Basti: Therapeutic Enema.

The third action is treatment with therapeutic enema (basti), which involves introducing medicinal oils or herbal decoctions into the rectum. Medicated enema is the action of choice for vata disorders.

This treatment alleviates constipation, distention, chronic fever, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, vomiting, backache, and neck pain. Other vata disorders, including sciatica, arthritis and gout, also respond well to this therapy.

Unlike colonics, which are popular with many therapies today, the principle reason for use of the enema in Ayurveda is for absorption of medicated oils and herbs through the colon wall. Of course, cleansing does take place when the enema is expelled. Oil or decoction enemas should be retained for a minimum of ten minutes, longer if possible.