Abstract

Vd. Mukund Vinayakrao Supekar, Vd. Pratik Taksale and Vd. Sneha Tiwari

ABSTRACT

Panchakarma plays a major role in eradicating the disease and its wide applicability bound Acharyas to describe it as 'Chikitsardha. Amongst Panchakarma (five basic therapeutic procedures in Ayurvedic medicine), Basti is considered to be the most powerful tool for treatment. The above statement could be more easily understood with the statement of Acharya Charakaa, that Basti is the best tool to alleviate the Vata Dosha which is the most powerful Dosha (one of the three basic element de ciding health). Some of the ancient researchers have quoted the importance of Basti by saying it one half of the complete treatment process, moreover some quoted it as the complete treatment procedure itself. In other words, Basti is the procedure in which the medication stays inside the body and returns back in a particular time. It is considered to be the most powerful tool for Shodhana as it alleviates the most powerful Dosha that is the Vata Dosha. Acharya Charakaa has quoted Basti as half of the comple te treatment process (Ardha Chikitsa). Also, some Acharyas considered Basti as complete treatment process (Poorna Chikitsa). All Acharyas opined Basti as the best intervention for Vata Dosha. The importance of Basti has been well documented in the classica l texts of Ayurveda. It acts as an anti aging agent, good in every phase of life, a good tool to take out morbid materials, provider of joyful life, good digestive power, cognizance, and improves complexion.