NASYA KARMA

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'Pancha Karma' is the cornerstone to Ayurvedic management of
disease. Pancha Karma is the process, which gets to the root cause of
the problem and corrects the essential balance of 'Tridosha' in body.
Pancha Karma is not only good for alleviating disease but is also a
useful tool in maintaining excellent health.
Although panchakarma is often thought of as the entire
procedure, it really is only one part of a group of therapies belonging
to a class of cleansing procedures called 'shodanan'. There is also a
group of milder techniques called 'shaman' for those not strong enough
for shodanan.

There are five basic shodhans(Cleansing Methods)Panchakarmas
1) Vaman: therapeutic vomiting or emesis
2) Virechan: purgation
3) Basti: enema
4) Nasya: elimination of toxins through the nose
5) Rakta moksha: detoxification of the blood

Nasya Karma

It is one of the panchakarmas mentioned in Ayurveda. It is a
process by which drug is administered through the nostrils.
If 'Nasyakarma' is done properly and regularly it will keep
the person's eye, nose and ear unimpaired. It also prevents the early
graying of hair and beard. Nasyakarma will prevent the falling of hair.
It will ensure growth of hair and alleviate diseases like cervical
spondilitis, headache, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, diseases of nose,
frozen shoulder, hemi crania, coryza, sinusitis, mental disorders
parkinsonism and skin complaints. Nasyakarma will enhance the activity
of sense organs and prevent the diseases of head (urdhwanga). It will
prevent the early aging process.
Purvakarma(Pre-purification Measures)
Prior to nasya karma, sneha and sweda should be done to the
patients Face, Forehead, Head, Ears and Neck. This prior snehana
(oleation) and swedana (sudation or sweating) will help to loosen the
adhesive doshas, thereby facilitating the subsequent elimination.
Pradhan karma (Main Procedure of Nasyakarma)
After the Purvakarma the patient is asked to lie down in a
bed with his hand and legs kept straight. His head is maintained at a
lower position by keeping the pillow below the neck. This position will
facilitate the direct passage of the drug. Placing the medicine above
hot water gently warms it and then it is made to flow in to one
nostril, while the other is kept closed the same process is carried out
in the other nostril also. For the administration of the drug a pichu
(Cotton swab) or nadi(tube) may be used (dropper can be used).
The sole, shoulder, neck, ear and palm are gently massaged
after the administration of the drug. He must pit out all the
impurities and medicine that reach his mouth. The spitting is
repeatedly carried out turning to both sides while the patient is
lying. Swedakarma (sudation) should be repeated after the nasya
treatment.
The process of nasya can be repeated twice or thrice if
necessary. This process should be repeated for 7 days.

Mechanism of Nasyakarma

The nasya dravya (medicine) acts by reaching 'Sringataka
marma'(a main vital point situated on the surface of the brain
corresponding to the nerve centres, which consisting of nerve cells and
fibres responsible for the function of speech-Broca's Centre, vision,
hearing, taste and smell).
From where it spreads into various strotasas (vessels and
nerves) and brings out vitiated doshas from the bread.
Sringataka is a composite structure consisting of four siras
(arteries) in connection with four sense organs-viz, nose, ear, eye and
tongue. The composite structure formed by the union of these four
arteries is called sringata. As per the ayurveda school of thought for
the evolution of a disease the vitiated doshas should be brought to the
site from its original seat. This movement will be made through the
srotasas (channels) and if there is any disturbance in the integrity of
the srotasas it will result in the development of disease.
With regards to the Urdhwangarogas (diseases of head) there
should be some disturbance in the normal functions of urdwanga srotasas
(arteries, veins, nerves in the head). Sringadaka are the most
important group of srotasas in the urdhwanga (head) and drugs acting
through these srotasas are certain to bring about srotosuddhi
(cleaning) in urdhwanga.
Action of drugs used in Nasyakarma
* By general blood circulation, after absorption through mucous
membrane.
* Direct pooling into venous sinuses of brain via, inferior ophthalmic
veins.
* Absorption directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.
Many nerve endings which are arranged in the peripheral
surface of mucous membrance, olfactory, trigeminal etc will be
stimulated by Nasyadravya (the medicine used to give nasya) and
impulses are transmitted to the central nervous system. This results in
better circulation and nourishment of the organs and the diseases will
subside. Most of the drugs described for nasya therapy have got katu
(bitter), ushna (hot) and theekshna (sharpness) properties. These drugs
produce draveekaranam (liquifaction) and chhedanam (expulsion) of
vitiated doshas. The kashaya rasa (astringent taste) drugs produce
astringent effect while madhura rasa (sweat) drugs produce cooling and
nourishing effect.

