AH-Su-Chapter 22: Gandushadi Vidhi गण्डूषादि विधि / Gargles and other therapies

Types of Full volume mouth gargling – Gandusha Prakara –

Note: Gandusha is treatment procedure wherein the patient holds the liquid medicine in his mouth, to its full, for specific time period.

चतुष्प्रकारो गण्डूषः स्निग्धः शमनशोधनौ
रोपणश्च त्रयस्तत्र त्रिषु योज्याश्चलादिषु १
अन्त्यो व्रणघ्नः

Gandusha is of four kinds, viz –
Snigdha – lubricating, with oils and fats – for Vata imbalance disorder
Shamana – palliative – for Pitta imbalance disorder
Shodhana – purifying – for Kapha imbalance disorder
Ropana – healing. 2.

Snigdha Gandusha –

स्निग्धो अत्र स्वाद्वम्ल पटुसाधितैः
स्नेहैः

lubricating full mouth gargle is by the use of oil processed with herbs of sweet, sour and salt tastes.

Shamana Gandusha –

संशमनः तिक्तकषायमधुरौषधैः

palliative full mouth gargle is by herbs of bitter, astringent and sweet tastes.

Shodhana –

शोधनः तिक्त कटु अमल पटूष्णैः

purifying full gargle is with herbs of bitter, pungent, sour, salt tastes and possessing Ushna – hot property.

Ropana –

रोपणः पुनः 
कषाय तिक्तकैः

healing full gargle is with herbs of astringent and bitter. 3.

Gandusha Drava – liquids used –

तत्र स्नेहः क्षीरं मधूदकम्
शुक्तं मध्यं रसो मूत्रं धान्याम्लं च यथायथम्
कल्कैर्युक्तं विपक्वं वा यथास्पर्शं प्रयोजयेत्  ४

Fats – oil, ghee etc., milk,
Honey with water
Shukta – fermented gruel,
Madya – wine,
Mamsarasa – juice of meat,
Mutra – urine of animals or
Dhanyamla – wash of grains fermented by keeping overnight,
These liquids are commonly used in Gandusha.

The liquids may be mixed with a kalka (herbal paste)
The liquids may be cooked or raw
The liquids should be comfortable to touch and to hold in the mouth.

Tilakalkodaka – Sesame seed paste with water – 
In conditions like
Dantaharsha – tingling of the teeth,
Dantachala – shaky teeth, and
disease of the mouth caused by Vata, Gandusha with water mixed with sesame seed paste – either lukewarm or cold, is useful. 5

Taila (sesame oil), Mamsarasa (meat soup), Ghrita (ghee) Ksheera (cow milk)

नित्यं तैलं मंसरसोअथवा

For daily use, either sesame oil or meat soup is good.

ऊषादाहान्विते पाके क्षते चागन्तुसंभवे
विषे क्षाराग्निदग्धे च सर्पिर्धार्यं पयोअथवा

When there is local or general burning sensation (Daha), ulceration and wounds caused by foreign bodies, poison wounds, alkalies (Kshara) and burns by fire, it is best to hold either ghee or milk. 3 – 6.

वैशद्यं जनयति आशु सन्दधाति मुखे व्रणान्
दाहतृष्णाप्रशमनं मधु गण्डूष धारणम्

Honey - Holding honey in the mouth removes the sliminess of the mouth, heals the ulcers quickly, relieves burning sensation and thirst. 7.

धान्याम्लंआस्यवैरस्य मलदौर्गन्ध्यनाशनम्

Holding Dhanyamla – fermented grain wash in the mouth removes distaste, dirt (of teeth and tongue) and bad smell from the mouth.

तदेवालवणं शीतं मुखशोषहरं परम्

The same – Dhanyamla without salt, used cold, is best to remove dryness of the mouth.

आशु क्षाराम्बु गण्डूषोभिनात्ति शलेष्मणश्चयम्

Holding Ksharambu – water containing alkalies in the mouth quickly breaks up the accumulation of Kapha.

