Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Dvipanchamuladi Basti

Reference – The reference of this decoction enema is from Charaka Samhita – Siddhi Sthana, Chapter 3, verse 35, 36.

Name analysis & mode of action – Dvipanchamula is the main ingredient of this enema recipe.

Dvi = two,

Panchamula = five roots

Dwi Panchamula = two x five roots = ten roots = dashamula

Hrsiva or Laghu Panchamula – lesser five roots forms one set of panchamula. They are – Shalaparni, Prisniparni, Brhati, Kantakari and Gokshura.

Brhat Panchamula – greater five roots forms another set of panchamula. They are – Bilva, Agnimantha, Syonaka, Patala and Gambhari.

So, the name of this decoction enema recipe goes by the first set of ingredients it is composed of. Dvipanchamuladi Vasti is an enema preparation wherein two sets of panchamula or dashamula are the chief ingredients.

Action – This enema is used for the treatment of all kinds of vata disorders.

Type of Vasti –Dvipanchamuladi Vasti is a type of Niruha or Ashtapana Basti in which the decoction of dashamula and other ingredients is administered as enema.

Dvipanchamuladi Asthapana / Niruha Vasti (Basti)

 द्विपञ्चमूलस्यरसोऽम्लयुक्तःसच्छागमांसस्यसपूर्वपेष्यः||३५||
त्रिस्नेहयुक्तःप्रवरोनिरूहःसर्वानिलव्याधिहरःप्रदिष्टः|

Ingredients –

a. For preparation of Kashaya / Kwatha – decoction

• Bilva – Aegle marmelos
• Syonaka – Oroxylum indicum
• Gambhari – Gmelina arborea
• Patala – Stereospermum suaveolens
• Ganikarika (Agnimantha) – Clerodendrum phlomidis
• Shalaparni – Desmodium gangeticum
• Prisniparni – Uraria picta
• Brihati – Solanum indicum
• Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum
• Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris

The first five in this set of ingredients are called Brihat Panchamula.

The last five ingredients are called Laghu Panchamula.

b. For preparation of Kalka – paste

• Bala – Sida cordifolia
• Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia
• Haritaki – Terminalia chebula
• Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellirica
• Amalaki – Emblica officinalis
• Rasna – Pluchea lanceolata
• Dashamula – ten roots (each in equal quantity)

c. For Sneha

Three types of Sneha are taken i.e. –

• Sarpi – ghee
• Taila – oil
• Vasa – muscle fat

d. For Avapa

• Amla Rasa – juice of sour fruits / sour juices
• Aja Mamsa Rasa – soup of goat meat

Here, we need to observe that the quantity of none of the ingredients has been mentioned by Acharya Charaka. He has also not explained the detailed method of preparation of the recipe.

This means to say that the Kashaya Vasti mixture should be prepared according to the standard method of preparation as indicated in the texts.

The quantity of Saindhava Lavana – rock salt and Madhu – honey too should be taken in the standard quantity, since they too have not been mentioned by Acharya Charaka in the preparation of this recipe.

Method of preparation of Dvipanchamuladi Vasti

The ingredients have to be taken in the below mentioned proportions –

a. Saindhava Lavana = 1 karsha = 12 grams approximately
b. Makshika – honey = 2 Prasrta = 192 grams
c. Sneha – sarpi, taila and vasa together = 3 prasrta = 288 grams (1 prasrta each)
d. Kalka – paste of Bala etc herbs (mentioned above) – 1 prasrta = 96 grams
e. Kashaya – Dwipanchamula Kashaya / Dashamula Kashaya = 4 prasrta = 384 grams
f. Avapa = Amla rasa and Aja Mamsa Rasa = 2 Prsrta = 192 grams

All the above are mixed thoroughly in the given order such that they form a homogenous mixture. When done, it will be ready to administer.

Since it is Kashaya Vasti, it needs to be administered on an empty stomach.

Dose – 12 Prasrta = 1152 grams approximately. The dose can be variable depending on the gut capacity of individuals. This is the standard dose mentioned in the texts. The physician can think about customization and administer a lesser quantity.

Benefits of Dvipanchamuladi Niruha Vasti

This enema is highly beneficial to be administered in all cases of aggravation of vata. So, the main action of this enema is to control and balance vata.

Since Dvipanchamuladi Niruha Vasti balances vata, it can readily be administered in the majority of Vatavyadhi – diseases caused by aggravation of vata.

Action on Doshas

As already mentioned, Dvipanchamuladi Niruha Vasti is one of the best enemas which can be used to combat vata.

Action on Dhatus

Seeing the ingredients of this enema recipe, it can be said that it supports and nourishes the tissues. Increased vata causes tissue damages. By controlling vata it prevents the tissue damage, wear and tear and also protects and nourishes them.

Probable mode of action

Dashamula is the main ingredient of this enema recipe. Dashamula has been included in shothahara gana – a group of herbs which cure swelling / inflammation, by Acharya Charaka. Owing to this action, this enema relieves inflammation in the tissues and organs.

Dashamula is tridoshahara i.e. balances all the three doshas and mainly balances Vata.

The enema also has important ingredients like Bala, Guduchi, Triphala, and Rasna which contribute to the therapeutic action of the enema recipe. Though the entire recipe / formulation has a different effect from that of individual ingredients, their role in the action cannot be ignored. For instance, Bala along with Dashamula, Sneha and mamsarasa helps in providing strength and endurance and also would increase the immunity. Guduchi, with other members of the recipe, would enhance and support the immune system. Along with Dashamula, Rasna is a potential analgesic and would combat the pains caused by aggravated vata.

Triphala and Guduchi are potential Rasayanas – immune modulators and anti-ageing medicines.

We can see that this recipe consists of three kinds of Sneha except bone marrow i.e. oil, ghee and muscle fat. The combination of three Snehas is called Trivrit Sneha. This combination is the best for combating vata and vata disorders.

Aja Mamsarasa used in this recipe helps in building up the tissues, mainly the muscle tissue.

This recipe is the best one for neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders. These diseases are caused by aggravation of vata.