Anjana, Nasya, Gandusa: A Therapy For The Entire Head

Ayurveda sastra (authoritative knowledge) is so complete in its thoughtfulness while cleansing. In the west we tend to cleanse the body using one rapid method without considering numerous other factors such as digestive power, season, ama (toxins), and pre / post treatment therapies and rejuvenation.

Due to this - we may feel good for some time doing a juice cleanse or some other modern technique - but the body will not gain long term rejuvenation, and may become damaged from quick flushing. All therapies within Ayurveda consider these factors, and a proper pre and post treatment regimen is given so the body may first be ready to undergo detoxification - and that afterward the tissues may be fully rejuvenated via rasayana therapy. This is exhibited even within the simple daily cleansing of the senses outlined here.

A Special Sequence for Cleansing the Senses

The sastra (texts) recommends cleansing the senses upon awakening, as the senses are the portals through which we experience, cultivate knowledge of, and interact with the external world.

There are many methods of cleansing the senses, and here we will exhibit but one sequence that displays the brilliance of Ayurvedic thought.

This sequence begins at the eyes (applying anjana) where the dosas (impurities) then travel to nasopharyx. Then one should apply nasya (nasal medicated oil) — the dosas travel to oropharynx where one should apply gandusa (oil pull using medicated or plain sesame) where the dosas are then expelled out of the mouth. After this the residual dosas (ama / vitiation) is then pacified via dhuma (inhaling herbal steam), and chewing betel leaf where the agni is then corrected after cleansing. Below, I outline a simple way to replicate this therapy.

Rasanjanam - restoring the vitality of the eyes

In India this substance is prepared by burning certain woods along with medicinal oils and is also typically applied using collyrium. This dark paste is used like an eye liner and can be seen even on men and boys in many countries.

AH Su 2.5-2.6

"Collyrium made from antimony sulphide should be applied regularly (daily) and is very beneficial for the eyes. By using it, the eye lashes becomes lubricated and thick, improving the acuity of vision, looking very attractive and pleasing to the mind.”

The eyes are a pitta predominant organ which makes them fiery in nature, and they are called tejomayam meaning full of tejas, the refined essence of pitta dosha and reservoir of cellular intelligence. Even so - they are part of the head which is kapha predominant and are submerged in liquid, so they run the risk of accumulating kapha. The kapha that travels through the srotas (channels) during the daytime stagnates in the night due to sleep and may turn into waste - this waste must be liquified and expelled using rasanjanam.

Rasanjanam Application

While a traditional remedy is suggested using collyrium, one may also apply:

a) pure, plain castor oil (1-2 drops) over the closed eyes
b) one or two drops of either honey or pomegranate juice (pitta + kapha pacifying)
c) plain water to wash the eyes 2-3 times / day in regular intervals
d) rose water spray in the eyes (good after screen time, high pitta or dryness)

Nasya

Nasya is a medicated oil used to nourish the sinuses, brain and entire nervous system - as well as the treatment of many diseases. While jala neti (flushing the nose with water and salt) is purifying - it only cleanses locally and can dry the nasal passages. Nasya pulls the impurities from all the surrounding srotas (channels) into the nasopharynx and pushes it down to the oropharynx. One can do nasya alone, after neti pot, or within this unique sequence and benefit.

When to use: Before exercise or breathwork (pranayama), during study / work or other mind-heavy activities, after steam inhalation, while using electronics (shields the CNS), during travel in train / plane

When not to use: Just before sleeping, showering or eating, or while sick with cold / fever

Clears the head of Imbalances. The nose is the most direct gateway within the skull and to the brain, and quickly pulls toxins from those tissues. Nourishes the mind, pacifies vata and improves prana circulation via srotas (channels).

Strengthens Sense Organs. Lubricates, cleanses and improves function of the nose, ears, eyes, lips, throat and voice. Great for singers, athletes, yogis. This helps to protect the senses and nervous system from the external environment.

Improves Tone. Improves tone of voice, and releases tension in the neck, shoulders and head via lubrication - helping to prevent hair loss and premature graying.

Nasya Application

Using a dropper or copper bowl - place 2-4 drops in each nostril while the head is tilted back in either seated or laying position. Inhale and massage sinuses, eyebrows, temples and forehead. Wait a minute or so before moving to upright position as oil may leak out. Oil is best applied while slightly warm.

Jivanam Ayurveda prepares nasya with a balancing blend of sesame / olive oil infused with rejuvenative herbs such as brahmi, calamus, sandalwood oil and eucalyptus.

Gandusha - oil pulling

During sleep - the various organs of the body activate to provide an amazing cleansing of the body. Around 40% of the ama (toxic residue) from the day accumulates as a coating on the tongue at night (observing the quality of that buildup can tell you much about your internal state).

The hydrophilic nature of oils allow them to pull toxins out of the body. One technique involves filling the mouth completely with medicated oils, while the other involves filling it only about 1/3 and then gargling + swooshing the oils.

Use: Oil pulling has been used extensively as a traditional Indian folk remedy for many years to prevent decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums, dryness of throat, cracked lips and for strengthening teeth, gums and the jaw. It can even help to reverse any existing cavities. This process of Kavala or Gandusha can cure around 30 systemic diseases such as headache, migraine, diabetes and asthma.

If one wants to practice oil pulling - Upon awakening, one should scrape the tongue using a copper tongue scraper, and then brush the teeth - do not swallow saliva prior to completion of oil pulling. This stimulates all of the internal organs as the tongue contains a map of srotas + nerves that connect within. One should fill the mouth with about one tablespoon of high quality medicinal swooshing oil (available via Jivanam ayurveda by request), or else one can use organic cold pressed sesame oil, or organic raw coconut oil (inferior). Swish the oil in the mouth for 10-20 minutes (you can clear bowels, shower, get dressed, etc during this time) - swishing does not have to be rigorous the whole time, but if so it will surely strengthen voice. Spit out and wash out mouth using warm water.

Dhumapana - herbal smoke inhalation

Inhalation of smoke therapy properly done, will clear the impurities from the heart, throat and sense organs, produce lightness of the head and mitigation of the doshas and diseases produced by them.

If one wants to practice dhumapana, they can create smoke and indirectly inhale the smoke around them. Herbs like guggulu, sambrani, frankincense can be sprinkled onto coal and inhale as well as topically fumigate onto the body.

This is also good to burn in the room where new born babies rest for anti-bacterial action. Also smoke from holy and medicinal woods like sandalwood and substances being burned through yajna (fire ceremony) has medicinal action. The simplest method is to smear a piece of cotton cloth with ghee and turmeric, dry it in shade, roll it into a cigar shape, and use it for dhuma.

Betel Leaf - restoring agni (digestive fire) after cleansing

“Betel leaf is said to have a property called vaiśadya (cleansing the srotas), aruci haratva (improving appetite and taste perception), and saugandhya (good odor).”

When one chews betel leaf, the medicinal properties are directly absorbed via the saliva and go into the bloodstream, where residual ama can be digested. It is also used as an anti-bacterial agent and for promoting the healing of wounds among many other uses.

You can try a simplified at home therapy by…

Using pure rose water spray in the eyes first
Using nasya oil second
Using gandusha (oil pulling) oil third

Hope this helps!

Yamuna

Sources: Charaka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam, Susruta Samhita