Article: POORVAKARMA FOR SNEHANA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SHODHANANGA SNEHAPANA: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.1406160

Pages: 19-23

Author: Haritha KS *, P. Murali Krishna

Abstract: Snehapana is the administration of Sneha (a medicated or non-medicated lipid substance) internally with a definite therapeutic purpose. According to the mode of action, it is of three types: Samana snehapana (palliating type of medicated lipid intake), Shodhana snehapana (eliminating type of medicated lipid intake), and Brimhana snehapana (nourishing type of medicated lipid intake). Among these three, Shodhananga snehapana is the most important poorvakarma (pre-operatory procedure) for Shodhana (bio purification), like Vamana (therapeutic emesis) and Virechana (therapeutic purgation). The whole outcome of Shodhana therapy is determined by Shodhana snehapana as it brings the doshas situated in the sakha (peripheral tissues) to the koshta (gastrointestinal system) so that they can be expelled out easily. For an excellent Snehana and a perfect Shodhana, we have to do poorvakarma for Shodhanartha snehapana, i.e., deepana (appetizer), pachana (digestives), and rookshana (drying therapy). The present article attempts to understand the importance of poorvakarma for Shodhananga snehapana.

Keyword: Snehapana, Poorva karma, Panchakarma.