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→Sources of Sneha [verse 9-11]
==== Sources of ''Sneha'' [verse 9-11] ====
==== Sources of ''Sneha'' [verse 9-11] ====
Sneha i.e. fats that are available today can be categorized in sthavara [vegetable origin] and jangama [animal origin] as a part of therapeutics or dietetics.
''Sneha'' i.e. fats that are available today can be categorized in ''sthavara'' (vegetable origin) and ''jangama'' (animal origin) as a part of therapeutics or dietetics. E.g.
Sthavara Sneha [Vegetable sources]:
===== ''Sthavara Sneha'' (vegetable sources) =====
Mineral oil, olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil, grape seed oil, corn oil, hazelnut oil etc.
Mineral oil, olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil, grape seed oil, corn oil, hazelnut oil etc.
Moreover, most of essential oils used in cosmetics and therapeutics are also sthavara type, as they are derived from sections of plants. For e.g. rose oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, cedarwood oil etc.
Moreover, most of essential oils used in cosmetics and therapeutics are also ''sthavara'' type, as they are derived from sections of plants. For e.g. rose oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, cedarwood oil etc.
Jangama Sneha [Animal sources]:
Cod liver oil, shark liver oil, all ghee, milk, milk products, curd, all types of meats, etc. are sources of animal fats.
===== ''Jangama Sneha'' (Animal sources) =====
Reasons for superiority of sesame oil [verse 12]
Sesame oil is considered the best among all oils because it provides strength and unctuousness in body. It is ushna (hot) in nature, possesses kapha-vatahara (pacifying kapha and vata dosha) properties, and is beneficial for voice and complexion. It also cures fractures and dislocations, purifies dhatu (body tissues) and vrana (wound) (Ka. Su. 22/7). Ongoing research also indicates that the rich presence of antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats in sesame oil could help control blood pressure.
Cod liver oil, shark liver oil, all ''ghee'', milk, milk products, curd, all types of meats, etc. are sources of animal fats.
Due to high Vitamine E content , Sesame oil is an antioxidant and improves skin health and complexion while also lowering cholesterol levels. Sesame oil also contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. Copper provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. magnesium supports vascular and respiratory health. Calcium helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis and migraine. Zinc promotes bone health. Clinical studies have shown that a sesame oil massage of infants improved their weight and length, as well as their mid-arm and mid-leg circumferences.
Properties of Castor oil [verse 12]
==== Reasons for superiority of sesame oil [verse 12] ====
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized castor oil as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) for over-the-counter use as a laxative with its major site of action in the small intestine (where it is digested into Ricinoleic acid).
At low doses, castor oil is readily absorbed. As the oral dose increases, percent absorption decreases and laxation occurs. Castor oil is widely used in treatment of musculo-skeletal and spine disorders. It is considered useful in ama dominant conditions like rheumatoid arthritis where less absorption of sneha, vata alleviation and body purification are expected simultaneously. Castor oil in large doses is administered for therapeutic purgation.
Sesame oil is considered the best among all oils because it provides strength and unctuousness in body. It is ''ushna'' (hot) in nature, possesses ''kapha-vatahara'' (pacifying ''kapha'' and ''vata dosha'') properties, and is beneficial for voice and complexion. It also cures fractures and dislocations, purifies ''dhatu'' (body tissues) and ''vrana'' (wound) (Ka. Su. 22/7). Ongoing research also indicates that the rich presence of antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats in sesame oil could help control blood pressure.
Best sneha and their therapeutic applicability [verse 13-17]
Due to high Vitamine E content , Sesame oil is an antioxidant and improves skin health and complexion while also lowering cholesterol levels. Sesame oil also contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. Copper provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. magnesium supports vascular and respiratory health. Calcium helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis and migraine. Zinc promotes bone health. Clinical studies have shown that a sesame oil massage of infants improved their weight and length, as well as their mid-arm and mid-leg circumferences.
Vasa [muscle fat]:
Vasa i.e. intramuscular fat is a normal content of human body and its function is to lubricate the muscles while also serving the role of a fat store to be used up by the body when subjected to energy-intensive activities, such as physical workouts where it may contribute up to 20% of total energy turnover. This is a possible reason for it to be recommended for individuals engaged in intensive physical acitivities, as well as for oleation therapies.
==== Properties of Castor oil [verse 12] ====
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized castor oil as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) for over-the-counter use as a laxative with its major site of action in the small intestine (where it is digested into Ricinoleic acid).
At low doses, castor oil is readily absorbed. As the oral dose increases, percent absorption decreases and laxation occurs. Castor oil is widely used in treatment of musculo-skeletal and spine disorders. It is considered useful in ''ama'' dominant conditions like rheumatoid arthritis where less absorption of ''sneha'', ''vata'' alleviation and body purification are expected simultaneously. Castor oil in large doses is administered for therapeutic purgation.
==== Best ''Sneha'' and their Therapeutic Applicabilities [verse 13-17] ====
===== ''Ghrita'' (clarified butter / ''ghee'') =====
''Ghee'' is the best oleate due to prominence in its unctuousness. This property of fats is indicated by saponification value which is highest in ''ghee'' ( 225-235 ) as compared to sesame oil (188-193),and animal fat (190-205) etc. ''Samskara'' (processing) leads to transformation of inherent attributes of a substance. But this change is due to changes in the basic composition of a drug. ''Ghee'' has a unique quality to adopt properties of herbs processed with it without losing its own. If ''ghee'' is processed with drugs with nourishment properties, then it is indicated in degenerative diseases. If it is processed with drugs having hot and strong properties, then it is indicated in obstructive diseases. Therefore, it is considered as the best media for processing. One or the other medicated ''ghee'' preparation is indicated in almost all diseases. It pacifies ''vata'' due to ''snigdha guna'' (unctuous properties) and ''pitta'' due to ''madhura'' (sweet) and ''sheeta'' (cold) properties (Cha. Ni. 1/39). It increases ''shukra'' and ''ojas'' due to similar properties.
===== ''Vasa'' (muscle fat) =====
''Vasa'' i.e. intramuscular fat is a normal content of human body and its function is to lubricate the muscles while also serving the role of a fat store to be used up by the body when subjected to energy-intensive activities, such as physical workouts where it may contribute up to 20% of total energy turnover. This is a possible reason for it to be recommended for individuals engaged in intensive physical acitivities, as well as for oleation therapies.
Majja [bone marrow]:
Majja [bone marrow]:
Bone marrow contains about 96 percent fat. It contributes to 50 to 175 g of protein required by body each day. It has all the amino acids needed for good health. Each serving of marrow provides 3% of the calcium required each day. Calcium is commonly understood to strengthen bones and decrease risk of developing brittle, easily-broken bones as one gets older. All these factors explain why bone marrow is beneficial, especially for one’s bone health. In Ayurvedic clinical practice, soup of bone marrow is prescribed for osteoporosis and degenerative disorders of the vertebrae.
Bone marrow contains about 96 percent fat. It contributes to 50 to 175 g of protein required by body each day. It has all the amino acids needed for good health. Each serving of marrow provides 3% of the calcium required each day. Calcium is commonly understood to strengthen bones and decrease risk of developing brittle, easily-broken bones as one gets older. All these factors explain why bone marrow is beneficial, especially for one’s bone health. In Ayurvedic clinical practice, soup of bone marrow is prescribed for osteoporosis and degenerative disorders of the vertebrae.