CLASSIFICATION OF SVEDA KARMA/FOMENTATION THERAPY IN AYURVEDA

Svedana karma- classification

1.Niragni Sveda (without fire) and 2. Saagni sveda(with fire)

(ref: susurutha and vaagbhata)

Niragni sveda:                                   Saagni Sveda

1. Vyayama (Exercise)                   1.Tapa Sveda -done with hand
2. Ushna sadana                            Kaansya,Kapaala,Kanduka,Vaaluka and
3. Guru pravarana                         vastra (cloth)
4. Kshudha                                  2.Upanaha Sveda-bandhan,pradeha,potali
5. Bahupan                                  3.Ushma sveda-done with kapaala,Pashana
6. Bhaya                                      Loha ball,Sankar,Kumbhi,Prasthala,bhru etc
7. Krodha                                  4.Drava sveda-Done with parisheka,and
8. Upanaha                                   avagaha.
9. Ahava
10. Aatapa

According to Charaka:

• Saagni 13 types- 1.Samkara sveda, 2.Prasthara sveda, 3.Nadi sveda, 4.Parisheka sveda, 5.Avagaha Sveda, 6.Jentaaka sveda, 7.Asmanga sveda, 8.Karshu sveda, 9.Kuti sveda, 10.Bhru sveda, 11.Kumbhi sveda, 12.Kupa sveda, and 13.Holaka sveda.
• Niragni 10 types- Explained above

According to Kashyapa- 8 types:

1.Hastha sveda,2.Pradeha sveda,3.Nadi sveda,4.Prasthara sveda,5.Sankara sveda,6.Upanaha sveda,7.Avagaha sveda and 8.Parisheka sveda.

Classification according to bala/strength:

1.Mahan                  2.Madhyama                    3. Mrdhu.

Classification according to guna/quality:

1. Snigdha
2. Snigdha ruksha
3. Ruksha

1.Samkara Sweda (Mixed fomentation):

Sankara means mixing of dravyas like Tila,masha,etc together should be rubbed into pinda (ball like) made Luke warm and kept over the painful part of the body.This is a ideal procedure for application of heat to a selected part of the body.Depending on the drug used it can be  ruksha or snigdha.