NETRA KALPANAAS
rnIn Ayurvedic treatises, the local treatment procedures of netra or eye are explained as netra kriya kalpas.These procedures helps to alleviate the diseases and to strengthen the proper functioning. Though different scholars differ in opinions, the netra kalpana, in general are considered to be of 7 types:
• Sekarn• Aascyotanarn• Pindikarn• Bidaalakarn• Tarpanarn• Putapaakarn• Anjana
SEKArn
In this procedure the liquid medicament is made to flow continuously for a stipulated period of time. The procedure is ideal for the eye diseases caused by vaata pitta and kapha.the medicament is poured gently and continuously from a height of 2 angula (=8 cm). While pouring, the patient should blink the eyes. The medicaments used should either be made in to a pouch or a decoction can be made. According to the vitiated dosha, there are three types of seka:
Snehana-in vaata vitiationrnRopana- in pitta and rakta vitiationrnLekhana-in kapha vitiation
Snehana seka-
The medicament is prepared with ghee, meat,fats,bone marrow etc
Ropana seka
Here the medicament is prepared by adding tikta rasa(bitter taste)plants,honey,ghee,meat form jaangala region.
Lekhana seka
The liver and meat of animals residing in jaangala region, purified iron powder, copper, coral, rock salt, wey, collyrium etc are used for lekhana seka
Duration/ dosage
Snehana seka-600 maatra kaalarnLekhana seka-400 maatra kaalarnRopana seka- 300 maatra kaala
Here maatra is a measurement of time. It is defined as the time taken for a blink, or pronouncing a guru letter or cracking of a finger. Some scholars define this as the time taken for massaging right knee with right hand once. It is approximately a second.
Precautions to be taken:
The procedure should be performed in day time only. However in acute conditions with immense pain, it can be done in night time also. By night ,early night is indicated.
Signs of proper seka karma
Relief from the disease and pain, getting natural colour to the eyes, perfectness in the functions of the parts are the indicative of the correctly done seka.
AASCYOTANA
Aascyotana means drop by drop administration of the medicament to the eye and holding it for the stipulated time. It is done from a height of 2 angula (=4 cm). The eyes should be kept open in aascyotana. This procedure is considered ideal for all type of eye diseases. Pain itching excessive lacrimation redness will get alleviated by this procedure.
The procedurernThe patient should lie in a room without excess air movement or sunlight. The performer should open the patient’s eyelid with left hand and drop the medicine with right hand from above 4 cm to the medial canthus. A small tray should be placed below the nasal canthus so that the medicament do not flow to the ears. The process is repeated in both the eyes. Then eyes should be cleaned with a cloth dipped in luke warm water. In rakta and pitta predominant diseases, this should not be done.
TypesrnAccording to the effect in dosha it’s of 3 types:
SnehanarnRopanarnLekhana
Acc to the property, it’s of two types:
KoshnarnSeeta
Acc to the rasa and guna it’s of three types:
Tikta snigdharnMadhura seetalarnTikta ushna
For vaata dosha tikta snigdha, pitta madhura seetala and kapha ushna rooksha drugs cam be used
Duration/ Dosage
Lekhana 8 bindurnSnehana 10 bindurnRopana 12 bindu can be used.
Here bindu is considered as the unit of measurement of quantity. It is defined as the amount of liquid which drops from index finger when its first two nodes are dipped and taken in the liquid.rnThe medicament should be held for 100 maatra kaala in the eye.
The apt time for the procedure should be chosen taking in consideration of the disease. In kapha diseases lekhana medicaments should be applied in morning. In pitta diseases ropana medicine should be used in afternoon and in vaata diseases, snehana in the evening .Aascyotana is not advised in the night time.rnGenerally the medicine cam be used cold in hot climate and cold in hot climate
Benefit rnBy the procedure the medicine get circulated in orbit and the minute channels of the head and alleviates the vitiated doshas. If the medicament used is too hot or teekshna, that may lead to excess pain, blindness. If it is too cold it may cause heaviness to the lids, difficulty in opening the eyes, dusty sensation will occur. If the medicament is not fine filtered the particles may cause irritation and pain to the eyes. The disease will increase if the dose of medicine is less.
Pindikaa/kavalikaa
In this type the medicaments ate made into a paste and applied on eyelids and then it is bandaged . It can be considered as a type of pollitude for the eyes. It is effective in diseases like conjunctivitis, glaucoma etc.rnBidaalakarn Bidalaka means applying the pasted medicaments in the eyelid excluding the lashes. If its difficult to make fresh paste, then the drugs can be finely powdered, triturated with suitable liquid and made into tablets or varti (wiks) and dried. When needed it is again triturated with suitable liquid mentioned as per the text and used.
Duration/ Dosagern The medicament should be applied in 2 cm thickness in the external surface of eyelid leaving the lashes. It should be removed before drying. The procedure should not be done in night. Also do not apply the medicine again and again without wiping off the dried coat.rnIndicationsrn Bidaalaka is effective in inflammation, pain and burning sensation
TarpanarnTarpana is a procedure which is very effective for drishti prasaadana.it provides strength to the eye. It is a specific indication in many diseases like conjunctivitis, cataract.rnProcedurernBefore doing the tarpana the purification procedures like vamana (emesis) virecana (purgation) vasti (enema) rakta mokshana (blood letting) should be done. The procedure should be done either in morning and eveningrnThe place should be devoid of dust and smoke and with adequate light. Then the patient is asked to lie down in supine position. With the paste of yava and maasha(black gram), make a circular covering around the eye. Yava or maasha is chosen because of its sticky nature so that when the fence can be made without any lekage. The covering should be 4cm in high . Once the covering is fixed properly and gets dried, medicated ghee can be poured slowly to in to the covering. The ghee should be kept in a water bath and made lukewarm. The eyes should be closed while pouring should be poured till the lashes just sink in it. Then ask the patient to slowly open the eyes so that the medicine enters the eyes. Hold for the specified time period. After that opening is made for the covering near the nasal canthus and the medicament should be drained to a kidney tray. Then the covering should be removed and ghee should be wiped off with a cotton piece. In order to eliminate a chance of kapha vitiation, fumigation therapy should be done.rnPrecautions.rnAfter doing tarpana;
rnOne should not strain the eyernDon’t look to any light source or bright objects immediatelyrnDon’t look up to the sky or any distant things
DurationrnThe time of holding the medicament is different for different diseases