As nature transitions seasons and exhibits change, it is time, from the scope of Ayurveda, for cleansing and rejuvenation to help the body adapt. During these transitional times, vata is the dosha of focus that is in need of balancing. There is no system in the body that is not affected by vata. According to Ayurvedic literature, vata alone is responsible for more that 55% of the diseases encountered by humans.
Pancha Karma
Pancha karma, literally translating to "five actions", is recommended at the change of seasons to help balance the shifts in doshas that can accumulate with the change in environment. The process of Pancha Karma seeks to detox, cleanse, and rejuvenate the body, mind, and consciousness. It is designed to help:
Basti is often the least favorite (but often the most effective) treatment in pancha karma, especially in terms of balancing vata. Basti is so highly respected in the pancha karma process that it is said that the benefit received from basti is equivalent to the cumulative benefit of the other four processes in pancha karma (Abyanga, Vamana, Virechana, Nasya).
- Eliminate toxins
- Balance the body
- Strengthen the immune system
- Reverse the effects of stress
- Enhance vitality and energy
- Improve mental clarity
- Deepen relaxation and well-being
- Renew and rejuvenate the entire body
Basti is often the least favorite (but often the most effective) treatment in pancha karma, especially in terms of balancing vata. Basti is so highly respected in the pancha karma process that it is said that the benefit received from basti is equivalent to the cumulative benefit of the other four processes in pancha karma (Abyanga, Vamana, Virechana, Nasya).
What is Basti?
Basti, also known as a medicated enema, works in the region of the colon, and its impact is far-reaching. Within the body, the major seat of vata is located in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, of which the colon is essential is regulating vata. In the six stages of dis-ease development, vata first accumulates in the colon, afterwards it begins to aggravate and disseminate or overflow. This overflow will cause the accumulation to spread, creating a vata imbalance in other susceptible parts of the body. A vata imbalance can affect nearly any system in the body, as vata is a force necessary throughout the body. Basti consists of a solution of herbal water or oil-based decoction that is inserted into the rectum which provides cleansing and nourishment directly into the intestines and colon, without having to be digested by the stomach and upper GI tract, as would be the case with anything taken by mouth. Typically, the participant is instructed not to expel the herbal liquid and allow it to absorb into the body, however the enema would induce a bowel movement within about 15 minutes. With the bowel movement would come released intestinal toxins.
According to Ayurvedia teachings, basti can be used for a myriad of reasons, all of which balance excess vata, including bowel regularity, joint support, nervous system support, and healthy sleep patterns (Lad, 2019). Clearing vata from the system also helps create energy and vitality as well as clarity in the mind (Smith, 2003). Basti promotes overall well-being, a graceful aging process, luster and a healthy glow. Multiple international studies have been done regarding the benefits of basti, and they also show benefits to joint, back, and bone health (Baria, Pandya and Joshi, 2011; Fernando, Shukla and Thakar, 2013; Gupta, Thakar and Shah, 2012; Thanki, Shukla and Bhatt, 2012).
Basti does have some general situations in which it is contraindicated, including pregnancy, menstruation, diarrhea, inflammation of the anal region or rectal bleeding, and extreme weakness or debility (Lad, 2019). Generally, basti is well tolerated in appropriate candidates, and a proper basti should result in 1-2 bowel movements with cleansing of the fecal matter as well as a feeling of lightness and a promotion of appetite and agni (fire) (Lad, 2019; Smith, 2003). If the basti was insufficient, one may be left with pain, incomplete fecal clearing, and/or swelling (Smith, 2003).
Prior to doing basti, one can prepare by applying warm oil (such as sesame) to the abdomen and lower back in a clockwise direction following the flow of the intestines. If one is so inclined, one can even do a full body massage with warm oil to help with oleation and loosening of toxins. After massage with warm oil, one can place a warm pack to the abdomen for a few minutes, allowing the intestines to be primed for the application of basti.
According to Ayurvedia teachings, basti can be used for a myriad of reasons, all of which balance excess vata, including bowel regularity, joint support, nervous system support, and healthy sleep patterns (Lad, 2019). Clearing vata from the system also helps create energy and vitality as well as clarity in the mind (Smith, 2003). Basti promotes overall well-being, a graceful aging process, luster and a healthy glow. Multiple international studies have been done regarding the benefits of basti, and they also show benefits to joint, back, and bone health (Baria, Pandya and Joshi, 2011; Fernando, Shukla and Thakar, 2013; Gupta, Thakar and Shah, 2012; Thanki, Shukla and Bhatt, 2012).
