Changes

Alcoholics gain weight because of excess energy intake with food and inhibition of fat oxidation from alcohol.  But chronic alcoholics (''Madyanitya'') show a lower body weight due to fat mass reduction. This alteration could be due to induction of the non-alcohol dehydrogenase pathway, likely the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system.  Moreover, ethanol might have direct effects on human adipocytes.  Therefore, ''sneha'' is indicated in chronic alcoholics.

Alcoholics gain weight because of excess energy intake with food and inhibition of fat oxidation from alcohol.  But chronic alcoholics (''Madyanitya'') show a lower body weight due to fat mass reduction. This alteration could be due to induction of the non-alcohol dehydrogenase pathway, likely the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system.  Moreover, ethanol might have direct effects on human adipocytes.  Therefore, ''sneha'' is indicated in chronic alcoholics.

===== Sneha in excessive sex =====

===== ''Sneha'' in excessive sex =====

Those who are involved in excessive sexual activity lose their ''oja'' (vitality) leading to ''dhatukshaya'' (depletion of ''dhatu''), ''vata'' aggravation and loss of unctuousness as mentioned in the pathology of ''rajayakshma''. (Cha. Chi. 8/ 24-25). Hence oleation is required in such debiliated persons.

Those who are involved in excessive sexual activity lose their ''oja'' (vitality) leading to ''dhatukshaya'' (depletion of ''dhatu''), ''vata'' aggravation and loss of unctuousness as mentioned in the pathology of ''rajayakshma''. (Cha. Chi. 8/ 24-25). Hence oleation is required in such debiliated persons.

Contraindications of sneha:

===== Contraindications of ''Sneha'' =====

Sneha is mainly contraindicated in conditions where there are excessive body secretions especially from mouth and rectum, ama formation, poor digestion, excess aggravation of dosha, and in cases where other therapies such as nasya and basti are being administered. Oleation therapy worsens the condition in these cases.  

 

Signs of inadequate, proper and excess oleation: [verse 57-59]

''Sneha'' is mainly contraindicated in conditions where there are excessive body secretions especially from mouth and rectum, ''ama'' formation, poor digestion, excess aggravation of ''dosha'', and in cases where other therapies such as ''nasya'' and ''basti'' are being administered. Oleation therapy worsens the condition in these cases.  

 

==== Signs of inadequate, proper and excess oleation [verse 57-59] ====

 

Inadequate oleation does not pacify vata and disturbs agni leading to poor digestion. Proper oleation due to proper sneha improves digestion. The skin acts as a water resisting barrier to prevent flow of essential nutrients out of the body. The nutrients and oils that help hydrate the skin are covered by the outer layer of skin, the epidermis.  Softness or tenderness of skin is a result of proper oleation since snehana adds to the functional improvement of fat deposits of the body. Excess oleation causes improperly formed faeces, which may be due to increase in colorectal transit time as a result of excess unctousness in gastrointestinal lumen. Stools are formed in the colon in the last phase of digestion. Through peristalsis, the muscles of the colon and the abdomen advance the liquid feces through the colon and compress the fecal matter into stool. During this process the colon extracts water from liquid feces as it passes down. The water is absorbed by the lumen, leaving the larger waste particles to be further tumbled along and formed into stools.  Due to excess oleation, blockage of microchnnels and villi occurs and absorptive function may become hampered leading to improperly formed stool. All other symptoms of excess oleation are due to increase in kleda (moisture) in body leading to heaviness, loss of digestive strength etc.

Inadequate oleation does not pacify vata and disturbs agni leading to poor digestion. Proper oleation due to proper sneha improves digestion. The skin acts as a water resisting barrier to prevent flow of essential nutrients out of the body. The nutrients and oils that help hydrate the skin are covered by the outer layer of skin, the epidermis.  Softness or tenderness of skin is a result of proper oleation since snehana adds to the functional improvement of fat deposits of the body. Excess oleation causes improperly formed faeces, which may be due to increase in colorectal transit time as a result of excess unctousness in gastrointestinal lumen. Stools are formed in the colon in the last phase of digestion. Through peristalsis, the muscles of the colon and the abdomen advance the liquid feces through the colon and compress the fecal matter into stool. During this process the colon extracts water from liquid feces as it passes down. The water is absorbed by the lumen, leaving the larger waste particles to be further tumbled along and formed into stools.  Due to excess oleation, blockage of microchnnels and villi occurs and absorptive function may become hampered leading to improperly formed stool. All other symptoms of excess oleation are due to increase in kleda (moisture) in body leading to heaviness, loss of digestive strength etc.

Do’s and don’ts after sneha consumption: [62-64]

Do’s and don’ts after sneha consumption: [62-64]