Snehan.

SNEHAN VIDHI-OLEATION THERAPY.

DEFINITION AND INTRODUCTION:-It is the process in which there is oleation (vishyandana), softness and proper separation of waste products from the body.

Snehana means oleation.Its literal meaning is love or tenderness.The fatty substances used in this therapy are for the purpose of producing lubrication,anointing or oleating effect on the internal as well as external organs.

CONCEPT OF OLEATION:-Oleation and fomentation (snehana and swedana) are preliminary procedures of Panchakarma. They are must before Panchakarma procedures.A dry wooden stick will break if one tries to bend it without applying enough oil to it.Similarly,if one tries to do Panchakarma without performing oleation and fomentation,it will be harmful to the client.

It is of two types (1) internal and (2) External.

 (1)Internal-It means oral use of oily substances.

The internal oleation is further divided into three types, depending on the mixture of oleating substances.When two substances are mixed it is called as Yamaka.When three substances are mixed it is called as Trivruta and when four or more are mixed together,it is called as Mahasneha.

Similarly if only oleating substance is given alone,it is known as acchha,and when it is mixed with some other ingredients and given it is called as virechana.This again has been divided into further 24 types.

QUALITIES OF SUBSTANCES HAVING SNEHANA ACTION:-All fatty substances have following qualitiea;v.i.z.;heavy,cold, soft,liquid,mobile,dull,subtle and slimy.

TYPES AND SUBTYPES OF OLEATING SUBSTANCES:-1)Yoni bheda:-There are two types of sneha or fatty substances:v.i.z.:sthavara and jangama.

Sthavara:-Oily substances produced from herbs.Sesame oil is best among all herbal oils,e.g.- castor oil,oil prepared from avocado,flax seeds,almonds,olive etc.

Jangama:-Oily substances having animal source,e.g. ghee, animal fat,milk,bone marrow,fish oil etc.

2)According to action:-Shodhana sneha:-It is usually given early in the morning in a substantial amount after the proper digestion of previous meal to eliminate the vishiated doshas.

Shamana sneha:-This is used for pacifying doshas.Oleating substance given to pacify doshas is shaman sneha.Usually it is given in medium amount before meals when the person is hungry.

Brimhana sneha:-Oleating substance given to nourish the body is called brimhana sneha.Brimhana sneha is given in small amount that too during meals with food.

3)Combinations:-Yamaka:-Combination of two oleating substances.

Trivruta:-Combination of three oleating substances.

Maha sneha:-Combination of four oleating substances.

4)Uttama sneha:-Of all oleating substances ghee,majja,vasa and oil are are superior and hence are called as uttama sneha.Ghee is most Pitta pacifying while the oil is most vata-kapha pacifying.

INDICATIONS FOR OLEATION:-

Snehana is indicated in most individuals who need fomentation(swedana),

   Snehana is indicated in those who need vamana or virechana,

Those having dryness in the body,

Individuals suffering from various from vata disorders,

Those who do regular heavy exercise,

Those who consume more alcohole,

Those who are engaged in excessive sex,

Those who are engaged in intellectual work,

Individuals performing heavy physical work,aged people, women and with slender body and

Those suffering from loss of blood and ojas.

BENEFITS OF OLEATION:-

To strengthen and improve the delicacy of the skin,

For intelligence,to improve grasping power and memory,

Who have vata diseases or vata-pitta disorders,

To increase eye power,

After strenuous physical exercise or work and after long journeys,

To obtain long life,as an independent rejuvenative therapy, and for all weak,exhausted and anaemic persons.

SNEHAPANA VIDHI:-

1)Preliminary procedure:-First of all one has to take into consideration and thus determine age,gender,strength of the disease and also the other related information of the patient.

Fixation of dosage(matranirdharana):-Dose depends on the koshtha of an individual.

(a)Mrudu koshtha-snehana upto 3 days,

(b)Madhyam koshtha-snehana upto 5 days,

(c)Krura koshtha-snehana upto 7 days.

Dose of the sneha depends upon agni as follows:-

(a)Hrasva matra-the one which gets digested within 6 hours,

(b)Madhyam matra-the one which gets digested within 12 hours,

(c)Uttam matra-the one which gets digested within 18 hours.

2)Main procedure:-It is done 15 to 30 minutes before sunrise.In the beginning chanting of mantras is strongly recommended. It gives mental peace and confidence to the patient.Always start with low dose and increase gradually day by day.Selection of medicated oil or ghee depends upon type of disease,constitution,season etc.For ex:-tikta, maha tikta,pancha tikta ghruta in skin diseases.

COMPLICATIONS:-

Drowsiness,nausea,gas in abdomen,fever,stiffness,kushtha, skin diseases,itching,oedema,piles,aruchi,thirst,grahani,difficulty in speech,pain in the body and excess ama formation.

POST PROCEDURE:-

The following rules and regulations are necessary during internal oleation:-

1)Drink hot water,2)Follow celibacy,3)Donot sleep during daytime,4)Attend the natural urges,5)Avoid anger,sorrow,grief,6)Don’t get exposed to cold,sun,7)No excessive exercise and exertion,8)Relax and take proper rest,9)No smoking,no excess sleep and no late night sleeping.