Nasya karma is also called Sirovirechana karma. This procedure is generally the last step in panchkarma. In this therapy, some herbalised oils and liquid drugs are administered through nostrils. Nostrils are considered to be the pathway for brain.
Nasya karma has its importance in treatment of various diseases pertaining to the head. The therapy is practiced in India since ages. Cleaning the nose with pure clean water in the early morning is considered good as it helps in improving the eyesight, prevents hair fall and premature graying of hair. Several diseases can be effectively cured with nasya karma which are discussed in this article.
Types of Nasya Karma
There are following 6 types of nasya karma:
- Pradhamana Nasya (cures cough disorders)
- Bruhan Nasya (treats abnormalities in vata)
- Shaman Nasya (maintains pitta disorders)
- Navana Nasya (balances vata- pitta or kapha pitta vitiation)
- Marshya Nasya (cures symptom)
- Pratimarshya nasya (purifying dhatu)
Pradhamana Nasya
- This treatment is mainly used to treat diseases related to kapha disorder such as headaches, cold, heaviness in the head, hoarseness of voice, sinusitis, sticky eyes and nasal congestion.
- Tumors and cervical lymph adenitis can also be cured with this treatment.
- Other diseases that can be effectively cured with pradhamana nasya are drowsiness, epilepsy, nasal inflammation, parkinsonism, lust, greed and attachment etc.
- Brahmi is the traditional herb which is used in powder form for this treatment.
Bruhan Nasya
- In this treatment, oils, ghee, salt, ashwagandha ghee, shatavari ghee and milk are used to treat vata dosha disorders.
- Negative thoughts can be overcome through this treatment.
- Various diseases that can be cured with this treatment are — headaches, migraine headache, dry nose, dryness of voice, fear, anxiety, nervousness, emptiness and dizziness.
- Bruhana nasya would be a better treatment for people having problems like stiffness in the neck, heaviness of eyelids, dry sinuses, loss of sense of smell and bursitis.
Shaman Nasya
- This is the sedative nasya.
- This treatment is used according to type of dosha vitiation in the body.
- Shaman nasya is the treatment used to cure diseases related to pitta type disorders.
- It can effectively treat diseases like conjunctivitis, ringing in the ears and thinning of hair.
- Various medicated oils, teas and decoctions are used in this therapy.
Navana Nasya
- Navana Nasya therapy is used in kapha – pitta and vata – pitta disorders.
- Medicated oils and decoctions are poured through the nostrils.
Marshya Nasya
- Ghee or oil is used for marshya nasya treatment.
- This therapy is used to cure a particular symptoms of a disease, which can be a health condition arising from any disease.
Pratimarshya nasya
- Clean little finger is dipped in oil or ghee and applied into each nostril.
- Hence, nasal passage is lubricated and a gentle massage is given to the nostril.
- Tissues in nasal passage are opened up though this therapy.
- If this therapy is performed daily, one can get free from stress.
Nasya Karma Benefits
This therapy is used to treat the following diseases:
- Cataract
- Bronchitis
- Coryza
- Chronic coryza
- Dryness of the Nose
- Diseases of the eyelid
- Diseases of mouth, ear, eye, nose and head
- Frozen shoulder
- Facial paralysis
- Voice hoarseness
- Sinus congestion
- Tonsillitis
- Tetanus
- Uvulitis
- Toothache
Guidelines that should be followed after Nasya Karma are given below:
- Cold water should be avoided.
- Light meals should be taken.
- Warm water should be used for bathing.
- Patient should stay away from dust, dirt and pollution.
- Emotional stress should be avoided.
