ROLE OF SWEDAN (WHOLE BODY STEAM) IN THE TREATMENT OF DUSHI VISHA (LATENT POISONING).

Abstract

Along with the air, soil, water; food is also contaminated with the traces of various chemical agents contained by the pesticides, fertilizers, food preservatives, coloring agents, stabilizers. This leads to cumulative poisoning. Cumulative poison remains inactive for longer time in body. Such latent poisoning caused due to polluted soil, irregularities in daily routine, contaminated food, air, water, complies the denition of Dushi Visha (latent poison) in Ayurveda which is inclusive of Dushtit desh (soil), Kaal (time), Anna (food). Swedan Upkram (whole body steam) followed by Vaman (emesis) and Virechan (purgation) are Shodhan (detoxication) treatments mentioned in Ayurveda, which is elimination of such poison from upper and lower natural orices.This is recommended by Sushrutacharya and Vagbhatacharya. Aim of this review is to understand the role of Swedan upakram (whole body steam) which is also called sauna nowadays or heat stress, in the treatment of Dushi visha (latent poison). Study of literature and available research work was pursued to understand the mechanism of action of swedan upakram (whole body steam) in the treatment of Dushi visha (latent poison). Heat stress followed by homeostasis achieved helps in the detoxication of latent poison from body.