SNEHANA KARMA IN URDHWAJATRUGATA VIKARAS

*Dr. Madhumitha S., Dr. Sujathamma K

ABSTRACT

Shalakya tantra
is a specialised discipline of Ayurveda that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
diseases related to the organs above the clavicle, focusing on the head, neck, eyes, ears, nose, and throat. It
emph asises maintaining the integrity and optimal functioning of the sensory organs, which are vital for perception
and communication. Ayurveda explains two types of treatment modalities i.e., santarpana & apatarpana chikitsa .
Snehana is one among the santarpana chikitsa which is a fundamental procedure in panchakarma . It involves the
application and ingestion of medicated oils and ghee to lubricate and soften the body’s tissues, easing the removal
of toxins. Snehana plays a crucial role in the management of shal akya rogas chiefly vata predominant diseases. It
can be practiced as both bahya (external) and abhyantara (internal) chikitsa in which bahya snehana is called as
Abhyanga which is done along with Svedana after the completion of Abyantara Snehana . Snehana is also used as
Pradhana karma which plays a pivotal role in preparing the body for effective detoxification and enhancing the
success of later panchakrama therapies. It is also a major preparatory procedure to be performed before shodhana.
The entire shodhan a procedure depends upon the proper mobilization of dosha from the sakha , which is achieved
with the help of snehana and svedana . Few of the external snehana procedures are also practiced as a part of
Dinacharya and Ritucharya for the maintenance of health in a healthy person. Overall, the practice of snehana in
Shalakya rogas is an integral part of Ayurvedic treatment, contributing to the integrated approach of addressing
both the symptoms and underlying causes of diseases.

Keywords: Snehana , Santarpana, Apatarpana, Shalakya rogas, Bahya snehana, Abhyantara snehana, Shodhana, Samana.