This document provides information on the concept of Basti therapy in Ayurveda. It begins by defining Basti and describing its types. Basti involves administering medicated oils or herbal decoctions into the rectum and is considered very effective for pacifying Vata dosha and treating various diseases. The document then describes the procedure for two main types of Basti - Sneha (oil) Basti and Niruha (decoction) Basti. It provides details on the quantities used, positions of the patient, and timing. It outlines various diseases that can be treated with Basti and contraindications. Finally, it describes the standard 30-day Karma Basti treatment protocol involving alternating oil and

1. CONCEPT OF BASTI
(ENEMA THERAPY)
DR. RAOSAHEB.A.DESHMUK
ASSO.PROF;
DEPT OF SAMHITA-SIDDHANTA
BLDEA’s AVS AYURVEDA
MAHAVIDYALAYA,HOSPITAL &
RESEARCH CENTRE, VIJAYAPUR

2.  Etymology of Basti;
Vasti means resides(retians) for a certain period,inside
the body(bladder) or outside the body(siro basti,kati ,greeva
basti).
 Vasthy means residence,or else.
 Basti means the procedure done by means of vasti
i.e;bladder.

3.  Basti chikitsa is one amongest the ayurvedic panchakarma
therapies which is used to expel the vitiated dosha’s out of
the body through intestinal route.
 It is considered to be the best among the other
panchakarma therapies because of it’s ability to pacify vata
dosha which is the igniting factor for any disease process.

4.  Various toxins entering our body by food,air etc; get
accumulated in our gastro-intestinal tract.As time
passes these toxins tend to increase and get spread in all
channels of our body causing various diseases.
 These accumulated toxins in the form of dosha’s,if
expelled out at right time can prevent the disease.

5.  Basti Treatment
वातोल्बणेषु दोषेषु वाते वा वस्ततरिष्यते
उपक्रमाणाां सवेषाां सो अग्रणीस्तिववधततु सः
निरूहो अन्वासिां बस्ततरुत्तिः
Basti Is Described For Diseases With,
Imbalanced Doshas Having Predominance Of Vata Or
for Diseases With Vata Imbalance Alone,
It Is The Best Among All Treatments.

7. Janu basti
Medicated oil poured over
back for relieving pain
Medicated oil poured over
knee for relieving pain

8. Hridaya basti
Medicated oil poured over
neck region
Oils over chest region to relieve
chest pain in heart disorders

9. BASTI Type- 1
SNEHA BASTI KASAYA BASTI
ANUVASANA BASTI
ASTHAPANA,NIRUHA BASTI

10. TYPE-2 BASTI
APATHYA MARGA MUTRA MARGA
FEMALES ONLY MALES & FEMALES(Both)

11. SNEHA BASTI
ANUVASANA BASTI(300 ml) MATRA BASTI(75ml)
KASAYA BASTI
UTHAMA PRASRTHA SIDDHA
MATHRIKA YOGIKA BASTI

12.  It is of three kinds- viz-
1. Niruha also known as Asthapana Basti (kashya basti)
Decoction enema decoction mixed with salt, honey, ghee etc
is administered.
 2. Anuvasana also known as snehabasti
ghee, oil, fat etc are administered.
 Herbal oils such as Narayana Taila,
 Herbal ghritas are more commonly used for this purpose.

13.  3. Uttarabasti administered through urethral route.
Notes-
Basti means urinary bladder. In ancient times
urinary bladder of animals like buffalo etc were used as a
bag to hold the enema material like decoctions, oil etc.

15.  a Karnika- ear-like ridge of this same size of the orifice
should be constructed at the time of preparing the
nozzle, another second ;Karnika- ridge should be made at
a distance of two Angula- towards its tip,

The orifice at the tip should be kept closed- with a plug of
cloth.

16.  Enema nozzle
should be made from metals like gold, silver, wood,
bone or bamboo;-
 Gopuchhakara – resembling the tail of the cow in shape,
 Achidra – without holes (except at the ends),
 smooth,
 straight ,and-
 with Gulikamukha – tip shaped like a pill.

