Basic Module 3 - Lesson 8

SVĒDANA KARMA

EXPLANATORY NOTES

VĀLUKĀ SVEDA

Vāluka Sveda is done as a Rūkṣa Kriya. It can be done in whole body or locally on a specific part. It relieves pain and inflammation. Commonly done as Ēkāṅga Sveda in Sandhigata Vāta, Āmavāta etc.

Materials and methods:

1. Sand – 1kg (River sand is preferred.)

2. Cotton cloth (45 cm X 45 cm) – 4   

3. Tag – 4

4. Vessel (iron) – 1

5. Rāsnādi Cūrṇa – 5 g

6. Towel – 1

7. Attendents – 2

Preparation of Poṭṭali:

Clean sand, which is devoid of gravel and other waste materials, collected from a good place is used for this purpose. It should be washed and dried. A vessel preferably of iron is placed on a stove and sand is heated.  Poṭṭalis are made using this sand. If required crystalline salt can be added. Poṭṭalis are reheated using sand bath.

Pre-operative procedure:

The patient should be seated on the Droṇi with leg extended.

Procedure:

The patient should sit comfortably exposing the part to be sudated. The hot Poṭṭali should be gently applied over the body, after confirming the temperature. Just pressing the body with Poṭṭali is advised; no need of kneading. The Poṭṭalis should be used alternately after reheating to maintain uniform temperature throughout the procedure. For whole body, it should be done for about 15-20 minutes in the 7 positions as mentioned in Kāyaseka. Same Poṭṭalis can be used for three days.

Post-operative procedure:

After procedure Rāsnādi Cūrṇa should be applied over Mūrdha. Patient should take complete rest for at least half an hour and should take bath in hot water if indicated.

Precautions:

  1. The sand used should be neat and clean devoid of gravel.
  2. Temperature must be kept optimal to prevent burns.
  3. Ensure there is no hole in the Poṭṭali through which sand may leak.

Complications and management:

Common complication is burns for which application of Murivenna and Śatadhaḥuta Ghṛta can be advised.

Indications:

Āma Pradhāna Rōga, ĀmaVāta, Ūrustambha, Medo Rōga, Kapha Āvaraṇa conditions

IṢṬIKĀ SVEDA

Iṣṭikā Sveda involves the immersion of intensely heated piece of brick into medicated liquids thereby generating vapour.

Procedure

Pādābhyaṅga should be done to patient who is made to sit comfortably on a chair. Then bricks should be taken and heated on fire until they become red hot. The heated bricks are placed on tray. The Dasamula Kaṣāya is poured over the bricks. When the bricks start emitting fumes, the patient is asked to keep his feet and exposing them to fumes. The temperature of the bricks should be checked. Once the temperature comes down, they should be replaced by other bricks. Dasamula Kaṣāya is once again heated and poured over heated bricks and feet is exposed to fumes and is repeated for 4-5 times.

Indications: Calcaneal spur, Plantar fasciitis, Achillis tendonitis,Tarsel tunnel syndrome.

CŪRṆA PIṆḌA SVEDA

Cūrṇa Piṇḍa Sveda is one among Ūṣma Sveda. It is done with the boluses of various Cūrṇa (usually Methika, Sarṣapa, Śatapuṣpa, Jaṭāmāṃsi, Atasi etc). It can be done as Snigdha or Rūkṣa according to the condition. In Snigdha Piṇḍa Sveda, oil is applied over the body as well as the Poṭṭali s are heated in oil.

CŪRṆA PIṆḌA SVEDA (Rūkṣa)

Materials required:

  1. Suitable Cūrṇa (coarse/fine) – 1 kg
  2. Cotton cloth (45 cm X 45 cm) – 4
  3. Tags – 4
  4. Vessels (iron) – 2
  5. Rāsnādi  Cūrṇa – 5g
  6. Towel – 1
  7. Medicated Snāna Cūrṇa – Q.S.
  8. Masseurs – 2
  9. Attendant – 1 

Pre-operative procedure:

The powder should be fried in the vessel till it attains a golden brown colour. It should be divided into 4 equal parts and tied into 4 Poṭṭalis. Patient should be seated on the table/Droṇi and Rāsnādi Cūrṇa should be applied on the head. Other Talaṃ like Navanīta + Balā, Āmalakī + Takra etc should be considered according to condition.

Procedure:

The hot Poṭṭali should be gently applied over the body, after confirming the temperature by applying Poṭṭalies on dorsum of hand of therapist. (42oC-45oC). Just pressing the body with Poṭṭali should be done, no need of kneading and massaging with the Poṭṭali. Both Poṭṭali s are used alternately after reheating to maintain uniform temperature throughout the procedure (Reheating is done either by keeping Poṭṭali in vessel or by steam of Dhānyāmla or water.) Same poṭṭali can be used for three days.

For whole body, it should be done for about 30-45 minutes in the 7 positions as in Kāyaseka. It can be applied locally also. Samyak Svinna Lakṣaṇa must be looked for.

