GREEVA VASTI

How Greeva Vasti Works

Greeva Vasti operates through Sweda (sweating) and falls under the Panchakarma strain of treatments. Sweda is performed with the help of warmed medicated oil held in a container and placed at the spot of discomfort on the back of the neck. This helps to relieve affected areas.

After this procedure, Abhyanga (massage) is lightly performed on the patient.

Greeva Vasti is done in the morning if kapha dosha is dominant (neck stiffness), in the noon if pitta predominates (burning sensations or inflammation), and if vaata is dominant (pain), then treatment is performed in the evening. With these factors being considered, Greeva Vasti is generally performed early in the morning.

The oils used in Greeva Vasti and in the Abhyanga massage are Ksheerabala tailam, Mahamasha tailam, Mahanarayana tailam, Kottamchukkadi tailam, Balashwagandhadi tailam, Ashwagandhabalalakshadi tailam, Sahacharadi tailam, Murivenna, Pinda tailam, Tiktaka ghritam, and Til tailam (sesame oil).

The performance of Greeva Vasti on an empty stomach is preferable because the patient will have to lie face down (prone) for a significant amount of time.

Why is Greeva Vasti Important?

Greeva Vasti is important in relieving neck strains. This treatment is important to relieve neck pain as it provides significant and lasting relief from even the most acute ailment(s).

Greeva Vasti helps in alleviating:

• Cervical spondylosis
• Whiplash
• Sprains and strains
• Tension and headaches
• Migraines with aura
• Wry neck (Torticollis)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoporosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal stenosis
• Slipped herniated disc

The benefits of Greeva Vasti are:

• Relief from pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs
• Relief from pain and inflammation
• Improvement of neck mobility
• Increased blood supply to the neck, shoulders, and arms
• Reduced frequency of headaches and dizziness

Purvakarma

Purvakarma, which is the preparation prior to actual treatment, involves a thorough examination of the patient. The Prakriti (the basic vitals of the body) and Vikriti are examined in detail. The disease is then observed and diagnosed. After this, it is determined whether the Greeva Vasti is the suitable treatment for the condition.

The materials needed for the treatment are medicated oils, medicated ghee, a bowl to store the oil, water, black gram flour, sterile cloths, and herbal powders.

The herbal powders used in Churna Pinda Sweda (powder bolus fomentation), before Greeva Vasti are Rasnadi Churna, Kottamchukkadi Churna, Jatamayadi Churna, Ellumnishadi Churna, Grihadhoomadi Churna, and Kolakulattadi Churna.

Paschatkarma

Conclusion

Reference Links

• https://easyayurveda.com/2016/01/03/greeva-basti-benefits-method/

Glossary

• Abhyanga / Abhyangam = warm-oil massage over the whole body
• Pinda = a bolus, i.e. a tied cloth pouch
• Sweda / Swedana = sweating brought on deliberately as part of the treatment
• Vasti / Basti = a ring of dough that holds warm oil on one spot; in Panchakarma the same word means a medicated enema
• Greeva = the neck
• Dosha = one of the three functional types Ayurveda uses to classify imbalance
• Pitta = the dosha associated with heat and digestion
• Kapha = the dosha associated with structure and fluid
• Panchakarma = a five-procedure cleansing programme
• Purva Karma = the preparation phase before the main procedure
• Churna = herbal powder
• Ghee / Ghrita = clarified butter
• Spondylitis = inflammation of the joints of the spine
• Spondylosis = age-related wear in the spine
• Fomentation = warming