Nasya
औषधमौषधसिद्धो वा स्नेहो नासिकाभ्यां दीयत इति नस्यम्…|| – Ch. 40 / 18
Nasya therapy refers to an Ayurvedic therapy that administration of herbal oils, juices or powders through the nasal route. It works specifically on disorders of ear, nose and throat. Since the nose is considered the ‘door to brain’, this form of therapy is highly effective in treating a number of diseases related to the head area, if systematically performed. The therapy cleanses and opens the channels of the head, thereby improving the process of oxygenation (Prana), which has a direct influence on the functioning of the brain. They have a calming effect on the nerves; they reduce stress and anxiety, and promote restful sleep, Nasya therapy is also known to slow down the aging process and early greying of hair.
Nasya treatment is of three kinds
विरेचनं बृंहणं च शमनं च त्रिधा अपि तत् | – A. H. Su. 20 / 2
NASYA VIDHI –
स्निग्धस्विन्नोत्तमाङ्गस्य प्रक्कृतावश्यकस्य च |
निवातशयनस्थस्य जत्रूर्ध्वं स्वेदयेत् पुनः ||
अथोत्तानर्जुदेहस्य पाणिपादे प्रसारिते |
किञ्चितुन्नतपादस्य किञ्चिन्मूर्द्धनि नामिते ||
नासापुटं पिधायैकं पर्यायेण निषेचयेत् |
उष्णाम्बुतप्तं भैषज्यं प्रणाड्या पिचुना अथवा ||
दत्ते पादतलस्कन्धहस्तकर्णादि मर्दयेत् |
शनैरुच्छिद्य निष्ठीवेत्पार्श्वयोरुभयोस्ततः ||
आभेषजक्षयादेवं द्विस्त्रिर्वा नस्यमाचरेत् | – H. Su. 20 / 17 – 21
Purva Karma –
The person, who has attended to this essential activities- elimination of urine and faeces, should be massaged with oil and given Swedan (mild sweating).
Pradhana Karma –
He should then be made to lie – on a cot in a room devoid of breeze, the parts above his shoulders should be given Swedan (mild sweating) once again, He is made to lie straight with his face upwards, extending his arms and legs, the medicine slightly warmed with the help of hot water, should be taken either in a tube or soaked in a piece of cotton, and instilled into each nostril alternately, keeping the other one closed. After sometimes, he should turn to his sides and spit out. In this manner, two or three nasal medications should be administered to him.
Pashat Karma –
नस्यान्ते वाक्शतं तिष्ठेदुत्तानः धारयेत्ततः |
धूमं पीत्वा कवोष्णाम्बुकवलान् कण्ठशुद्धये || – H. Su. 20 / 22
After medication is completed, the patient should lie with face upwards, for a 5min, and then he should gargle the month with lukewarm water many times to cleanse the throat and inhale smoke of medicated herbs (Dhumapan).
SYMPTOMS OF GOOD SNEHA NASYA–
सम्यक्स्निग्धे सुखोच्छ्वास स्वप्नबोधाक्षपाटवम् – H. Su. 20 / 23
Sukha Uchvasa – Expiration without difficulty
Sukha swapna – sleep
bodha – easy awakening from sleep
Akshapatava – keenness of sense organs are the signs of lubricating nasal therapy properly done.
SYMPTOMS OF GOOD VIRECHANA NASYA-
सुविरिक्ता अक्षिलघुतावक्त्रस्वरविशुद्धयः – H. Su. 20 / 25
akshikalghuta – lightness of the eyes vaktra swara vishuddhi – clean mouth and clear voice.
NASYA MATRA – QUANTITY OF NASAL DROPS:-
प्रदेशिन्यङ्गुलीपर्वद्वयान्मग्नसमुद्धृतात् |
यावत्पतत्यसौ बिन्दुर्दशाष्टौ षट् क्रमेण ते ||
मर्शस्योत्कृष्टमध्योना मात्रास्ता एव च क्रमात् |
बिन्दुद्वयोनाः कल्कादेः….. || – H. Su. 20 / 9, 10
The amount of liquid that drops after immersing two digits of the index finger in any liquid and taking the finger out forms one bindu- 1 drop.
10, 8 and 6 such drops are the maximum, moderate and minimum doses, respectively of Marsha Nasya (oil / fat medication).
In respect of Paste (Kalka), fresh juice, decoction the doses are less by two bindu
Maximum, medium and minimum does of Avapidaka kind of nasya are 8, 4 and 6 drops respectively.