A CRITICAL APPRAISAL ON THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF BASTI PROCEDURE OF AYURVEDA IN PERSPECTIVE OF MODERN PHYSIOLOGY

In Ayurveda, Basti is a medical procedure in which the drug is administrated through anal route. In ancient time physicians used urinary bladder of sheep, cow and buffalo for giving medicated enema as an instrument. In Ayurveda, there are three basic humours vata, pitta and kapha. Disturbance in the homeostatic condition of these humours cause diseased condition. There are certain procedures explained by acharyas where increased doshas should be eliminated through the nearest opening. The principal site of vatadosha is pakwashaya (large intestine) and the nearest opening is anus. Drug administrated through this route act on the increased dosha bring it in homeostatic condition after removing excessive doshas through the anus. Vata is the only motivating force in the body which is responsible for spreading doshas all over the body and Basti is the main treatment for vata disorders. Ayurveda students should learn to appreciate their practical value through experimental experience. In an age where validity of concepts is judged by their scientific relevance, establishing the scientific validity of Basti is a programme of significance. It requires practical application and translating concept into the idiom of modern biology and medicine. In this article we are trying to establish a relevant correlation in terms of mechanism of action with modern physiology.