16. SNEHAVIDHI ADHYAYA / स्नेहविधि - oleation therapy

16. SNEHAVIDHI ADHYAYA / स्नेहविधि - oleation therapy

QUALITIES OF OIL AND FATS -  SNEHANA DRAVYA GUNA –


गुरु शीत सर स्निग्ध मन्द सूक्ष्म मृदु द्रवम्
औषधं स्नेहनं प्रायो , विपरीतं विरूक्षणम्

The Snehana substances – used for oleation therapy have the following qualities -

1.        Guru – heaviness
2.      Sheeta – cold
3.      Sara – easily moving, mobility, spreading
4.      Snigdha – unctuous, oily
5.      Manda – mild,
6.      Sookshma – minute
7.      Mrudu – soft
8.       Dravam – liquid
    
·             The substances used for imparting dryness to the body (Rookshana) are of opposite qualities to the above-mentioned.



OLEATING SUBSTANCES – SNEHA DRAVYAH –

सर्पिर्मज्जा वसा तैलं स्नेहेषु प्रवरं मतम्
तत्रापि च्चोत्तमं सर्पिः संस्कारस्यानुवर्तनात् 
माधुर्यात् अविदाहित्त्वात् जन्माद्येव च शीलनात्


1.    Sarpi (ghee, clarified butter),
2.  Majja (bone marrow),
3.  Vasa – muscle fat and
4.  Taila (oil) – are considered best among oleating substances;



Among these, Ghee is the best. Because,

a)Madhura – sweet in taste
b) Avidahi – it does not cause burning sensation
c)  Janmadyeva sheelanat – it is congenial to the body since birth.



पित्तघ्नास्ते यथापूर्वमितरघ्ना यथोत्तरम्

Among them,
·       Ghee is the most efficient for Pitta balance and
·       Taila is the least efficient for the same.




घृतात् तैलं गुरु वसा तैलात् मज्ज ततो अपि च

When compared between the four,
·      ghee is very light to digest.
·      Oil is heavier (hard to digest) than ghee,
·      muscle-fat is heavier than oil,
·      marrow is heavier than all.



द्वाभ्यां त्रिभिः चतुर्भिः तैः यमकः त्रिवृतौ महान्

·      Mixture of two oleating substances is called as Yamaka.
·      Mixture of three is called as Trivrit and
·      All four combined is called as Mahasneha


SNEHYAH – PERSONS SUITABLE FOR OLEATION :-


स्वेद्य संशोध्यमद्यस्त्रीव्यायामासक्तचिन्तकाः
वृद्धबाला बलकृशा रूक्षाः क्षीणास्ररेतसः
वातार्तस्यन्दतिमिरदारुणप्रतिबोधिनः
स्नेह्याः

People who require Snehana therapy are -

1.   Svedya, Samshodhya – Those who are to be administered sudation and purification therapies,
2. Madya
3. Stree,
4. Vyayama asakta – who indulge more in wine, women and exercise;
5. Chintaka –  who think too much,
6.  Vruddha – the aged,
7. Bala – the children,
8.  Abala – the debilitated,
9.  Krusha – the emaciated, fatigue;
10.  Ruksha – who are dry,
11.Ksheena asra retas – Depleted blood and semen,
12. Vatarta – who are suffering from diseases of Vata,
13. Timira – ophthalmia, blindness,
who suffer from chronic disorder
14. Who have difficulty in quick wakening
.

ASNEHYA – PERSONS UNSUITABLE FOR OLEATION :-

न तु अतिमन्दाग्नि तीक्षाग्नि स्थूल दुर्बलाः
उरुस्तम्भ अतिसार आमगलरोगगरोदरैः
मूर्च्छाच्छेद्यरुचिश्लेष्मतृष्णामद्यैश्च पीडिताः
अपप्रसूता युक्ते च नास्ये बस्तौ विरेचने

Patients who should not be given Snehana therapy are -

1.   Atimandagni – Those who have very weak digestion power
2. Teekshnagni -or very strong digestive power
3. Sthula – obsese
4. Durbala – very weak
5. Urustambha – stiffness of thighs
6.  Atisara – diarrhoea, dysentery
7. Amaroga – indigestion, Ama condition, altered metabolism
8.  Galaroga – diseases of throat
9.  Gararoga – chronic poisoning
10. Murcha – fainting, loss of consciousness
11.Chardi – Vomiting
12. Aruchi – anorexia
13. Shleshmaroga – diseases of Kapha imbalance
14. Trushnaroga – excessive thirst
15. Madyapeedita – chronic alcoholic
16. Apaprasuta – lady who has undergone abortion
17. Nasya,
18. Basti Virechana – people who are to be nasal medication, enema and purgative therapies.



