Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Koshatakyadi Basti

Reference – The reference of this decoction enema is from Charaka Samhita – Siddhi Sthana, Chapter 3, verse 56-57. It’s the 10th Niruha Vasti – decoction enema defined on this chapter.

Identify evaluation & mode of motion

That is an enema recipe ready with plenty of components led by Koshataki – Luffa acutangula as the primary ingredient talked about within the preparation. The naming of the recipe additionally follows the norm of nomenclature of preparations, formulations or recipes by their first or most necessary ingredient within the mixture.

–        Koshataki – Luffa acutangula

–        Adi – others

–        Basti / Vasti – enema

Koshatakyadi Basti = enema ready with Koshataki and different herbs (talked about beneath).

Motion – Phalashruti – i.e. listing of indications of this recipe level in the direction of this recipe being ‘the very best one’ for all kapha issues and particularly for these having mandagni – weak digestion hearth and power and anna dwesha – aversion in the direction of meals.

Kind of Vasti – Koshatakyadi Vasti is a sort of Niruha or Asthapana Vasti during which the natural decoction ready with Koshataki and different components is run as enema.

Koshatakyadi Asthapana / Niruha Vasti (Basti)

कोषातकारग्वधदेवदारुशार्ङ्गेष्टमूर्वाकुटजार्कपाठाः |
पक्त्वाकुलत्थान्बृहतींचतोयेरसस्यतस्यप्रसृतादशस्युः||५६||
तान्सर्षपैलामदनैःसकुष्ठैरक्षप्रमाणैःप्रसृतैश्चयुक्तान्|
फलाह्वतैलस्यसमाक्षिकस्यक्षारस्यतैलस्यचसार्षपस्य||५७||
दद्यान्निरूहंकफरोगिणेज्ञोमन्दाग्नयेचाप्यशनद्विषेच|

Substances

1. For the preparation of Kashaya / Kwatha – decoction

10 Prasrtha – 4 palas (1 prasrtha = 2 palas = 96 grams) i.e. 960 grams of Kashaya needs to be ready utilizing the beneath talked about components, every taken in equal amount (the ultimate ready Kashaya needs to be 10 prastha).

–        Koshataki – Luffa acutangula

–        Aragvadha – Cassia fistula

–        Devadaru – Cedrus deodara

–        Sarngesta / Gujna – Abrus precatorius

–        Murva – Marsdenia tenacissima

–        Kutaja – Holarrhena antidysenterica

–        Arka – Calotropis gigantea

–        Patha – Cissampelos pareira

–        Kulattha – Dolichos biflorus – Horse gram

–        Brhati – Solanum indicum (Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum)

1. For preparation of Kalka – paste

Paste needs to be ready with 1 aksha – 12 grams every of the beneath talked about components –

–        Sarsapa – Brassica juncea / Brassica campestris – mustard seeds

–        Ela – Elettaria cardamom – cardamom

–        Madana – Randia dumetorum

–        Kustha – Saussurea lappa

1. For Sneha

1 prasrta – 2 pala – 96 grams every of the beneath talked about oils needs to be taken

–        Phala or Madanaphala Taila – oil ready from fruits of Randia dumetorum

–        Sarsapa Taila – mustard oil

1. Saindhava Lavana – Rock salt needs to be taken as talked about within the classics – 1 karsha = 12 grams amount.

1. Madhu / Maksika – Honey – Honey needs to be taken in a amount of 1 prasrta = 2 pala = 96 grams.

1. For Avapa – Kshara – alkali needs to be taken in amount of 1 prasrta = 2 pala = 96 grams.

Methodology of preparation of Koshatakyadi Vasti

Going by way of the amount of components talked about by Acharya Charaka within the preparation of Koshatakyadi Vasti, the general amount of the preparation sums as much as greater than 12 prasrta which is the usual most dose of Kashaya / Asthapana / Niruha Vasti. The amount, as a rule, shouldn’t exceed 12 Prasrta.

So, a sensible doctor ought to put together this recipe by following Acharya Charaka’s directions whereas proportionally decreasing the talked about components in such a means that the ultimate product obtained is 12 prasrta.

