Topic 10.2.12 Kati Basti: pre-treatment procedure-Purvakarma

Purva Karma includes:

Preparation of the client:

The client is thoroughly examined.

Their Prakriti (basic constitution) and Vikriti (details of morbidity) are documented in detail.

The disease is also examined.

The treatment line-up, materials and medicines which need to be used are enlisted.

Patient is given a sadhyo-virechana (instant purgation) for detoxification. This will also evacuate the bowel and reduce the pressure over the back and thus enhance the effect of the Kati Basti treatment.

Preparation for the treatment:

Materials needed for the treatment are collected beforehand. They are:

For Kati Basti (oil pooling)

Taila (medicated oil), Ghee (medicated ghee) or both, suitable to the disease and patient are collected and stored beforehand. The same medicines are used for conducting Abhyanga (massage) after the completion of Kati basti procedure

Flour of black gram (urid dhal)

Water

Stove, bowls, vessels, spoons etc

Sterile cloth

Practitioner level (Advanced Diploma Ayurveda)

For Churna Pinda Sweda

Herbal powders such as Rasnadi Churna, Kottamchukkadi Churna, Jatamayadi Churna, Ellumnishadi Churna, Grihadhoomadi Churna, Kolakulattadi Churna etc are collected for Churna Pinda Sweda (Powder bolus fomentation).

Churna pinda sweda

Kati Basti or oil pooling is a sthanika sneha (local oleation) procedure. It provides extra-ordinary relief if done on a dry surface of the back. Dryness is created by conducting a rukshana procedure, namely Churna pinda sweda.

Churna pinda sweda is administered for a couple of days before starting Kati basti as a part of pre-treatment procedures. The aim is to cause rukshana (drying therapy) before conducting Kati basti.

Method for Churna pinda sweda

The appropriate herbal powders are chosen according to the nature of the disease, symptoms and dosha involvement.

– Rasnadi churna is used when pain predominates,

– Jatamayadi churna is used when inflammation predominates etc.

The powder is heated on a pan and tied in a sterile cloth so as to form a bolus.

A couple of such boluses are kept ready.

After giving a massage to the lower back with herbal oils, hot fomentation is given with the powder boluses. This brings about Rukshana (dryness).

– The powder should be used in a dry form if symptoms of ama (metabolic wastes created by low metabolism and indigestion which have a sticky nature and has a tendency to produce pain and stiffness) and morbid kapha-like pain, stiffness, swelling etc are found in the low back.

– If the pain is of a dry nature, with the involvement of morbid vayu, the powder may be heated by frying it in oil and used for panda sweda.

Churna pinda sweda is done for 30-45 minutes daily for 2-3 days prior to Kati Basti.

Udwarthana

Udwarthana refers to massage conducted using powders fried in medicated oils.

The massage should be done in reverse direction (from down upwards). This is preferred when symptoms of excess ama and or kapha or meda (fat) is found associated with lower back pain.

Materials needed for Udwarthana

Powders such as Kolakulattadi Churnam etc, oils (same oils used for abhyanga can be used) etc

Fresh leaves of pain killing and vata alleviating drugs such as Eranda (Ricinus communis, castor plant), Nigundi (Vitex negundo), Arka, Chincha (tamarind), etc. for conducting Patra panda sweda (leaf bolus fomentation) as a part of post-treatment procedure.

Lemon, coconut gratings, Rasnadi Churna, Haridra (Turmeric powder), Methika (fenugreek), Saindhava Lavana (rock salt), Eranda Taila (castor oil) etc for patra pinda sweda

In some cases, Kati Basti can be clubbed with Matra Basti (oil / ghee enemas given in a fixed dose, everyday). If this is planned, the medicated oil / ghee and enema syringe should be kept ready.