GHRITA YOGYA


तत्र धीस्मृतिमेधादिकाङ्क्षिणाम् शस्यते घृतम्

Ghrita (ghee) is best suited for those
a)who desire improvement of intelligent,
b) memory,
c)  intelligence etc.



TAILA YOGYA

ग्रन्थिनाडीकृमिश्लेष्ममेदोमारुतरोगिषु
तैलं लाघवदार्ढ्यार्थिंक्रूरकोष्ठेषु देहिषु

Taila (oil) is suited in diseases like

a)       Granthi – tumour,
b)      Nadi roga – sinus ulcer
c)      Krumiroga – worm infestation
d)      Shleshmaroga – diseases of Kapha imbalance
e)       Medoroga – obesity
f)      Marutaroga – Diseases due to imbalance of Vata
g)      for those who desire thinning and sturdyness of the body,
h)     and who have hard bowel movements.




VASA AND MAJJA YOGYA


वातातपाध्वभारस्त्रीव्यायामक्षीणधातुषु
रूक्षक्लेशक्षमात्यग्निवातावृतपथेषु
शेषौ, वसा तु संध्यस्थिमर्मकोष्ठरुजासु च
तथा दग्धाहतभ्रष्टयोनिकर्णशिरोरुजि


Vasa and Majja - Muscle-fat and marrow are suited for persons
1.    Vatatapa – who are depleted of their tissues from exposure to breeze,
2. sunlight,
3. long distance walk,
4. carrying heavy load,
5. women (sexual activity)
6. and physical activities;
7. Ruksha – who are dry, who withstand strain,
8.   who have very strong digestive activity,
9. and in whom Vata is obstructed in its normal pathways.


Vasa – Muscle-fat is suited for

a)pain of the joints, bones, vital organs and abdominal viscera;
b) so also for pain of burns,
c)  assault by weapons,
d)  displacement of vagina (prolapsed),
e)  ear ache, and
f)  headache.



SEASONS


तैलं प्रावृषि, वर्षान्ते सर्पिरन्यौ तु माधवे


·       Oil is ideal for use during Pravrit – first rainy season,
·       ghee during end of Varsa i.e., Sharat- autumn.
·       The others during Madhava i.e. Vasantha – spring.



SNEHAYOGYA KAALA – PROPER TIME FOR OLEATION THERAPY


ऋतौ साधारणे स्नेहः शस्तो अह्नि विमले रवौ


Snehayogya Kala – proper time for oleation therapy :-

·      During temperate seasons use of oleating materials should be done during day time and when the sun is clear.



तैलं त्वरायां शीते अपि घर्मे अपि च घृतं निशि

Oil may be used in emergency even in cold season and ghee, even in summer and even at night.



निश्येव पित्ते पवने संसर्गे पित्तवत्यपि

In diseases produced by increased Pitta and Vata and in their combination with predominance of Pitta – ghee should be used only at nights – during summer. 



निश्यन्यथा वातकफाद्रोगाः स्युः पित्ततो दिवा

Otherwise, diseases due to Vata and Kapha arise if fats are used at nights and diseases of Pitta if used during day.


NUMBER OF OLEATION RECIPES – SNEHA SAMKHYA –:-

युक्त्यावचारयेत्स्नेहं भक्ष्यादि अन्नेन बस्तिभिः
नस्याभ्यञ्जनगण्डूषमूर्द्दःकर्णाक्षितर्पणैः

Fats should be used properly
1.   either mixed with chewable and other kinds of foods or
2. in the form of enemas,
3. nasal drops,
4. anointing over the body,
5. holding in the mouth,
6.  putting over the head, into the ears  and eyes.




