Changes

''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.  

''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.

Proper season and time for sneha consumption [verse 18-21]:

 

The proper season for consumption of a sneha depends upon the physiological dominance of dosha in the body during that particular season, as well as the inherent properties of the sneha. On the basis of its inherent properties, ghee is indicated in sharada [autumn] season, when pitta dosha is increased. Muscle fat and bone marrow do not possess much hot or cold potency, and hence are advised in sadharana kala (i.e. seasons that are not very hot or cold), except in Chaitra month [mid March-mid April] when it may vitiate kapha dosha. Oils are the best medicines for vata, hence they are recommended for consumption in the pravrita (early rainy) season. These rules are to be followed universally according to seasonal and temperature variations. If this is not followed, then complications in oleation therapy could be observed.  

==== Proper season and time for ''sneha'' consumption [verse 18-21] ====

Anupana (after consumption) [verse 22]

 

Most of the sneha gets stuck in upper gastrointestinal tract due to stickiness. The vehicles or after-drinks assure proper transport of the sneha (oleate or lipid or fat) to its intended site of digestion and absorption, and help in proper metabolism to increase bio-availability. However, those after-drinks should not affect the actions of the sneha. Warm water liquefies ghrita and facilitates its transport and absorption. Similar facilitation is seen in the use of lentil soup and scum of gruel after consuming oil and vasa-majja respectively. However, warm water is usually accepted as an afterdrink in all cases of sneha consumption (with an exception of bhallatak and tuvaraka oil.)

The proper season for consumption of a ''sneha'' depends upon the physiological dominance of ''dosha'' in the body during that particular season, as well as the inherent properties of the ''sneha''. On the basis of its inherent properties, ''ghee'' is indicated in ''sharada'' (autumn) season, when ''pitta dosha'' is increased. Muscle fat and bone marrow do not possess much hot or cold potency, and hence are advised in ''sadharana kala'' (i.e. seasons that are not very hot or cold), except in ''Chaitra'' month (mid-March to mid-April) when it may vitiate ''kapha dosha''. Oils are the best medicines for ''vata'', hence they are recommended for consumption in the ''pravritta'' (early rainy) season. These rules are to be followed universally according to seasonal and temperature variations. If this is not followed, then complications in oleation therapy could be observed.  

Pravicharana (medium of administration) [verse 23-25]  

 

Pravicharana implies the medium of administration of sneha advisable for those who need to undergo oleation therapy but are unfit to consume sneha as such. In such cases, optional modes of administration of oleation are suggested based on palatability of the oleate and the tolerance (and the digestive power) of the person. Ideally, food and external applications are considered as Pravicharana. Cooked rice, gruel, meat juices etc. mixed with fats are administered and external massage, unctuous enema, oil through nose and ears etc are considered optional modes of administration of oleation therapy.  

===== ''Anupana'' (after consumption) [verse 22] =====

Acchapana (drinking fat alone) as a preferred mode for oleation:

 

Most of the ''sneha'' gets stuck in upper gastrointestinal tract due to stickiness. The vehicles or after-drinks assure proper transport of the ''sneha'' (oleate or lipid or fat) to its intended site of digestion and absorption, and help in proper metabolism to increase bio-availability. However, those after-drinks should not affect the actions of the ''sneha''. Warm water liquefies ''ghrita'' and facilitates its transport and absorption. Similar facilitation is seen in the use of lentil soup and scum of gruel after consuming oil and ''vasa-majja'' respectively. However, warm water is usually accepted as an after-drink in all cases of ''sneha'' consumption (with an exception of ''bhallatak'' and ''tuvaraka'' oil.)

 

===== ''Pravicharana'' (medium of administration) [verse 23-25] =====

 

''Pravicharana'' implies the medium of administration of ''sneha'' advisable for those who need to undergo oleation therapy but are unfit to consume ''sneha'' as such. In such cases, optional modes of administration of oleation are suggested based on palatability of the oleate and the tolerance (and the digestive power) of the person. Ideally, food and external applications are considered as ''Pravicharana''. Cooked rice, gruel, meat juices etc. mixed with fats are administered and external massage, unctuous enema, oil through nose and ears etc. are considered optional modes of administration of oleation therapy.  

 

===== ''Acchapana'' (drinking fat alone) as a preferred mode for oleation =====

 

There are number of factors that affect the absorption of any drug ,

There are number of factors that affect the absorption of any drug ,

a. Total surface area available for absorption of fat

 

b. Contact duration at the absorption surface

#Total surface area available for absorption of fat

c. Quantity of food in the gastro-intestinal Tract

#Contact duration at the absorption surface

d. Gastrointestinal pH changes  

#Quantity of food in the gastro-intestinal Tract

e. Gastric emptying time & rate

#Gastrointestinal pH changes  

f. Pancreatic and intestinal enzymes  

#Gastric emptying time & rate

g. Bile acids & biliary function  

#Pancreatic and intestinal enzymes  

h. Gastrointestinal flora  

#Bile acids & biliary function  

i. Drug/food interaction

#Gastrointestinal flora  

Dose of sneha: [verse 29-30]

#Drug/food interaction

 

==== Dose of ''sneha'' [verse 29-30] ====

 

The recommended dose of sneha would be different for every individual, depending upon the individual’s agni (digestive capacity), koshtha (bowel habit) etc. However, for ease in therapeutic applicability, specific doses in pala, karsha etc. are advised by Arunadatta in his commentary on Ashtangahridaya (Sutra sthana Chapter 16/17). Two pala (96 ml) as minumum, four pala (192ml) as medium, and six pala (288ml) as maximum dose have been suggested. Sharangadhara (Madhyama Khanda 1/7) and Bhavamishra (Bhavaprakash I-79 iv. 6) suggests the quantities of one pala (48ml), three karsha (36ml) and two karsha (24ml) as the best, medium and least doses respectively.

The recommended dose of sneha would be different for every individual, depending upon the individual’s agni (digestive capacity), koshtha (bowel habit) etc. However, for ease in therapeutic applicability, specific doses in pala, karsha etc. are advised by Arunadatta in his commentary on Ashtangahridaya (Sutra sthana Chapter 16/17). Two pala (96 ml) as minumum, four pala (192ml) as medium, and six pala (288ml) as maximum dose have been suggested. Sharangadhara (Madhyama Khanda 1/7) and Bhavamishra (Bhavaprakash I-79 iv. 6) suggests the quantities of one pala (48ml), three karsha (36ml) and two karsha (24ml) as the best, medium and least doses respectively.

Deciding suitable dose: [verse 31-51]

Deciding suitable dose: [verse 31-51]