सुखोष्णोदकगण्डूषैर्जायते वक्त्रलाघवम्

Holding comfortable warm water brings about ightness and cleansing of the mouth. 8 – 9.

Gandusha Vidhi – procedure -

निवाते सातपे स्विन्न मृदित स्कन्धकन्धरः १०
गण्डूषमपिबन् किञ्जित् उन्नतास्यो विधारयेत्

गण्डूषमपिबन्विधारयेत्

The person should sit in a place devoid of breeze (Nivata) but in sunlight (Sa Aatapa).
His shoulders and neck should be massaged and fomented;
Keeping his face slightly lifted up,

कफपूर्णास्यता यावत्स्रवत्घ्राणाक्षताअथवा

he should hold the liquid in his mouth till the mouth gets filled with Kapha or till the nose and eyes start secreting liquid. 10 – 11.

Difference betweek Kavala and Gandusha –

असञ्जार्यो मुखे पूर्णे गण्डूषः, कवलो अन्यथा

Filling the mouth with liquids fully not permitting any movement inside is Gandusha.
Taking liquid into mouth and moving it around by gargling for specific time period is Kavala.

Kavala – mouth gargles –

मन्याशिरः कर्णमुखाक्षिरोगाः प्रसेक कण्ठामयवक्त्रशोषाः १२
ह्रुल्लासतन्द्रारुचि पीनसाश्च साध्या विषेशात्कवलग्रहण

Diseases of the neck, head, ears, mouth and eyes,
Praseka – excess salivation, diseases of the throat,
dryness of the mouth, nausea,
Tandra – stupor,
Aruchi – anorexia and
Peenasa – rhinitis are curable by Kavala – mouth gargles. 12.

Pratisarana – coating the mouth with herbs -

कल्को रसक्रिया चूर्णः त्रिविधं प्रतिसारणम्
युञ्ज्यात् तत् कफरोगेषु गण्डूष विहितौषधैः १३

Pratisarana – applying herbs to the interior of the mouth with the finger – is of three kinds, viz.
Kalka – in the form of paste
Rasakriya – solidified decoction and
Curna – powder
It should be done in diseases of Kapha origin with the same herbs as suggested for Gandusha. 13.

Mukhalepa – application of paste of herbs over the face, Facial creams

मुखलेपः त्रिधा दोषविषहा वर्णकृच्च सः १४

Mukhalepa – application of paste of herbs over the face is of three types –
Doshaha – removing the Doshas,
Vishaha – removing poison and
Varnakara – improving complexion. 14.

उष्णा वातकफे शस्तः, शेषेषु अत्यर्थशीतलः

It should be applied warm for Vata and Kapha and
For Pitta imbalance, it should be cold

Its three thickness –

त्रिप्रमाणः चतुर्भाग त्रिभागार्द्धाङ्गुलोन्नातिः

Minimum – 1/4^th Angula (Finger breadth)
Medium – 1/3 Angula
Maximum – ½ Angula thickness 15.

अशुष्कस्य स्थितिस्तस्य, शुष्को दूष्यतिच्छविम्
तं आर्द्रयित्वा अपनयेत् तदन्ते अभ्यङ्ग आचरेत् 

It should be allowed to remain till it becomes dry; when dry, it vitiates the skin colour, hence it should be removed soon after it becomes dry. While removing, it should be moistened for easy removal.

After removal, a gentle oil massage should be given. 16.

Things not to do – 

विवर्जयेत्दिवास्वप्नाभाष्याग्न्यातप शुक् क्रुधः

The person should avoid day sleep, speaking for long hours, exposure to fire and sunlight, sorrow and anger during the procedure.

Contra indication - It should not be administered to persons suffering from

न योज्यः पीनसे  अजीर्णेदत्तनस्ये हनुग्रहे
अरोचके जागरिते 
Peenasa – rhinitis,
Ajeerna – indigestion,
Nasya – who have received Nasya therapy,
Hanugraha – locked jaw,
Aruchi – anorexia
Jagarana – loss of sleep.

