Basti: Does the equipment and method of administration matter?

Basti is one of the five procedures of panchakarma in Ayurveda. Classically, it is advocated in the diseases of vata. It is mainly of two types viz. asthapana and anuvasana. According to the classical texts basti administration is done with the help of animal bladder (bastiputaka) and specially prepared metal/wooden nozzle/catheter (bastinetra), the whole assembly is called as bastiyantra. Nowadays, except in some of the Vaidya traditions in Kerala, basti administration is often done using enema-can or douche-set. In the aforesaid classical procedure active pressure is expected to be given on the bastiputaka whereas, in conventionally used enema-can only passive or gravitational force plays a role. This is important in the context of ‘basti danakala or pidanakala i.e. time for basti administration′.