Snehana in Ayurveda Therapy
According to Ayurveda, the human body has three doshas: vaat, pitta, and kapha.
These doshas perform all functions and coexist in harmony. Failure to perform any of these three tasks results in a variety of illnesses. According to Ayurveda, the primary approach of panchakarma therapy is Vamana virechan basti nasya raktamoksha.
However, the body must first be prepared for the following treatment to remove dosha without interruption.
Snehana and swedana are procedures that allow the lubricating of doshas, the diluting of excess vaat, pitta, kapha from their accumulated location, and their convergence at the kostha area.
Snehana in Ayurveda has the primary concern of lowering vayu content as human skin is the largest sense organ that is in continuous contact with air. Hence air is constantly absorbed and needs to be eliminated from the body. Oil has vaatnashak guna and hence a mode of snehana. All of the doshas that have gathered in the kostha are then expelled from the body via Vamana virechan and basti.
The benefits of snehana in Ayurveda have marked a huge success in maintaining the exceeded dosha. and proving beneficial for the body. There are two ways of consumption of Snehana in Ayurveda that is external and internal. For now, we would be focusing on the external application snehana and its beneficial aspects.
A few major differences that could be observed very evidently would be
- external presentation of the physique is smooth and bright
- Oral use is oil or ghee admits the release of toxins from the body
- Delays developing That is specific an as ras rakta means etc are toughened
All the snehana carries the following guna’s that is the active aspect of their composition.
Snehana guna
- Guru– this Guna is composed of prithvi and jal, which minimize vaatik imbalance and provide vigor to the body, as well as tarpan guna, which has a lubricating effect on the eyes, particularly the cornea.
- sheet– after sheet Guna is composed of jal, which aids in the elimination of pitta dosha and works as a static element. It relieves thirst and nausea as well as reduces body temperature.
- Sar-sar Guna has the same constitution as sheet, which is jala, but it serves as a stimulating agent and performs anulomana, which is colon detoxification and route cleansing.
- Snigdha, snigdha. Guna, which is likewise composed of jala, functions as a humidifier by improving strength and creating a healthy outward look.
- Manda – This Guna with pittahara properties contains prithvi and jala, which reduces the level of heightened dosha.
- Sukshma– this versatile Guna with aakash vayu and Agni has an effect that enhances vaat that has an eluciding effect that is to reach the most minute spaces of strotas.
- Mridu is a mix of jala and akash. This Guna enhances kapha dosha, has a loosening effect, and aids in the relief of ulceration, inflammation, and pus.
- Drava – as the name implies, it is composed of the jala element, which boosts kapha levels, offering a relaxing impact on the body and maintaining fluid levels.
4 easy to do external snehana in Ayurveda methods
Shirodhara
Shirodhara is a combination of the words Shir (head) and Dhara (pouring therapeutic oil or decoction from a specified height on the head region).
The head is considered the uttamaang of the human body since it governs and coordinates all functions.
According to Ayurveda, the head area has Kapha Guna, which aids it in performing all duties. Increased vaat and pitta dosha travel with kapha and lodges in the Uttamaang region, causing Shiroshool Shiropaka and other ailments like Shirodaha\sShirovran. All of these are included in shiroroga and could be managed by snehana in the Ayurveda approach.
Shirodhara is one such therapy that has numerous advantages, including:-
- Stress and anxiety relief
- Reduces depression
- Healing properties of marma sthaan
- Improves vision and sense organ receptivity
Kati Basti
Kati refers to the lower back part of the human body, whereas Basti implies keeping something ( any medicinal preparation or oil) inside the body. Basti is the best treatment for vaat dosha. Snehana in Ayurveda has proved to be one such method to lower can’t level in the body and nd avoid neurological disorders such as:-
- Sciatica
- Disc slip
- Lumbar spondylitis
- A disease of the degenerative disc
- Stenosis of the spine
In Ayurveda, Snehana is another simple and practical external application of warm oil on an individual’s back region for a set period. Kati Basti refers to holding the lukewarm medicated oil or applying heat to the sacrum region.
The heat absorbed through the skin toward the muscles has numerous advantages, including:-
- Muscle tightness in the back is reduced.
- Effects on pain alleviation
- Strengthens the nerve conduction system, allowing for unrestricted back movement
- It alleviates inflammation.
- Promotes general healing
Sarvangdhara
Abhyang is a category of snehana in Ayurveda that is an oil bathing procedure in which lukewarm oil infused with medicinal herbs is used to massage the entire body.
The human body has the propensity to absorb some fluid constituents. Any herbal oil that has been heated and applied to the body firmly is absorbed through microscopic pores (sukshma).
These oils seep through the pores and absorb in the muscle layer, lubricating and nourishing the dhatu as well.
Regular observation of Snehana has yielded wonderful outcomes, including:-
- stress relief on the musculoskeletal system
- letting go of bodily tension and stress
- Bringing down blood pressure
- wholesome skin texture
- blood flow throughout the body is increased
- prevents aging
- preservation of muscle tone
Diseases that have shown marked improvement:-
- Muscular dystrophy, arthritis
- Properties of Vaathara
- Enhanced vision capabilities
Chakra healing therapy
Given that we are focusing on the external application of snehana in Ayurveda, how could we not mention chakra therapy?
The human body is made up of seven chakras, each of which has its area of concern which could be physical, emotional, or mental.
Each chakra has its own emotional and physical purpose that works in tandem with the others.
For example, the first sahasrar chakra, also known as the crown chakra, was located on the upper section of the head. This chakra possesses divine authority over the mind and spirit.
The fourth chakra, the anahat chakra, also known as the heart chakra, is located over the heart and serves as the main conducting portion of the circulatory system.
Regular massage of these chakras improves the supplied roles of their recognized function and assists to keep the physiological mechanism in order.
Chakra therapy Advantages
- Relieves tension Mind-Soul-Body
- Alignment Indriya Strengthening
- Increases satva through improving logical approach Guna
- Vaat pitta Kapha balancer
- Boosts alertness and awareness