti therapy is incomplete, spasmodic pains, burning sensation, ano-rectal itching, pain, anorexia, blockage of stools and gas can be increased. If given in excess, it can cause ano-rectal inflammation and ulceration, fissure, weakness, and muscular cramps.
For pain in abdomen after Basti, massage the abdomen gently with Mahanarayan oil.
For headache experienced immediately after Basti, a gentle head and forehead massage followed by Ginger tea can be given. This can be followed by Nasya (special ayurvedic treatment to cleanse the sinus area)
If liquids are not expelled after 48 minutes another Basti treatment is prescribed with warm water (100F) and fomentation to the lower back and abdomen. Warm water can also be consumed. If complications arise fast acting purgatives (eg Castor oil with warm water or prune juice) must be administered immediately to expel loosened toxins from the colon.
This is meant for educational purposes only and is not meant to be medical advice.
Oil Enema (anuvasana basti):
For this enema type you will use a small amount of warm sesame oil. It could be called an “implant” as opposed to an enema. You will use 2-3 ounces of sesame oil in order to protect mucous membranes of the colon from getting dried out when you do the decoction enema.
Preparation for any type of enema:
For your first time it is best to do this first thing in the morning. Once you are confident that the oil can be absorbed then you can do the procedure at night and the oil will be absorbed while you are sleeping. You will want to do this on an empty stomach or if you are doing it at night then at least 4 hours after you have eaten. In order to prepare make sure that your bowels and bladder are empty. Lightly massage your belly with warm oil for a few minutes and then put a hot water-bottle on your tummy for 10 minutes. Then you are ready for the oil enema procedure.
Oil Enema Procedure:
Supplies:
- A 2-3 ounce (60 ml) syringe
- A rectal tube or enema bulb
- 2-3 ounces (50 ml) of organic cold pressed sesame oil.
- Connect the rectal tube to the syringe or enema bulb.
- Gently heat 2-3 ounces of oil in a double warmer until it is warm, just about room temperature. Pour the lukewarm oil into a glass and suck the oil into the syringe by putting the tip into the oil and pulling on the syringe handle.
- Place the tubing on the syringe that is filled with oil (the tube is not necessary but will make the process easier)
- Turn the syringe and tube with the tip up and slowly push any air out of the tube.
- Lie on your left side with the left lower leg straight and the right leg flexed at the knee and at the hip joint.
- The Anus and the tip of the rectal tube should be lubricated with sesame oil.
- Carefully insert the rectal tube (about 5 cm) or the syringe.
- If you feel the urge to defecate remove the tube go release the urge and start the process again.
- Then slowly and steadily inject the oil.
- Stay lying on the side for 15 minutes before getting up.
Do the oil enema on day 1 and 3. Or 1, 3, and 5. Or 1, 3, 5, 7. Or 1,3,5,7, and 9.
Decoction enema procedure (nirooha basti).
Supplies-
- 1-2 Tablespoons Dashmoola powder or root pieces
- An enema bag
- A little sesame oil to lubricate the anus
- Towels to make yourself comfortable
- To make this decoction you will need dashmoola powder or root pieces. To prepare bring either 1 tablespoon of powder or 2 tablespoons of root pieces to a boil in 16 ounces of water. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let the liquid cool. Then strain it through a coffee filter or a fine mesh strainer. Now you have your decoction.
- Place 2 cups of the dashmoola tea that you made on the stove to warm it up to about room temperature.
- Lay down the towels in the bathroom or wherever you are doing to do your enema.
- Hang the enema bag just above you within reach, or plan on holding it overhead. Make sure all air is removed from the tube.
- Lie on your left side with the left lower leg straight and the right leg flexed at the knee and at the hip joint.
- The Anus and the tip of the enema tube should be lubricated with sesame oil.
- Carefully insert the enema tube (about 5 cm) into the rectum.
- If you feel the urge to defecate remove the tube go release the urge and start the process again.
