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[[Sutra Sthana]] 22. Langhana-Brimhaniya Adhyaya

==([[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 22, Chapter on the reducing and nourishing therapy)==

(Chapter on reducing and nourishing therapy)

Abstract:

=== Abstract ===

The courses of treatment for the sthula (obese) and the krusha (too thin/skinny/emaciated), and of various other diseases, form the basis of Ayurvedic therapeutics and is the theme of the present chapter. Ayurvedic therapeutics are reducing (Apatarpana) or nourishing (Santarpana), and are of six types:  Langhana (reduction), Brimhana (nourishing), Rukshana (drying), Stambhana (astringent/styptic), Snehana (oleation), and Swedana (sudation). Besides providing insights into these therapeutic measures, this chapter also describes specific qualities of these therapeutic procedures and their indications in detail. Finally, the reader would also expect to learn about features of optimally administered techniques while understanding the consequences of their over and under-application.  

 

Keywords: Ayurvedic therapeutics, Santarpana(nourishing), Apatarpana(reducing), Langhana (fasting/reducing), Brimhana(nourishing), Snehana(oleation), Swedana(sudation), Stambhana(astringent/styptic), Rukshana(drying).

The courses of treatment for the sthula (obese) and the krusha (too thin/skinny/emaciated), and of various other diseases, form the basis of Ayurvedic therapeutics and is the theme of the present chapter. Ayurvedic therapeutics are reducing (Apatarpana) or nourishing (Santarpana), and are of six types:  Langhana (reduction), Brimhana (nourishing), Rukshana (drying), Stambhana (astringent/styptic), Snehana (oleation), and Swedana (sudation). Besides providing insights into these therapeutic measures, this chapter also describes specific qualities of these therapeutic procedures and their indications in detail. Finally, the reader would also expect to learn about features of optimally administered techniques while understanding the consequences of their over and under-application.  

 

'''Keywords''': Ayurvedic therapeutics, Santarpana(nourishing), Apatarpana(reducing), Langhana (fasting/reducing), Brimhana(nourishing), Snehana(oleation), Swedana(sudation), Stambhana(astringent/styptic), Rukshana(drying).

 

In the earlier chapter on eight undesirable bodily features, the focus of the study was on two of the most undesirable kinds - sthula (obesity) and krusha (too thin/skinny/emaciated). The present chapter deals with types of treatments suitable for both body types as well as other similar pathologies. There are four types of pathologies described in Ayurveda: atipravrutti (excessive elimination), sanga (obstruction), sira granthi (tumor/varicosity), and vimarga gamana (improperly directed circulation). A disease could be of any of these four pathology types, but its affliction could manifest in different forms depending upon the unique body constitution of the patient and combination of doshas, dhatus, mala, etc., explained in prior chapters. To tackle such afflictions, Ayurveda describes six types of therapeutic measures: Langhana (reduction), Brimhana (nourishing), Rukshana (drying), stambhana (astringent/styptic), Snehana (oleation), and Swedana (sudation).  In the case of excessive discharge of anything from the body, Stambhana (a procedure that slows or stops the discharge) is advised. While in the case of obstructions, Langhana, Swedana, or Rukshana are advised.  In cases of excessively vitiated dosha, Langhana (reducing therapy) is indicated to bring the elevated dosha to a state of equilibrium, whereas in a case of degeneration, Brimhana (nourishing therapy), Snehana (oleation) are prescribed. The Snehana and Swedana therapies are described in detail in thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of this section respectively. This chapter describes remaining four therapies like Langhana, Brimhana, Stambhana, and Rukshana.

In the earlier chapter on eight undesirable bodily features, the focus of the study was on two of the most undesirable kinds - sthula (obesity) and krusha (too thin/skinny/emaciated). The present chapter deals with types of treatments suitable for both body types as well as other similar pathologies. There are four types of pathologies described in Ayurveda: atipravrutti (excessive elimination), sanga (obstruction), sira granthi (tumor/varicosity), and vimarga gamana (improperly directed circulation). A disease could be of any of these four pathology types, but its affliction could manifest in different forms depending upon the unique body constitution of the patient and combination of doshas, dhatus, mala, etc., explained in prior chapters. To tackle such afflictions, Ayurveda describes six types of therapeutic measures: Langhana (reduction), Brimhana (nourishing), Rukshana (drying), stambhana (astringent/styptic), Snehana (oleation), and Swedana (sudation).  In the case of excessive discharge of anything from the body, Stambhana (a procedure that slows or stops the discharge) is advised. While in the case of obstructions, Langhana, Swedana, or Rukshana are advised.  In cases of excessively vitiated dosha, Langhana (reducing therapy) is indicated to bring the elevated dosha to a state of equilibrium, whereas in a case of degeneration, Brimhana (nourishing therapy), Snehana (oleation) are prescribed. The Snehana and Swedana therapies are described in detail in thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of this section respectively. This chapter describes remaining four therapies like Langhana, Brimhana, Stambhana, and Rukshana.

 

 

अथातो लङ्घनबृंहणीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः  ||१||  

अथातो लङ्घनबृंहणीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः  ||१||  

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||  

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||