17.  For children less than 1 year of age,
nozzle should be 5 angula(7.5 cm)- fingers breadth of
Patients own finger in length;

1 – 7years of age,
it should be 6 angula(9 cm);

7 year
it should be 7 Angula(10.5 cm),


18.  12 years - 8 Angula(12 cm)
16 years - 9 Angula(13.5 cm)
20 years and onwards - it should be 12 Angulas(18 cm)
only.
These measurements may be slightly increased for
those of other age groups based on age, strength and body
build.

20.  Anuvasana Matra- quantity for oil enema:-
यथायथां निरूहतय पादो मािा अिुवासिे
The quantity for oil enema should be one fourth of the
quantity of that of decoction enema, as prescribed for each age
group.

21. Basti
netraGuda
marga
Vastya
(Bladder)

22.  The person suitable for decoction enema;
should be administered SNEHANA(oleation) and SWEDANA
(sweating) therapy followed by purification therapy- emesis or
purgation.
 After he regains strength, determining that he is fit for oil
enema, he should be given an oil enema first. The following
procedure is adopted.
During cold season (Hemanta and Shishira Rutus) and Vasanta
(spring) it should be given during day in other seasons during
night.
 He should be given oil massage and bath,
 then accustomed food, less by one fourth of the usual
quantity; satiable, light- easily digestible neither with more of
fats nor very dry,
 followed by an after-drink of appropriate liquid.

23. Basti
netra
Position
of a
patient
while
basti
karma
Sneha
basti
through
Guda
marga

24.  Next he should walk (loitre)for some time,
 eliminate feces and urine and
 lie on a comfortable (sayana)cot, neither too high nor too
low,
 Lie on his left side,
 folding his right thigh, and extending the left thigh.

25.  Next, the enema nozzle which is Lubricated,
 after the air inside the bag is expelled out,
 confirming that it is well fastened to the nozzle,
 it should be pressed without shaking the hands, in the
direction of the vertebral column,
 neither too fast nor too slow,
 neither with great force nor with low pressure
 but in one attempt,
 a little quantity of liquid material be allowed to remain in
the bag.

26.  After the administration and removing the nozzle
the person should be placed with his face upwards,
 his buttocks beaten gently by the hands of the physician,
 then by patients own heels;
 the foot of the cot should be lifted up thrice;
Next he must lie extending the entire body,
 with a pillow under his heels,
 oil should be smeared all over the body
 and all the parts of it beaten with fist or massaged,
 concentrating on the painful areas of the body,

27. After sneha
basti ;expelled
sneha out
Before the
sneha basti
karma position
of sneha
Sneha
expelled out
through Basti
marga

28.  so that the fat enema liquid inside the rectum does not
come out soon.

If it comes out soon, another oil enema should be
administered immediately because fat which does not
remain inside does not serve the purpose.

If the person has good digestive activity, and if the fat
comes out after the stipulated time he can be given light
food in the evening.

29.  The maximum time for the fat to come out is three Yama-
(1Yama=3 hours) nine hours;
 after that, it can be awaited for one day and night;

later on, after Ahoratra (a day & night)24 hours after
administration, attempt should be made to remove it by force,
with the help of rectal suppositories made from fruits or strong
decoction enema.

30.  If it does not come out due to severe dryness inside and
 Does not produce any troubles like jadya(lassitude) etc.
It should be neglected and allowed to remain inside for
the night;

Next morning he is made to drink warm water either
processed with ginger or plain.
 Again he should be given fat enema on the third or fifth
day, or till the fat gets well digested;

31.  Patients suitable for Anuvasana Basti ; Anuvasana Arha –
Anuvasya
आतथाप्या एव च अिुवातया ववशेषादनतवह्नन्यः
रूक्ाः के वलवातातातः
Person suitable for asthapana are suitable for oil enema
(anuvasana).
Especially those who have strong digestion power,
 Who are dry not undergone snehana therapy and
 Those suffering from diseases of vata.