- Slowly infuse the fluid into your rectum. The ancient text says to hold the fluid for “48” minutes. Between 30 to 60 minutes is great. Holding the decoction for the prescribed amount of time is more important than the amount of fluid. So, if you have infused 1 cup and you feel that you can’t hold any more, then stop there. Put the enema bag down or bring it below you so it stops infusing the decoction. It can be challenging to remove the enema tube without needing to evacuate immediately so you may want to leave it inserted. Usually the feeling of needing to evacuate your bowels will go away in a few minutes and you will be fine.
To purchase:
- Enema bag
- 2-3 ounce syringe type applicator or enema bulb
- Sesame oil
- Dashmula powder
Ayurvedic Basti clean the lower part of the body (below umbilical part). The toxins (ama) accumulated in the lower part of the body or the toxins pushed to the colon, urinary tract or reproductive tract by previous ayurvedic procedures like Oil-therapy (snehan) or Sweat-therapy (swedan) can be cleared with bastis.
An Ayurvedic Basti has significant multiple effects and hence cannot be compared with contemporary enema, which is used for bowel cleansing or nutritive therapies. Though Basti practices directly affect the colon they are much more than a localized, symptomatic treatment. In administration, effects and intent the Basti differs significantly from Enema and Colonic treatments which only address the eliminative capacity of the colon.
The Basti procedure restores the balance of the doshas (physiological principles) in particular Vata (action, communication, movement). It increases weight in emaciated people, decreases weight in the obese, improves vision, prevents aging, brings back lustre strength, and improves longevity. It can relieve Vata disorders such as constipation, distention, colds, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Basti.
Basti is effective for most of the digestive disorders like dry colon, dry rectum condition and the tendency towards constipation resulting from such conditions. It also provides relief in conditions like distention of abdomen, flatulence, spastic colon, dryness of digestive tract observed in chronic fever, etc. Body debility, senile debility, impaired immunity, muscular dystrophy and bed ridden conditions like paralysis can also be treated by Basti. Basti can also be used to give some energy supplementation to the body, as the mucous membrane of the rectal canal is a semi permeable membrane.
Types of basti:
- Anuvasana Basti - enemas with medicated oils, tonics, herbal milks
- Nirooha-asthapana Basti - enema of water based medical extracts or medicated water
Basti is generally contraindicated in all types of diarrheas, dysenteries, rectal bleeding, diabetes, severe anemia, hypoproteinaemia, breathlessness associated with any problem and pulmonary tuberculosis (raj-yakshma). It is also contraindicated in infantile problems and senile debility.
Contra-indications for Nirooha Basti
Pregnancy (unless specified by physician), Children under 10 yrs, after meals, after sex, dysentery, internal obstruction, after vomiting or purging, if too tired, exhausted, serious skin disease, urinary disorder, intoxicated states, piles, anorexia, psychosis, dryness of throat, anal inflammation, edema, malnutrition, weakness, accumulation of fluid, peritonitis, and diabetes.
Contra-indications for Anuvasan Basti
In addition to the contraindication of Nirooha basti. Anuvasan is contraindicated in; anemia, jaundice, piles, fever, diarrhea, poisoning, emaciation, enlargement of the spleen, chronic catarrhal inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, and fasting.
Complications of Basti therapy
When Basti therapy is incomplete, spasmodic pains, burning sensation, ano-rectal itching, pain, anorexia, blockage of stools and gas can be increased. If given in excess, it can cause ano-rectal inflammation and ulceration, fissure, weakness, and muscular cramps.
For pain in abdomen after Basti, massage the abdomen gently with Mahanarayan oil.
For headache experienced immediately after Basti, a gentle head and forehead massage followed by Ginger tea can be given. This can be followed by Nasya (special ayurvedic treatment to cleanse the sinus area)
If liquids are not expelled after 48 minutes another Basti treatment is prescribed with warm water (100F) and fomentation to the lower back and abdomen. Warm water can also be consumed. If complications arise fast acting purgatives (eg Castor oil with warm water or prune juice) must be administered immediately to expel loosened toxins from the colon.
This is meant for educational purposes only and is not meant to be medical advice.