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The earliest reference to ''snehana'' is found in the ancient text ''Markandeya Purana'' where ''ghrita'' (clarified butter), ''taila'' (oil), ''vasa'' (muscle fat) and ''majja'' (bone marrow) were quoted as ''sneha'' drugs (Mar. 165, 166, 244-245). However, a detailed description of ''snehana- swedana'' (sudation) with complications and their treatments is only found in [[Charaka Samhita]] and related [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] texts. The [[Snehadhyaya]] provides comprehensive information about ''sneha'' (lipids) and ''snehana'' (its therapeutic administration/oleation).  

The earliest reference to ''snehana'' is found in the ancient text ''Markandeya Purana'' where ''ghrita'' (clarified butter), ''taila'' (oil), ''vasa'' (muscle fat) and ''majja'' (bone marrow) were quoted as ''sneha'' drugs (Mar. 165, 166, 244-245). However, a detailed description of ''snehana- swedana'' (sudation) with complications and their treatments is only found in [[Charaka Samhita]] and related [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] texts. The [[Snehadhyaya]] provides comprehensive information about ''sneha'' (lipids) and ''snehana'' (its therapeutic administration/oleation).  

''Sneha'' (lipids): ''Sneha'' is any substance that produces unctousness, softness, moisture, increased secretions etc. in the body. (Cha. Su. 22/11). ''Sneha'' is predominantly composed of basic elements - ''prithvi'' (earth) and ''jala'' (water) (Su.su. 41/11). Hence it is responsible for moisture (Hemadri on AH. Su. 1/18), providing softness to the body while also playing a major role in producing strength (Su.su. 46/516). ''Sneha'' qualities can be described using adjectives such as ''guru'' (heavy), ''sheeta'' (cold), ''sara'' (agility), ''snigdha'' (unctuous), ''manda'' (slow), ''sukshma'' (penetrating), ''mridu'' (soft), ''drava'' (fluid), and ''pichchila'' (slimy) (Cha.Su.22/15 and A.H. Su. 16/1).  These qualities make oleation therapy a prerequisite for most of the [[Panchakarma]] (five purification) procedures since they help in ejecting impurities out through the gut. All ''dhatu'' (body tissues) require ''sneha'' for growth and maintenance. ''Sneha'' adds unctuousness to food preparations, necessary in the process of digestion (Cha. Chi. 15/6). ''Kapha'' and ''pitta'' are two basic ''doshas'' that have ''snigdha'' i.e. unctuousness (A.H. Su. 1/11-12). ''Sneha'' therapy is mainly indicated for alleviation of ''vata dosha'', which is the main etiological factor responsible for most diseases. Modern science also gives importance to fats. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble , meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported using fats. Fats are also sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement. Fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function.  

''Sneha'' (lipids): ''Sneha'' is any substance that produces unctousness, softness, moisture, increased secretions etc. in the body. (Cha. Su. 22/11). ''Sneha'' is predominantly composed of basic elements - ''prithvi'' (earth) and ''jala'' (water) (Su.su. 41/11). Hence it is responsible for moisture (Hemadri on AH. Su. 1/18), providing softness to the body while also playing a major role in producing strength (Su.su. 46/516). ''Sneha'' qualities can be described using adjectives such as ''guru'' (heavy), ''sheeta'' (cold), ''sara'' (agility), ''snigdha'' (unctuous), ''manda'' (slow), ''sukshma'' (penetrating), ''mridu'' (soft), ''drava'' (fluid), and ''pichchila'' (slimy) (Cha.Su.22/15 and A.H. Su. 16/1).  These qualities make oleation therapy a prerequisite for most of the [[Panchakarma]] (five purification) procedures since they help in ejecting impurities out through the gut. All ''dhatu'' (body tissues) require ''sneha'' for growth and maintenance. ''Sneha'' adds unctuousness to food preparations, necessary in the process of digestion (Cha. Chi. 15/6). ''Kapha'' and ''pitta'' are two basic ''doshas'' that have ''snigdha'' i.e. unctuousness (A.H. Su. 1/11-12). ''Sneha'' therapy is mainly indicated for alleviation of ''vata dosha'', which is the main etiological factor responsible for most diseases. Modern science also gives importance to fats. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-solubleM<ref> Weber F, Absorption mechanisms for fat-soluble vitamins and the effect of other food constituents, Progress in Clinical and Biological Reseaarch, 1981;77:119-35. </ref> , meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported using fats. Fats are also sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement. Fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function.<ref> Mengistie, Alemayehu Belay; Reddy, R. C.; Babu, M. Syam, the effects of workout- based combination of aerobic and resistance exercise training in obese adults of northwest Ethiopia, International Journal of Sports Sciences & Fitness . 2013, Vol. 3 Issue 1, p96-116. 21p. </ref>

The glycerol formed from catabolism of fats can be converted to glucose by the liver and thus used as a source of energy. Fat also serves as a useful buffer against a host of diseases. When a particular substance - chemical or biotic—reaches unsafe levels in the bloodstream, the body can effectively dilute, or at least maintain, an equilibrium of the offending substances by storing them in a new fat tissue. This helps in protecting vital organs, until such time as the offending substances could be metabolized and/or removed from the body by such means as excretion, urination, accidental or intentional bloodletting, sebum excretion, and  hair growth.  

The glycerol formed from catabolism of fats can be converted to glucose by the liver and thus used as a source of energy.<ref> O. E. Owen, A. P. Morgan, H. G. Kemp, J. M. Sullivan, M. G. Herrera et al, Brain metabolism during fasting Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1967 October; 46(10): 1589–1595. </ref> Fat also serves as a useful buffer against a host of diseases. When a particular substance - chemical or biotic—reaches unsafe levels in the bloodstream, the body can effectively dilute, or at least maintain, an equilibrium of the offending substances by storing them in a new fat tissue. This helps in protecting vital organs, until such time as the offending substances could be metabolized and/or removed from the body by such means as excretion, urination, accidental or intentional bloodletting, sebum excretion, and  hair growth.<ref> Retrived from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat cited on  4-01-2014 </ref>

Beside pacifying vitiated ''dosha'', enhancing nutritional value and aiding in metabolic functions, ''sneha'' can be utilized for body purification, as described earlier. ''Sneha'' i.e. fats like ''ghrita'', oils etc. are used for [[Panchakarma]] and related purification processes since fats are an essential component of cell membrane and thus, have easy access to all parts of the body. Fats have multidimensional properties that can be utilized for therapeutic purpose. Thus, this chapter on ''sneha'' is important from the standpoint of therapeutics.

Beside pacifying vitiated ''dosha'', enhancing nutritional value and aiding in metabolic functions, ''sneha'' can be utilized for body purification, as described earlier. ''Sneha'' i.e. fats like ''ghrita'', oils etc. are used for [[Panchakarma]] and related purification processes since fats are an essential component of cell membrane<ref> Hulbert AJ.Metabolism and longevity: is there a role for membrane fatty acids? Integrative and Comparative Biology. 2010 Nov;50(5):808-17 </ref> and thus, have easy access to all parts of the body. Fats have multidimensional properties that can be utilized for therapeutic purpose. Thus, this chapter on ''sneha'' is important from the standpoint of therapeutics.

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