Nasya – Ayurvedic Treatments

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Nasya or nasyam is an Ayurvedic treatment method, characterized by nasal administration of medicines. According to Ayurvedic concepts, nose is the opening of prana or life. Nasal administration of medicines easily takes the medicines to the brain and other vital parts. Nasal administration is mainly to remove excess dosha accumulated in the nose, throat and head area.

Prana is responsible for all mental activities including memory, thought process and concentration.

If there are difficulties to breath, Nasya is also a treatment method.

There are six types of nasya, they are:

1. Pradhamana nasya or virechan nasya uses powdered herbs, without any oils. The medicinal powder is blown into the nose with the help of a tube. Headaches, cold, etc are the main diseases treated this way.
2. Bruhana nasya uses animal or vegetable ghee, medicated milk, oil etc. It is also called nutrition nasya. Dry nose, difficulty in talking, heaviness of eyelids, loss of sensitivity to smell etc are the indications of bruhana nasya.
3. Shaman Nasya includes the application of medicinal decoctions or medicinal oils.
4. Navana Nasya uses both medicinal decoctions and oils together.
5. Marshya Nasya again is use of ghee or oil.
6. Prati Nasya is performed by the person himself on a daily basis, by dipping the small finger in ghee or oil (medicated or otherwise) and lubricating the nasal passage by inserting the wet finger as much as possible without causing pain or damaging the soft tissue.

Children below seven, people above 80 and pregnant women are not recommended for any kind of nasya therapies.