AH-Su-Chapter 17: Swedana Vidhi स्वेदन विधि / Sudation / Sweating Therapy

Kinds of sweating treatments – Swedana Prakara

स्वेदस्तापोपनोहोष्मद्रवभेदाच्चतुर्विधः

1. Tapa- fermentation,
2. Upanaha- warm poultice,
3. Ushma- warm steam and
4. Drava – pouring of warm liquid.

Tapa Sweda

तापोअग्नितप्त वसनफालहस्ततलादिभिः

Tapa Sweda is done by touching the affected part of the body with heated cloth, metal plate, forhead, Palm of the hand etc. 1

Upanaha Sweda

उपनाहो वचा किण्वशताहवादेवदारुभिः
धान्यैः समस्तैः गन्धैश्च रास्ना एरण्ड जटामिषैः

Upanaha Sweda is application of poultice prepared from
Vacha (Acorus calamus), Kinva-yeast, Shatahva (Dill),
Devadaru – (Himalayan cedar (bark) – Cedrus deodara) etc. any kind of grains, all substances having pleasant smell, roots of Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata) and Castor (Eranda); or meat;

उद्रिक्तलवणैः  स्नेहचुक्रतक्रपयः प्लुतैः
केवले पवने, श्लेष्मसंस्रुष्टे सुरसादिभिः
पित्तेन पद्मकाध्यैस्तु साल्वणाख्यैः पुनः पुनः

each one added with more of salt, fats-oil ghee etc. Chukra- Vinegar, Takra-Buttermilk and milk.

in increase of vata associated with sleshma / kapha drugs of सुरसादि / surasaadi gana, in increase of vata associated with pitta drugs of padmakadi / पद्मकादि  gana

It is preferred in people with Vata imbalance–poultice are known as Salvana upanaha and should be applied often. 2-3

स्निग्धोष्ण वीर्यं मृदुभिश्चर्म पट्टैरपूतिभिः
अलाभे वतजित्पत्रकौशेयाविकशाटकैः

After applying the poultice, the part of the body should be bandaged with soft piece of leather which does not have bad smell, which has been oiled; it should be slightly warmed and tied;
If leather is not available, leaves of plants which balance Vata, silk cloth, or woolen cloth may be used;

बन्धं रात्रौ दिवा मुञ्चेन्मुञ्चेद्रात्रौ दिवाकृतम्

poultice tied during night should be removed during day and that tied during day should be removed during night.4-5

Ushma Sweda- 

ऊष्मा तूत्कारिकालोष्ट कपालोपलपांसुभिः
पत्रभङ्गेन धान्येन करीषसिकतातुषैः
अनेकोपायसन्तप्तैः प्रयोज्यो देशकालतः

Here the steam of the hot substance is directed towards the body part. Steam may be obtained by Utkarika- (boiling grains, pulses, seeds etc).
Stones, pebbles, mud, leaves pieces, grains, dried dung of animals like cow, Sheep, Goat etc, Sand, Husk etc  are also used for this purpose. 6-7 a

Drava Sweda –

शिग्रुवारणकैरण्डकरञ्जसुरसार्जकात्
शिरीषवासांवशार्क मालती दीर्घवृन्ततः
पत्रंमङ्गैर्वचाध्यैश्च मांसैश्चानूपवारिजैः
दशमूलेन च पृथक् सहितेर्वा यथामलम्
स्नेहवद्भिः सुराशुक्तवारिक्षीरादिसाधितैः
कुम्भीर्गलन्तीर्नाडीर्वा पूरयित्वा रुजार्दितंम्
वाससा अच्छादितं गात्रं स्निग्धं सिञ्चेत्यथासुखम्

Warm liquid is prepared by boiling bits of leaves of drumstick, Varanaka ,Eranda – (Castor – Ricinus communis), Karanja, Surasa, Arjaka, Shireesa, Vasa , Vamsha, Arka, Malati (Jasmine) or Dirghvrinta, with drugs of vachadigana – vide chapter 15, meat of animals of Marshy land and of those living in water, drugs of Dashamula, each one separately or all together, mixed with fats – oil, ghee etc.  appropriate to the Dosha;

Sura- beer, Sukta- fermented gruel, water and milk.

