Ayurveda,
the ancient medicinal system, involves use of natural herbal medicines to treat
various ailments. One form of medicinal intake is ‘Dhoompana’ which literally
means smoking.
This
treatment involves smoking of leaves or other parts of
medicinal plants, mainly to cure respiratory and nervous disorders.
‘Dhoompana’ aids in balancing of ‘vata’ and ‘kapha’
doshas and used for both preventive and therapeutic purposes.
The
physician, as per the specific medical condition, makes a patient inhale various
medicated fumes (Dhoomavarthis). The latter is usually required to sit straight,
with his/her mouth open, and then inhale the smoke alternatively through each
nostril.
The
fumes exiting out of ‘dhooma netras’ are inhaled through one of the nostrils while
the other is closed. This is then exhaled through the mouth. The same process is
followed alternatively using the other nostril.
Inhalation
should be done thrice – inhaling the smoke and letting it out together form one
bout; three such bouts should be done each time.
The
treatment ‘Nasyam’ or nasal application of herbal oil is done prior to ‘Dhoomapana’.
It is done to drain out excessive mucous clogs.
Benefits of Dhoompana:-
Relief
from allergies
Combating
sinusitis
Reducing
headaches
Alleviating
migraines
Treat
running nose
Preventing
other nasal infections
Recurrent
allergic rhinitis
This
is a fine treatment for various sinus and respiratory diseases. Acute sinusitis,
asthma, sneezing, infections of the lower respiratory tract, cough etc are
treated using ‘Dhoomapana’.
The
removal of mucous toxins also rejuvenates a person’s mental status by giving
him/her a total feeling of freshness. The smoke helps dry excess mucous, and
also lowers pain-causing inflammations of sinus cavities and respiratory tract.
The herbs and spices used in the procedure have special properties to act
against mucous wastes.
While
doing the procedure, proper care should be taken to avoid getting any infection.
For this, exposure to cold, especially intake of cold food and drinks, should
be avoided at all costs.
Types:
1.
Snigdha-Mild
2.
Madhya- Moderate
3.
Teekshna-Strong
Snigdha
Dhooma is used to cure certain vata diseases, mainly that affecting the head
and neck region. Here the ‘Dhooma’ is prepared using medicines like Gulgulu,
Mustha, Usheeram, Yashtimadhu, and Taila.
Madhya
Dhooma is used in treatment of vatha-kapha
disorders. It is prepared with Padmarenu, Nalpamaraa bark, Lodhra, Yastimadhu
and Kushtham.
Teekshna
Dhoma is used in kapha conditions. It
is prepared with Haridra, Triphala, Vacha, and Dasamoola.
Eight
“kaala” or time period for using ‘Dhoompana’
are as follows:-
After
bath
After
brushing
After
eating
After
vaman karm in Ayurveda
After
sneezing
After
nasya
After
sleep
After
anjana process
Signs of proper Dhoompan:
Heart,
throat and sensory organs will feel detoxed, head feels light, aggravated
doshas becomes normal.
Complications:
When
‘dhoompana’ is taken in an inappropriate time or taken more than indicated it
make cause deafness, blindness, bleeding, vertigo, or giddiness.
Contraindications:
After
virechana process
After
vasti
In
aggravated pitta dosha
Poisoned
condition
In
pregnancy
After
exhaustion
Syncope
After
alcohol or milk intake
Cataract
Diphtheria
Alcoholism
Head
injury
Precautions:
‘Dhoompana’
should never be exhaled through nose. If this is done, it may affect eyes of
the patient and can result in total blindness.
Avoid
cold drinks, cold food, exposure to cold, dust, smoke during treatment period.
(The writer Dr Ankit Agarwal, BAMS,
Uttarakhand, can be contacted at drankitagarwal11@gmail.com)
