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<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter deals with sudation (Swedana) therapy, essentially followed after oleation therapy. Swedana (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to Panchakarma (purification therapy involving five procedures) in Ayurveda. Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and intensity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, severity of dosha, season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for swedana karma and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into sagni sweda (sweating induced with the help of fire) and niragni sweda (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of swedana procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. Swedana is an effective therapeutic method in Ayurveda and is the focus of study in this chapter. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter deals with sudation (Swedana) therapy, essentially followed after oleation therapy. Swedana (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to Panchakarma (purification therapy involving five procedures) in [[Ayurveda]]. Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and intensity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, severity of dosha, season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for swedana karma and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into sagni sweda (sweating induced with the help of fire) and niragni sweda (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of swedana procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. Swedana is an effective therapeutic method in [[Ayurveda]] and is the focus of study in this chapter. </div>

'''Keywords''': ''Avagaha sweda,'' fomentation,  ''jentaka sweda, nadi sweda, niragni sweda, ushma sweda,  pottali sweda, ruksha sweda, sagni sweda, sankara sweda, samyak swinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga, trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda,'' fomentation, heat, sudation therapy, hydrosis.

'''Keywords''': ''Avagaha sweda,'' fomentation,  ''jentaka sweda, nadi sweda, niragni sweda, ushma sweda,  pottali sweda, ruksha sweda, sagni sweda, sankara sweda, samyak swinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga, trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda,'' fomentation, heat, sudation therapy, hydrosis.

=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">

<div style="text-align:justify;">

As per  Ayurveda, the functioning of universe depends upon ''agni'' and ''soma'' which symbolize sources of hot and cold energy. ''Uttarayana'' (northward sojourn of sun) and ''dakshinayana'' (southward sojourn of sun) are together responsible for maintaining homeostasis on this planet. This homeostasis is also mirrored in the individual through the concept of ''loka purusha samanya siddhantha'' (that the individual is a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm). The ''purusha'' (individual human being) imbibes this energy and confines it in the ''sharira'' (body) as ''pitta''. This ''pitta'' controls, or rather regulates, the ''ushmanattva'' (core body temperature) of the body ([[Charak Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12/11). It is responsible for all the metabolic processes at the cellular level and digestion at the level of the gut. ''Pitta'' is the contributor of ''ushna guna'' (warmth) to the body. The stimulator (''preraka'') of ''pitta'' is ''vata'' (the accelator-''sameerano agnehe'' ([[Charak Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12). ''Vata'', in association with ''pitta'' and ''kapha'', maintains the normal core body temperature by controlling the heat regulating system and balancing the ''sheeta'' and ''ushna guna''.

As per  [[Ayurveda]], the functioning of universe depends upon ''agni'' and ''soma'' which symbolize sources of hot and cold energy. ''Uttarayana'' (northward sojourn of sun) and ''dakshinayana'' (southward sojourn of sun) are together responsible for maintaining homeostasis on this planet. This homeostasis is also mirrored in the individual through the concept of ''loka purusha samanya siddhantha'' (that the individual is a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm). The ''purusha'' (individual human being) imbibes this energy and confines it in the ''sharira'' (body) as ''pitta''. This ''pitta'' controls, or rather regulates, the ''ushmanattva'' (core body temperature) of the body ([[Charak Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12/11). It is responsible for all the metabolic processes at the cellular level and digestion at the level of the gut. ''Pitta'' is the contributor of ''ushna guna'' (warmth) to the body. The stimulator (''preraka'') of ''pitta'' is ''vata'' (the accelator-''sameerano agnehe'' ([[Charak Samhita]] [[Sutra Sthana]] 12). ''Vata'', in association with ''pitta'' and ''kapha'', maintains the normal core body temperature by controlling the heat regulating system and balancing the ''sheeta'' and ''ushna guna''.

