PANCHTIKTA KSHEER BASTI – ANSWER TO MANY PROBLEMS: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

In today’s modern era, sedentary lifestyle and various lifestyle modifications have resulted into many irreparable diseases like Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Spondylosis, Ankylosing Spondylosis and Avascular Necrosis. Allopathic treatment has its own limitation in managing these diseases. It can provide either conservative or surgical treatment and is highly symptomatic and with troublesome side effects whereas such type of conditions can be better treatable by the management and procedures mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. These types of conditions can be co related with the Vikriti of Vayu or as Vatavyadhi in Ayurveda as Vayu is the main factor involved in Kshaya of Asthi Dhatu. Basti is most widely used and highly effective treatment modality in Panchkarma. Though Basti is mentioned in vitiation of all the Vata, Pitta, Kapha, and Rakta Doshas, it is specially indicated for Vatika disorders. Acharya Charaka said that in the diseases related to Asthi, we should give Basti using Tikta Rasatamaka Aushadhi dravya along with Ghrita (Ghee) and Ksheera (milk). In the present context, Ksheera is used as Basti dravya which is prepared with Tikta rasa dravyas and ghrita. Thus, Tikta Ksheera Basti can be a better option to many diseases including Spondylosis, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia as well as many challenging conditions like Avascular Necrosis and Ankylosing Spondylosis.

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Keywords: Vatavyadhi; Kshaya, Basti; Tikta Rasatamaka Aushadhi; Tikta Ksheera Basti.