An in-Depth Review of Ayurvedic Basti Karma (Medicated Enema)

Ayurvedic science deals with treating the diseases and maintaining the health of the healthy. Panchakarma therapies are usually employed to eradicate the vitiated Doshas and aid in maintaining the equilibrium of these Doshas, which is the fundamental basis of health. Any one of the five Panchakarma therapies can be utilized, either singly or in combination to prevent or cure a disease. One such therapy is Basti Karma (Medicated Enema), which is an important treatment modality and it is thought to be Ardhachikitsa (50% of all the treatments required) by some Acharyas of Ayurveda. Classically, Basti is advocated to be administered in diseases of Vata Dosha predominance. Although Basti is administered in the Pakvashaya (rectum and Colon) its active ingredients spreads throughout the entire body, giving the desired outcome. Its action is multidimensional, though some consider it as a simple enema procedure. The therapeutic effect of Basti Karma can only be inferred through the efficacy of the procedure. In this article, an attempt is made to explain Basti Karma and its utility.