Basti is called 'half of all treatment' (Ardha chikitsa) in Ayurveda. Medicated oil (Anuvasana Basti) or herbal decoction (Niruha Basti) is given through the rectum in a planned sequence after oil massage and steam.
The colon is the main seat of Vata. Basti is the main Panchakarma procedure for Vata disorders — pain, stiffness, dryness, constipation and nerve-related conditions.
How Basti is done
- Doctor assessment and choice of Basti schedule.
- Abhyanga and Swedana before each Basti.
- Medicated oil or decoction is given gently with a sterile tube while you lie on your left side.
- You rest and hold it for the advised time; the decoction comes out naturally.
- Light diet and rest; the doctor monitors you through the course.
Who Basti may suit
Basti may suit chronic constipation, IBS (Vata type), back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, neurological weakness (supportive) and gynaecological Vata disorders.
Precautions before Basti
- Not done with diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, piles with active bleeding, severe weakness or in pregnancy without specific advice.
- Tell the doctor about any medicines you take, pregnancy, recent illness, high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems before the therapy. Do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own.
Basti in Varanasi at Aarogyam Shri Ayurveda
Basti at our Varanasi (Banaras) clinic is done by trained therapists under the supervision of an Ayurveda doctor, who first checks your Prakriti, current health and reports. The doctor then decides the oils or medicines, the number of sittings and the diet to follow during the course.