These days we aren’t administering 12 prasrtas in a single sitting for enema as a result of the intestine doesn’t permeate or tolerate such a big amount. So, the whole amount of vasti dravya i.e. enema liquid given in a single sitting is stored to lower than half of the optimum most amount. This is dependent upon the Yukti – situational understanding and expertise of the physicians and differs in the best way every doctor plans the identical.

Alternatively, the vasti could also be ready as per directions by Acharya Charaka and the ultimate amount of preparation is split into 3-4 doses and administered as many occasions. This can reduce the issue of getting ready the medication each time, however then again the medication might lose its freshness and therefore the best way it acts. Due to this fact, it’s advisable to arrange the Vasti liquid each time however the arithmetic of the used components needs to be proportionally diminished in order to deliver the ultimate preparation to the specified dosage for one sitting.

For sensible functions

Under talked about calculations will be considered for getting ready 12 prasrta vasti perfect for Kapha people or Kapha issues.

1.   Saindhava Lavana = 1 karsha = 12 grams roughly
2.   Makshika – honey = 3 Prasrta = 288 grams
3.   Sneha – Madanaphala and Sarsapa Taila collectively = 1 ½ Prasrta = 3 pala (1 ½ pala every) = 144 grams
4.   Kalka – paste of Sarsapa and so on herbs – 1 Prasrta = 96 grams
5.   Kashaya – Koshatakyadi Kashaya – 5 Prasrta = 480 grams or ml
6.     Avapa = Ksara = 1 ½ Prasrta = 144 grams

So, this sums as much as 12 prasrta normal dose and in addition as designed for Kapha people.

Half of this amount shall be perfect for sensible functions. So, calculations needs to be carried out accordingly.

For Kashaya – Koshataki and so on herbs needs to be taken in equal proportion. They need to be pounded and their coarse powder is obtained. 1 portion of this powder needs to be boiled with 8 components of water and diminished to at least one eighth and filtered.

Advantages of Koshatakyadi Niruha Vasti

Koshatakyadi Niruha Vasti is claimed to bestow the beneath talked about advantages –

1. Kapha roga – it’s an unparalleled enema recipe for these affected by any Kapha roga. So, we will increase our thought course of to the large spectrum of kapha issues. At any time when there may be morbid kapha predominance within the physique resulting in any kapha dysfunction, this enema could also be considered. Vamana – therapeutic emesis is the very best remedy for kapha issues. However when Vamana isn’t yielding higher leads to kapha issues, we might take into consideration involvement of vata within the course of and therefore Vasti will come into play. At the same time as such, this enema shall be efficient for kapha and kapha issues. We will additionally consider administering this vasti in kapha issues or kapha predominant individuals in whom vamana is contraindicated or they’re in a state of affairs whereby vamana can’t be administered.

Signs of Kapha improve as defined within the context of Kapha Vrddhi Lakshanas will be thought of for administering this enema, like –

–        Agni sadana – diminution of digestive hearth and therefore deterioration of digestion capability, resulting in mandagni associated issues

–        Praseka – extreme salivation, which is indicative of improve of kapha

–        Alasya – laziness, procrastination

–        Gourava – heaviness of the physique

–        Shvaitya – whitish discoloration of the physique components

–        Shaitya – extreme and uncontrolled coldness within the physique

–        Shlatha angatva – looseness of the physique components

–        Shvasa – dyspnoea, shortness of breath or illnesses presenting with issue in respiratory – like bronchial asthma, bronchitis and so on

–        Kasa – cough and illnesses having cough as symptom

–        Atinidrata – extreme sleepiness

Different Kapha predominant metabolic / systemic issues like weight problems, diabetes, hypothyroidism, melancholy, metabolic syndrome and so on might also be thought of.

It’s also a very good enema recipe for all digestive issues and can be utilized for metabolic corrections.

2. Mandagni – This enema is extremely efficient in situations whereby one’s digestive hearth could be very sluggish. This causes indigestion. And low digestive hearth and indigestion, on long term, are root sources for a lot of systemic illnesses. So, mandagni ought to by no means be uncared for. Mandagni will be attributable to all doshas however is predominantly attributable to elevated kapha within the abdomen. This indication additionally provides us a clue that mandagni cannot solely be tackled by oral drugs however will also be managed, manipulated and balanced by administration of Vasti.

