Abstract

A LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE NASYA KARMA IN AYURVEDA

Deepika Agrawal* and Ashwini Sharma

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Abstract

Nasya is the paramount remedy employed for the treatment of urdhvajatrugata ailments. In certain contexts, it has been designated as the primary procedure in the sequence of Panchakarma, as referenced in the Apamargatanduliya adhyaya in Charaka Samhita Sutrsthana. Nasya is advantageous not only for urdhvajatrugata disorders but also for some systemic ailments such as kampavata and hikka, as well as for pumsavana karma. Nasya karma is primarily categorized based on its pharmacological activity, medicinal form, and the specific portion of the substance utilized, each possessing distinct characteristics. The references pertaining to Nasya karma were gathered, analyzed, and interpreted. There are five methods for distinguishing the different forms of nasya karma: Dravya bhedanusara, Prayoga bhedanusara, Matra bhedanusara, Karma bhedanusara, and Ashraya bhedanusara. The diverse classifications of nasya by various Acharyas are founded on these five forms. Vagbhata's idea of dvividhopakramaniya underscores its significance, since this classification of chikitsa effectively categorizes disorders into santarpanajanya vyadhi and apatarpanajanya vyadhi. Nasya karma, in its whole, facilitates the delivery of medication to the targeted site, subsequently either eliminating the doshas responsible for disease manifestation or nourishing the affected area. Sarangdhara's classification of nasya into Karshana and Brimhana serves as the foundational categorization, as the therapeutic techniques are bifurcated into Langhana and Brimhana. All other classifications and types of nasya can be categorized under the two headings of Langhana and Brimhana.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Nasya, Urdhvajatrugata, Nasal administration.