Upanaha Which means, Varieties, Scientific Significance

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 varied functions comparable 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 sort of remedy talked about amongst ‘Sapta Upakrama’ i.e. the 7 kinds of remedies. These 7 remedies talked about by Grasp Sushruta are supposed to deal with and heal the injuries, ulcers and associated swelling and likewise to stop their problems.

Upanaha
“Thirdly upanaha needs to be performed…!” Upanaha remedy talked about in Sapta Upakrama contains of two procedures taken from the 60 remedies (Shashti Upakrama) which must be selectively performed as per situation of the wound. They’re meant to supply heat to the realm across the wound to reinforce suppuration in order that the draining the contents would develop into straightforward.
Learn – Shashti Upakrama Which means, Classification, Scientific Significance

Varieties

Primarily 2 remedies are included beneath Upanaha. They’re –

1. Upanaha – poultice
2. Pachana – serving to the pus to type 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 sort of sudation remedy. Right here some medicines are tied in a bundle or bolus of a fabric. To offer sudation the medicines needs to be in ‘na-ati-ghana’ type i.e. not an excessive amount of strong, it needs to be in a semisolid type.

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

Wherein situations ought to upanaha be performed?

Upanaha needs to be performed in 2 situations 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 convey about their ripening. This may additional facilitate correct remedy of those situations.
Learn – Oedema – Ayurvedic Understanding, Remedy, House Treatments

2. Pachana – inflicting suppuration of swelling
Pachana means bringing about maturation of swellings associated to wounds and ulcers. These remedies 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 situations ought to pachana remedy be performed?
Pachana needs to be thought of when the remedies 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

Technique 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 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 stated herbs needs to be completely blended with curds, buttermilk, wine and different bitter/fermented liquids. Ghee and salt is added, blended and utkarika ready. Utkarika means a poultice or a sort of sweetmeat. Sizzling 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 sort of grains, all substances having nice scent, roots of Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata) and Castor (Eranda); or meat;
Each added with extra of salt, fats-oil ghee and many others. Chukra- Vinegar, Takra-Buttermilk and milk. It’s most well-liked in individuals with Vata imbalance–poultice are referred to as Salvana upanaha and needs to be utilized usually. 2-3

After making use of the poultice, the a part of the physique needs to be bandaged with a gentle piece of leather-based which doesn’t have unhealthy scent, which has been oiled; it needs to be barely warmed and tied;
If leather-based shouldn’t be obtainable, leaves of crops which steadiness 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