रसभेदैककत्वाभ्यां चतुः षष्टिर्विचारणाः
स्नेहस्यान्याभिभूतत्वादल्पत्वाच्च क्रमात्स्मृताः


By its use with substances of different tastes and separately, without admixture, it will be sixty four number of recipes.

Sneha Vicharana – use of fat mixed with foods is poor – mild in effect because of its mingling with other materials and also because of lesser quantity.



यथोक्तहेत्वभावाच्च नाच्छपेयो विचारणा
 स्नेहस्य कल्पः स श्रेष्ठः स्नेहकर्माशुसाधनात्

·      Acchapeya of Sneha – means consuming the oils / fats without mixing with food.
·      Sneha Vicharana means – consuming after mixing with food items.

Acchapeya method of administering fats is considered best as it serves the function of fats and lubrication quickly.



ACCHAPANAMATRA – DOSE OF FATS FOR DRINKING :-

द्वाभ्यां चतुर्भिरष्टाभिर्यामैर्जीर्यन्ति यः क्रमात्
ह्रस्वमध्योत्तमा मात्रास्तास्ताभ्यश्च ह्रसीयसीम्
कल्पयेद्वीक्ष्य दोषादीन् प्रागेव तु ह्रसीयसीम्

·      The dose of fats depends upon the digestive activity of the patient.

1.   The heena matra (least dose) is the one, which digests in 2 yaama (1 yaama = 3 hours)

2. The medium dose (Madhyama matra) is the one, which undergoes digestion in 3 yama (9 hours)

3. The high dose (Uttama matra) is the one, which undergoes digestion in 4 yama (12 hours).

4. Hraseeyasi matra – the minimum quantity should be administered in the beginning after considering the condition of Dosha etc.



The Hraseeyasi matra is the very little quantity of sneha, that is given to the patient, just to judge the digestive strength. After judging the digestion power, the right dose of the fat is decided.



SNEHAPANAVIDHI – PROCEDURE OF DRINKING FAT :-


ह्यस्तने जीर्ण एवान्ने स्नेहो अच्छः शुद्धये बहुः


1.   For Shodhana – As a preparation procedure to Panchakarma therapy,

·      Acchasneha – drinking of fat alone should be soon after digestion of previous food and in maximum dose.



शमनः क्षुद्वतो अनन्नो मध्यमात्रश्च शस्यते



2. For Shamana – For mitigation of Doshas, for palliating a disease,

·      fats should be consumed

a. when the person is hungry
b. and without food – fasting
c.  and in medium dose

बृंहणो रसमद्याद्यैः सभक्तो अल्पः

3. For Brimhana – For weight gain treatment,

·       it should be given mixed with meat soup, wine etc. and
·       consumed along with food,
·       in small quantity – minimum dose.



हितः स च
बालवृद्धपिपासार्तस्नेहद्विण्मद्यशीलिषु
स्त्रीस्नेहनित्यमन्दाग्निसुखितक्लेशभीरुषु
मृदुकोष्ठाल्पदोषेषु काले चोष्णे कृशेषु च

This kind of mild oleation is suitable

a) to children,
b) the aged,
c)  those suffering from thirst,
d)  those who have aversion to fat,
e)  who indulge in wine,
f)  women and
g)  fatty foods daily,
h)  who have poor digestive ability,
i)   who lead happy life,
j)  who are afraid of troubles,
k) who are of soft bowel,
l)   who have little quantity of – increase of Doshas;
m) during hot season
n) and for the emaciated.



प्राङ्मध्योत्तरभक्तो असावधोमध्योर्ध्वादेहजान्
व्याधीञ्जयेद्बलं कुर्यादङ्गानां च यथा क्रमम्


If fats are used before food,

1.    it is useful in the treatment of diseases affecting the lower part of the body.
2.   It strengthens the lower part of the body.



If fats are used during the food intake,

1.    it is useful in the treatment of diseases affecting the middle part of the body.
2.  It strengthens the middle part of the body.



If fats are used after the food intake,

1.    it is useful in treating the diseases of the upper part of the body.
2. It strengthens the upper part of the body.


