| The word ‘basti’ denotes therapeutic procedure of enema. It is one of the five purification procedures ([[panchakarma]]). Basti also spelled as vasti, literally means bladder or an injection-syringe made of bladder or injection itself.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Vasti, Page 933</ref> In anatomical perspective, the urinary bladder is called as basti. In ancient times, the bladder of animals (mainly goat or buffalo) was used to administer enema therapy, hence the therapy is knows as ‘basti’. [A.S.Sutra Sthana 28/2]<ref name= Sangraha> Vridha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha. Edited by Shivaprasad Sharma. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012.</ref> It is the best treatment for disorders of [[vata dosha]]. [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]. Due to the primary importance of [[vata dosha]] in causing diseases, basti is considered as the chief treatment among [[panchakarma]]. [Su.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 35/3]<ref name= Susruta> Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.</ref> | | The word ‘basti’ denotes therapeutic procedure of enema. It is one of the five purification procedures ([[panchakarma]]). Basti also spelled as vasti, literally means bladder or an injection-syringe made of bladder or injection itself.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Vasti, Page 933</ref> In anatomical perspective, the urinary bladder is called as basti. In ancient times, the bladder of animals (mainly goat or buffalo) was used to administer enema therapy, hence the therapy is knows as ‘basti’. [A.S.Sutra Sthana 28/2]<ref name= Sangraha> Vridha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha. Edited by Shivaprasad Sharma. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012.</ref> It is the best treatment for disorders of [[vata dosha]]. [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]. Due to the primary importance of [[vata dosha]] in causing diseases, basti is considered as the chief treatment among [[panchakarma]]. [Su.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 35/3]<ref name= Susruta> Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.</ref> |
| In therapeutic management, it denotes medicated enema with decoction, oils or any other fluid either in rectum or urethra or vagina. The term ‘uttara basti’ is used for enema given through anterior orifice like urethra or vagina. In unction therapy, local therapeutic procedures like keeping warm oils or medicated substance on affected body part are used. These procedures are termed after name of affected part as suffix to the word ‘basti’. E.g. ‘janu basti’ means keeping warm medicated substance on knee joint; ‘kati basti’ means keeping it on the lumbar region. Most commonly, the term ‘basti’ indicates per rectal enema. Hence this article focuses on therapeutic enema given per rectum. | | In therapeutic management, it denotes medicated enema with decoction, oils or any other fluid either in rectum or urethra or vagina. The term ‘uttara basti’ is used for enema given through anterior orifice like urethra or vagina. In unction therapy, local therapeutic procedures like keeping warm oils or medicated substance on affected body part are used. These procedures are termed after name of affected part as suffix to the word ‘basti’. E.g. ‘janu basti’ means keeping warm medicated substance on knee joint; ‘kati basti’ means keeping it on the lumbar region. Most commonly, the term ‘basti’ indicates per rectal enema. Hence this article focuses on therapeutic enema given per rectum. |