Basti does have some general situations in which it is contraindicated, including pregnancy, menstruation, diarrhea, inflammation of the anal region or rectal bleeding, and extreme weakness or debility (Lad, 2019). Generally, basti is well tolerated in appropriate candidates, and a proper basti should result in 1-2 bowel movements with cleansing of the fecal matter as well as a feeling of lightness and a promotion of appetite and agni (fire) (Lad, 2019; Smith, 2003). If the basti was insufficient, one may be left with pain, incomplete fecal clearing, and/or swelling (Smith, 2003).
Prior to doing basti, one can prepare by applying warm oil (such as sesame) to the abdomen and lower back in a clockwise direction following the flow of the intestines. If one is so inclined, one can even do a full body massage with warm oil to help with oleation and loosening of toxins. After massage with warm oil, one can place a warm pack to the abdomen for a few minutes, allowing the intestines to be primed for the application of basti.
Image by Joe Pineda
Types of Basti
Basti can be classified in a variety of ways. While there are a number of treatments that can be referred to with the term basti, here we are speaking only of rectal basti, as this is the primary treatment for our dosha of choice, vata. Rectal basti is usually one of two major types: niruha basti, which is done with herbal decoctions and is purifying and cleansing in nature; and anuvasana basti, usually done with oil, which is nourishing, strengthening, and oleating in nature.
Niruha basti, which is best done in the morning on an empty stomach, can use an endless variety of herbal decoctions. Often dashamula is used as one of the ingredients, as it is a primary herbal remedy to dispel excess vata. Classical formulas add triphala, rock salt and honey to the dashamula (Smith, 2003). Modern variations will choose any number of cleansing or rasayana herbs depending on the desired outcome. Guduchi has a cooling, calming effect and can help balance pitta. Punarnava helps balance excess water in the system and can also balance kapha. Other nourishing rejuvenatives can include ashwagandha or shatavari. To help irritation in the system, licorice can provide a soothing nature. And for a cleansing effect, triphala is a solid choice. Niruha basti can be held for 15-20 minutes, or longer if comfortable, up to 48 minutes (Smith, 2003). Following the administration of niruha basti, one can have a light meal of easily digestible food.
Anuvasana basti is primarily oil based and is meant to be building and nourishing. Locally, providing oleation for any dryness caused by vata can support a healthy, supple colon. More broadly, the oil helps to ground vata and promotes energy and vitality. Anuvasana basti is usually based in sesame oil, which may be plain or herbalized with supportive Ayurvedic herbs. Anuvasana basti can be held for longer periods of time, even up to a full day, as long as it is comfortable for the client, as it continues to provide a supportive effect.
There are a variety of traditional schedules which can use a combination of alternating niruha and anuvasana basti in order to achieve optimal effect. The usual protocol starts with an anuvasana basti to prime the colon, then alternates niruha and anuvasana basti to cleanse and nourish (so the colon does not become overly depleted), and ends with a number of anuvasana bastis in order to replenish and rejuvenate the colon and balance, ground, and nourish vata after the cleansing process. Caraka recommends schedules of yoga basti (8 bastis), kala basti (16 bastis), and karma basti (30 bastis), used based on the degree of vata vitiation (Smith, 2003). Another alternative can also be to mix the herbal decoction and oil together, blend to make a solution, and administer the basti.
After doing basti, one should take care to follow vata balancing recommendations. Eat light, grounding, warm, oleative food. Rest and avoid vata provoking activity, including excessive talking, extremely windy or cold weather, travel, and busy activity. In this way, basti can be used to keep vata balanced on a routine basis, cleanse vata during seasonal transitions, and manage more extreme vata imbalances that are causing issues in the deeper tissues.
Niruha basti, which is best done in the morning on an empty stomach, can use an endless variety of herbal decoctions. Often dashamula is used as one of the ingredients, as it is a primary herbal remedy to dispel excess vata. Classical formulas add triphala, rock salt and honey to the dashamula (Smith, 2003). Modern variations will choose any number of cleansing or rasayana herbs depending on the desired outcome. Guduchi has a cooling, calming effect and can help balance pitta. Punarnava helps balance excess water in the system and can also balance kapha. Other nourishing rejuvenatives can include ashwagandha or shatavari. To help irritation in the system, licorice can provide a soothing nature. And for a cleansing effect, triphala is a solid choice. Niruha basti can be held for 15-20 minutes, or longer if comfortable, up to 48 minutes (Smith, 2003). Following the administration of niruha basti, one can have a light meal of easily digestible food.
