Discussion
Acharya Charak has explained precise Chikitsa Sutras for the treatment of Pakshaghata, which are Swedana, Snehana, and Mrudu Virechana, as treatment modality for Pakshaghata. 7 Initially, Snehana and Swedana should be advised along with Mrudu Virechana, and then Basti should be administered, followed by Shirodhara or Shiropichu. In this case, Snehana, Swedana, Matra Basti, Shiropichu, and Nasya were advised.
SNEHANA
Abhyanga: Abhyanga is massaging the body with Taila or any type of Sneha in the direction of hair follicles. Abhyanga acts on vitiated Vata Dosha, and the body becomes capable of withstanding fatigue and execise. Abhyanga is useful in Pakshaghata because it pacifies Vata Dosha and helps to nourish Dhatus.8 According to Acharya Charak Vayu, it is predominant in Sparshanendriya, and its site is Twak. 9 Thus, due to Abyanga, the peripheral nervous system gets stimulated by the stimulation of Sparshanendriya, hence providing stimulation to the muscular system, vessels, and glands. Here, Abyanga was done with Bala Ashwagandhadi Taila, which has excellent Rasayana properties and promotes sensual well-being. It is an important Sneha Kalpana mentioned in Ayurveda texts and is prepared from Tila Taila, Bala Churna, Ashwagandha Churna, Laksha, and Rasna Churna. The Rasa Panchaka of Bala Ashwagandhadi Taila can be used to analyse its probable mode of action. Bala, Ashwagandha possesses Madhura Rasa, Snighdha Guna, and Madhura Vipaka, thus helping in mitigating Vata Dosha. Laksha possesses Snigdha Guna, which aids in reducing the effects of Ruksha Guna of Vata, thereby alleviating Vata Dosha. Tila Taila possesses Tikta, Madhura Rasa, and Ushna Virya, thus helping in the Kapha Vilayana and Vata Shamana. Tikta Rasa helps in the mitigation of Pitta Dosha. The Tikshna Guna of Taila is capable of penetrating Shukshma Strotas, where they activate sweat glands to produce more sweat after dilataion of Shukshma Strotas. Due to Laghu and Snighdha, Guna Doshas in Strotas are moved towards Koshta or excreted out through the micropores of the skin.
SWEDNANA
Nadi Sweda: Swedana is advised after Snehana Karma. Swedana is the procedure that reduces Sthambha, Gauravta, and Sheetata [10] Swedana reduces Sthamba Guna as it acts on the Saman Vayu, which resides in Dhatvagni, and the and the Shelshaka Kapha, which resides in Sandhi Sthan, Aam, Mamsa, Vasa, and Meda. Ruksha Guna is predominant in Saman Vayu, which leads to Sankocha and Sthambha. Swedana has Ushna Guna, which acts on Dhatus at Sukshma level and helps in Aam Pachana. Gaurava Guna predominates in Aapya Mahabhuta. Swedana leads to stimulation of Peshis and Vatavahini, which causes Laghuta in the body. Swedana helps in relieving Sheetata due to Ushna Guna of Swedana. Dashmoola Kwath executed Swedana in this case. Dashmool consists of Bilav, Agnimanta, Gambhari, Shyonaka, Patala, Bruhati, Kanthakari, Gokshura, Prushnaparni, and Shalparni. All these Dravyas are Uttama Vatashamaka.11
VIRECHANA
Removal of Prakupita Doshas from Adho Marga, i.e., Guda Marga, is considered Virechana. [12] According to Acharya Vagabhata, Virechana is considered Uttam Chikitsa for Pakshaghata. [13] Virechana is indicated in Pakshaghata as both Pitta and Vata Doshas are vitiated, and in order to remove vitiated Vata and Pitta, Virechana plays a major role. Dravyas used for Virechana are Ushna, Tikshna, Sukshma, Vyavayi, and Vikasi Guna, which, after entering the blood circulation, go into the Sthula and Sukshma Strotas and cause Vishyandan of Doshas due to Ushna Guna and Chedana of Doshas due to Tikshna Guna. Due to Vishyandan and Chedana of Prakupita Doshas, the Prakupita Doshas are brought into Koshta. Prithvi and Jala Mahabhuta Pradhana, the Virechana Dravyas, are responsible for the removal of Kupita Doshas from Guda Marga. Gandharva Haritaki Churna serves as the medication for Mrudu Virechana. Gandharva Haritaki Churna consists of Haritaki Churna and Eranda Taila. Anulomana, VataVyadhi, and Ajirna all benefit from this formulation. Haritaki owns Deepana, Pachana, Anulomana, Rasayana, and Chakshushya properties. Eranda is considered Vatahara, Vrishya, or Rechaka.