3. Annadwesha – There are various illnesses during which the individual can have hatred or aversion in the direction of meals. The sufferers too won’t know why they’re rejecting meals. However retaining away from meals could be very unhealthy for well being for the reason that physique and well being sustains solely on the meals we eat each day. In persistent situations, in individuals who have undergone surgical procedures (many weeks or months after surgical procedure), those that are affected by illnesses like most cancers and so on or are on chemo and radiotherapy for a similar, these affected by situations like anorexia and so on can have ‘meals rejection’ as a part of their sufferings and signs complexes. This vasti will come in useful for these sufferers.

Motion on Doshas

As specified by Acharya Charaka, this vasti is the very best in combating kapha imbalances, kapha aggravation and in successfully curing kapha issues. Since it’s a vasti, it ought to positively have a job in ‘vata balancing’. Because it kindles agni and is used for treating mandagni and bhakta dwesha, as described above, it additionally has a ‘pitta stimulating’ function.

Motion on Dhatus

By addressing morbid kapha and curing kapha issues, it is going to cleanse, reboot and resuscitate all of the tissues that are abodes of kapha i.e. rasa, mamsa, meda, majja and shukra. It additionally helps in cleaning and rejuvenating the srotas associated to those tissues.

By activating jatharagni, it additionally prompts dhatu agnis and helps in bettering tissue metabolism by suggestions motion. This can assist in correct formation of all of the tissues and ojas. This may be thought of because the Rasayana motion of this Vasti, although in a roundabout way talked about within the texts.

Motion on Malas

Since Koshatakyadi Vasti, like several enema cleanses the colon, it helps in expelling purisha – faeces and adho vata – fart and retaining the intestine wholesome. It expels kapha depositions from the colon and intestine and thus prompts these organs. On this means it helps in balancing vata on the intestine degree. Purisha and Mutra are the abodes of Kapha. So, Koshatakyadi Vasti has a cleaning function on Purishavaha and Mutravaha Srotas. It’s a good recipe for gastrointestinal and urinary issues.

Possible Mode of Motion

The possible mode of motion has already been touched upon in bits and parcels within the above clarification and dialogue of Koshatakyadi Vasti.

To sum up, the principle motion of this vasti is exclusive. It tackles morbid kapha when administered within the type of enema towards the traditional emesis remedy which is claimed to be the very best for kapha issues.

Kapha is a supportive matrix and a buffer for each cell within the physique. It protects the physique towards the damage and tear which is attributable to hyperactivity of vata, pitta and agni. So, a web stability and gross stability of kapha could be very very important for well being. Elevated kapha will meddle with the core agni within the stomach, the jatharagni. This can trigger mandagni, aruchi, bhaktadwesha, ajirna and different associated issues. This can squeeze the motion of the dhatu agnis additionally.

Elevated kapha also can envelope vata and pacify pitta resulting in a big selection of metabolic and systemic issues like prameha, sthoulya, and so on and different santarpanottha rogas – illnesses occurring resulting from over-nutrition.

Kapha may cause blocks and clogs within the physique and hamper many features. It additionally has a depressive impact on the nervous system and causes many psychological issues.

Although vamana is the very best treatment for kapha improve and the issues produced by the identical, many occasions both vamana is troublesome to manage or is contraindicated in lots of situations that are attributable to kapha or the affected person himself won’t be match or snug sufficient to endure vamana remedy. In these situations, vasti shall be an alternate but efficient strategy to take care of these issues.

Koshatakyadi Vasti has excellent components which might successfully fight kapha and kapha issues. The benefit is that it has a stimulative motion on agni. Vasti is comparably secure and simple to manage compared to vamana.

Being enema, it additionally has intestine cleaning motion. So, it additionally purifies the vata seat. It’s an efficient means of controlling agni from beneath.

Whereas correcting agni, Koshatakyadi Vasti can even appropriate the core metabolism and tissue metabolism and is therefore an efficient recipe for metabolic issues. That is additionally a pathway of eradicating the blocks in cells and channels and in addition enabling their restoration and wholesome rebuilding.

So, your complete therapeutic motion of Koshatakyadi Kashaya Vasti is by correcting the agni imbalances and expelling or destroying morbid kapha and therefore successfully curing the kapha issues.