A REVIEW ARTICLE ON DRAVA SWEDANA AND ITS CLINICAL APPLICATION

Drava Sweda is a sudation procedure carried out with hot liquid. In this procedure, medicated water should be lled into a pot, jug with spout, or a tube and poured comfortably over the painful parts covered with cloth. It is considered as Bahirparimarjan Chikitsa and it comes under Shadaupakrama (Six treatment modalities), Swedana Karma is not just providing heat to the body, but the amount of heat is mentioned in the management of various diseases caused by Vata-Kapha Doshas. Parisheka Sweda is a type of Drava Sweda. Acharya Charak mentioned it in Sagni Sweda, which can be applied as Ekanga (over a body part) or Sarvanga (whole body). Avabahuka 1 (Frozen shoulder) due to vitiated Vata, Swedana helps to relieve the pain and stiffness. Avagaha Sweda is one such important Swedana practice 2 which is mentioned in Sagni Sweda by Acharya Charak. The word 'Avagaha' means dipping, immerse. Swedana means -sudation, steaming, sweating, of body parts in warm medicated Kwath or Tail, Ghrita, Sneha, etc kept in a large tub is called as 'Avagaha Sweda. It is more benecial in the condition like complication of Basti , Haemorrhoids, ssure in Ano etc.