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Abstract:

Abstract:

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 and is secondary to snehana (oleation) in importance. When done without snehana, it is called ruksha sweda (dry fomentation).  Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and severity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, amount 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.

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 and is secondary to snehana (oleation) in importance. When done without snehana, it is called ruksha sweda (dry fomentation).  Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and severity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, amount 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.

Key words:

Key words:

Avagaha sweda, fomentation,  jentaka sweda, nadisweda, niragnisweda, ushmasweda,  pottalisweda, ruksha sweda, sagnisweda, sankarasweda, samyakswinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda, fomentation, heat, sudation therapy.

Avagaha sweda, fomentation,  jentaka sweda, nadisweda, niragnisweda, ushmasweda,  pottalisweda, ruksha sweda, sagnisweda, sankarasweda, samyakswinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda, fomentation, heat, sudation therapy.

-Decreased range-of-motion like in frozen shoulder, other types of joint pain, including many forms of arm pain (e.g., tennis elbow), leg pain (e.g., restless leg syndrome), knee pain (e.g., injured anterior cruciate ligament), foot pain (e.g., plantar fasciitis), tendonitis, bursitis, sprain, costochondritis, abdominal and pelvic pain, and fibromyalgia,  

-Decreased range-of-motion like in frozen shoulder, other types of joint pain, including many forms of arm pain (e.g., tennis elbow), leg pain (e.g., restless leg syndrome), knee pain (e.g., injured anterior cruciate ligament), foot pain (e.g., plantar fasciitis), tendonitis, bursitis, sprain, costochondritis, abdominal and pelvic pain, and fibromyalgia,  

-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. [13] [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. [13] [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 fascilitates 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 practised few are detailed below with its preparation, application indication etc. [14]

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 fascilitates 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 practised few are detailed below with its preparation, application indication etc. [14]

Kizhi / Pinda / Pottali

Kizhi / Pinda / Pottali

These words mean bolus. Fresh herbs / powders / fruits / cereals etc are used to make bolus of different varieties. This bolus is heated and used to induce sweating. Before coming to the procedural details, the preparation of a kizhi should be generally understood.

These words mean bolus. Fresh herbs / powders / fruits / cereals etc are used to make bolus of different varieties. This bolus is heated and used to induce sweating. Before coming to the procedural details, the preparation of a kizhi should be generally understood.

Dosha- Alleviates vata as well as vata pitta, but contraindicated in isolated kapha & ama associated conditions.

Dosha- Alleviates vata as well as vata pitta, but contraindicated in isolated kapha & ama associated conditions.

Prakriti- Suitable for vata, vata-pitta & tridosha constitutions, but need to be avoided in obese persons.

Prakriti- Suitable for vata, vata-pitta & tridosha constitutions, but need to be avoided in obese persons.

Diseases- Nourishes in the cases of muscle atrophy, later stages of demyelination, palsy, Perthe’s disease, cervical myelopathy, post-polio residual paralysis, conditions that result in muscle dystrophy and emaciation. In such cases, it is administered in the final stage of rejuvenative panchakarma.

Diseases- Nourishes in the cases of muscle atrophy, later stages of demyelination, palsy, Perthe’s disease, cervical myelopathy, post-polio residual paralysis, conditions that result in muscle dystrophy and emaciation. In such cases, it is administered in the final stage of rejuvenative [[Panchakarma]].

Special care

Special care

As soon as the process is completed, the remnants of the rice are wiped out to prevent cooling and massage with hot oil is carried out. The patient is covered with a thick blanket so that temperature loss can be prevented.  

As soon as the process is completed, the remnants of the rice are wiped out to prevent cooling and massage with hot oil is carried out. The patient is covered with a thick blanket so that temperature loss can be prevented.