CARE AFTER DRINKING FATS – SNEHA UPACHARA –

वायुर्ष्णमच्छे अनुपिबेत् स्नेहे तत्सुखपक्तये
आस्योपलेपशुद्ध्यै च, तौवरारुष्करे न तु 
जीर्णाजीर्णविशङ्कायां पुनरुष्णोदकं पिबेत्
तेनोद्गारविशुद्धिः स्यात्ततच्च लघुता रुचिः



After Acchapana – (drinking of fat alone),


·      warm water should be consumed.
It helps in digestion and clears the mouth coating.

·      But while taking Tuvaraka taila or Arushkara taila (very hot in nature),
·      cold water is preferred.


·      In case of doubts regarding digestion of the fat,
warm water should be consumed again;



1.   Purity of belchings,
2. feeling of lightness in the body
3. and desire for food

         – these 3 symptoms suggest that the fat has been completely digested.



Diet for the fat consumption

भोज्ये अन्नं मात्रया पास्यन् श्वः पीतवानपि
द्रवोष्णमनेभिष्यन्दि नातिस्निग्धमसङ्करम्

– Foods which are

·       liquid (drava),
·       warm (Ushna),
·       not producing excess moisture inside (anabhishyandi),
·       not very oily (na atisnigdha)
·       and not a mixture of many food materials,
     

should be consumed by the patient in limited quantity on the earlier day- 
a. prior to the day of drinking fat
b. on that day
c. And day after



 REGIMEN AFTER OLEATION -

उष्णोदकोपचारी स्यात् ब्रह्मचारी क्षपाशयः
न वेगरोधी व्यायामक्रोधशोकहिमातपान्
प्रवातयानयानाध्वभाष्यात्यासन संस्थितोः
नीचात्युच्चोपधानाहः स्वप्नधूमरजांसि च
यान्यहानि पिबेत्तानि तावन्त्यन्यान्यपि त्यजेत्


1.   Ushnodakopachari – The person should use warm water only for all his activities.
2. Brahmachari – Should maintain celibacy. He should eat only when hunger.
3. Na vegarodhi –  should not suppress natural urges,
4. not indulge in exercise,
5. anger,
6.  grief,
7. exposure to cold,
8.  sunlight,
9.  breeze,
10. riding on animals,
11. travelling in vehicles,
12. walking long distance,
13. too much of speaking,
14. remaining in uncomfortable postures for long time,
15. keeping very low or very high pillow under the head,
16. sleeping during day,
17. contact with smoke and dust;
             on the days of drinking fats and for same number of days afterwards also.




स्वकर्मस्वयं प्रायो व्याधिक्षीणेषु च क्रमः

This regimen is the same generally for all purification therapies such as emesis, purgation, enema etc. and also for those debilitated by diseases.



उपचारस्तु शमने कार्यः स्नेहे विरिक्तवत्

In case of Shamana  Sneha – palliative oleation therapy the regimen as suggested for the person who has undergone purgation therapy – vide chapter 18 should be adopted.



ACCHAPANA KALA – DURATION OF FAT DRINKING :-

त्रयहमच्छं मृदौ कोष्ठे क्रूरे सप्तदिनं पिबेत्
सम्यक्स्निग्धो अथवा यावदतः सात्म्यी भवेत्परम्

Acchapana – drinking fat alone should be done for

1.    three days for
    – persons of soft bowels (Mrudu koshta),
2.  for seven days
·      for persons of hard bowels  (Krura koshta) or till the symptoms of good oleation appear.
·      After that period it – fat becomes accustomed to the patient and does not give the desired effect.



SNIGDHA LAKSHANA – SIGNS OF OLEATION :-

वातानुलोम्यं दीप्तो अग्निर्वर्चः स्निग्ध्मसंहतम्
स्नेहोद्वेगः क्लमः सम्यक्स्निग्धे, रूक्षे विपर्ययः
अतिस्निग्धे तु पण्डुत्वं घ्राणवक्त्रगुदस्रवाः



1.    Vatanulomana – Downward movement of Vata,

2. Deepto agni –  keen digestive activity,

3.  Vachaha snigdham asamhatam – faeces becoming fatty and non formed not solid,

4.  Snehodvega – aversion to fat,

5.  Klama – exhaustion

            – are the signs of proper lubrication;


opposite of these are the sign of dryness.



