Purva karma–
(Preparation of the patient before pradhana karma)
a) deepan and pachan – It increases jatharaagni (digestive power) and brings lightness in the body. Herbs use e.g. chitrakadi vati; Trikatu churna, etc.
b) Abhyanga (external Oleation) and Swedan –
The patient undergoes massage with herbal oil followed by Swedan of the whole body
Along with these there is a proper diet regime that must be followed. Usually it is advised to take good amount of liquid and warm food that is easily digestible.
Pradhana Karma–
The patient is made sure that he has slept well the previous night and that his previous food is well digested. Keeps the record of the pulse and blood pressure before, after and during the Basti karma.
After proper care, the patient should lie down on his left arm with his head on his hands, without taking a pillow. It should be contracted at the right thigh, knee and inguinal joints, and should be on the left thigh. As the patient sleeps in this position, the anus, spleen, and pelvis can be seen properly so the enema can easily pass into the duodenum. For this, the patient should preferably lie on the left side. After the patient has slept in such a position, before inserting the bastinetra into the anus, remove the air from it. Bastinetra should be inserting in the anus only after the bastidravya has reached the tip of the bastinetra. The part up to the first atrium should go into the anus. Bastinetra should be inserting straight inside. If it enters the rectum, the stream of bastidravya cannot pass properly into the duodenum. For this, care should be taken while inserting Bastinetra into the anus.
The patient should be instructed to inhale while taking Basti. At this time, care should be taken that the patient does not have the jumbha; cough etc. feces should not be induced while settling.
Pashat Karma–
It is advised to avoid loud sound, noise, excessive walk or exercise, exposure to excessive cold, heat etc. Along with it special diet is followed.
Importance of Basti therapy
शाखागताः कोष्ठगताश्च रोगा मर्मोर्ध्वसर्वावयवाङ्गजाश्च|
ये सन्ति तेषां न हि कश्चिदन्यो वायोः परं जन्मनि हेतुरस्ति||
विण्मूत्रपित्तादिमलाशयानां विक्षेपसङ्घातकरः स यस्मात्|
तस्यातिवृद्धस्य शमाय नान्यद्बस्तिं विना भेषजमस्ति किञ्चित्||
तस्माच्चिकित्सार्धमिति ब्रुवन्ति सर्वां चिकित्सामपि बस्तिमेके|| – Si. 1 / 38-40
None other than vata is responsible for all diseases origination in shakha (peripheral tissues), koshtha (visceral organs), marma (vital points of the body), urdhva (upper part of body), sarvavaya (covering entire body) and anga (individual parts of the body). Vata is responsible for separation and combination of stool, urine, pitta etc. including other excreta and tissue elements. When it gets highly aggravated there is no remedy other than Basti for its alleviation. Therefore, Basti is considered by physicians to be the half of entire therapeutics. Some physicians even consider it as whole of the therapeutics.
