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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.

'''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.

'''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.