HTML Full Text

Introduction

Nasya is one of the vital modality of Ayurveda Panchakarma in which medicines administered through the nostrils. It is believed that nose is the gateway of head; therefore this therapy helps to cure diseases of head region. This therapy expands the head's channels, which improves the oxygenation process and influences brain function. The medicine works by stimulating the function of olfactory receptors, which promotes the health of the eyes, nose, ear, and throat. Selection of medication for nasal administration, dose and frequency of drug administration, and other aspects all contribute to Nasya Karma's performance. [1-4].

Nasya (Nasya-karma) is also known as Navana and the formulations used for this therapy called Nasika kalpana. Churna Kalpana, Taila Kalpana, Ghrita and Ghanasara Yoga are some of the most prevalent Nasya Aushadhi Kalpanas. The treatment is mostly used to treat Urdhvajatrugata Vikaras. Nasya therapy is beneficial for Manyastambha since it relieves the symptoms of Gaurava, Supti, Stambha, and Shirashula, among others. Nasya therapy involves instillation of drug through nasal route hence cures diseases of supraclaviclar region, medications via nasal route affects Prana Vata, Sadhaka Pitta, Majja Dhatu and Tarpaka Kapha, etc [4-7].

Modern science also emphasizes utility of Nasya therapy to relieves stiffness of head & neck, suggested for headache and migraine, relief symptoms of sinus & congestion, prevent toothache, clears obstruction of throat, treats tonsillitis & pharyngitis, useful for facial paralysis and disorders located above the clavicle area.

Table 1: Different classifications of Nasya as per Ayurveda Classics:

These different types of procedures used for cleansing, nutritive and sedative purpose. Different types of Nasya also help to pacify aggravated Dosha and relieving stress [8].  According to Acharya Charak, there are five types of Nasya viz. Virechana nasya, Bruhana nasya, Shaman, navan and Marshya nasya.

Nasya Karma Described by Charaka:

1. Virechana Nasya: This procedure involves administration of dry powers or herbs into the nose, the commonly used substances are Vacha, Brahmi and Jatamamsi. This procedure mainly used for cleansing purposes thus clears nasal congestion.

2. Bruhana Nasya: This is considered good for Vata Dosha, in this procedure substances which improves strength and tonicity are administered through the nose. Ghee, Shatavari ghee, medicated milk and Ashwagandha ghee, etc. are mainly used for this purpose.

3. Shamana Nasya: Shamana Nasya involves utilization of medicated decoctions, fresh juice, medicated oils and teas, etc. to alleviate Dosha. The specific substances for particular Dosha used as follows:

• Brahmi ghee recommended for Pitta

• Vacha oil for Kapha or Vata

• Tikta ghee for Vata or Pitta Dosha

1. Navana Nasya: Decoctions, fresh juices of Brahmi & Vachai and medicated oils are administered to pacify aggravated Dosha.

2. Marshya Nasya: Medicated ghee or oil inserted through the nostrils using little finger with gentle massage, this procedure relieve stress and clears obstruction of deep tissues.

Probable mode of action of Nasya Karma & Nasya Dravya:

Taila used for Nasya purpose, especially in case of Siroroga. Murcchita Krishna Tila Taila, Bhringa Rasa, Aja Paya, Eranda, Tagara, Shatahva, Jivanti, Rasna, Bhringa, Vidanga, Yashti, Shunthi and Saindhava Lavana, etc. are used for Nasya purpose.

These Nasya Dravyas offers Vata & Kapha Shamak action, Tridosahara and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties of Nasya Dravyas helps to relieve Vata & Kapha Dosha therefore cure nasal congestion, headache, migraine and stiffness of neck. Ashwagandha Churna used for Nasya therapy increases Pitta thus boost appetite, the Medhya and Vedana Sthapana effects of Nasya Dravya like Shatavari Churna relieves pain and improves brain functioning. Vata and Kapha Dosha are mainly involves in diseases of head and neck region, the drugs used for Nasya purpose provides Vata & Kapha Shamak action therefore imparts beneficial effects in such types of disorders. The Doshapratyanika property of Ayurveda relieves symptoms of pain, stiffness and congestion.