This medicated liquid should be filled into pot, jug with spout, or a tube and poured slowly and steadily over the painful part covered with cloth. 7b-10

तैरेव वा द्रवैः पूर्णे कुण्डं सर्वाङ्गे अनिले
अवगाह्य आतुरस्तिष्ठेदर्शः कृच्छ्रादिरूक्ष च

In case of Vata affecting the entire body, the same- medicated water may be filled into tub and the patient made to sit in it, this method can be adopted in piles, Dysuria etc.11

Swedavidhi – procedure of Sweating therapy:-

निवाते अन्तर्बहि स्निग्धो जीर्णान्नः स्वेदमाचरेत्
स्वेदमाचरेत्

Sweating should be administered to him who has been given Snehana- both internally- by drinking fats and externally- anointing  oil over the body, who is staying in a room devoid of breeze and after his meal has been completely digested. 12 a

व्याधि व्याधितदेस ऋतु वशान् मध्य्वरावरम्

Sweating may be mild, moderate or strong depending upon the condition of the disease, Patient, habitat and season. 12b

कफार्तो रूक्षणं रूक्षो,

Person suffering from diseases of Kapha should be given sweating treatment in dry condition- without the use of fat internally and externally and with dry liquid – without addition of fats;

रूक्षः स्निग्धं कफानिले

In case of Kapha and Vata- increased together the patient should be in dry condition and liquid mixed fats – should be used for sweating. 13 a

आमाशयगते वायौ कफे पक्वाशयाश्रिते
रूक्षपूर्वं तथा स्नेहपूर्वं स्थानानुरोधितः

When vata is localized in the Amashaya- stomach dry sweating should be given.
When Kapha is localized in Pakvasaya- (intestines), oil-sweating should be given. 13b-14 a

अल्पं वङ्क्षणायोः स्वल्पं दृक् मुष्क हृदये न वा

Sweating should be very mild / nil over the groins and also on the eye, scrotum and heart. 14b

Benefits of sweating treatment – care to be taken - Swedana phala and Upacana –:-

शीत शूल क्षये स्विन्नो जाते अङ्गानां च मार्दवे
स्यात् शनैः मृदितः स्नातस्ततः स्नेहविधिं भजेत्  १५

Diminution of cold and pain and softness  of the organ accrue from Sweating. After wards the body should be massaged slowly, given bath –in warm water and allowed comfort s as prescribed in lubrication therapy.15

Ati Swedana phala – effects of excess Sweating :-

पित्तास्रकोप तृण्मूर्च्छा स्वराङ्ग सदन भ्रमाः
संधिपीडा ज्वरः श्यावरक्त मण्डल दर्शनम् १६

Aggravation of Pitta and vitiation of blood,

thirst, loss of consciousness, weakness of voice and body,
Bhrama – Delusion, Dizziness
Sandhipeeda –  pain in the joints ,
Jvara – fever, appearance of black- blue, red patches on the skin, and vomiting are produced by excess of Sweating therapy;
For that , Stambhana treatment should be done. It is the same procedure, useful in diarrhoea and bleeding disorders.

Treatment of AtiSwedana :

स्वेदातियोगात् छर्दिश्च, तत्र स्तम्भनमौषधम्विष क्षाराग्नि अतिसार छर्दि मोहातुरेषु च
तत्र स्तम्भनमौषधम्

Withholding, stopping, hindering of elimination is the treatment, so also for patients suffering from poison, caustic Alkali and Barding by free; Diarroea, vomiting and unconsciousness 16-17

Qualities of Svedana and Stambhana Dravyas:

स्वेदनं गुरु तीक्ष्णोष्णं प्रायः, स्तम्भनमन्यथा
द्रवस्थिरसरस्निग्धरूक्षसूक्ष्मं च भेषजम्
स्वेदनं, स्तम्भनं श्लक्ष्णं रूक्ष सूक्ष्म सरद्रवंम्
प्रायस्तिक्तं कषायं च मधुरं च समासतः

Generally substances which are heavy, penetrating and hot in potency are used Swedana therapy.
Substances of opposite are used in Sthambhana (withholding ,hindrances to elimination)
Drugs which are liquid, sthira – static, mobile, unctous, dry and penetrating bring about sweating.
Those which are smooth, dry, thin, mobile and liquid, bitter, Astringent and sweet in taste are generally Stambhana 18-19

स्तम्भितः स्याद्बले लब्धे यथोक्तामयसङ्ख्यात्

Stambhana is useful in diarrhoea and bleeding disorders therapy, With this treatment, the person gains Strength and gets relieved of symptoms of excess sweating disappear. 20a