Benefits –

स तु हन्ति सुयोजितः
अकालपलित वयङ्ग वलीतिमिर नीलिकाः

If properly done, it cures
Akalapalita – premature graying of hair,
Vyanga – discolored patch on face
Vali – wrinkles,
Timira – blindness and
Neelika – bluish vision (a type of blindness) 17 – 18.

The following six recipes are ideal for the six seasons commencing with Hemanta –(early winger) respectively.

1.        For Hemanta (early winter) –  कोलमज्जा वृषान्मूलं शाबरं गौरसर्षपाः Marrow of Kola, root of Vrisha (Vasa – Adhatoda vasica) , Sabara and Gaurasarsapa (White mustard).

2.        For Shishira (winter) – सिंहीमूलं तिलाः कृष्णा दार्वीत्वङ् निस्तुषा यवाः Root of Simhi, Krisna tila (black sesame), bark of Darvi and Dehusked Yava (barley).

3.        For Vasantha (Spring) – दर्भमूलहिमोशीरशिरीषमिशितण्डुलाः  Root of Darbha, Hima; Usheera, Shirisha, Mishi and Tandula (rice grains)

4.        For Greeshma (summer) – कुमुदोत्पलकल्हारदुर्वामधुकचन्दनम् Kumuda, Utpala, Kalhara, Durva, Madhuka and Chandana (Sandalwood).

5.        Varsha (Rainy season) – कालीयकतिलोशीरमांसीतगरपद्मकम्  Kaliyaka, Tila, Usira, Mamsi, Tagara and Padmaka.

6.        Sharath (Autumn) – तालीसगुन्द्रापुण्ड्राह्वयष्टीकाशानतागुरु Talisa, Gundra, Pundrahva, Yasti, Kasa, Nata and Aguru. 19 – 21.

इत्यर्द्धार्द्धोदिता लेपा हेमन्तादिषु षट् स्मृताः

मुखालेपनशीलानां दृढम् भवति दर्शनम्
वदनं चापरिम्लानं श्लक्षणं तामरसोपमम्

For those who are habituated to application of paste of herbs on the face, the vision becomes keen, the face never dull, but smooth and brilliant resembling a lotus flower. 22.

Murdha Taila – Oil treatment of the head –

अभ्यङ्ग सेक पिचवो बस्तिश्चेति चतुर्विधम् २३
मूर्धतैलम् बहुगुणं तद्विद्यात् उत्तरोत्तरम्

Murdha Taila – application of oil to the head is of 4 types.
Shiro Abhyanga – smearing oil and mild massage,
Shiro Pariseka– pouring oil in continuous stream,
Shiro Pichu – keeping cloth soaked in oil over the entire area of scalp
Shiro Basti – making the oil stand on the head with the help of a compound.

Each successive one being more effective. Means, Shirobasti is the most effective among the four.

Shiro Abhyanga –

तत्राभ्यङ्गः प्रयोक्तव्यो रौक्ष्य कण्डू मलादिषु 

applying oil and doing mild massage should be used in cases of dryness, itching and dirtyness.

Pariseka –

अरूंषिका शिरस्तोद दाहपाकव्रणेषु तु
परिषेकः

pouring oil in a thin stream is useful in ulcerations of the scalp, headache, burning sensation, wounds, and suppurations in the scalp. It is also known as Shirodhara.

Shiro Pichu –

पिचुः केशशात स्फुटन धूपने 

oil soaked cloth / cotton swabs, applied over the scalp – useful in case of falling of hairs, cracking of the skin and feeling of burning sensation.

Shirobasti –

नेत्रस्तम्भे च बस्तिस्तु प्रसुप्ति अर्दितजागरे
नासास्यशोषे तिमिरे शिरोरोगे च दारुणे

making the oil to stand on the head in cases of

Netrasthamba – lack of movement of eyeball
Prasupti – loss of sensation of the scalp,
Ardita – facial palsy,
Jagara – loss of sleep,
Nasa Asya Shosha – dryness of the nose and mouth,
Timira – blindness and
Daruna Shiroroga – dreadful diseases of the head. 23 – 26.

