What is Nasya Karma

Pancha Karma’ is the cornerstone to Ayurvedic management of disease. It is the process, which gets to the root cause of the problem.  Panchkarma helps to correct the essential balance of ‘Tridosha’.Nasya karma is important part of it.

Nose is described as the gateway of head. Nasya Karma is the special procedure. Drug administered through nose finally reaches to brain. The effect of this drug is  elimination of morbid doshas. Elimination of doshas cures the diseases. It is also useful to maintain immunity [1].

ETYMOLOGY of Word “NASYA”:

The word Nasya is derived from ‘Nasa’ Dhatu. Nasa dhatu conveys the sense of Gati, Vyapti- pervasion (Nasa Vyaptau).Word  Nasa is also used in sense of nose (Nasa Nasikayam). Vachaspatyam derives word ‘Nastah’ which means beneficial for the nose.

Definition of  Nasya Karma:

          औषधमौषधसिद्धो वा स्नेहो नासिकाभ्यां दीयत इति नस्यम् |
तद्द्विविधं शिरोविरेचनं, स्नेहनं च | (su∙chi∙ 40 /21)

Acharya Sushruta has said that the medicines or medicated oils, administered through the nose is known as Nasya. Another Acharaya Arundatta states ‘ nasayan bhavam nasya.’ Which clearly indicate the route of administration.

While  Bhavaprakasha advocates the  administering drugs through the nasal passage is called Nasya.

SYNONYMS:

Shirovirechana, Shirovireka[2], Murdhavirechana, Navana, Nastahkarma    Pracchardana

CLASSIFICATION OF NASYA KARMA:

NAVANA NASYA:  

Navana is generally the Sneha Nasya and is known as Nasya in general.

Method:

In Navana, the drops of medicated oil or ghee are administered in the nose with the help of pichu or gokarnika.

Classification:

The Nasya Karma  is classified in to two types.

• Snehana Nasya.
• Shodhana Nasya.

Snehana Nasya:- It  enhances the strength of all dhatus. Snehana Nasya used as dhatu poshaka . It is used for the Snehana in the complaint of feeling of head lightness. It gives strength to neck, shoulder and chest. Eyesight is improved by snehan nasya.

Watch the video for detail about nasya karma.