Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Acharya Vagbhata, within the Sneha Vidhi Adhyaya i.e. chapter 16 of Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana, has given a singular idea of administration of Sneha whereas specifying their medical utility.
Herein, he has talked about three strategies of consuming medicated fat. They’re –
– Prak Bhakta – consuming Sneha earlier than consumption of meals
– Madhya Bhakta – consuming Sneha in between the meals and
– Uttara Bhakta – consuming Sneha after taking meals
Ref – Ashtanga Hridaya Sutra Sthana, Chapter 16, Verse 22
Advantages of Prak Bhakta, Madhya Bhakta and Uttara Bhakta Sneha
प्राङ्मध्योत्तरभक्तोऽसावधोमध्योर्ध्वदेहजान्।
व्याधीञ्जयेद्बलं कुर्यादङ्गानां च यथाक्रमम्॥२२॥
Prak Bhakta Sneha
Prak = earlier than, Bhakta = meals, Sneha = unctuous substance
Sneha consumed earlier than meals will bestow the beneath talked about advantages –
– It’s going to treatment the ailments affecting the decrease portion / elements of the physique
– It’s going to strengthen the decrease elements of the physique
Different factors of curiosity –
– This type of Sneha follows the identical rules of ‘prak bhakta aushadha sevana kala’ i.e. ‘medicines taken earlier than meals’, as a result of Sneha can be a medication.
– Since it’s taken on an empty abdomen, earlier than meals, the Sneha can be correctly digested with out getting expelled. It comes into direct contact with agni.
– It’s the greatest treatment for apana vata dushti. It balances apana vata fluctuations and in addition cures ailments attributable to apana vata. Due to this fact, it’s helpful to treatment ailments of the colon, urinary system, genital system, pelvic organs and decrease limbs.
– It additionally strengthens the organs talked about above.
– Sneha indicated for weight reduction shall be given earlier than meals.
– Sneha given throughout this time will even treatment the ailments of the abdomen by destroying the aggravated doshas within the abdomen.
– Sneha to be administered to youngsters, ladies, aged individuals and cowards shall be given earlier than meals.
– Generally, Vata problems might be handled with this type of Sneha.
Madhya Bhakta Sneha
Madhya = center, in between, Bhakta = meals, Sneha = unctuous substance
Sneha consumed in between the meals will bestow the beneath talked about advantages –
– It’s going to treatment the ailments affecting the center portion / elements of the physique
– It’s going to strengthen the center elements of the physique
Technique – First the individual ought to take half of the meals. Then he ought to take Sneha. Following this, he ought to eat the opposite half of the meal.
Different factors of curiosity –
– This type of Sneha follows the identical rules of ‘madhya bhakta aushadha sevana kala’ i.e. ‘medicines taken in between meals’, as a result of Sneha can be a medication.
– Because the Sneha is given in between the meals, the drugs is retained within the abdomen for a very long time. This offers time for digestion and motion of drugs. This Sneha additionally will get digested together with meals.
– Since it’s indicated in ailments of the center parts / elements of the physique, it may be used to deal with the ailments of coronary heart (circulatory system), lungs (respiratory system), abdomen, small gut / duodenum, liver, spleen, gallbladder and pancreas. This Sneha additionally strengthens these organs.
– Madhya Bhakta Sneha is the most effective type of Sneha which can be utilized to stability Samana Vata and Pachaka Pitta and in addition to deal with the ailments attributable to imbalances of those subtypes of doshas. This Sneha might be readily given to enhance digestion in individuals with poor digestive capability, indigestion and anorexia.
– Generally, it’s the greatest type of Sneha to fight pitta problems and in addition to stability pitta within the intestine.
Uttara Bhakta Sneha
Uttara = after, Bhakta = meals, Sneha = unctuous substance
Sneha consumed in after the meals will bestow the beneath talked about advantages –
– It’s going to treatment the ailments affecting the higher portion / elements of the physique
– It’s going to strengthen the higher elements of the physique
Different factors of curiosity –
– This type of Sneha follows the identical rules of ‘adho bhakta aushadha sevana kala’ i.e. ‘medicines taken after meals’.
– Since Sneha is given after taking the meals, the Sneha mixes with meals and interacts with it within the abdomen. It will get correctly blended with meals, digested with it and circulated with the ahara rasa all through the physique with the assistance of vyana vata.
– Since it’s indicated in ailments of the higher parts of the physique, it may be used to deal with ailments of the pinnacle / mind, nervous system, eyes, nostril, ear, and throat and endocrine imbalances and all jatrurdhwa rogas – ailments manifesting above the extent of collar bone. It additionally strengthens the organs and tissues talked about herein. It pacifies ailments of head, throat and chest with speedy impact.
– If producing stoutness is the intention, Sneha might be given after meals. It helps in efficient and wholesome weight acquire.
– This type of Sneha balances vyana vata and cures illness attributable to the imbalances of vyana vata if administered after breakfast or lunch.
– Uttara Bhakta Sneha when given after night meals i.e. dinner, it proves a greatest treatment for imbalances of Udana Vata and ailments attributable to it. So, it’s also an efficient treatment for speech problems, lack of vitality and enthusiasm, lack of energy, lack of complexion and reminiscence problems.
– As per Acharya Sharangadhara, Sneha administered after dinner or night meals is helpful for treating ailments prompted because of imbalances in Prana Vata and therefore helpful in ailments of nervous system, endocrine system and sense organs. Additionally it is helpful in treating problems attributable to kapha imbalances.
– Generally, Kapha problems might be handled with this type of Sneha.