Ayurveda considers enema therapy a complete treatment for many diseases, including constipation, distention, lower back pain, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis, nervous disorders, chronic fever, colds and flu, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, neck pains, hyperacidity, nervous headache, emaciation, and muscular atrophy.
There are 3 basic types of enemas:
Oil enema (a cup of warm sesame or other oil is used).
Decoction enema (an herb tea (whichever is indicated orally) is taken rectally).
Nutritive enema (composed of warm milk, meat broth or bone marrow soup).
The following is a formula for basic Ayurvedic anti-vata enema:
Water (1 1/2 qts)
Sesame oil (4 oz)
Honey (4 oz)
Castor oil (1 oz)
Anise seed (2 oz)
Rock salt (1 oz)
Boil the anise seeds and salt from
Enemas are contraindicated if rectal bleeding or diarrhea are present. Oil enemas should not be given if the person has cough, shortness of breath, diabetes, severe anemia, chronic indigestion, the aged, or children below the age of seven years. Decoction enemas are contraindicated in cases of acute fever, cold, paralysis, heart pain, severe pain in the abdomen, or wasting diseases.