Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Laghu Shankh Prakshalan

Vikrant Prabhu Desai

Abstract


Gheranda Samhita, a Sanskrit text on Yoga, enumerates Dhauti Kriyas. Dhauti is cleansing of abdomen. Yogic and Ayurvedic literature emphasizes on maintaining clean gut. The modern medicine also enumerates importance of keeping gut clean. The health of an individual depends fully on clean gut. The first principle of Naturopathy says that, accumulation of dirt due to improper digestion, constipation, etc. disturbs the gut health and thereby disturbing the overall health. Allopathy in such cases recommends drugs to cleanse the system, which leaves some side effects. Yoga recommends practicing Shankh Prakshalan. Shankh Prakshalan is a natural method of cleansing the abdomen, which is devised by ancient rishis. This yogic bowel cleansing system is safe and effective. This though has been recommended to be practiced under supervision, Laghu Shankh Prakshalan is easy and can be done on own without much supervision. Laghu Shankh Prakshalan uses slightly salty and lukewarm water. The water is consumed and kriya is practiced so that water travels the alimentary canal properly and cleanses the canal. The dirty material stuck up in the alimentary canal is collected by the water and dragged out towards rectum. The sensation of going to toilet arises. Passing of clear watery stool indicates that the alimentary canal is cleaned. This kriya is to be practiced once in six months, though there are no symptoms of gut problems, so that the internal organs can be kept clean. The study reviews the Laghu Shankh Prakshalan Kriya with regards to procedure, benefits, period of practice and other important aspects to be followed.

Keywords


Laghu Shankh Prakshalan, Shatakarmas, Tadasan, Tiryak Tadasan, Kati Chakrasan, Tiryak Bhujangasan, Udarakarshan

Full Text:

PDF

References


Richa Vivek Haldavnekar, Padmini Tekur, Raghuram Nagarathna, Hongasandra Ramarao Nagendra. Effect of Yogic Colon Cleansing on pain, spinal flexibility, disability and state anxiety in chronic low back pain. International Journal of Yoga. 2014 Jul–Dec; Vol 7.

Gunjan Garg, Gopesh Mangal, Chundawat NS. A comparative Study of Yogic Karma (Shankha-Prakshalan and Asana) and Spico-Kalp in the Management of Madhumeha (D.M. Type 2). Int Ayurvedic Med J (IAMJ). 2016 May; 4(5): 918–928.

Kiran S, Sapkota S, Shetty P, Honnegowda TM. Effect of yogic colon cleansing (laghu sankhaprakshalana kriya) on bowel health in normal individuals. Yoga Mimamsa. Jan 2019; 51(1): 26–30.

Gayathri A. Effect of Laghoo Sshankaprakshalana on Lipid Profile and Anthropometric Measurements in Obese Persons. Dissertation Submitted to the Tamil Nadu Dr. M. G. R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Medicine in Yoga. 2016–2019.

Shagun Chaudhary, Ketan Mahajan and Piyush Gupta. A comparative Study Between Basti and Shatkarma (Shankhaprakshalan, Kunjal) in the Management of Sthaulya. World J Pharm Res. 2020; 9(8): 1466–1483.

Swathi PS, Raghavendra BR, Apar Avinash Saoji. Health and Therapeutic Benefits of Shatkarma: A narrative review of Scientific Studies. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2021; 12(1): 206–212.

Jaydeep Negi, Abhishek Kumar Bharadwaj, Sachin Kumar. A review on the physiological and therapeutic effects of Shankhaprakshalana Kriya. Yoga Mimamsa. 2022 Jul–Dec; 54(2): 112–118.

Tekur P, Nagarathna R, Chametcha S, Hankey A, Nagendra HR. A comprehensive yoga programs improves pain, anxiety and depression in chronic low back pain patients more than exercise: An RCT. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Jun 2012; 20(3): 107–118.

Mashyal P, Bhargav H, Raghuram N. Safety and usefulness of Laghu shankha prakshalana in patients with essential hypertension: A self controlled clinical study. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct–Nov; 5(4): 227–35.

Rupesh Kumar, Swati Kumari. Review on Laghu Shankh Prakshalan / Shankh Prakshalan: A Safe and Effective Yogic Technique for Hypertension, Obesity, Constipation, Back Pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Targetting Bowel. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). 2023 Jan; 12(1): 254–258.

Amit Kumar, Udham Singh. Effect of 10-week Yoga Intervention on Obesity on working Male Professionals. Chettinad Health City Med J. 2023; 12(1): 32–38.

Ketaki Patil, Vidya Wasnik, Vijay Patrikar. Effect of Long Term Yogic Practices in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A single Case Study. J Indian Syst Med. 2021; 9(2): 135–9.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.37591/rrjoasyn.v10i2.3293

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.