BASTI
Basti is considered Ardha Chikitsa, according to Acharya Charak. [14] The administration of medicated Kwath, Taila, Ksheer, and Mamsa Rasa through Pakwashaya is called Basti. Acharya Charak has considered Basti Vayasthapana, Ayushya, Agni Vardhaka, Medha Vardhaka, Swara Prasadana, Varna Prasadana, Mala Shodhana, Pitta Shodhana, Vata Shodhana, Kapha Shodhana, and Mutra Shodhana. Oja and Shukra Vardhana. [15] Basti enters Pakwashaya, Shroni Pradesh, and Nabhi's Adhobhaga. The virya of Basti Dravya circulates throughout the entire body. The Virya of Basti Dravya carries vitiated doshas from all parts of the body to Pakwashaya, where Guda Marga removes them. In this case, experts recommended using Matra Basti of Yastimadhu Taila. Matra basti is a type of Anuvasana basti. The only difference is that the quantity of Matra Basti is half that of Anuvasana Basti. [16] You can administer Matra Basti at any time. It has no specific vyapada or time duration for administration. Bala, Vruddha, and Sukumar specifically benefit from the use of Matra Basti. Durbala and Sukumar, the patients suffering from Pakshaghata, received the administration of Matra Basti. The combination of Yastimadhu and Tila Taila forms Yastimadhu Taila. Yastimadhu is a combination of Madhura Rasa, Snighdha Guna, Shita Virya, which functions as Vata, and Pitta Shamaka. In Pakshaghata (hemorrhagic stroke), the oozing of blood from a ruptured blood vessel can be stopped by Yastimadhu Taila Basti because of the Rakta Sthambhana and Rakta Prasadana properties of Yastimadhu.
SHIRO PICHU
Shiro Pichu is a type of Snehana comprising two terms. Shiro means head, and Pichu means cotton swab. A sterile cotton pad is mixed in Kinchit Ushna Taila, and the Taila-mixed Pichu is then kept on Brahmarandhra (the anterior fontanale) and wrapped in bandage cloth for a specific time interval. [17] Before placing Pichu, the patient is advised to clear the hair from his head. This helps in the quick absorption of Taila through Brahmarandhra. Shiro Pichu was done by Yastimadhu Taila. Shiro Pichu is an effective treatment for reducing stress and nervous tension. Reducing nervous tension helps to decrease intracranial pressure, which leads to the stoppage of the oozing of blood from capillaries or any other structure within the brain. Yastimadhu is Rasayana, Balya, and Medhya; hence, it can act as Uttama Vatashamaka.
NASYA
Instillation of medicated Kwath or Sneha through both nostrils is called Nasya. [18] Nasya is beneficial for Urdhwa Jatrugata Rogas and Shiro Rogas. According to Acharya Charak Indriya and Indriya Vahana Strotas, they are situated in Shira. [19] According to Acharya Charak Nasa, he is considered a Shiro Dwara. [20] Medicated Taila or Kwath, which are instilled through the nostrils, directly reach the brain. In this case, Nasya was advised by Ksheer Bala Taila. Ksheer Bala Taila reduces nerve inflammation due to Shita Virya and enhances nerve regeneration. It gives strength to muscles due to its Balya and Bruhana karma. Ksheer Bala Taila has Madhur Rasa, Madhura Vipaka, which is Vata, and Pitta Shamaka, which is beneficial to stop Rakta Vistravana. It is saumya in nature, which is pleasing to the sense organs and mind.
BRUHATA VATA CHINTAMANI RASA
Bruhata Vata Chintamani Rasa has Medhya, Rasayana, Balya, Ojovardhaka, and Yogavahi properties that are beneficial for Vata Vikara, especially Pakshaghata. This formulation arrests neuro-degenerative activity. Due to Yogavahi Guna, it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which gives a quick effect.
BRAHMI VATI
Brahmi Vati improves nervous function, enhances memory, and reduces convulsions and inflammation. Brahmi is considered Vaya Sthapana, Ayushya, Rasayani, and Medhya; hence, it improves nerve conduction and intelligence.
GOKSHURA
Gokshura has properties like Vata-Pitta Hara, Mutrala, Balya, Rasayana, and Vrushya; hence, it is considered Vata-Pitta Shamaka. Due to Mutrala Karma, it also helps in reducing intracranial pressure.
PUNARNAVA
Punarnava is Shoth Hara, Vayasthapana, Dipana, and Vayasthapana, which help in nerve cell regeneration and improve nervous function.
SARIVA
Sariva is in Grahi, Tridoshahara. Due to its Grahi Karma, it can be used for Rakta Sthambana and prevent further oozing of blood from vessels.
PUSHKARMOOLA
Pushkarmoola stimulates the brain and nervous system; as a result, it is useful in cerebral impairment and vata disorders.
JIHVA PRATISARANA
Vacha Churna and Yastimadhu Churna were responsible for Jihva Pratisarana. Vacha is considered a Medhya, which helps improve memory power. Acharya Charak has named Vacha Lekhaniya and Sangyasthapana MahakashaThese properties make it Vata Kapha Shamaka. Shamaka.