Netra Kriya Kalpa

 

Netra Kriya Kalpa

 

In Ayurvedic samhitas, local treatment procedures for the eyes are explained as Netra Kriya Kalpa. They are:

 

Charaka 3

Bidalaka - Application of medicated paste on the eyelids

Aashchyotana - Medicated eye drops

Anjana - Medicated collyrium

 

Susrutha 5

Seka - Medicated oil poured as a stream on closed eyes

Tarpana- Unctuous substance is kept on the eyes for stipulated period of time

Putapaka- Similar as tarpana, the medicine is extracted by a special method called Putapaka

Aashchyotana

Anjana

 

Sarangadara 7

 

Above five treatments and

 

Pindi- Medicated paste applied on a thin cloth and kept on the eyes

Bidalaka - Application of medicated paste on the eyelids

Seka

 

It is indicated in acute condition of the disease.

 

Definition: Medicated liquid is poured on closed eyes continuously from a height of 4-inches for a specified time and according to the vitiated doshas.

 

Types : Based on action, it is divided into three, namely:

 

Name of the Method

Dosha Involved

Quantity/Duration

Nature of Medicine

Oleos - Snehana

Vata

400 matra - 40 minutes

Lukewarm oily medicine, sweet,

sour, salty herbs

Healing - Ropana

Pitta

600 matra - 60 minutes

Cool, sweet, astringent, bitter herbs

Scraping - Lekana

Kapha

 

300/200 matra - 30/20 minutes

Lukewarm, pungent, bitter herbs

Post-treatment measures: After the treatment, eyes should be cleaned with lukewarm water and the patient is advised not see bright objects and sleep during daytime.

 

Benefits of the Right Treatment

 

Relief from the disease

Getting back natural colour of the eyes

Perfection in the function of the eyes

Relief from pain

Some of the combinations mentioned in Ayurvedic classics

 

Medicated milk prepared from castor plant root, radish, and goat's milk is good for all eye diseases of Vata nature

Medicated milk prepared from goat's milk mixed with rock salt

Aashchyotana - Eye Drops

 

Medicated drops put into the eyes from a height of 2-inches height is defined as Aashchyotana.

 

In cool seasons and in Pitta and blood disorders, medicines of cool property should be used. In hot seasons and in Vata disorders, medicines of ukewarm property should be used.

 

The medicine is kept in the eyes for 100 matra - 10 minutes, afterwards eyes should be cleaned with lukewarm water and the patient is advised not to see bright objects.

 

Dose

 

Nature of the Medicine

Scraping - Lekana

Kapha

7-8 drops

Lukewarm, pungent, bitter and astringent herbs

Healing - Ropana

Pitta & vitiated blood

12 drops

Cool, sweet, bitter, astringent herbs

Oleos - Snehana

Vata

10 drops

Lukewarm, oily, sweet, sour and salty herbs

Time

 

Kapha

Morning

Pitta

Afternoon

Vata

Evening

This therapy is contraindicated at night

 

Some formulations mentioned in the classics

 

Thriphala decoction is best for all eye diseases.

Breast milk is a good medicine for all eye diseases and to improve eyesight.

Pindi/Kavalika/Pindika

 

Medicated paste kept in a fresh thin cloth and applied on the eyes is named as Pindi.

 

 

Vata

Oleos medicine should be used

Pitta

Cool medicine should be used

Kapha

Hot, dry medicine should be used

Some formulations mentioned in Ayurvedic classics

 

Thriphala pindi is recommended in all types of conjunctivitis.

Indian gooseberry/neem leaf pindi is recommended in all Pitta types of conjunctivitis.

 

External Application - Bidalaka

 

Application of medicated paste on the eyelids is called as Bidalaka.

 

The following formulations are mentioned in Ayurveda:

 

Paste of Terminalia chebula, dry ginger in Kapha type of eye diseases.

Paste of Eclipta alba with pomegranate leaves in Pitta type of eye diseases.

Collyrium - Anjana

 

Application of medicine to the internal surface of lid margin is known as Collyrium - Anjana.

 

Types

 

According to action of the drug:

 

Scraping nature - Lekana

Kapha .

Drugs without sweet taste. For example,

Vata - sour, salty drugs

Pitta - bitter, stringent drugs

Kapha- pungent, bitter drugs

Blood - bitter, astringent drugs

Healing nature - Ropana

To promote strength and complexion of

the eyes

Drugs should be oily with predominance of bitter,

astringent taste

Nourishing type - Prasadana

It is used to improve vision and to

remove dryness of the eyes.

Drugs should be sweet and oleos in nature

Classification according to the nature of the drug

 

Tablets (Gutika)

 

Dose

 

Scraping type

1 Harenu - 250 mg

Healing type

1 ½ Harenu - 375 mg

Nourishing type

2 Harenu - 500 mg

Pastes (Rasakriyas)

 

Dose

 

Scraping nature

1 Harenu - 250 mg

Healing nature

1 ½ Harenu - 400 mg

Nourishing nature

2 Harenu - 500 mg

Choorna (Powders)

 

Dose

 

Scraping nature

2 Shalaka - 1 gm

Healing nature

3 Shalaka - 1 ½ gm

Nourishing nature

4 Shalaka - 2 gm

Classification According to Potency of the Drug

 

Cool collyrium and hot collyrium

 

Classification According to the Taste

 

Sweet collyrium

Sour collyrium

Salt collyrium

Pungent collyrium

Bitter collyrium

Astringent collyrium

Description of Anjana Shalaka

 

The instrument used to apply the collyrium is called as Anjana Shalaka. The qualities of Anjana Shalaka are based on the metals used to prepare it. They are as follows:

 

Metal

Qualities/Tastes

Gold

Sweet

Silver

Sour

Copper

Astringent

Braze

Bitter

Diamond

Pungent

Anjana shalaka should be 10-inches in length, the two ends should be blunt (should not be sharp), shaped like jasmine flower, should be easy for handling and should not be rough, thin, hard or breakable.

