Superficially shamshamana or shamana is classified into two types namely, Bahya samshamana (external application of medications) and abhyantara samashamana (internal application of medications)
- - Lepa( external application of medicines),
- - Parisheka(application of liquid medication on body by pouring)
- -Avagaha( dipping a part of body or complete body in a liquid medicine).
- - Abhyanga (massaging body with oil)
- -Sirodhara ( pouring oil over forehead in a cyclic manner)
- - Gandoosham and Kavalam ( keeping medications in mouth ) are the various methods used for bahya samshamana.
Abhyantara samshamana ( internal administration of medication for dosha pacification).
- -Pachana( The medications used for regulating metabolism for rectifying dosha imbalance is called as pachana. The metabolites obstructing various body channels are also cleared by using pachana medicines. Administration of kashaya ( decoction) , gulika ( tablets) or lehya ( confections) belongs to shamana chikitsa).
- -Lekhana ( The medications used internally for scraping structural abnormalities as well as general variations are called as lekhana)
- - Brimhana ( The medications used for nourishing body tissues are called as brimhana)
- - Rasayana ( The medications used with an intention for rejuvenating the body tissues are called as Rasayana. Anti -ageing and complexion treatment is performed with the help of Rasayana therapy.
- - Vajikarana ( The aphrodisiacs used in treatment is called as Vajikarana)
- - Agada chikitsa ( The measures used for treating poisoning of any kind is called as agada chikitsa or visha chikitsa. This medication method is used in treating wide range of cases.
Ahara ( food habits or diet), vihara ( daily activities) and mental activities are also included in this shamana chikitsa. In general, shamana chikitsa is administered for those individuals who are not indicative for shodhana chikitsa ( eliminative therapies). The people with less mental and physical strength are also suggestive for shamana chikitsa.
In the classical Ayurvedic textbook named Ashtangahrudaya , Seven types of Shamana are mentioned.
They are namely,
- - Pachana( As mentioned earlier the internal medications used for attaining proper metabolism, through aiding proper digestion)
- - Deepana ( The medications used to keep the digestive enzymatic activity in normalcy is called Deepana medicines)
- - Ksuth ( Fasting therapy)
- - Thrishna ( Avoid drinking water or liquids or regulate the intake of water)
- - Vyayama ( Exercise)
- - Atapa ( Exposure to Sun) and
- - Maruta ( Exposure to wind)
AK Ayurvedic clinic specialists are performing Shamana therapy with high success rates. The cases, in which shodana therapy is not indicated are managed with the help of shamana therapy. Experienced doctors of our clinic are highly efficient in diagnosing a condition and adminstrering shamana therapy.
In general, shamana chikitsa is the method of Ayurveda treatment, in which doshas or humors are pacified without expelling them out of the body.