Postoperative procedure:

After the procedure, Talaṃ should be removed with cotton and Rāsnādi Cūrṇa should be applied over Mūrdha. Patient should take complete rest for at least half an hour and should take bath in hot water if indicated for Rōga.

Precautions:

  1. Care should be taken to prevent charring while frying Cūrṇa and also while reheating the Poṭṭalis.
  2. If the patient feels any discomfort or attains good perspiration at any time during the treatment, the therapy should be stopped.
  3. Preferably done in morning hours in moderate climate.

Complications and management:

  1. Shivering – Due to uneven distribution of temperature or if body is exposed to cold breeze immediately after the procedure. In such condition, cover the body with thick cloth, give warm liquid for drinking or give hot fomentation.
  2. Fainting – Due to increased temperature. Treat appropriately.
  3. Rashes – Apply Madhu and Ghṛta.        

Indications:

Kapha Pradhāna conditions, Sandhigata Vāta, ĀmaVāta

                         

CŪRṆA PIṆḌA SVEDA (Snigdha)

In Snigdha Piṇḍa Sveda, oil is applied over the body as well as the poṭṭali s are heated in oil.  The Poṭṭalis can be heated by the steam of boiling Drava Dravyas like Dhānyāmla in specific conditions.

 

Materials required:

Suitable Cūrṇa (coarse/fine) – 1 kg

Cotton cloth (45 cm X 45 cm) – 4

Tags – 4

Oil (for heating Poṭṭali and Abhyaṅga) – 150 ml

Vessels (iron) – 2

Rāsnādi cūrṇa – 5g

Towel – 1

Medicated Snāna Cūrṇa – Q.S.

Masseurs – 2

Attendant – 1 

Pre-operative procedure:

The powder should be fried in the vessel till it attains a golden brown colour. It should be divided into 4 equal parts and tied into 4 Poṭṭali s. Patient should be seated on the table/Droṇi and Rāsnādi Cūrṇa should be applied on the head. Other Talaṃ like Navanīta + Balā, Āmalakī+ Takra etc should be considered according to condition.

Procedure:

Abhyaṅga should be performed with suitable medicated oil. Out of the four Poṭṭalis, the two Poṭṭalis should be heated upto 40oC- 450C by keeping on the hot pan containing suitable oil.

The hot Poṭṭali should be gently applied over the body, after confirming the temperature by applying Poṭṭalis on dorsum of hand of therapist. (42oC-45oC). Just pressing the body with Poṭṭali should be done, no need of kneading and massaging with the Poṭṭali. Both Poṭṭalis are used alternately after reheating to maintain uniform temperature throughout the procedure. Same Poṭṭali can be used for three days.

For whole body, it should be done for about 30-45 minutes in the 7 positions as in Kāyaseka. It can be applied locally also. Samyak Svinna Lakṣaṇa must be looked for.

Postoperative procedure:

After the procedure, talaṃ should be removed with cotton and Rāsnādi Cūrṇa should be applied over Mūrdha. Patient should take complete rest for at least half an hour and should take bath in hot water if indicated for Roga.

Precautions:

  1. Care should be taken to prevent charring while frying Cūrṇa and also while reheating the Poṭṭalis.
  2. If the patient feels any discomfort or attains good perspiration at any time during the treatment, the therapy should be stopped.
  3. Preferably done in morning hours in moderate climate.

Complications and management:

  1. Shivering – Due to uneven distribution of temperature or if body is exposed to cold breeze immediately after the procedure. In such condition, cover the body with thick cloth, give warm liquid for drinking or give hot fomentation.
  2. Fainting – Due to increased temperature. Treat appropriately.
  3. Rashes – Apply Madhu and Ghṛta.    

Indications:

Vāta Pradhāna conditions, Sandhigata Vāta, Kaṭī Graha, Gr̥dhrasī

KUKKUDAṆḌA PIṆḌA SVEDA

Aṇḍa Sveda is practiced mainly by Ayurveda Vaidya in Kerala. Comes under the Variety of Ūṣma Sveda.

Materials required:

Kola Kulatthādi Cūrna – 400gms

Methika – 100gms

Haridra – 100gms

Lemon – 24

Yolk of egg-10

Cloth – 2m, Thread – 2m, Nimba oil – 500ml.

Preparation of Poṭṭali:

Type 1: Cut the lemon into small pieces. Fry in mild heat adding adequate oil. When the yellow colour of the lemon starts fading, at the powdered drugs and fry well. To this add the yolk of boiled egg and mix well. Remove the pan from the fire and make into Poṭṭali. The contents once made should not taken for next day.

Type II: Scramble the eggs in frying pan using adequate oil and keep apart. Cut the lemon into small pieces. Fry in mild heat using adequate oil. As the yellow colour of the lemon starts fading add the powdered drugs and fry well. To this add the scrambled egg and mix well. Remove from the fire and make it into Poṭṭali.

Indications

Traumatic conditions, Ardita, Avabāhuka, Hanustambha, Grīvāstambha