 

Time for application of Collyrium

 

After the purification therapy like emesis, purgation etc.

When the gastric fire is good

Procedures for application of Collyrium

 

The physician after worshipping the gods and good deeds should start the application of collyrium.

 

Patient is asked to sit without fear and tension.

The physician, with his left hand, has to open the eyes of the patient and with his right hand he has to handle the instrument and apply collyrium from one end to other end of the eye.

Collyrium should not be more or less, hard or soft, penetrating or dull in action, quick or delayed in acting.

After the application of collyrium, eyes should be closed, eyeball should be rotated gently, eyelids should be moved slowly- by this method the medicine spreads properly in the eyes.

The vitiated dosha comes out in the form of lacrimation.

The eyes should be cleaned properly when the discharge stops.

Contraindications of collyrium

 

Collyrium is contraindicated in the following conditions:

 

Suppressing natural urges

Indigestion

Belching

Alcoholism

Fever

Head diseases (Premature stage)

Sun stroke

Excessive thirst

Vomiting

Exhaustion

After nasal drops, purgation and smoking therapy

If collyrium is applied in the above conditions, it may lead to aggravation of the disease, discolouration of the eyes, excessive exudation, pain, oedema, dim vision and difficulty in opening and closing the eyelids.

 

Tarpana

 

It is one among the seven treatment procedures of the eye. It gives nourishment to the eyes and cures diseases. Ayurveda recommends Tarpana for preventive and curative benefits.

 

In this process, unctuous substance is kept in the eyes for a specified time based on the condition.

 

Indications are pain in the eyes, reduced movement of the eyeball, dryness etc.

 

Contraindications

 

Cloudy day

Hot/cold season

Mental/physical worries

Uneasiness

Fear

Weeping

Oedema

Discolouration of eyeball

Pain

Complicated conditions of any eye disease

Procedure

 

Pre treatment procedure: After purification therapies like vomiting etc., it can be done in the morning or evening.

Treatment procedure:

On a good day it should be done either in the morning or evening.

The place should be without dust and smoke and bright light.

The patient is asked to lie down; a 2-inches high pail is made of paste of barley/green gram and stuck around the eyes to prevent the medicine from flowing out of the cavity.

The medicine (usually ghee) is melt by keeping it on hot water and poured into the cavity formed by green gram pail up to the level of eyelashes while the eyes are closed.

Then the person should open and close eyelids gradually up to specified time according to the condition.

The process can be repeated for 1, 3, 5 days for Vata, Pitta and Kapha respectively.

In healthy conditions, it can be done on alternative days.

Post-treatment measures

After the specified time, medicated oil/ghee should be removed by making a hole in green gram paste.

The eyes should be properly cleaned with lukewarm water.

Nasal drops and medicated smoking therapy for cleaning the eyes for conditions of vitiation of Kapha.

The patient is advised not to see bright lights.

Post-therapy effects on the eyes

 

Good Therapy

Excessive Therapy

Less Therapy

Tolerance to light

Heaviness

Roughness

Healthiness in the eyes

Dirty collections in the eyes

Dirtiness

Freshness

Oiliness in the eyes

Unnatural lacrimation and discharges

Lightness

Excessive secretion

Aggravation of the disease

Sound sleep

Itching sensation

Indistinct vision

Normal colour and complexion of the eyes

Sticky collections in the eyes

Vata diseases

Easiness in opening and closing the eyes

Diseases of Kapha

 

Putapaka

 

The indications and procedures are like Tarpana, but medicine preparation is specific; medicine is extracted by a special processing method called Putapaka.

 

Treatment procedures for Head diseases

 

In Ayurveda, different methods are explained to preserve normal health such as regular practice of tooth brushing, face wash, gargle, application of oil all over the body, exercise, smoking therapy, application of collyrium, diet etc. Purification measures like purgation, vomiting etc. are also explained in this context.

 

Hence, Ayurveda divides the therapy as following:

 

Preventive management - Preservation and promotion of health

Curative treatment - This is again sub-divided into:

Divine therapy

Rational therapy with drugs etc.

Psychotherapy

Rational therapy can be again grouped as:

Internal purification therapy

External purification therapy

Surgical treatment

Six types of treatments

Fasting therapy (Langana) - Anabolic therapy (Brumhana)

Dehydration therapy (Rukshana) - Oleos therapy (Snehana)

Sudation therapy (Swedana) - Retaining therapy (Stambana)

In this the Langana, Rukshana and Swedana are called as Langana group and Brumhana, Snehana and Stambana are called as Brumhana group.