Bahya Snehana: External Oleation
The procedure of bahya snehana or external oleation employs a specific form of massage to apply the herbalized oil to the skin, but it should not be confused with the typical massage techniques used in the West. This process uses a traditional style of Ayurvedic massage whereby two, trained Ayurvedic massage technicians work on both sides of the patient simultaneously, employing a series of perfectly synchronized, directional strokes on both the front and back of the body.
There is great significance to the strokes used in bahypa snehana, for they match the movements of vata’s five different directional functions. Each function, called a sub-dosha, is described below, and has a prescribed gati or motion in the body. The specifically designed, directional strokes soothe and nourish the sub-doshas and help them take their proper courses.
Prana vayu, the vata function which moves from the head, mouth and nostrils to the navel, takes prana, or life-force, in the form of air, food and water from the environment into the body. It also controls sensory functioning.
Udana vayu flows in the opposite direction, moving from the navel to the mouth, nostrils and head. Udana vayu eliminates carbon dioxide and various forms of mala, like mucus and saliva, from the kapha zone, and also creates the sounds used in speech. Udana originates in the gut, and is the source of our strength.
Samana vayu circulates in a clockwise direction around the navel area. It helps strengthen the digestive agni in the same way that air or wind stokes a fire. It is also responsible for keeping the metabolic processes moving in the small intestine and liver.
Vyana vayu moves from the heart to the periphery and from the periphery back to the heart in a circadian rhythm. Vyana vayu supports the circulation of the blood and lymph — rakta and rasa dhatu.
Apana Vayu travels from the navel to the anus and urethra. Its main function is to eliminate urine, feces and menstrual discharge. It is also responsible for childbirth.
Application of Bahya Snehana
Bahya snehana massage progresses through an ordered sequence of strokes, beginning from the umbilius, going to the head, moving back down to the umbilicus, from the umbilicus down to the feet, and from the feet back up to the umbilicus on both the front and back sides of the body.
The pressure of these strokes varies relative to the presence of marma points. The marmas serve as connecting points between the body’s physical substance and its underlying intelligence. Marma stimulation enlivens the harmonious coordination among vata’s suh-doshas, which, in turn, orchestrate every neurophysiological mechanism in the body.
The pressure used during the massage is also geared to push generous amounts of warm, herbal sesame oil into the pores of the skin. We don’t often think of the skin as an organ of consumption, but during this process, the skin actually ingests or absorbs a significant amount of oil.
As in so many other aspects of Panchakarma, the herbal oils are selected with reference to the patient’s doshic make-up. Three major types of dosha-specif’ic oils are used in bahya snehana: vata shamak, to pacify vata; chandan bala, to pacify pitta; and maha-narayana to pacify kapha. Each oil is decocted using the herbs which the Charaka Samhita (the main Ayurvedic text) specifies to balance each dosha.
Both the massage technique and the herbs allow the oil to penetrate deep into the tissues to loosen the grip of the ama lodged there. The ama that has formed on the walls of the dhatus shrotas is also loosened, opening up these channels so that ama can be more easily removed from the tissues. Though this is the main purpose of snehana, it also makes the body supple, increases strength, reduces stress and nourishes the tissues. Snehana’s actual meaning implies kindness, tenderness and love, and, true to its meaning, it is a thoroughly soothing and enjoyable experience.
Abhyantar Snehana: Internal Oleation
Abhyantar snehana, or internal oleation, consists of taking prescribed amounts of warm, herbal ghee, called tikta ghrita, first thing in the morning and in late afternoon on an empty stomach. The Ayurvedic physician gradually increases the prescribed dosage, depending on the strength of the patient’s digestive agni. The patient does not eat until the ghee is digested, which is signaled by the return of appetite.
In preparation for the main eliminative procedures, the patient receives both internal and external oleation each day. These treatments continue for seven days, the time required for the oleaginous substances to reach and saturate all seven dhatus. After the seventh day, oleation becomes counterproductive, as there is nowhere else for the oil to go. If continued, it starts to collect in the dhatus as saturated fat and depletes the dhatu agnis. Ama forms, blocks channels and inhibits vata’s effective movement. Secondary effects of over-oleating may include poor elimination, hardened fecal matter and abdominal bloating. This is why the major eliminative procedures of Panchakarma are always administered after the seventh day of snehana.
Certain classical signs indicate oleation’s completion. When oil has saturated all seven dhatus, the body is well-lubricated, internally and externally. The skin displays a soft and shiny appearance and smells slightly unctuous. Elimination is healthy and fecal matter appears yellowish, shiny or oily, and is softer than normal. Both urine and fecal matter may smell like ghee, and the urine may look brighter than usual. Secretions from the eyes, nose and ears shine slightly and the skin and hair become softer. Strength, enthusiasm, energy and clarity of mind all increase.