Nasya Karma liquefies Dosha and Mala thereafter these morbid Doshas & toxins get eliminated. The cleansing effects on Srotas clear congestion and obstruction thus cure diseases caused by Vata Dosha. Application of oil through nasal route prevents stress, induces sleep, impart soothing effect and control problems associated with stress and depression. This therapy control intensity of migraine and headache by virtue of their calming and nourishing effects.

Nasya Karma open up pathways of Shira therefore drug through nostrils reaches Sringaataka and spreads to the Murdha, Netra, Shrotra, Kantha and Mukha, gathers morbid Dosha in Urdwajatru and extract them from Uttamanga. The aqueous ingredient easily gets absorbed through mucous membrane of nasal & olfactory mucosa, fat soluble ingredient assimilated through the nerve endings. Nasya Dravya gets absorbed through passive process via the cell membrane. Blood circulation of head and facial region play important role towards the onset and duration of action of Nasya Dravya. Efferent vasodilator nerves receive stimulation by fomentation and increases blood flow to the brain. The Kapha Vata Nashaka and Srotoshodhaka properties of drugs stimulates vasodilator nerves hence thereby increases blood circulation to the brain and relives symptoms of diseases related to the head region and brings effective relief in case of migraine [9, 10].

Discussion

The Nasya kala means proper time and duration of administration of Nasya drug also play important role in the success of Nasya therapy. Nasyadravya if utilizes in proper time then these drugs control neurological, endocrine and circulatory functioning of body. Drug absorption through nasal route imparts fast onset therefore exerts quick response and prolong action. The bioavailability of drug increases since drug directly reaches to the site of action thus small dose of drug imparts high therapeutic responses. Site of deposition, degree of absorption and viscosity of drugs contributed toward the contact time between nasal mucosa & drug. When this contact time increases then optimum response of therapy observed. The chemical impulse, electrical impulse and neuronal impulse, etc. are important ways of drug action through nasal route.

The pathways of Nasya medicines through nasal route are from nasal cavity to olfactory area of cerebral cortex. Drugs first reaches to nasal cavity then olfactory epithelium followed by olfactory nerve then cibriform plate of ethmoid bone and anterior cranial fossa thereafter reaches to the medial and lateral olfactory area of cerebral cortex. This pathway support action of drug through nasal cavity, neck, throat, respiratory passage and brain, etc. The properties of Nasya medicines and pathways of nasal route helps to alleviates diseases located above clavicle region [10-12].

Conclusion

Ayurveda described Panchkarma as prime therapeutic approach of detoxification and Nasya Karma is one such approach of body purification. Nasya Karma involves instillation of drug through nostril and this process helps to alleviate diseases of head, neck, ear and throat, etc. Nasya Karma administered medicines in the form of oil, liquid, Ghee, medicated smoke, juice and decoction, etc. Nasya Karma improves endocrine functioning, since Nasyaaushadhi reaches to the brain through nasal route therefore alter endocrinal, neurological & circulatory functioning of body. This therapy helps to cure symptoms of Supti, Gaurava, Shirashula and Stambha, etc. Katphala Churna, Pippali Churna, Katu tumbi Churna, Anu taila, Jatyadi taila, Padmakadi taila, Sadbindu taila, Kumkumadi taila and Ghrita, etc. are formulations used for Nasya Karma. Nasya Karma liquefies Dosha and toxins that after these morbid Doshas & toxins get eliminated from the body. Nasya Karma cleans Srotas, clear congestion, removes obstruction, pacify Vata Dosha and impart soothing and calming effects. This therapy reduces problems of stress and depression, relives migraine, headache and treats diseases located above clavicle region.