Shirobasti Vidhi -

विधिस्तस्य निषण्णस्यपीठे जानुसमे मृदौ
शुद्धाक्तस्विन्नदेहस्य दिनान्ते गव्यमाहिषम्
द्वादशाङ्गुलविस्तीर्णं चर्मपट्टं शिरः
आकर्णबन्धनस्थानं ललाटे वस्त्रवेष्टिते
चैलवेणिकया बद्धा माषकल्केन लेपयेत्
ततो यथाव्याधि श्रुतं स्नेहं कोष्णं निषेचयेत्
ऊर्ध्वं केशभुवो यावदङ्गुलं धारयेचच तम्
आवक्त्रनासिको क्लेदाद्दशाष्टौ षट् चलादिषु 
मात्रासहस्राण्यरुजे त्वेकं स्कन्धादि मर्दयेत्
मुक्तस्नेहस्य परमं सप्ताहं तस्य सेवनम्

The person who has been purified – with Vamana, Virechana etc., should be gently massaged with oil and given mild fomentation.

Then at the closing of the day (evening) he should be made to sit on a stool of the height of the knee, a strap of leather made from the leather of either cow or buffalo, twelve Angula in width ( 8 – 9 inches) and equal to that of the head in circumference should be wrapped around the head, just above the ears, covered by a piece of cloth over the forehead, and fastened tight with a thread.

The joints and intervening spaces should be packed with paste of black gram flour in order to prevent leakage of oil. Then, medicated oil prescribed for the disease, should be poured over the head, in luke warm condition, to a height of one Angula over the skin of the scalp.

Maatrakala/ time for holding the medicine

आवक्त्रनासिको क्लेदाद्दशाष्टौ षट् चलादिषु 
मात्रासहस्राण्यरुजे त्वेकं 

It should be held till secretion of fluid appears in the mouth and nose, or for a period of

10,000 Matra Kala for Vata
8,000 Matra Kala for Pitta and
6,000 Matra Kala for Kapha

1 Matra Kala = time required to blink the eye once.

For a healthy person, it is 1,000 Matra Kala.

Anantara kriya

स्कन्धादि मर्दयेत्
मुक्तस्नेहस्य परमं सप्ताहं तस्य सेवनम्

After this period, the shoulders etc. should be massaged, after removing the oil over the head.
Seven days shall be the maximum period for this therapy. 27-31.

Karna Purana – filling the ears with oil –

धारयेत्पूर्णं कर्णे कर्णमूलं विमर्दयन्
रुजः स्यान्मार्दवं यावत्मात्राशतमवेदने ३२

The ears should be filled with medicated fat/oil, root of the ears massaged, till the pain or the disease subsides and for a period of one thousand Matra Kala in case of healthy persons. 32.

Matra Kala –

यावत्पर्येति हस्ताग्रं दक्षिणं जानुमण्डलम्
निमेषोन्मेषकालेन समं मात्रा तु सा स्मृता

The time required for the finger of the right hand to move around the right knee once or the time required for closing and opening of the eyelids once is defined as a Matrakala. 33.

Murdhataila Phala – benefits of oiling of the head –

कचसदनासिततवपिञ्जिरत्वं परिफुट शिरसः समीररोगान्
जयति जनयति इन्द्रियप्रसादं स्वरहनुमूर्द्धबलं च मूर्द्धतैलम्

Oiling of the head prevents/cures falling, graying and matting of the hair, cracking of skin of the scalp, diseases of the head of Vata imbalance, produces clarity of sense organs, imparts strength to the voice, jaw and head. 34.

Thus ends the twenty second chapter called Gandushadi Vidhi in sutrasthana of Astanga hrudaya composed by Vaghata.