A short oil application and massage will precede the steam treatment to aid in the release of toxins and is highly beneficial for those looking for a cleansing therapy.
What is Bashpa sweda?
Let us first understand the term bashpa sweda.
What do you mean by bashpa?
Bashpa means steam and sweda means perspiration. Therefore, combining both the terms bashpa sweda means perspiration that is produced using medicated steam.
This is a kind of sudation (a therapy that induces perspiration) by which medicated steam is applied to the patient’s body for a certain period to get perspiration.
For this very purpose, Bashpa Sweda Yantra (A steam-bath chamber) is required.
Medicinal herbs /decoction is kept boiling in the Bashpa Sweda Yantra from where the steam is generated and applied all over the body or any specific part through a tube or pipe.
The patient is asked to lie down inside the steam chamber after massage with warm oil (200-220C). A thick cotton sheet may be used to cover the body to get proper perspiration.
Now an inquisitive mind might ask ‘how does this work?
Swedana, ie, perspiration, liquefies the Doshas comprising vata, pitta, and kapha and facilitates bringing them to Koshtha.
Now, what is koshta you might ask?
Koshta implies the alimentary canal. Therefore, the vitiated morbid materials are brought to the alimentary canal from where they can be expelled by subsequent panchakarma procedures.
When can we adopt this procedure?
Bashpa sweda can be applied in cases of neuromuscular disorders like, sciatica, etc.
In conditions of rheumatoid disorders consisting of arthritis, stiffness, and pain.
For rejuvenation, bashpa sweda is one of the best treatments.