SIGNS OF EXCESS LUBRICATION

1.   Appearance of pallor – yellowish white discoloration

2.  and secretions from the nose, mouth and rectum 

            are the signs of excess lubrication.

SNEHAVYAPAT LAKSANA – BAD EFFECTS OF IMPROPER OLEATION :-


अमात्रया अहिते काले मिथ्याहारविहारतः
स्नेहः करोति शोफार्शस्तन्द्रास्तम्भविसंज्ञताः
कण्डूकुष्ठज्वरोत्क्लेशशूलानाहभ्रमादिकान्

a. Fat drinking in improper dose,
b. unsuitable kind,
c.  improper time,
d. indulging in improper foods and activities

produces

1.   dropsy,
2. haemorrhoids,
3. stupor,
4. rigidity – loss of movement,
5. loss of sensation / unconsciousness,
6.  itching,
7. skin diseases,
8.  fever,
9.  nausea,
10. pain in the abdomen,
11. flatulence,
12. dizziness etc.



SNEHAVYAPAT CIKITSA – TREATMENT OF BAD EFFECTS :-

क्षुत्तृष्णोल्लेखनस्वेदरूक्षापानान्नभेषजम्
तक्रारिष्टखलोद्दालयवश्यामाककोद्रवम्
पिप्पलीत्रिफलाक्षौद्रपथ्यागोमूत्रगुग्गुलु
यथास्वं प्रतिरोगं च स्नेहव्यापदि साधनम्

1.   Kshut,
2. Trushna – Producing hunger, thirst,
3. Ulleka,
4.  sveda – vomiting and perspiration,
5. administering foods, drinks and medicines which are dry (cause dryness),
6.  use of Takrarista (fermented medicine from buttermilk),
7. Khala – menu prepared from curds,
8.  Uddala,
9.  Yava (barley),
10.  Shyamaka,
11.  Kodrava,
12.   Pippali (long pepper),
13.   Triphala,
14.   Ksaudra (honey),
15.   Pathya (haritaki),
16.    Gomutra – cow urine,
17.    Guggulu and such others – foods, drugs etc.


            prescribed for each disease are the methods of treating the diseases due to improper Snehana therapy.



VIRUKSHANA – THERAPY TO CAUSE DRYNESS:-

विरूक्षणे लङ्घनवत्कृतातिकृतलक्षणम्

The features of proper and excess Viruksana – dryness are the same as those of proper and excess of Langhana – methods of making the body thin.



REGIMEN OF PANCHAKARMA FOLLOWED AFTER SNEHANA –

स्निग्धद्रवोष्णधन्वोत्थरसभुक् स्वेदमाचरेत्
स्निग्धस्त्र्यहं स्थितः कुर्याद्विरेकं, वमनं पुनः
एकाहं दिनमन्यच्च कफमुत्क्लेश्य तत्करैः

The patient should
a. drink juice of meat of animals of desert – like regions, 
b. mixed with fats,
c.  made liquid – thin and warm,
d. then undergo sudation therapy;
e.  after three days of such regimen,

·      he should be administered purgation therapy,

·      after a lapse of one day, Kapha should be increased by using things – food, drugs etc. which cause its increase and then emesis – therapy should be administered.



मांसला मेदुरा भूरिश्लेष्माणो विशभाग्नयः
स्नेहोचिताश्च ये स्नेह्यास्तान् पूर्वं रूक्षयेत्ततः
संस्नेह्य शोधयेदेवं स्नेहव्यापन्न जायते
अलं मलानीरयितुं स्नेहाश्चासात्म्यतां गतः

·        Persons who are muscular,
·       fatty,
·       having Kapha imbalance,
·       and erratic type of digestive activity,
·       who are accustomed to fats and
·       who need oleation therapy,

                     should be made to become dry first – by use of foods, drugs etc. and then administered oleation therapy followed with purification therapies;


by this procedure complications of oleation will not arise.