Anuvasana basti is primarily oil based and is meant to be building and nourishing. Locally, providing oleation for any dryness caused by vata can support a healthy, supple colon. More broadly, the oil helps to ground vata and promotes energy and vitality. Anuvasana basti is usually based in sesame oil, which may be plain or herbalized with supportive Ayurvedic herbs. Anuvasana basti can be held for longer periods of time, even up to a full day, as long as it is comfortable for the client, as it continues to provide a supportive effect.
There are a variety of traditional schedules which can use a combination of alternating niruha and anuvasana basti in order to achieve optimal effect. The usual protocol starts with an anuvasana basti to prime the colon, then alternates niruha and anuvasana basti to cleanse and nourish (so the colon does not become overly depleted), and ends with a number of anuvasana bastis in order to replenish and rejuvenate the colon and balance, ground, and nourish vata after the cleansing process. Caraka recommends schedules of yoga basti (8 bastis), kala basti (16 bastis), and karma basti (30 bastis), used based on the degree of vata vitiation (Smith, 2003). Another alternative can also be to mix the herbal decoction and oil together, blend to make a solution, and administer the basti.
After doing basti, one should take care to follow vata balancing recommendations. Eat light, grounding, warm, oleative food. Rest and avoid vata provoking activity, including excessive talking, extremely windy or cold weather, travel, and busy activity. In this way, basti can be used to keep vata balanced on a routine basis, cleanse vata during seasonal transitions, and manage more extreme vata imbalances that are causing issues in the deeper tissues.
Where Do I Start?
Coffee Enema
Although most people are not familiar with this type of detoxification protocol, they have been used in the Merck medical handbook up until the 1970's and used throughout World War II for pain management. Today, due to it's ability to boost your body's most powerful cancer fighting antioxidant, glutathione (s-transferase), coffee enemas are used in centers to treat cancer throughout the world. Glutathione is often called the "mother of all antioxidants" and it endogenously produced by the liver to help squelch free radicals.
By performing a coffee enema, the liver's innate detoxification ability is dramatically enhanced. This is why holistic wellness centers use coffee enemas so frequently. Coffee enemas also help decrease the chances of feeling and Herxheimer reactions a reaction to endotoxin-like products released by the death of harmful microorganisms within the body during treatment, also called a "die-off"), when detoxing from a major health issue. Coffee enemas enable the liver to dump toxins straight into the intestines and expel them right out of the body when you have a bowel movement following the enema.
The process occurs by administering an enema using organic caffeinated coffee. When the coffee enters he rectum , it moves through the colon into the hepatic portal ducts contained within it and stimulates the detoxification process.
After just a few minutes of circulating the coffee through the colon and liver, the body already begins to detoxify. Despite the general feeling of uncertainty that many people have in regards to enemas, it is astonishing how such as simple procedure using an all-natural food based product can help improve health so dramatically.
Do not be concerned of a caffeine rush following the administration of a coffee enema. Researchers have observed that the relative bioavailability of caffeine obtained from the coffee enema was about 3.5 times significantly less than those of the coffee consumed orally. It has been demonstrated that caffeine absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the small intestine, is rapid and complete with the bioavailability of 99 to 100% after oral administration. The colonic (large intestine) absorption of caffeine following coffee enema considerably differs from that following administration of a rectal suppository because the coffee enema procedure usually involves administration of a larger volume of warm and diluted coffee solution (about 500 mL) into the rectum and colon through the anus. Additionally, participants are normally requested to retain the coffee enema fluid for a short period of time (about 10–15 min) before defecation, leading to limitation of duration of caffeine absorption. This factor limits the time for caffeine absorption into systemic circulation via the large intestine (Teekachunhatean et al., 2013).
By performing a coffee enema, the liver's innate detoxification ability is dramatically enhanced. This is why holistic wellness centers use coffee enemas so frequently. Coffee enemas also help decrease the chances of feeling and Herxheimer reactions a reaction to endotoxin-like products released by the death of harmful microorganisms within the body during treatment, also called a "die-off"), when detoxing from a major health issue. Coffee enemas enable the liver to dump toxins straight into the intestines and expel them right out of the body when you have a bowel movement following the enema.