Symptoms of excess Sthambana – 

स्तम्भत्वक् स्नायुसङ्कोच कम्पहृत् वाक्हनुग्रहैः
पदौष्टत्वक्करैः श्यावैः अतिस्तम्भितमादिशेत्

Contraction of skin and tendons, tremors, stiffness of region of heart, choking of voice, locked jaw, black discoloration of the feet, lips, skin and hands. 20-21a

ASwedayah – persons Unsuitable for Sweating:-

न स्वेदयेत् अतिस्थूलरूक्षदुर्बलमूर्च्छितान्
स्तम्भनीयक्षतक्षीणक्षाममध्यविकारिणः
तिमिरोदरवीसर्पकुष्ठशोषाढयरोगिणः
पीतदुग्धदधिस्नेहमधून् कृतविरेचनान्
भ्रष्टदग्धगुदग्लानिक्रोधशोकभयार्दितान्
क्षुत्तृष्णाकामलापाण्डुमेहिनः पित्तपीडितान्
गर्भिणी पुष्पितां सूतां , मृदु च अत्ययिके गदे

Atishoola
Atirooksha – highly dry
Durbala – weak, debilitated
Murchita – fainted, unconscious
Those who are fit for Sthambhana treatment,
Kshataksheena – wounded, injured
Patients with Ama condition,
Madyavikari – chronic alcoholics
Night blindness,
Visarpa – herpes
Kushta
Shosha – emaciated
who have recently consumed milk, curds, fat,
Who have just undergone Virechana treatment
Who are burnt,
Who are tired, suffering from anger, grief, fear, excess tirst, hunger,
Kamala – liver diseases
Pandu – anemia
Meha – urinary disorders
People with Pitta imbalance.
women who are pregnant, menstruating – during periods and delivered  – recently . in case of emergency diseases , it should be done mildly – for the above. 21-24

Persons who deserve Swedana – Svedyah-

श्वासकासप्रतिश्यायहिध्माध्मानविबन्धिषु
स्वरभेदानिलव्याधि श्लेष्मामस्तम्भगौरवे
अङ्गमर्दकटीपार्श्वपृष्ठकुक्षिहनुग्रहे
महत्वे मुष्कयोः खल्यामायामे वातकण्टके
मूत्राकृर्च्छ्रार्बुदग्रन्थिशुक्राघाताढयमारुते
स्वेदं यथायथं कुर्यात् तदौषधविभागतः

Shwasa – dysnoea, COPD, Asthma
Kasa – cough,
Pratishyaya – running nose, allergic rhinitis
Hidhma – hiccup,
Adhmana – bloating
Vibandha – constipation
Svarabheda – altered voice, hoarseness
Vatavyadi – diseases of Vata imbalance
Angamarda – bodyache
stiffness in lower back, flanks, back, abdomen and jaws
enlargement of the scrotum, contractions of toes and fingers, tetanus sprains, dysuria, Malignant tumor- cancer, bening tumor, obstruction to the flow of semen and urine, and Adhyamaruta- Thigh stiffness. 25-27

Anagni Sweda – Sweating without fire source – 

स्वेदो हितः तु अनाग्नेयो वाते मेदः कफावृते
निवातं गृहमायासो गुरुप्रावरणं भयम्
उपनाहहवक्रोधो भूरिपानं क्षुधा आतपः

Sweating without source of fire is suitable in diseases of vata enveloped by Medas and Kapha.
Nivata sadana – Staying in air tight room,
Ayasa – stressful physical activity,
Gurupravarana – covering oneself with thick blankets
Bhaya – fear,
Upanaha – bandaging wrapping with cloth etc.
Fighting, wrestling
Krodha – anger
Bhuripana – excess drinking of water
Kshudha – withholding hunger
Atapa – Sun exposure – 28-29a

Sweda phala – Effects of Sweating :-

स्नेहक्लिन्नाः कोष्ठगा धातुगा वा स्रोतोलीना ये च शाखास्थिसंस्था
दोषाः स्वेदैस्ते द्रवीकृत्य कोष्ठं नीताः सम्यक् शुद्धिभिः निह्नियन्ते

Doshas which have been lubricated by oleation therapy, residing either in the alimentary tract, tissues, or lurking in the channels of the extremities bones etc are liquefied by Sweating therapy, brought into the alimenantray canal to be eliminated out of the body completely, by appropriate purification therapies.

So, sweating is done after oleation, but before elimination of Doshas by Panchakarma. 30

Thus ends the seventeenth chapter called Swedavidhi in sutrasthana of Astanga hrudaya composed by Vaghata.