Nasya in Panchakarma shodhan chikitsa -2

Types of Nasya

There are six main types of nasya, as listed below.
1. Pradhamana (virechan) Nasya
(cleansing nasya) uses dry powders (rather than oils) that are blown into the nose with a tube. Pradhamana nasya is mainly used for kapha types of diseases involving headaches, heaviness in the head, cold, nasal congestion, sticky eyes, hoarseness of voice due to sticky kapha, sinusitis, cervical lymph adenitis, tumors, worms, some skin diseases, epilepsy, drowsiness, Parkinsonism, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, attachment, greed and lust. Traditionally, powders such as brahmi are used.

2. Bruhana Nasya
(nutrition nasya) uses ghee, oils, salt, shatavari ghee, ashwagandha ghee and medicated milk and is used mainly for vata disorders. It is said to benefit conditions resulting from vata imbalances such as vata-type headaches, migraine headache, dryness of voice, dry nose, nervousness, anxiety, fear, dizziness, emptiness, negativity, heaviness of eyelids, bursitis, stiffness in the neck, dry sinuses and loss of sense of smell.

3. Shaman Nasya
(sedative nasya) is used according to which dosha is aggravated but mainly for pitta-type disorders such as thinning of hair, conjunctivitis and ringing in the ears. Generally certain herbal medicated decoctions, teas and medicated oils are used.

4. Navana Nasya
(decoction nasya) is used in vata-pitta or kapha-pitta disorders and is made from decoctions and oils together.

5. Marshya Nasya
(ghee or oil nasya)

6. Pratimarshya
(daily oil nasya) is performed by dipping the clean little finger in the ghee or oil and inserting into each nostril, lubricating the nasal passage with gentle massage as described above. This helps to open deep tissues and can be done every day and at any time to release stress.

Indications for Nasyakarma:

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Bel's Palsy
  • To improves memory & eye sight
  • Insomnia
  • Elimination of excess Mucus
  • Hyper pigmentation in the face
  • Pre-mature graying of hair
  • To brings clarity to voice
  • Headaches of various origin
  • Hemiplegia
  • Loss of smell and taste
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Migraine
  • Stiffness of the neck
  • Nasal Allergies
  • Nasal Polyp
  • Neurological dysfunctions
  • Sinusitis
  • To relive stress and emotional imbalances
  • stiffness in the neck & shoulders
  • dryness of the nose
  • hoarseness of voice
  • convulsions

Contra-Indications for Nasya:

Nasal medication should not be administered after a bath, food, sex, drinking alcohol, during pregnancy or menstruation.It should not be used below 7 years or over 80 years of age

Substances Used for Nasya:

- brahmi, ginger, ghee, oils, decoctions, Piper longum, black pepper, curry pepper, rose, jasmine, henna etc.

"Anu Tail" is a special medicated oil in the form of Nasal Drops.
Main Ingredients being Jeevanti, Deodar, Vala, Vidang, Kamal, Salvan, Pithavan, Nagkeshar and other herbal drugs, milk and sesame oil as Base. It has been in use since ancient times for promoting proper and sharp functioning of sense organs(eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin).
It is useful in conditions like frequent headache, migrain, Rhinitis, sinusitis and other Urdhwangarogas (diseases of head).

Disclaimer : Nasyakarma is a very special Ayurvedic procedure requiring proper guidance from a highly trained and skillful Ayurvedic practitioner. This should not be undertaken just from information in this article. One should consult with an Ayurvedic physician.