SNEHA PAANAM and its Procedures

 SNEHAPANA IN AYURVEDA TREATMENTS

Internal administration of Sneha or fat materials in the body is called Sneha panam/ Abhyantara Sneha.It is again classified into two Achapana Sneha and Vicharana Sneha.This type of snehana mainly used prior to the shodhana therapy as preparatory procedure and also to prepare the body and other morbid doshas to purification therapy. By doing so our body will be softened etc.
Before doing all these procedures one should understand patients condition like age,disease condition,season, digestive capacity etc. And also have some pre and post operative procedures before and after this Snehana therapy.

Pre-Sneha measures/poorva karma/preparatory measures:

One day before the actual administration of snehapana(internally),the concerned individual should be given food in the moderate quantity. The food should be liquid, hot and anabhishyandi(free from stickyness,etc),that does not cause avarodha/obstruction to the channel of circulation(srothas).

The food should be Drava(liquid), ushna (hot), pramana (proper quantity),not snigdha(excess),Asamkirna (Avirudha veerya) and one should not consume food quickly or slowly.Food should be taken calmly (without talking,should not laugh while taking food,and one should take the food, which is favorable and conductive to his body constitution(saatmyahara).

Materials Required:

Before initiating the snehapana always check the all emergency and routine things.because in an emergency situation some times it may not poosible to get the required drugs,etc.Further all anupana dravya like ushna jala/hot water,yusha etc.should be kept ready.

since snehapana in certain individual may cause some complaints,especially such drugs which control these effects should be kept ready.(if required).

some of the complaints are:

Agnimandya (indigetion)-Hinguvachadi vati,chitrakadi vati.

Arochaka (anorexia) -Ashtachurna,etc

Sula (pain)- Shanka basma,etc

Bhrama (giddiness)-Pravala pishti,etc

Murcha -Kamadugdha ras,etc.

and medicines required for vamana and virechana.

• Medicated Ghee or oil according to the requirement.
• Measuring glass.
• Hot water drinking.(boiled with Shundi+ Dhanyaka).

Medicines commonly used:

• indukantham ghritham
• Gulgulu thikthakam ghritham.
• Mahatikthakam ghritham.
• Sukumara ghritham.
• Ksheera bala tailam.
• Dhanwantaram tailam,etc.

Man Power:

• Ayurvedic Physician: 1
• Attendant/ Nurse: 1

Dosage of Snehapana:

Four types of Snehapana dosage schedules  are indicated-

1. Pravara Matra-Sneha digest in 24 hrs.
2. Madhyama Matra- Sneha digest in 12 hours.
3. Avara Matra - digest in 6hrs.
4. Hrasiyasi Matra with arohana krama-digest in minutes

These to be fixed,keeping in view the various factors like state of agni, clinical condition, Prakruti of patient,etc.and aim of snehapana.
Minimum dosage for snehapana is approximately 50ml,this can be increased gradually by 25 or 30ml every day for 3,5,and 7 days desired by the physician.

Procedure of Snehapana:

Agnibala (digestive power) may be assessed in the patient prior to Snehapana,so as to assess the dose of sneha dravya(unctous substances).For the patients with unknown doshas,agni,etc one may start with Hrasiyasi Matra (which digest in 2 yamas).

The patient who is intended to under go snehapana is to take sneha in the early morning (within 15mts of sunrise) in the prescribed dose based on his Agnibala,nature of the diseases,condition of the body,etc.The usual dosage is between 50 to 75mlof ghritha and 30 to 50ml for Taila on the first day.The dose for the next day should be fixed after assessing the time taken for digetion. Hot water boiled with piece of sundi (dry ginger) + Dhanyaka (dry coriander seeds)is given in small doses toenhance the digetion.

Snehapana (internal administration of unctuous substances) may be continued till Samyak snigdha lakshana (symptoms of disired effects) are observed and usually it is obtained within 3 to 7 days.

Step-wise procedure:

1. instructed to offer prayer to the god (according to one's faith).
2. Patient should be assured about the safety of treatment and confidence and courage levels should be raised.
3. selected Sneha should be heated to Luke warm water.
4. In Vata vyadhi- ghee mixed with little saindhava (rock salt), in Pitta diseases- pure ghritha should be used, in kapha diseases-powders of pippali,shundi,and maricha should be mixed before giving orally.
5. medicine should be given in early hours of morning at the time of sunrise in an empty stomach.(after patient completes daily routines like brushing,evacuation etc.
6. Patient asked to sit comfortably on a knee high chair.
7. The patient asked to drink the sneha.If the patient has some aversion to consume,he should be asked to close his eyes and nostrils and to drink (to avoid smell and appearance).
8. Hot liquids should be given as anupana.If required hot water should be taken repeatedly up to six hours of snehapana,especially when large dose is taken.

