Poultice (Upanaha) That means, Varieties, Medical Significance, Makes use of

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
The Upanaha is a type of remedy whereby a thick paste of herbs is utilized after which wrapped with a fabric or leather-based. It’s used for numerous functions similar to inducing sweating, as a fomentation remedy and to trigger faster suppuration of wounds, abscesses, swellings and many others.

Upanaha as per Sushruta

Upanaha is the second kind of remedy talked about amongst ‘Sapta Upakrama’ i.e. the 7 kinds of therapies. These 7 therapies talked about by Grasp Sushruta are supposed to deal with and heal the injuries, ulcers and associated swelling and in addition to stop their issues.

Upanaha
“Thirdly upanaha needs to be performed…!” Upanaha remedy talked about in Sapta Upakrama contains of two procedures taken from the 60 therapies (Shashti Upakrama) which should be selectively performed as per situation of the wound. They’re meant to offer heat to the realm across the wound to boost suppuration in order that the draining the contents would grow to be simple.
Learn – Shashti Upakrama That means, Classification, Medical Significance

Varieties

Primarily 2 therapies are included underneath Upanaha. They’re –

1. Upanaha – poultice
2. Pachana – serving to the pus to kind correctly in order that it may be drained simply

These procedures needs to be performed after Avasechana if chronology must be adopted. If the situation of the wound is match to endure certainly one of these therapies they shall be skillfully chosen.

1. Upanaha – making use of poultices or unguents
Upanaha means making use of a poultice. It’s a form of sudation remedy. Right here some medicines are tied in a bundle or bolus of a fabric. To supply sudation the medicines needs to be in ‘na-ati-ghana’ kind i.e. not an excessive amount of strong, it needs to be in a semisolid kind.

Process – the medicaments are heated and utilized on the physique half and tied in a sterile fabric or leather-based. The protecting retains the warmth trapped and with the warmth, the medicinal rules from the herbs enter deep into the tissues.
Learn – Kaphaja Upanaha (Netra Roga) – Definition, Signs, Remedy

During which circumstances ought to upanaha be performed?

Upanaha needs to be performed in 2 circumstances of vrana shotha i.e. swelling round wounds and ulcers –

• Ama / apakva shotha – immature swellings
• Vidagdha / ardhapakva shotha – partly matured swellings

When performed in unripe swellings upanaha will result in subsidence of those swellings. When performed in partly ripened swellings upanaha will assist in maturation of the swelling and produce about their ripening. It will additional facilitate correct remedy of those circumstances.
Learn – Oedema – Ayurvedic Understanding, Remedy, House Cures

2. Pachana – inflicting suppuration of swelling
Pachana means bringing about maturation of swellings associated to wounds and ulcers. These therapies will assist in the formation of pus in order that it may be drained simply and facilitate the remedy. Pachana may be performed by administering medicines each internally and externally. On this context the pachana remedy needs to be performed externally.

In what circumstances ought to pachana remedy be performed?
Pachana needs to be thought-about when the therapies talked about in vimlapana and avasechana don’t assist in relieving the swelling across the wound or ulcer. Pachana needs to be performed utilizing the medicines talked about within the Mishraka adhyaya.
Learn – Pachana Karma: Physiology Of Digestion As Per Ayurveda

Sanskrit Verses

Methodology of conducting Pachana

The herbs talked about to have properties to result in suppuration of swelling (pachana herbs) needs to be chosen. They’re –

• Shana – Crotalaria retusa
• Mulaka – radish
• Shigru phala – drumstick seeds
• Tila – sesame seeds
• Sarshapa – mustard seeds
• Shaktu – powder of barley, rice, parched rice and many others is known as shaktu
• Kinva – sediments of fermented natural drinks
• Atasi – flax seed
• Anya ushna dravya – different herbs having sizzling efficiency

Preparation of utkarika
The powder of the above mentioned herbs needs to be totally combined with curds, buttermilk, wine and different bitter/fermented liquids. Ghee and salt is added, combined and utkarika ready. Utkarika means a poultice or a form of sweetmeat. Scorching utkarika needs to be tied within the leaves of castor plant and utilized and tied on the bothered half. Alternatively the utakarika needs to be wrapped in castor leaves; the bolus or poultice is heated on pan, utilized on the swelling and tied in place.
Click on to Seek the advice of Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)

Upanaha Sweda: Sweating remedy

Upanaha can also be a type of sweating remedy.

As per Ashtanga Hrudayam Sutrasthana seventeenth chapter /2-5
Upanaha Sweda  is software of poultice ready from
Vacha (Acorus calamus), Kinva-yeast, Shatahva (Dill), Devadaru – (Himalayan cedar (bark) – Cedrus deodara) and many others. Any form of grains, all substances having nice odor, roots of Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata) and Castor (Eranda); or meat;
Every one added with extra of salt, fats-oil ghee and many others. Chukra- Vinegar, Takra-Buttermilk and milk. It’s most popular in individuals with Vata imbalance–poultice are often known as Salvana upanaha and needs to be utilized typically. 2-3

After making use of the poultice, the a part of the physique needs to be bandaged with a delicate piece of leather-based which doesn’t have dangerous odor, which has been oiled; it needs to be barely warmed and tied;
If leather-based will not be out there, leaves of vegetation which stability Vata, silk fabric, or woolen fabric could also be used; poultice tied throughout night time needs to be eliminated throughout day and that tied throughout day needs to be eliminated throughout night time.4-5