Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy, which removes
Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is
given to people with high Kapha imbalance. Daily treatment involves
loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally eliminate
them. Vamana is the procedure to eliminate the waste product (vitiated
dosha) through the upper gastro-intestinal track. It is the cleansing
procedure, which expels doshas, particularly the augmented kapha. By
this treatment, vitiated kapha dosha is totally eliminated from its
roots (stomach) through the mouth. Since vamana is a emesis therapy
through which internal oral medicines are administered to induce
vomiting. This process of purification is done from the roots, i.e.
total removal of vitiated dosha, so chances of reoccurrence of the
disease become remote.
This treatment is used when there is congestion in the lungs causing
repeated attacks of bronchitis, cough, cold or asthma. The objective of
the therapy is to induce vomiting to get rid of the mucus causing excess
kapha. On the morning of the vamana., kapha aggravating foods such as
basmati rice and yogurt with salt is given to further aggravate the
kapha. The application of the heat to the chest and back will help
liquefy kapha. A drink consisting of madanaphalam, licorice and honey,
or calamus root tea is given to the patient. (Other substances used
include salt, and cardamom) Vomiting will either occur spontaneously or
is induced by rubbing on the tongue. Four to eight times vomiting is
required. After vomiting the patient will feel very comfortable; most of
the congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will disappear along with
the clearing of the sinus.
Therapeutic vomiting is used for cough, cold, symptoms of asthma,
fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning, skin diseases,
diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic indigestion, edema (swelling),
epilepsy (between attacks), chronic sinus problems and for repeated
attacks of tonsillitis. Vamana Karma may be followed with internal
administration of Ghee treatment (Achchapeya) and a steam bath.
