Abstract

Vamana is the most important therapeutic intervention in Ayurvedic Panchakarma. The physiology involved in it is complex. It removes doshas (impurities/toxins), through oral route. As mentioned in Charakasamhita Kalpasthana, it is effect of sukshma, tikshna, ushna, vyavayi and vikasi drayas circulating through all srotas; breaking down organised doshasamuha and carrying it towards koshtha. Vamana karma results into removal of that doshasamuha with the involvement of agni and (udan) vayu. The sneha is most important factor in carrying the doshas to koshtha. The bile rich in sneha resides in the gall bladder. Gall bladder contractions are initiated by vagal discharge and release of cholecystokinin The sneha in the pitta (the form of kapha in the bile) mixes with the sneha in the diet and less than one third of each is absorbed. The amount of sneha released is proportionate to the amount of sneha consumed. The water soluble waste can easily be eliminated out of body by means of urine (through kidney). The waste which is dissolved in fat (like cholesterol) needs to be eliminated if it is there to produce toxicity (aam). This accumulation of waste product may be sustained or enhanced by recirculation of bile between the koshta (GIT) and liver and then gall bladder. Planned and therapeutic Vamana results in the breaking this chain, may be temporarily, causing removal and elimination of the substances circulating through bile (pitta). The good Vamana has to be pittantaka Vamana. The pitta coming in the end of Vamana comes after the contents of the stomach (amashaya) are emptied out completely. Duodenal (pittashayic) contents are expelled forcefully in the end. This piita is rich in sneha, which in fact is dushita kapha. The kapha molecules are dissolved in the sneha residing in the pittashaya, which consist of gall bladder, duodenum and pancreas, collectively.

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