Panchkarma Nasya

1. Nasya
By,
Dr. Prabhakar Manu
BAMS, M.Sc., MD(Ayu)
Consultant Ayurved Vigya
Officer level 9th
District Ayurveda Health Center,
Bhaktapur

2. INTRODUCTION
 The present life is filled with stress, pollution, mental over
work, sedentary lifestyle, improper, over and wrong
utilization of sense organs, and intellectual errors resulting
in increase in incidence of variety of diseases and signs of
early onset of ageing.

3. NASYA
 “औषधमौषधसिद्धो वा स्नेहो नासिकाभ्ाां दीयत इसत नस्यम् | ”
(Su. Chi. 40/21)
 Nasya is one among the Panchakarma procedures, where
medicine is administered through nose. The medication can be
oil, ghee, juice, milk or powder.
 Pratimarsha is very easy as it is easy process, can be done
quickly and having many benefits. Pratimarsha nasya can be
applied from birth till death.

4. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION OF NASYA
 Lie down in supine position with head and neck low position; instill 2
drops of oil in each nostril. Pinch the nose once and after releasing,
suck the oil up. Spit the oil when it reaches the throat.
 In sitting or standing posture, dip the distal part of your little finger
in oil and insert into one nostril while other is closed (pinched),
insufflate the oil up while little finger is in nostril.
 Repeat the same for other nostril.
 Spit the oil when it reaches the throat.

5. PROCEDURE
 Poorva karma
 Pradhana karma
 Paschat karma

6. Poorva karma
 Pass all the urges- urinate, defecate
 Brush the teeth first if doing in the early morning
 Gentle massage over the entire face and neck with sesame oil
 Avoid eye lids and eyes during massage
 Svedana karma – vapor inhalation, exposure to sunlight, gentle
exercise, luke warm water

7. Pradhan karma
 Lie on a cot in a room devoid of breeze or excess sunlight
 Head should be slightly tilted back
 Instill oil in the nostrils (2 drops in each )
 Massage sole, neck, palms, ears
 Inspire though the nose and spit out the excess oil in the throat
and mouth .

8. Paschat karma
 Dhumapana or kavala / gandusa with luke warm
water.

9. ADMINISTRATION OF NASYA AT VARIOUS TIMES
  After awakening
  At night
  After teeth brushing
  Before going out of house
  After exercise
  After walking
  After exhaustion
  After urination
  After defecation
  After release of adhovayu
  After Kavala (Mouth rinsing)
  After Gandusha (Gargling)
  After Anjana (Collyrium)
  After intake of food
  After day sleep
  In the evening
  After Vamana (Vomiting)
  After Shirobhyanga (Head massage)
  After excessive laughter

10. BENEFITS
 A person practicing Pratimarsha daily as per prescribed
method his eyes, nose, ear never get affected with diseases.
His hair and beard never become grey.
 He never experiences hair fall, rather hair grow well.
 Diseases like torticollis, headache, facial paralysis, lock jaw,
rhinitis, hemicranias and tremors of the head are cured.
C. Sū. 5/56-62

11. BENEFITS
 The instillation nourishes veins, joints, ligaments, and
tendons of head and neck become strengthened.
 Diseases of head and neck do not occur.
 Even though he becomes old his head does not get affected
by old age.
 Hence Pratimarsha Nasya can prevent diseases very
effectively.

12. MODE OF ACTION
 Nourishes the Tarpaka Kapha situated in the head
 The lipid soluble and volatile principles present in taila reach the
head through nasal mucosa by Ushna, Sukshma guṇa of taila.
 The main function of nose is olfactory sensation and it is the root of
olfactory channel (Gandhavaha dhamani). It stimulates these
channels and improves the olfactory sensation.

13. MODE OF ACTION
 The medication coming in contact with nasal
mucous membrane stimulates remote areas of the
brain.
 From the different studies (Potiroli, E. A. et-al 1983
and Berquist et-al 1979) it is well proved that systemic
absorption can happen through the mucous
membrane of the nose.

14. CONCLUSION
 Pratimarsha Nasya is easy to administration and can
be administered at any time in a day.
 Pratimarsha Nasya can be applied from birth till
death.
 There is no risk of complications and does not require
any special care.
 Pratimarsha Nasya can be adopted in daily Regimen
to prevent many of diseases specially
Urdhvajatrugata diseases.