32.  Persons unsuitable for oil enema are all those unsuitable for
decoction enema,
those suffering from
Pandu – anemia,
 Kamala – Jaundice,
 Meha – diabetes, urinary tract disorders
 Peenasa – rhinitis
 Niranna -on empty stomach-
 Pleeha - Disease of the spleen, Splenomegaly
 Vid bhedi – diarrohea
 Guru koshta – hard bowels- constipated,

33.  Kaphodara – Kapha type of Ascites
 Abhishyandi -a type of eye disorder
 Bhrusha Sthula – profound obesity,
 Krimi Koshta – Intestinal worms;
 Adhyamaruta – gout(rheumatoid diseases)
 Gara visa - Who have consumed poison,
 Galaganda - goiter.

34.  Niruha Basti Vidhi- Procedure of decoction enema:-
पञ्चमे अथ तृतीये वा ददवसे साधके शुभे
मध्याह्निे ककस्ञ्चदावृत्ते प्रयुक्ते बललमङ्गले
अभ्यक्ततवेददतोत्सृष्टमलां िानतबुभुक्षक्तम्
अवेक्ष्य पुरुषां दोषभेषजादीनि चादिात्
बस्ततां प्रकल्पयेद्वैद्यततद्ववद्यैबतहुलभः सह
On the fifth or third day- after fat enema,
 At an auspicious time,
 Some time after madhyahna(midday) ;
 After performing auspicious rites,
 After abhyanga(oleation )and swedana(sweating) ;
 After elimination of wastes- urine, faeces
 After not taking a heavy meal & after a light meal .,

35.  After carefully considering the nature of the person patient,
the dosas, drugs etc,
 The physician, accompanied by many experts of the enema
therapy, should administer decoction enema to the patient.
 The patient should not be very hungry while enema is given.

36. तेि साधयेत्
गुल्मािाहखुडप्लीहशुद्धातीसािशूललिः
जीणतज्विप्रनतश्यायशुक्रानिलमलग्रहाि्
वध्मातश्मिीिजोिाशाि् दारुणाांश्चानिलामयाि्
Patients suffering from;
Gulma – tumors of the abdomen
 Anaha – bloating, fullness
 Khuda – gout(rheumatiod diseases)
 Pleeha roga-disease of the spleen, splenomegaly
 Shuddha atisara – diarrhoea unassociated with other diseases
 Shula - pain in abdomen
 Jeernajwara - chronic fever
 Pratishyaya - rhinitis

37.  Shukra, anila, mala graha – obstruction of semen,
flatus and constipation,
 Vardhma – enlargement of the scrotum,
 Ashmari -urinary calculi,
 Rajonasha – amenorrhoea and
 Vatadi diseases caused due to vata origin.

38. निरूहमािा प्रथमे प्रकु ञ्चो वत्सिे पिम्
प्रकु ञ्चवृद््धः प्रत्यब्धां यावत्षट्प्प्रस्रुतातततः
प्रसृतां वद्तधयेदूध्वं द्वादशाष्टादशतय तु
आसप्ततेरिदां मािां, दशैव प्रसृताः पिम ्
for a child upto 1 year age,
the decoction enema quantity is 1 prakuncha = 1 pala = 48gm.
For each succeeding year it should be increased by 1 pala till it
becomes six prasruta- 12 pala =576g;
 So for a 12 year old, the quantity is 12 pala.
Further on it should be in increased by one prasruta (2 palas=
96 gm).
 Each year till it becomes twelve prasta- 24 palas=1152gm.

39.  At the 18 years, it is 24 pala.
 18 – 70 years – 24 pala.
 After 70 years, 10 prasruta = 20 pala = 960 grams / ml
ANUVASANA MATRA- QUANTITY FOR OIL
ENEMA:-

यथायथां निरूहतय पादो मािा अिुवासिे ;
 The quantity for oil enema should be one fourth (1/4)of
the quantity of that of decoction enema, as prescribed for
each age group.

