Snehana Karma

Unit 2. Snehana Karma (Oleation Therapy)

1. Introduction

Snehana Karma is the therapeutic induction of snigdhatā—unctuousness, softness, and lubrication—within the body. It is the chief pūrvakarma before Śodhana (Vamana, Virechana, Basti), and the most reliable modality for pacifying Vāta (principle of motion). Proper oleation loosens morbid doṣa from peripheral sites, facilitates their movement toward the gut, kindles agni (digestive fire), softens feces, and makes tissues supple—thereby preparing the patient for safe and complete elimination. Classical texts discuss sources of Sneha dravya (lipids), indications–contraindications, timing, dose (mātrā), recipes (pravicāraṇa), and success signs (samyak-sneha lakṣaṇa). This chapter gives you a practical, exam-ready framework, aligned with Cāraka Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 13 (Snehādhyāya) and allied classics.

“अथातः स्नेहाध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः॥” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/1

2. Sneha Dravya (Sources, Properties, Selection)

2.1 Sources (Snehayoni)

Classically, sneha originates from two “yonis”—Sthāvara (vegetable) and Jaṅgama (animal). Among them, the four principal oleating agents used therapeutically are Ghṛta (ghee), Taila (oil), Vasā (muscle fat), and Majjā (bone marrow).

“स्नेहानां द्विविधा… स्थावरजङ्गमा… तेषां दधिक्षीरघृतामिषं वसा… मज्जा…” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/9–11

2.2 The “Catur-Sneha”: classical properties & clinical hints

(Derived from Snehādhyāya’s descriptions on the four lipids.)

2.3 Season, time, and anupāna (vehicle)

• Season: Ghṛta in Śarad (autumn); Vasā–Majjā in Mādhava (spring); Taila in Prāvṛṭ (early monsoon).
• Diurnal: In Vāta–Pitta aggravation or hot season, take at night; in Kapha or cold season, take in daytime.
• Anupāna: After Ghṛta, sip uṣṇa-jala (warm water); after Taila, Yūṣa (pulse soup); after Vasā–Majjā, Maṇḍa (thin rice gruel).

“सर्पिः शरदि… वसा मज्जा… तैलं प्रावृषि… नात्युष्णशीते…” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/18–19
“जलमुष्णं घृते पेयं… यूषस्तैले… मण्डः वसामज्जयोः…” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/22

2.4 Pravicāraṇa (24 alternative modes of administration)

Cāraka lists 24 ways of using sneha—Odana, Vilepī, Māṃsa-rasa, Payaḥ, Dadhi, Yavāgū, Sūpa–Śāka, Yūṣa, Saktu, Madya, Leha, Bhakṣya, Abhyañjana (massage), Basti including Uttara-basti, Gaṇḍūṣa, Karṇa-taila, Nasya, Akṣi-tarpaṇa, etc.

“…भक्ष्यमभ्यञ्जनं बस्तिः… गण्डूषः कर्णतैलं… नस्तः कर्णाक्षितर्पणम्… चतुर्विंशतिर्… प्रविचारणाः” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/23–25

3. Lipids (Modern Perspective—quick bridge)

From a biomedical standpoint, “lipids” include triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and sterols (e.g., cholesterol). They are hydrophobic or amphipathic molecules that:

• provide energy (9 kcal/g) and fuel prolonged, low-intensity work;
• constitute cell membranes (phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol for fluidity);
• carry fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K;
• supply essential fatty acids—linoleic (n-6) and α-linolenic (n-3).

Digestion & absorption: Bile salts emulsify dietary fat; pancreatic lipase yields free fatty acids and monoacylglycerol; enterocytes re-esterify and package them into chylomicrons for lymphatic transport. Hepatic metabolism later yields VLDL → LDL (peripheral delivery) and HDL (reverse transport).

Ayurveda–modern linkage:

• Ghṛta is rich in short/medium-chain fatty acids and conjugated complexes; its lipid-soluble drug-carrying ability parallels the classical yogavāhī concept.
• Tila taila (sesame oil) contains lignans (e.g., sesamin) and a favorable unsaturated profile, aligning with tvacya and vātahara actions.
• Vasā–Majjā represent dense energy, structural replenishment (brṃhaṇa), analogous to targeted anabolic support in tissue repair—used judiciously.

4. Rūkṣaṇa (Drying Therapy)

Definition: Rūkṣaṇa induces raukṣya (dryness), kharatā (roughness), and vaiśadya (non-sliminess), thereby reducing kleda and snehatā in tissues. It is counted among Ṣaḍvidhopakrama and is especially useful in Santarpana-janya vikāra (over-nourishment disorders) like Sthaulya (obesity), Śleṣma–Meda predominance, Śotha/Śleṣma-udara, and when Āma, heaviness, and oiliness obstruct proper snehana.

