Critical Analysis on Action of Basti: A review

Abstract

Introduction: Amongst PanchaKarma (Five basic therapeutic procedures in ayurvedic medicine), Basti is considered to be the most powerful tool for treatment. The above statement could be more easily understood with the statement of Acharya Charakaa, that the Basti is the best tool to alleviate the Vata Dosha which is the most powerful Dosha (one of the three basic element deciding health). Some of the ancient researchers have quoted importance of Basti by saying it one half of the complete treatment process, moreover some quoted it as the complete treatment procedure itself. Methods: The research was carried out by evaluating the previously published literature in relation to Basti using PubMed, Scopus, Research Gate, Web of Science, Google Scholar and various MD and PhD thesis works. A comprehensive search was conducted in the available computerized medical database to select the articles. After identification of repeated articles, the final database was critically reviewed and the conclusion was derived. Result: The probable mode of action of Basti was seen through the absorption of Basti material through the gut directly into the systemic circulatory system thereby reaching the site of pathology and improving the condition. Other concepts were also proposed by some researchers. Many of them proposed that the traditional examination is enough to understand mode of action of Basti. Discussion: Most logical mode of action is the absorption of Basti material into systemic circulation through which the properties of drug administered in Basti procedure reach the site of pathology and work accordingly.