''Swedana'' uses the ''agni'' principle in therapy. Practical applications of ''swedana'' procedures, along with indications, contraindications and complications associated with their management have been described in this chapter. It is recommended after proper ''snehana'' and is enlisted as one among six important therapies along with ''langhana'' (fasting or reducing therapy), ''brimhana'' (nourishing therapy), ''snehana'' (oleation), ''stambhana'' (styptic therapy) and ''rukshana'' (drying therapy).''Swedana'' has to be adopted based on the symptoms and conditions considering the ''samanya visesha sidhantha'' (theory of similarity and dissimilarity). ''Swedana'' procedures are indicated in ''vata, kapha'' and ''vata-kapha dosha'' dominant disorders, but are contraindicated in ''pittaja'' disorders. There are three types of twin procedures (with opposing actions to each other) used for various conditions:

''Swedana'' uses the ''agni'' principle in therapy. Practical applications of ''swedana'' procedures, along with indications, contraindications and complications associated with their management have been described in this chapter. It is recommended after proper ''snehana'' and is enlisted as one among six important therapies along with ''langhana'' (fasting or reducing therapy), ''brimhana'' (nourishing therapy), ''snehana'' (oleation), ''stambhana'' (styptic therapy) and ''rukshana'' (drying therapy).''Swedana'' has to be adopted based on the symptoms and conditions considering the ''samanya visesha sidhantha'' (theory of similarity and dissimilarity). ''Swedana'' procedures are indicated in ''vata, kapha'' and ''vata-kapha dosha'' dominant disorders, but are contraindicated in ''pittaja'' disorders. There are three types of twin procedures (with opposing actions to each other) used for various conditions:

*Other chronic pain disorders, including lupus and myofascial pain syndrome, asthma, reduction of joint contractures. Other conditions that may be treated with heat include back sprain, degenerative disc disease, sciatica and scoliosis, as these conditions are usually associated with muscle spasm. <ref name="ref2" /> [verse 20-24]

*Other chronic pain disorders, including lupus and myofascial pain syndrome, asthma, reduction of joint contractures. Other conditions that may be treated with heat include back sprain, degenerative disc disease, sciatica and scoliosis, as these conditions are usually associated with muscle spasm. <ref name="ref2" /> [verse 20-24]

''Swedana'' accounts for a major part of Ayurvedic [[Panchakarma]] therapy. It is considered an essential preparatory procedure before bio-cleansing. It is normally done after internal or external oleation. ''Swedana'' liquefies and separates the vitiated body humors adhered to the tissues and facilitates their flow to the elementary tract for easy evacuation from the body. In Ayurvedic practise majority of ''swedana'' (sudation) procedures are done in the form of ''kizhi / pindasveda'' (sudation using bolus).  The commonly practiced few are detailed below with its preparation, application indication etc. <ref>Manoj Kumar (Editor) et.al, Practical Guide to Panchkarma, Published by Dept. of Kayachikitsa, VPSV Ayurveda College, Kottakkal. 2006</ref>

''Swedana'' accounts for a major part of Ayurvedic [[Panchakarma]] therapy. It is considered an essential preparatory procedure before bio-cleansing. It is normally done after internal or external oleation. ''Swedana'' liquefies and separates the vitiated body humors adhered to the tissues and facilitates their flow to the elementary tract for easy evacuation from the body. In Ayurvedic practise majority of ''swedana'' (sudation) procedures are done in the form of ''kizhi / pindasveda'' (sudation using bolus).  The commonly practiced few are detailed below with its preparation, application indication etc. <ref>Manoj Kumar (Editor) et.al, Practical Guide to Panchkarma, Published by Dept. of Kayachikitsa, VPSV [[Ayurveda]] College, Kottakkal. 2006</ref>

==== ''Kizhi / Pinda / Pottali'' ====

==== ''Kizhi / Pinda / Pottali'' ====

===== ''Patrapottali sweda'' (sudation using bolus made of herbal leaves) =====

===== ''Patrapottali sweda'' (sudation using bolus made of herbal leaves) =====

''Patrapotala sweda'' is a ''pindasweda'', which is a variety of ''ushma sweda'' (wet heat). It is one of the major sudation processes practiced in Ayurveda.

''Patrapotala sweda'' is a ''pindasweda'', which is a variety of ''ushma sweda'' (wet heat). It is one of the major sudation processes practiced in [[Ayurveda]].

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====== Materials required ======