A Comprehensive Clinical and Analytical Approach of Hridaya Basti

Introduction

Basti is a major therapy among Snehadi Karma in Panchkarma. It works as Samsodhana & Samsamana because of combination of different drugs. The word Basti derived from the “Vasa” Dhatu, coated as “Vas Nivase” (to stay/ reside), “Vas Achadane” (to cover/to coat) [1]. In general, there are two approach of Basti therapy one is internal and another one is external. The internal Basti includes Niruha, Anuvasana & the external Basti which is also called Sthanika Basti includes Shirobasti, Hridya Basti, Kati Basti, Jaanu Basti etc. Hridaya Basti also known as Uro Basti because it i s given at Urah Pradesh over the sternum. In Ayurveda Urah Pradesh is a seat of Pranvaha Srotasa and Kapha Dosha. It is a centre of flow of blood in body & cardio-respiratory functions. Not only this, the Hridaya which is one of three principal vital organs (Trimarma) of our body also situated in Urah Pradesh [2]. Hridaya is a seat of Chetana (conscious and emotions) & Para Ojas (vital essence) [3]. In Ayurveda Hridaya is also termed as Mula Sthana of Rasavaha, Pranvaha & Manovaha Srotasa4. So basically Uro Basti is given at the centre of chest in various cardio-pulmonary diseases. Now a day where people are pampered to high caloric diet, saturated fat rich diet & many other violations of principles of diet cause biofire insufficiency. As an insufficient biofire Aama Rasa (hyperlipidemia) is formed which further leads to Dhamni Pratichaya (thickening of vessels) & Dhamni Kathinya (hardening). Finally the Srotorodha occurs & manifest as Ruja (angina) or many more disease of cardio- pulmonary system. So we have to correct the biofire and rasa Samvahana. In Uro Basti medicated liquid is poured over the sternum which gives Swedana effect to the local structures especially to the aorta. Dilatation of vessel occurs & flow of blood is maintained. As a result it gives relief in symptoms and strengthens the muscle. Not only this it also pacifies the Manovaha Srotas to get rid from anxiety or stress (Table 1).

Materials and Methods

SITE: At the center of chest by taking mediastinum as a center point.

Discussion

Hridya Basti is a Sthanika Snigadha Basti. Commonly used in painful condition of many Hridya Roga along with respiratory disorders. Urah is main Sthana of Pranvaha Srotas, Kapha Dosha. Among the Trimarma, Hridya is located in Urah Pradesh. As per Ayurveda, the Hridya is known as a seat of Oja, Tridaosh, Chetana, and Mana. The main function of Hridya is to regulate all the circulatory movement of blood along with the lungs. So we can say that all the respiratory & circulatory functions are regulated by Tridosha within the Urah Sthana. The continuous heat is given through the luke warm oil in Hridya Basti which increases the blood flow by dilating the aorta. Increased blood supply to that area nourishes the local muscles. Kasa & Swas are the Vyadhi of Pranvaha & Rasavaha Srotas. In both the disease Agani is hampered & Vata is vitiated which leads to Dushti of Rasa Dhatu. Consequently leads to improper flow of Rasa to the body. By applying Hridya Basti to the chest region, a constant heat is given to the particular area for a fixed time which regulates the function of Vyan Vayu. Ultimately gives result in proper Rasa Samvahana, pacifies the vitiated Vata Dosha & relieves the symptoms. The leading cause of Aruchi is Agnimandya along with the involvement of Manovaha Srotas. Hridya Basti enhances the function of Sadhak Pitta, Vyan Vayu & Avlambak Kapha. Which give soothing effect to Manovaha Srotas by heart-brain communication & Hridya is main Sthan of Manovaha Srotas? In the similar way Chardi is also caused by any Mansika Bhava like Bhaya, Udvega, Apriya etc. Hridya Basti in this situation corrects the vitiated Vata, Mansika Bhava. In Hridya Roga, the function of Ras Dhatu is hampered by vitiated Doshas situated in the Hridya. Through Hridya Basti mild Swedana is given which control the vitiated Vata-Kapha & the function of Rasa Samvahana becomes proper. It also gives relief in pain as pain is caused by Vata & Swedana is the primary treatment modality of vitiated Vata Dosha.

IHD & hypertension are those pathological conditions, in which improper blood supply to body & heart due to vessel constriction. The Hridya Basti on the chest region will dilate the aorta & maintain the blood flow. In CAD the pathway becomes narrow due to atherosclerosis which causes improper blood supply to heart. In this situation the Hridya Basti correct the flow of blood to heart by dilating the blood vessels. In the same way, Hridya Basti can be done instable angina. Concentric cardiomyopathy is that condition of heart where the heart muscle becomes thick & the function of heart is hampered due to improper contraction and relaxation of muscle. The Hridya Basti in this condition gives beneficial result by nourishing the cardiac muscle through proper blood supply.

Similarly in myocardial dystrophy the Hridya Basti helps the condition by strengthening the cardiac muscle. COPD is a respiratory disorder, where airflow is blocked & difficult to breath. Hridya Basti dilates the air vessels by heating effect. The chronic inflammatory condition of ribs cartilage & post MI are also relived by Hridya Basti because of heating and strengthening effect. Hridya Basti relaxes the mind by the stimulation of vagus nerve so helpful in many psychiatric aliments.

Here some case presented with different pathology & got good relief by Hridya Basti.

Case 1: A 56 years male patient (rt. Army officer) comes with complaints of mild to moderate chest pain radiating to left arm, palpitation, fatigue, mild dyspnea from 3 months. Known case of myocardial infarction (attack before 3 years).

He was diagnosed as post MI Angina, ECG finding shows old MI with ST depression in II, aVf. He was given Arjun Ksheera Paaka 40 ml bd along with along with Uro Basti for 1 month (3 sittings of 7-7 days with the interval of 3-3 days). After 1 month of treatment he got completely relief in chest pain, anxiety & moderate relief in palpitation, fatigue & dyspnea.

Case 2: A 41 years male patient (shop keeper) with the complaints of altered frequency of defecation & consistency of stool (mostly hard and lumpy), mild lower abdominal pain before defecation from 5-7 years with no organic abnormalities. His symptoms aggravated during anxiety. After 1 month of treatment (2 sittings of 15 days) he got mild relief in altered frequency, consistency, abdominal pain & straining during defecation.

Case 3: A 36 years male patient (office worker) with the complaints of mild to moderate headache in occipital and para orbital, fatigue, giddiness & interrupted sleep from 2 months. Occasionally he felt palpitation also. All these symptoms aggravated during stress. His BP was measured 140/96mm of Hg with no change in ECG. After treatment of 15 days, his was measured as 136/90 & also got mild relief in headache, palpitation, fatigue, giddiness & interrupted sleep.

Conclusion

Uro Basti is local application of medicated oil over a specific area of chest. It enhances the blood flow, strengthens the muscles & also reduces the stress & anxiety through brain- heart communication. It can be used in much cardio vascular disease like hypertension, Post MI, COPD, IHD, Svasa etc. It also has significant result in psychiatric aliments.