Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita
by Nayana Sharma | 2015 | 139,725 words
This page relates ‘Hygiene of the Head and Neck region’ of the study on the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita, both important and authentic Sanskrit texts belonging to Ayurveda: the ancient Indian science of medicine and nature. The text anaylsis its medical and social aspects, and various topics such as diseases and health-care, the physician, their training and specialisation, interaction with society, educational training, etc.
Hygiene of the Head and Neck region
(i) Smoking of herbal cigars (varti) at designated times is advised for prevention of diseases of the head and the neck arising from vitiated kapha and vāta. It is indicated at eight times after these activities -bathing, meals, tongue scraping, sneezing, brushing of teeth, insufflation, application of collyrium and after waking.[1] The benefits of smoking are that the mind, the throat and the sense organs are cleared, the head feels lighter, and the vitiated vāta and kapha are eliminated.[2] It is, however, prohibited in certain conditions-after taking emesis or purgative or enema; in bleeding from the orifices, poisoning and grief; in pregnancy, fatigue and intoxication; in vitiation of digestion and of pitta; during vigil; and when one suffers from fainting, giddiness, morbid thirst, consumption or phthisis.
One is also cautioned against smoking after consuming milk, fatty substances, honey and curd; when there is dryness in the body; when one is enraged; in dryness of the palate; head injury; śaṅkhaka (type of headache); rohiṇī (extensive and painful swelling at the base of the tongue); diabetes and narcosis.[3] The mention of the condition of pregnancy among the above would imply that medicated smoking was prescribed for women as well.
(ii) Administration of nasal drops: Drops of Aṇu taila is prescribed for the three seasons when the sky is clear, that is, rainy, autumn and spring.[4] This therapy prevents any morbidity of the eyes, nose and the ears, and it also counteracts graying of hair and beard as well as hair fall. In fact it helps in luxuriant hair growth.[5] It strengthens the veins, the joints, the ligaments, as well as the tendons of the head and the neck. Cheerfulness of the face, stability of the voice, clearness and strengthening of the sense organs, and protection of the head and the neck from sudden attack of diseases-these are the therapeutic benefits of the regimen.[6]
(iii) Head Massage: Regular application of sesame oil to the head prevents headache, baldness, greying of the hair, and hair fall. It is also beneficial for the sense organs and the complexion, produces sound sleep and gives happiness.[7]
(iv) Combing of hair: it is essential to remove dust, dirt and parasites.[8]
(v) Oleation of the ears: Oil drops in the ears wards off ear diseases, such as those caused by vitiated vāta, torticollis, lock jaw, hardness of hearing, deafness[9] and cures pain of the neck, the head and the ears.[10]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Suśruta Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 45.33-35.
[3]:
Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 5.41-45.
[5]:
Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 5.57-59/1.
[6]:
Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 5.60-62.
[7]:
Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 5.81-83.
[8]:
Suśruta Saṃhitā Cikitsāsthāna 24.29/1.
[9]:
Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 5.84.
[10]:
Suśruta Saṃhitā Cikitsāsthāna 24.29/2.