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==([[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 13, Chapter on Sudation Therapies)==

==([[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 13, Chapter on Sudation Therapies)==

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:

 

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.

'''Keywords''': 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.

Introduction :

 

=== Introduction ===

 

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 sidhantha (that the individual is a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm). The purusha (individual human being) imbibes this energy and confines it in the sareera (body) as pitta. This pitta controls, or rather regulates, the ushmanatwa (core body temperature) of the body (Charaka samhita Sutras thana 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 (Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 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 sidhantha (that the individual is a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm). The purusha (individual human being) imbibes this energy and confines it in the sareera (body) as pitta. This pitta controls, or rather regulates, the ushmanatwa (core body temperature) of the body (Charaka samhita Sutras thana 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 (Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 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), brumhana ( 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 dis-similarity). 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), brumhana ( 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 dis-similarity). 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: