Shastika Shali Pinda Sveda (Navarakhizhi)

Introduction: It is a process by which the whole body or any specific part is made to perspire by external application of certain medicinal puddings in the form of boluses tied up in a bag. It provides Snehana, Svedana and Brumhana effect simultaneously.

Benefits: Shastika Shali Pinda Sveda is very good treatment modality in many chronic Vata diseases. It can also practice in the diseases of Rakta Prakopa and diseases which are affecting the strength or immunity of the body. In addition to these, Shastika Shali Pinda Sveda cures all types of diseases of the nervous system, chronic rheumatism, pain in the joints, emaciation of the limbs and diseases born of vitiated blood. This Karma makes the body strong and sturdy with well-developed musculature. It pacifies various kinds of pain, improves the digestive capacity, resolves drowsiness, cures lethargy and promotes sleep. It maintains the metabolism in a healthy condition from every point of view. This treatment is found to be efficacious in subjects suffering from blood pressure and in certain kinds of skin diseases resulting from impurity of the blood. This may also be resorted to once a year, by healthy persons to keep up perfect health during old age and to prevent premature aging.

Materials required: If this procedure is to be done for children’s then take half the quantity of below mentioned.

According to Ayurvedic classics, there are two varieties of Shastika Shali, viz., Goura and Krishnagoura out of which Goura is the best.

Morphology & Duration of growth of Shastika rice – Navara (Malayalam name) is in the group of very early maturing type of rice (Some farmers claim that they have harvested it within 57days). If it is grown in proper field (commonly rain fed upper and low land) and there is no fault in cultural practices, it matures in the sixtieth day. However, in no case its duration will exceed 90 days. There are two clearly distinguished ecotypes existing in this cultivar – one with golden-yellow glumes and the other with black glumes. Within each ecotype, there are two different forms – one with awn and another without awn. Thus, in this variety there exists four a morphologically distinguishable strain, but adapted to same kind of agro-ecological conditions. Plant generally grows up to 1 meter tall. Grains are narrowly ellipsoid, small, slender and light in weight with red kernel.

Chemical constitution of Shastika rice – There are few reports to show that this variety of rice possesses some characteristic amino acids. Few scholars have attempted to understand the amino acid composition in the two known strains. It shows that total free amino acid composition in them is more when compared to other high yielding varieties. They reported that the amino acid content varies under different agro-ecological conditions. According to them, the Methionine might be the responsible active compound for the medicinal quality. Methionine is the only common amino acid with either linkage and is an important donor of active methyl groups.

Although variety like Navara is being used in the traditional medicine for a very long time, the bio-chemical or physico-chemical components governing its unique medicinal property is neither established nor scientifically validated. The chemical composition of rice is shown below.

Indications: It is effective in Rheumatic ailments, Rheumatoid arthritis, and stiffness of joints, spasticity, spinal cord degeneration, reduced mobility, low backache, cerebral palsy and sciatica. The recent studies showed that it is indicated in paralysis especially of lower motor neuron such as post polio paralysis and paraplegia, congenital spastic paralysis, hemiplegia and pseudo hypertrophic muscular dystrophy.

Contraindications: It is contraindicated in the persons, who are suffering from ischemic heart disease, fractures and dislocations, osteoporosis and pregnancy condition.

Preparation of medicine:

Preparation of Kashaya – Take 200gms of crushed Balamoola in an earthen pot. Add 3 liters of water to it. Put it in mild fire and reduce to get 1.5liter Kashaya.

Preparation of Shastika Shali or Navara rice – Take 200gms Shastika rice in a vessel. Add 750ml Balamoola Kashaya and 750ml of milk to it. Keep the vessel in mild fire until the rice gets cooked well to a semi solid consistency.

Preparation of Pottali –Take a cloth of one-meter square and divide it into four equal pieces. Place four small square pieces of cloth (each four inch) at the center of each cloth. Put equal portion of prepared drug into the four pieces. Hold the cloth by the four corners and make the drug into a bolus. Hold tightly at the junction. Leave the larger end of the cloth and fold the other three corners by inserting into the center. By using the large flap of cloth surround the folded ones neatly and tightly so that it is sufficient to hold with hand. Tie the twine at the junction of handle and bolus. Wind this tightly with the free end of twine and fasten the knot. 8 such packs are prepared. Divide the cooked rice into 8 equal parts.

Procedure: Ask the patient to sit in the Droni in leg stretched position. Apply oil on head and body. Do gentle body massage for few minutes. Take remaining 750ml Kashaya in a wide mouthed vessel. Dip the Pottali in the mixture and heat the vessel in mild fire. Take heated Pottali from the vessel. Check the temperature and apply it over the body. Press the Pottali over the extremities for a fraction of second. Start massaging in Anuloma direction over muscle creases. Apply the Pottali in circular manner in joints and abdomen. Continue the process in seven postures. Strict care is to be taken to ensure uniformity of temperature and pressure on all part of the body. Therapist should be very cautious during the procedure as increased temperature may cause severe injury or burns. While four Pottali are in use, the other four are kept in the mixture of Kashaya over the fire; when the four in use are cooling down they are returned to the mixture for the four that were there till then and the massage is maintained continuously without any considerable break. Massage in each posture is maintained for about 15 minutes, the whole process is taking about an hour and three quarters. The time for the treatment may be increased or reduced according to the condition and health of the patient. When massaging is finished, all the bolus bags are opened out and the pudding remnants remaining there are taken and applied to the body of the patient and rubbed by the hands. Soon after completing the procedure wipe out the remaining rice from the body using coconut leaves. Heat the medicated oil and apply it over the body. Cover the patient with a thick blanket so that temperature loss can be prevented.

After Care: Advice the patient to take rest for one hour. After taking rest patient may take bath using warm water.

Duration: It is done daily for 7 – 21 days taking about 45 minutes each day. 14 days course is ideal in normal individuals for promotion of health.

Diet and Advice: After the procedure patient is advised to take light food. He should avoid immediate exposure to cold breeze, open air and contact with cold water.