Changes

=== 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda 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 ([[Charaka 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'' ([[Charaka 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), 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: