MuscularAyurveda

“Dhumrapan” or smoking

No doctor prescribes it right? On the contrary if you smoke the ayurvedic way, it is going to solve many ENT problems. Smoking can give you relief from heaviness- ache-migraine of head, ear pain, paining eyes, cough, hiccups, asthma, weakness of teeth, ear-eye or nose discharge, foul smelling mouth, reluctance to food, stiffness of neck, voice problem, hairfall, sneeze, laziness etc. Smoking can strengthen your skull and sense organs.

Apparatus for smoking: Ayurveda suggests different length of pipes and number of bends to be used for different types of smoking where the intention is to reduce the acuity of the smoke. In my opinion, hookah is safer than earthen or metal pipes. Ayurveda do not suggest use of charcoal but the herbs are dried enough to be smoldered.

Rishi “Charak” have defined three major types of smoking.

1.   “Prayogik” or regular smoking: Herbs used in preparation are Henna Seeds(Mehandi Beej), Callicarpa macrophylla(Priyangu Flower), Black Cumin(Kala Jeera), Mesua ferrea(Nagkesar), Pavonia odorata(Netrabala), White Sandal(Chandan), Cinnamomum tamala (Tezpatra), Cinnamon(Daalchini), Cardamom(Choti ilayichi), Vetiver(Khas), Liquorice(Mulhati), Spikenard(Jatamansi), Indianbdellium(Guggul), Agar, Sugar, Bark of Banyan, Bark of Ficus Racemosa(Gullar), Bark of Ficus Religiosa(Pipal), Bark of Ficus viren (Pilkhan), Kaivart Mustak, Shorea Robusta(Sarj Ras), Cyperus Rotundus(Nagarmotha), Parmelia Perlata(Shaley), Lotus Saffron, Shrivestak, Indian frankincense(Shallaki) and Shukbahr. All the mentioned herbs should be grinded in water and dried over a hollow stick(Sarkanda) in shape of a barley which should be 8 fingers in length and after it is completely dried; a cotton lint soaked in clarified butter should be inserted in the hollow part. The suggested length of smoking pipe is 36 fingers. This could be lit up and smoked. I consider hokkah a better option. This can be used regularly.  

2.   “Snaihik” or Lubricant smoking: Fat, Clarified Butter(Ghee) and Natural wax. These should be mixed with (Jivaniya Gan) enlivening, anti aging group of herbswhich are Malaxis acuminate(Jeevaka), Manilakara Hexandra(Rishbhaka), Polygonatum cirrhifolium(Meda), Polygonatum verticillatum(Mahameda), Friltillaria royeli(Kakoli), Roscoea pupurea(Kshira kakoli), Phaseolus trilobus(Mudgaparni), Teramnus labialis(Mashaparni), Leptadenia reticulate(Jivanti), Licorice (Madhuka). These should be mixed to make a hard paste to be cast in cylindrical or conical shape. The suggested length of smoking pipe is 32 fingers. This can be smoked by person who is dry by nature and have gas and air trouble. Cannot be used regularly.

3.   “Vairechanik” or Purgative smoking: This is used to bring out cough stuck in head. Herb to be used are Clitoria Ternatea(Aparajita), Celastrus Paniculatus(Jyotismati), Orpiment (Hartal), Realgar(Mahashila) and Agarwood leaves(Agur Patr). The herbs should be grinded in agur oil and should be smoked similar to “Prayogik”. The suggested length of smoking pipe is 24 fingers. One suffering from cough problem should use it.

Right time to smoke: Ayurveda prescribes smoking at the times when the “Kapha” and “Vata” in the body are high. After bath, after meal, after vomit, after sneezing and cleaning your teeth- tongue and “Nasya(taking drops of oil or ghee in nose)” after washing your eyes, after you wake up, in happy mood. However considering the acuity of once “Dosha” they should consider regular type smoking for couple of times in place of other smoking. “Snaihik” is allowed only once a day and “Virechainik” can be done 3-4 times a day.

One should inhale from mouth and release from mouth. Number of puff defined is only 9 for any type of smoking.

Caution: Over smoking can cause you deafness, blindness, dumbness, increases “Pitta” in blood and giddiness etc. Person who has gone through detoxification of the body, taken enema, with infectious blood, pregnant lady, tired, drunk, with low digestive fire, who watch night, with giddiness, when thirsty, just had milk, just had honey, just had curd rice, is angry, is injured on head, is diabetic or suffering from diphtheria should not smoke.

Note: “Vata”, “Pitta” and “Kapha” are three doshas of body mentioned in ayurveda which in balanced state keeps the person healthy.

“Vata” is gas or air in your body. If aggravated, it causes joints pain and gas trouble.

“Pitta” is acid/bile and heat in the body. If aggravated, it  causes burning sensation, thirst, over hunger etc.

“Kapha” is cough or lubrication which lubricates the body.

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