When to prefer rūkṣaṇa before snehana:

• Kapha–Meda excess, manda-agni, coated tongue, heaviness;
• Oily skin/stools, aversion to fats, or Kapha-āvaraṇa of Vāta;
• Preparatory step to make tissues responsive to later snehana.

Methods & Dravya:

• Rūkṣa-Udvartanā (dry powder massage) with Yava, Kulatta, Triphalā cūrṇa;
• Rūkṣa-Svedana (dry fomentation: Valuka-sveda);
• Āhāra–Vihāra: Yava, Śyāmāka, Mudga, Takra, Madhu; Vyayāma (exercise), Rātrau jāgaraṇa temporarily if indicated.

Avoid / caution: marked Vāta-prakopa, debility, pregnancy, severe dryness, or aged/child patients unless strongly indicated.

5. Abhyantara Snehana (Internal Oleation)

5.1 Indications & contraindications

Indications: patients requiring Śodhana, Vāta-dominant diseases, those accustomed to exercise/alcohol/sexual activity, and rūkṣa-prakṛti individuals.

“स्वेद्याः शोधनयितव्याश्च रूक्षा… व्यायाम-मद्य-स्त्री-नित्याः… स्नेह्याः” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/52

Contraindications: Utsanna Kapha–Meda, habitual māndāgni, nausea/vomiting, active jaundice/fainting, pregnancy, severe anemia, those already undergoing Nasya/Basti etc.

“…न तेषां स्नेहनं शस्तम् उत्सन्नकफमेदसाम्… गर्भिण्यः… स्नेहपानात् प्रजायन्ते तेषां रोगाः…” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/53–56

5.2 Forms and scheduling

• Accha-snehapāna (drinking the fat alone): the prathama-kalpika (first-choice) method for deep oleation before Śodhana.
• Vichāraṇa-sneha: when accha-pāna is not tolerated—use food-based recipes (see §2.4).

Arohaṇa krama (step-up dosing): Begin with a digestible dose in the morning on empty stomach, increase gradually until samyak-sneha signs appear. Anupāna according to the fat (see §2.3). Follow pathya (see §5.5).

5.3 Mātrā (dose) with classical guidance

Cāraka classifies three therapeutic doses:

“अहोरात्रमहः कृत्स्नम् अर्धाहं… प्रधाना, मध्यमा, ह्रस्वा स्नेहमात्रा…” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/29–30

• Pradhāna mātrā (maximum): for robust patients, tolerant to hunger/thirst (kṣut-pipāsā-saha), with strong agni, certain clinical states (e.g., Gulma, Sarpadaṣṭa, Visarpa, etc.).
• Madhyamā mātrā (moderate): for mṛdu-koṣṭha, moderate strength; useful even when planning Śodhana.
• Hrasvā mātrā (minimal): for vṛddha, bāla, sukumāra, manda-agni, or chronic Jvara/Atīsāra/Kāsa.

(See Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/31–40 for detailed indications.)

5.4 End-points: Samyak, Hīna & Ati-snehana

• Hīna (inadequate): hard, rough stools, Vāta not pacified, body remains dry/rough.
• Samyak (proper): Vātānulomana, kindled agni, stool oily/soft, body and skin soft.
• Ati (excess): pāṇḍutā, heaviness, lethargy, indigestion of stool, somnolence, hair greasiness.

“पुरीषं ग्रथितं रूक्षं… अस्निग्धलक्षणम् [Hīna]… वातानुलोम्यं दीप्तोऽग्निः… [samyak]… पाण्डुता गौरवं… तन्द्रा… [ati]” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/57–59

5.5 Regimen before–during–after

• Pre-day diet: light, warm, non-blocking food, not overly unctuous or mixed; plan sneha next day.
• During: warm water sips, celibacy/rest at night, avoid exercise, loud speech, anger/grief, exposure to cold/heat/wind; do not suppress natural urges.
• Post: after digestion, proceed to Svedana and scheduled Śodhana (Vamana/Virechana) if indicated.

Pre: “द्रवोष्णम्… नातिस्निग्धम्… श्वः स्नेहं…”; During: “उष्णोदकोपचारी… व्यायामम्… वर्जयेत्…” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/60–64

Duration: commonly 3 or 7 nights for prakarṣa (maximal effect), individualized.

“स्नेहनस्य प्रकर्षौ तु सप्तरात्र–त्रिरात्रकौ” — Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/51

6. Bāhya Snehana (External Oleation)

6.1 Core procedures

From the 24 pravicāraṇa (see §2.4), the principal external forms are:

• Abhyaṅga (systematic oil massage),
• Mardana (kneading/pressing),
• Pīḍana–Mardana for deep tissues,
• Seka (oil/medicated decoction streaming),
• Pāṇḍa/Piṇḍa Sveda with unctuous boluses,
• Śiro-Abhyaṅga, Pāda-Abhyaṅga, Gandūṣa, Karṇa-taila, Nasya, Akṣi-tarpaṇa (eyes are filled with medicated ghee), and Basti (including Uttara-basti) when indicated.