In conclusion it may be stated that The nose is the doorway to the
brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness.Prana or life energy
enters the body through breath taken in through the nose. Nasal
administration of medication helps to correct the disorders of prana
affecting the higher cerebral, sensory and motor functions.the brief
study of the mechanism of nasya can be summed up in a single statement
made in the ayurvedic classics, "Nasahi Shirasodwaram" ie., nose is a
pharmacological passage into the head.

Types of Nasya
There are six main types of nasya, as listed below.
1. Pradhamana (virechan) Nasya (cleansing nasya) uses dry powders
(rather than oils) that are blown into the nose with a tube. Pradhamana
nasya is mainly used for kapha types of diseases involving headaches,
heaviness in the head, cold, nasal congestion, sticky eyes, hoarseness
of voice due to sticky kapha, sinusitis, cervical lymph adenitis,
tumors, worms, some skin diseases, epilepsy, drowsiness, Parkinsonism,
inflammation of the nasal mucosa, attachment, greed and lust.
Traditionally, powders such as brahmi are used.
2. Bruhana Nasya (nutrition nasya) uses ghee, oils, salt, shatavari
ghee, ashwagandha ghee and medicated milk and is used mainly for vata
disorders. It is said to benefit conditions resulting from vata
imbalances such as vata-type headaches, migraine headache, dryness of
voice, dry nose, nervousness, anxiety, fear, dizziness, emptiness,
negativity, heaviness of eyelids, bursitis, stiffness in the neck, dry
sinuses and loss of sense of smell.
3. Shaman Nasya (sedative nasya) is used according to which dosha is
aggravated but mainly for pitta-type disorders such as thinning of
hair, conjunctivitis and ringing in the ears. Generally certain herbal
medicated decoctions, teas and medicated oils are used.
4. Navana Nasya (decoction nasya) is used in vata-pitta or kapha-pitta
disorders and is made from decoctions and oils together.
5. Marshya Nasya (ghee or oil nasya)
6. Pratimarshya (daily oil nasya) is performed by dipping the clean
little finger in the ghee or oil and inserting into each nostril,
lubricating the nasal passage with gentle massage as described above.
This helps to open deep tissues and can be done every day and at any
time to release stress.

Indications for Nasyakarma:

Trigeminal Neuralgia
Bel's Palsy
To improves memory & eye sight
Insomnia
Elimination of excess Mucus
Hyper pigmentation in the face
Pre-mature graying of hair
To brings clarity to voice
Headaches of various origin
Hemiplegia
Loss of smell and taste
Frozen Shoulder
Migraine
Stiffness of the neck
Nasal Allergies
Nasal Polyp
Neurological dysfunctions
Sinusitis
To relive stress and emotional imbalances
stiffness in the neck & shoulders
dryness of the nose
hoarseness of voice
convulsions
Contra-Indications for Nasya:

Nasal medication should not be administered after a bath, food, sex,
drinking alcohol, during pregnancy or menstruation.It should not be
used below 7 years or over 80 years of age

Substances Used in Nasya:

brahmi, ginger, ghee, oils, decoctions, Piper longum, black pepper,
curry pepper, rose, jasmine, henna etc.