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==([[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 14, Chapter on Sudation Therapies)==

==[[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 14,Swedadhyaya (Chapter on Sudation Therapies)==

=== Abstract ===

=== Abstract ===

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''Swedana'' (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to [[Panchakarma]] (purification therapy involving five procedures) in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] and is secondary to ''snehana'' (oleation) in importance. When done without ''snehana'', it is called ''ruksha sweda'' (dry fomentation). ''Swedana'' is intended to remove excessive ''vata'' and ''kapha dosha'' and is contraindicated in ''pitta'' disorders. The extent and severity of ''swedana'' depends upon various factors such as physical strength, amount of ''dosha'', season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for ''swedana karma'' and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into ''sagni sweda'' (sweating induced with the help of fire) and ''niragni sweda'' (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of ''swedana'' procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. ''Swedana'' is an effective therapeutic method in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] and is the focus of study in this chapter.

''Swedana'' (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to [[Panchakarma]] (purification therapy involving five procedures) in Ayurveda and is secondary to ''snehana'' (oleation) in importance. When done without ''snehana'', it is called ''ruksha sweda'' (dry fomentation). ''Swedana'' is intended to remove excessive ''vata'' and ''kapha dosha'' and is contraindicated in ''pitta'' disorders. The extent and severity of ''swedana'' depends upon various factors such as physical strength, amount of ''dosha'', season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for ''swedana karma'' and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into ''sagni sweda'' (sweating induced with the help of fire) and ''niragni sweda'' (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of ''swedana'' procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. ''Swedana'' is an effective therapeutic method in Ayurveda and is the focus of study in this chapter.

'''Keywords''': ''Avagaha sweda,'' fomentation,  ''jentaka sweda, nadisweda, niragnisweda, ushmasweda,  pottalisweda, ruksha sweda, sagnisweda, sankarasweda, samyakswinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda,'' fomentation, heat, sudation therapy.

'''Keywords''': ''Avagaha sweda,'' fomentation,  ''jentaka sweda, nadisweda, niragnisweda, ushmasweda,  pottalisweda, ruksha sweda, sagnisweda, sankarasweda, samyakswinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda,'' fomentation, heat, sudation therapy.

=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

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As per [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda], the functioning of universe depends upon ''agni'' and ''soma'' which symbolize sources of hot and cold energy. ''Uttarayana'' (northward sojourn of sun) and ''dakshinayana'' (southward sojourn of sun) are together responsible for maintaining homeostasis on this planet. This homeostasis is also mirrored in the individual through the concept of ''loka purusha samanya siddhantha'' (that the individual is a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm). The ''purusha'' (individual human being) imbibes this energy and confines it in the ''sharira'' (body) as ''pitta''. This ''pitta'' controls, or rather regulates, the ''ushmanattva'' (core body temperature) of the body ([[Charaka Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12/11). It is responsible for all the metabolic processes at the cellular level and digestion at the level of the gut. ''Pitta'' is the contributor of ''ushna guna'' (warmth) to the body. The stimulator (''preraka'') of ''pitta'' is ''vata'' (the accelator-''sameerano agnehe'' ([[Charaka Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12). ''Vata'', in association with ''pitta'' and ''kapha'', maintains the normal core body temperature by controlling the heat regulating system and balancing the ''sheeta'' and ''ushna guna''.

As per Ayurveda, the functioning of universe depends upon ''agni'' and ''soma'' which symbolize sources of hot and cold energy. ''Uttarayana'' (northward sojourn of sun) and ''dakshinayana'' (southward sojourn of sun) are together responsible for maintaining homeostasis on this planet. This homeostasis is also mirrored in the individual through the concept of ''loka purusha samanya siddhantha'' (that the individual is a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm). The ''purusha'' (individual human being) imbibes this energy and confines it in the ''sharira'' (body) as ''pitta''. This ''pitta'' controls, or rather regulates, the ''ushmanattva'' (core body temperature) of the body ([[Charaka Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12/11). It is responsible for all the metabolic processes at the cellular level and digestion at the level of the gut. ''Pitta'' is the contributor of ''ushna guna'' (warmth) to the body. The stimulator (''preraka'') of ''pitta'' is ''vata'' (the accelator-''sameerano agnehe'' ([[Charaka Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12). ''Vata'', in association with ''pitta'' and ''kapha'', maintains the normal core body temperature by controlling the heat regulating system and balancing the ''sheeta'' and ''ushna guna''.

''Swedana'' uses the ''agni'' principle in therapy. Practical applications of ''swedana'' procedures, along with indications, contraindications and complications associated with their management have been described in this chapter. It is recommended after proper ''snehana'' and is enlisted as one among six important therapies along with ''langhana'' (fasting or reducing therapy), ''brimhana'' (nourishing therapy), ''snehana'' (oleation), ''stambhana'' (styptic therapy) and ''rukshana'' (drying therapy).''Swedana'' has to be adopted based on the symptoms and conditions considering the ''samanya visesha sidhantha'' (theory of similarity and dissimilarity). ''Swedana'' procedures are indicated in ''vata, kapha'' and ''vata-kapha dosha'' dominant disorders, but are contraindicated in ''pittaja'' disorders. There are three types of twin procedures (with opposing actions to each other) used for various conditions:

''Swedana'' uses the ''agni'' principle in therapy. Practical applications of ''swedana'' procedures, along with indications, contraindications and complications associated with their management have been described in this chapter. It is recommended after proper ''snehana'' and is enlisted as one among six important therapies along with ''langhana'' (fasting or reducing therapy), ''brimhana'' (nourishing therapy), ''snehana'' (oleation), ''stambhana'' (styptic therapy) and ''rukshana'' (drying therapy).''Swedana'' has to be adopted based on the symptoms and conditions considering the ''samanya visesha sidhantha'' (theory of similarity and dissimilarity). ''Swedana'' procedures are indicated in ''vata, kapha'' and ''vata-kapha dosha'' dominant disorders, but are contraindicated in ''pittaja'' disorders. There are three types of twin procedures (with opposing actions to each other) used for various conditions:

iti ha smAha bhagavAnAtreyaH||2||  

iti ha smAha bhagavAnAtreyaH||2||  

Let us now elaborate the chapter on sudation, thus said the master Atreya. [1-2]

Now we shall expound the chapter on sudation. Thus said Lord Atreya. [1-2]

==== Importance of ''swedana'' ====

==== Importance of ''swedana'' ====