6.2 Abhyaṅga—practical protocol

Indications: Vāta disorders, dryness/stiffness, insomnia, stress, athletes, those with rūkṣa skin; as daily dinacaryā in health maintenance.
Contraindications: immediately after heavy meals/Śodhana, in acute Āma-jvara, very oily/Kapha-dominant states, open wounds (unless medicated protocol).

Purva-karma

• Choose oil by doṣa & tissue: Tila taila (Vātahara), Kṣīra-bala taila, Mahānārāyaṇa for joints; Ghṛta for pitta skin; Medicated ghṛtas/tailas as per condition. Warm oil to lukewarm.

Pradhāna-karma

• Position comfortably; begin with mūrdhni (head) and pāda (feet).
• Use ānulomī (direction of hair) strokes; longer strokes on limbs, circular over joints/abdomen.
• Duration 30–45 minutes individualized; maintain warmth; monitor comfort.

Paścāt-karma

• Svedana (e.g., Nādi/Bāṣpa Sveda) to mobilize doṣa, followed by warm bath.
• Light, warm diet and rest.

6.3 Choosing external sneha by doṣa & tissue

Quick Reference: Samyak–Hīna–Ati Sneha Signs

(Summarized from Cha. Sa. Sū. 13/57–59.)

Assessment Section

Long Answer Questions (LAQ) – any 1 (10 marks)

1. Define Snehana. Classify Sneha dravya; explain Abhyantara Snehana with mātrā, anupāna, samyak/hīna/ati-sneha lakṣaṇa, timing and regimen. Quote relevant ślokas.
2. Describe Bāhya Snehana with emphasis on Abhyaṅga: indications, contraindications, step-wise technique, choice of oils per doṣa/tissue, and post-procedure care.
3. Write a note on Rūkṣaṇa: definition, indications, methods (Udvartanā, Rūkṣa-Sveda, āhāra-vihāra), and its role as a preparatory step before Snehana/Śodhana.

Short Answer Questions (SAQ) – any 5 (5×5=25 marks)

1. Enumerate the Catur-Sneha and give two clinical indications for each.
2. Explain pravicāraṇa (24 ways) of sneha administration with two examples of food-based recipes.
3. Write Samyak-Snehana lakṣaṇa (any four) with classical reference.
4. Mention contraindications of Snehapāna (any six).
5. Outline pre-, during-, post-regimen for Snehapāna (any three points each).
6. Indicate season & diurnal timing for Ghṛta vs. Taila intake with reason.
7. Differentiate Accha-sneha vs Vichāraṇa-sneha (any four points).
8. List Rūkṣaṇa dravya and Rūkṣaṇa vihāra (any four).
9. Write clinical indications for Hrasvā, Madhyamā, Pradhāna mātrā (any two each).
10. Note on Anupāna selection for Ghṛta/Taila/Vasā-Majjā.

MCQs (mark the single best answer) – 10×1 = 10 marks

1. The first-choice method for deep oleation before Śodhana is:
   a) Vichāraṇa-sneha b) Accha-snehapāna c) Seka d) Udvartanā
2. Śarad season is advised for:
   a) Taila b) Ghṛta c) Vasā d) Majjā
3. The most Vātahara and tvacya external oil is traditionally:
   a) Coconut oil b) Mustard oil c) Sesame oil d) Castor oil
4. Samyak-sneha includes all except:
   a) Vātānulomana b) Dīpta-agni c) Stool hard & rough d) Softness of body
5. Ati-sneha likely shows:
   a) Weightlessness b) Pallor & heaviness c) Dry skin d) Strong appetite
6. One rūkṣaṇa method is:
   a) Piṇḍa-sveda b) Udvartanā c) Abhyaṅga d) Śiro-taila
7. Hrasvā mātrā is best suited to:
   a) Robust labourers b) Children/aged/sukumāra c) Strong agni subjects d) Gulma patients
8. After Taila intake, the recommended anupāna is:
   a) Warm water b) Yūṣa c) Maṇḍa d) Milk
9. Maximum prakarṣa (duration) for Snehapāna is commonly:
   a) 1 day b) 2 days c) 3 or 7 nights d) 10 nights
10. A key purpose of Snehana before Śodhana is to:
    a) Suppress doṣa b) Mobilize doṣa toward the gut c) Increase Kapha d) Induce dehydration

Answer key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-c, 4-c, 5-b, 6-b, 7-b, 8-b, 9-c, 10-b.

Viva & Case-based Pointers (quick recall)

• One-line definition: Snehana is induction of snigdhatā internally/externally to mobilize doṣa, pacify Vāta, and prepare for Śodhana.
• Three must-quote ślokas: Snehayoni dvividhā (Sū. 13/9–11); Timing & Anupāna (Sū. 13/18–22); Samyak/Hīna/Ati lakṣaṇa (Sū. 13/57–59).

Revision hook: “Right fat, right time, right dose → Vātānulomana + soft tissues → safe Śodhana.”