41.  Karma Basti – treatment with 30 enemas
प्राक्तिेह एकः पञ्चान्ते द्वादशातथापिानि च
सान्वासिानि कमैवां बततयस्तिांशदीरिताः
A course of 30 enemas

with one fat enema at the beginning
 and five at the end,
with twelve decoction enema and
 twelve fat enema alternately in the middle is called as Karma basti.
Here, each day, one enema is usually given.
 Some expert doctors may give two enemas per day.
 But one enema per day is the common standard

42.  F = Fat enema = Anuvasana = Snehabasti
D = Decoction enema = Niruha = Asthapanabasti
1 Day=A ,2day = A ,3day = K ,4day = A ,5day = K
6 day= A, 7 day= K, 8 day= A ,9 day= K, 10 day= A
11 day= K ,12 day= A, 13day = K ,14day = A ,15day = K
16 day = A, 17 day= K ,18 day= A,19 day= K,20 day= A
21 day= K ,22day = A, 23 day= K ,24 day = A,
25 day = K
26 day= A, 27day = A ,28 day= A ,29day = A,
30day = A.

43.  Kala Basti – 15 enema regimen
कालः पञ्चदशैको अि प्राक् तिेहो अन्ते ियततथा
षट्प् पञ्चबतत्यन्तरिताः
A course of 15 enemas,
with one fat enema at the beginning and
 three at the end,

with six decoction enemas
 and five fat enema alternately in the middle- is known as Kala Basti.


44.  1Day=A ,2day = A,3day = K ,4day = A,5day = K
 6 day= A, 7 day= K, 8 day = A, 9 day= K ,10 day= A
 11 day= K ,12 day= A , 13 day = A, 14 day= A, 15 day = A.
 NOTE:
A= Anuvasana basti
 K= Kashaya basti

45.  Yogabasti – 8 day enema regimen -
योगो अष्टौ बततयो अि तु
ियो निरूहाः तिेहाश्च तिेहावाद्यन्तयोरुभौ
A course of eight enemas,
with one fat enema both at the beginning and at the end,
with three decoction enema and three fat enema alternately in
the middle is known as- yoga basti.
 1Day=A, 2 day= K, 3 day = A, 4day = K
5 day= A,6 day= K ,7 day= A , 8 day = A


46.  Matra Basti – Low dose fat enema –
ह्रतवया तिेहपाितय मािया योस्जतः समः
मािाबस्ततः तमृतः तिेहः
Fat enema consisting of fat quantity equivalent to the
minimum quantity of fat used for Snehakarma is known as
Matra Basti.

In practice, a very low dose of medicated oil or ghee – 50 – 75
ml is administered as Matra Basti.

47.  Matra Basti – Low dose fat enema –

शीलिीयः सदा च सा
बालवृद्धाध्वभाितिीव्यायामासक्त्चन्तकै ः
वातभग्िाबलाल्पास्ग्ििृपेश्विसुखात्मलभः
दोषघ्िो निष्पिीहािो बल्यः स्रुष्टमलः सुखः
It should be used always for
Bala – children,
 Vriddha – the aged,
 Adhva : -who are habituated to long walking,
 Bhara : - carrying heavy loads
 Stri : -sexual activity
 Vyayama: - Physical exercise

48.  Chinta – who think too much,
 who are suffering from- diseases of vata,
 Vatabhanga :- fractures,
 Alpabala:- debility,
 Alpaagni:- poor digestive activity,
 Nrpa:- for kings, (who lead luxurious life)
 wealthy persons ;
 and persons who live happily;(who lead luxurious life)

49.  Next the patient who has been given bath and food in
accordance with the regimen prescribed for fat enema,
 Should be asked to sit erect on a soft seat or stool
 Of the height of one’s knees,
 His penis should be held straight- by the physician
 A thin probe should be slowly inserted into the urethra to
clear the channel;
After thus clearing the passage, the enema nozzle should be
inserted along the line of the suture, to the entire length of
the urethal passage- till the cavity of the urinary bladder is
reached, without shaking ,
 The enema bag pressed just as described for rectal
enema, pushing fat- oil, ghee etc. Into the urinary bladder;
this is the ideal method- for a urethral enema.

50.  For women, -
Vaginal/ Uterine enema- douche should be administered
during the Menstrual period only for,-
 it is only then that it- uterus is without its closure material; -
 in other words it is open and so can retain the enema material

it can be given even apart from the menstrual period, in
emergency.
 In diseases such as prolapsed and pain of the uterus or Vagina,
in other diseases of uterus and vagina and in menorrhagia.