This method is enough to excite the vitiated Dosha to be eliminated



SADYA SNEHA YOGA – RECIPES FOR IMMEDIATE OLEATION :-

बालवृद्धादिषु स्नेहपरिहारासहिष्णुषु
योगानिमाननुद्धेगान् सद्यः स्नेहान् प्रयोजयेत्

1.   For children,
2. the aged etc.,
3. for those who cannot withstand the discomforts or avoidance of things prohibited during of oleation therapy,


·      can be administered the following recipes which are Sadya sneha – immediate oleation/ lubrication and which are non-harming.



प्राज्यमांसरसास्तेषु, पेया वा स्नेहभर्जिता
तिलचूर्णश्च सस्नेहफाणितः, कृशरा तथा
क्षीरपेया घृताढ्योष्णा, दध्नो वा सगुडः सरः
पेया च पञ्चप्रसृताः स्नेहैः तण्डुलपञ्चमैः
सप्तैते स्नेहनाः सद्यः

1.    Juice of meat prepared from more quantity of meat,

2. Peya – gruels, fried with more quantity of fats,

3. powder of Tila mixed with fat and half boiled molasses (Phanita),

4. Krisara – rice cooked along with green gram, mixed with the same things as above,

5. Ksheerapeya – gruel prepared from milk, mixed with more quantity of ghee – butter fat and made warm;

6.  Dadhi Sara – yoghurt water, whey from curds mixed with Guda (jaggery),

7.  Panchaprasruta Peya – thin gruel prepared from one Prasruta each of ghee, sesame oil, muscle fat, marrow and rice (tandula).

       These seven recipes are Sadyassneha – fat recipes which produce immediate  oleation.


स्नेहाश्च लवणोल्बणाः
तद्ध्यभिष्यन्द्यरूक्षं च सूक्ष्ममुष्णं व्यवायी च

`8.  And also fats mixed with more amount of salt are Sadya sneha

·       because

salt is

·       Abhisyandhi (causes exudation in the tissues),
·       Arooksha – does not cause dryness,
·       Suksma – capable of entering into minute pores,
·       Ushna – hot in potency and
·       Vyavayi spreads all over the body first and later undergoes transformation.


CONTRA INDICATION FOR CERTAIN SUBSTANCES IN CERTAIN DISEASES –

गुडानूपामिषक्षीरतिलमाषसुरादधि
कुष्ठशोफप्रमेहेषु स्नेहार्थं न प्रकल्पयेत्

 For the purpose of Sadya snehana,

1.   Jaggery,
2. meat of birds of marshy lands,
3. milk,
4. sesame seed,
5. black gram,
6.  Sura – beer and

7. Dadhi – curds, yogurt
      should not be used for purposes of oleation in
·        skin diseases (kushta),
·       inflammatory conditions (Shopha)
·       and diabetes (Prameha). 

Because these substances may worsen the disease.–

त्रिफलापिप्पलीपथ्यागुग्गुल्वादिविपाचितान्
स्नेहान् यथास्वमेतेषां योजयेदविकारिणः

In these conditions,

fats boiled with

a)Triphala,
b)    Pippali,
c)     Pathya,
d)  Guggulu, etc., should be used as found suitable, which will not produce abnormalities.



क्षीणानां त्वामयैरग्निदेहसन्धुक्षणक्षमान्


For those who are debilitated by diseases,

1.    fats which are capable of increasing the strength of the body
2. and of the digestive activity
      should be made use of for oleation therapy.



SNEHAPANA PHALA – BENEFITS OF DRINKING FATS :-

दीप्तान्तराग्निः परिशुद्धकोष्ठः प्रत्यग्र धातुर्बलवर्णयुक्तः
दृढेन्द्रियो मन्दजरः शतायुः स्नेहोपसेवी पुरूषः प्रदिष्टः


He,

1. who has very keen digestive activity,

2. clean alimentary tract,

3. well developed/strong tissues,

4. physical strength,

5.  colour – complexion

6.  and powerful sense faculties,

7. who is slow in getting old

8.  and who lives for a hundred years

            is the person who is habituated to oleation
      
 In other words these are the benefits of oleation therapy if adopted often.