The process occurs by administering an enema using organic caffeinated coffee. When the coffee enters he rectum , it moves through the colon into the hepatic portal ducts contained within it and stimulates the detoxification process.
After just a few minutes of circulating the coffee through the colon and liver, the body already begins to detoxify. Despite the general feeling of uncertainty that many people have in regards to enemas, it is astonishing how such as simple procedure using an all-natural food based product can help improve health so dramatically.
Do not be concerned of a caffeine rush following the administration of a coffee enema. Researchers have observed that the relative bioavailability of caffeine obtained from the coffee enema was about 3.5 times significantly less than those of the coffee consumed orally. It has been demonstrated that caffeine absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the small intestine, is rapid and complete with the bioavailability of 99 to 100% after oral administration. The colonic (large intestine) absorption of caffeine following coffee enema considerably differs from that following administration of a rectal suppository because the coffee enema procedure usually involves administration of a larger volume of warm and diluted coffee solution (about 500 mL) into the rectum and colon through the anus. Additionally, participants are normally requested to retain the coffee enema fluid for a short period of time (about 10–15 min) before defecation, leading to limitation of duration of caffeine absorption. This factor limits the time for caffeine absorption into systemic circulation via the large intestine (Teekachunhatean et al., 2013).
References
Baria, R., Pandya, D. and Joshi, N. (2011). Clinical efficacy of Panchamuladi Kaala Basti (enema) in the management of Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 32(1), p.90. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.85737
Fernando, K., Shukla, V. and Thakar, A. (2013). Clinical efficacy of Eranda Muladi Yapana Basti in the management of Kati Graha (Lumbar spondylosis). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 34(1), p.36. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.115444
Gupta, A., Thakar, A. and Shah, N. (2012). Effect of Majja Basti (therapeutic enema) and Asthi Shrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis) in the management of Osteoporosis (Asthi-Majjakshaya). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 33(1), p.110. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.100326
Lad, V. (2019). Basti. [online] Ayurveda.com. Available at: https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/cleansing/basti [Accessed 9 Jun. 2019].
Patel, P. (2016). Basti: The Primary Treatment for Vata. [online] Banyanbotanicals.com. Available at: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/blog-banyan-vine/details/basti-the-primary-treatment-for-vata/#references [Accessed 9 Jun. 2019].
Smith, V. (2003). Pancha Karma. European Institute of Vedic Studies.
Teekachunhatean, S., Tosri, N., Rojanasthien, N., Srichairatanakool, S. and Sangdee, C. (2013). Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine following a Single Administration of Coffee Enema versus Oral Coffee Consumption in Healthy Male Subjects. ISRN Pharmacology, 2013, pp.1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/147238
Thanki, K., Shukla, V. and Bhatt, N. (2012). Effect of Kshara Basti and Nirgundi Ghana Vati on Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 33(1), p.50. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.100310
Fernando, K., Shukla, V. and Thakar, A. (2013). Clinical efficacy of Eranda Muladi Yapana Basti in the management of Kati Graha (Lumbar spondylosis). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 34(1), p.36. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.115444
Gupta, A., Thakar, A. and Shah, N. (2012). Effect of Majja Basti (therapeutic enema) and Asthi Shrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis) in the management of Osteoporosis (Asthi-Majjakshaya). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 33(1), p.110. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.100326
Lad, V. (2019). Basti. [online] Ayurveda.com. Available at: https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/cleansing/basti [Accessed 9 Jun. 2019].
Patel, P. (2016). Basti: The Primary Treatment for Vata. [online] Banyanbotanicals.com. Available at: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/blog-banyan-vine/details/basti-the-primary-treatment-for-vata/#references [Accessed 9 Jun. 2019].
Smith, V. (2003). Pancha Karma. European Institute of Vedic Studies.
Teekachunhatean, S., Tosri, N., Rojanasthien, N., Srichairatanakool, S. and Sangdee, C. (2013). Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine following a Single Administration of Coffee Enema versus Oral Coffee Consumption in Healthy Male Subjects. ISRN Pharmacology, 2013, pp.1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/147238
Thanki, K., Shukla, V. and Bhatt, N. (2012). Effect of Kshara Basti and Nirgundi Ghana Vati on Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 33(1), p.50. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.100310