Usual practice of increasing order of snehapana dosage:

First day :          50ml.

Second Day :    100ml

Third day:         150ml

Fourth Day :      200ml

Up to 7th day :  350ml.

When to terminate the course of Snehapana:

The standered procedure of snehapana and pathya should be continued with gradual increase of Sneha (as described) for a maximum period of 7 days. During the treatment, every day the patient's condition should be assessed to "note the effect of snehapana".
This procedure of snehapana should be stopped on the day the patient/person develops the Samyak Jirna Lakshana.
The time of feeling of hunger and appearance of the Sneha (Fat) in the stools, are the correct indicators samyak snigdha hence further Sneha pana should be terminated.
If any adverse effects of Atisnigdha or Asnigdha occurs suitable treatment should be given.

Observation of Jeerna Lakshana:

After the intake of Sneha on first day as well as in the rest of days of treatment, the patient/person is likely to experience certain symptoms,which indicate the jeerna or ajeerna of consumed sneha.Hence observation is essential for continuing further treatment,because in certain instances, it may not be proper to continue.

Symptoms indicative of progression of digestion (Sneha Pachyamana Lakshana)Ref A.S.Su:

• Shirorug (head ache).
• Bhrama (giddiness).
• Nishti (Excess-salivation).
• Murcha (Fainting)
• Sada (Tiredness)
• Klama (feeling of tiredness even during rest).
• Trsna (Thirsty feeling)
• Daha (burning sensations) and
• Arati (Restlessness).

Symptoms indicative of complete digestion (Samyak jirna Lakshanas):

• Disappearance of all symptoms stated under pachyamana.
• Laghuta (Feeling of lightness in the body).
• Vatanulomana (Proper passage of the flatus).
• Kshut (appearance of proper hunger).
• Trshna (Proper thirst).
• Udgara shudhi (Clear erection with out any taste, odor,etc.).

After Snehapana:

After snehapana is considered as completed,after matching with symptoms of proper Snehana the individual should be subjected to abhyanga and swedana from the very next day as per the planned Panchakarma treatment by the concerned physician.

Paschat Karma(pathyapathya)/post operative regimen during Snehapana:

During Snehapana treatment one should use hot water, observe bhramhacharya (celibacy), should not sleep during day time or suppress urge like urine (mutra),etc.

He should avoid physical exercise, loud talking,anger,anxiety,cold,wind,sun,etc.These measures should be continued some more time even after the completion of snehapana. If one indulges in wrong regimen during the course of snehapana, is likely to suffer from serious upadravas (complications).

Take rice gruel after feeling hungry (when consumed sneha is digested).

Indications of Snehapana:

• Swedya, Samshodya (Persons eligible for sudation and bio cleansing procedures).
• Ruksha Sarira (Roughness in the body).
• Nithyamadya (Alcoholic).
• Krisha (emaciated).
• Timira (Premature cataract).
•  Vata roga (Neuromuscular disorders).
• Kasa (cough)
• Swasa (dyspnoea)
• Hikka (Hiccough).
• Swarabheda (Hoarseness of noise), etc.

Contra indications of Snehapana:

• Sthoola (Obese).
• Kaphaja Vikaras (Kapha disorders)
• Atisara (Diarrhoea)
• Raktapitta (Bleeding disorders).

Complications and managements:

• Indigestion.
• Vomiting.
• Nausea.
• Anorexia.
• Headache.
• Constipation.etc.

In such conditions Snehapana should be discontinued and fasting ,Deepana (Stomachic), Pachana (Digestive),drugs may be given based on the patients condition.

Benefits and Observations:

Oleation pacifies Vata,lubricates and softens the doshas.It improve digestion,regularizes bowels,improves the strength and complexion and prevents premature aging,etc.

Other experiances with disease descriptions:

If readers have any additional experiences in Snehapana related to particular diseases can also add their opinions here,which will help other to cure the conditions and get a chance to practice.Other doctors ,students,vaidyas can also add their experience here which will  act as additional benefits to Ayurveda and Of course to patients and to other physicians.

1. Sneha pana with Gulgulu tikthaka ghritha,found great effective in reducing high cholesterol.

Thank you,

By: Dr.Rimin Razak

Ref:Charaka Samhita,Ashtanga hridaya,etc.