1. T HERAPEUTIC SMOKING IS NOT INJURIOUS TO HEALTH Dr.Nilima Jain www.ayurprideindia.com

2. The aim of this presentation is to focus on the lesser known and curative aspect of therapeutic smoking which has its mention in ancient Indian Ayurveda texts. It is brought to the notice that with due respect to the ongoing anti- tobacco/anti-smoking campaigns around the world, any dishonour to these campaign is not intended.

3. Index What is therapeutic smokingScheduleTypesSize & shape of pipeMedicinal herbsUsesFeatures of correct smokingComplicationsContraindications4 & 5678910111213 Topic Slide no.

4. What is therapeutic smoking? Therapeutic smoking is the type of smoking described in Ayurveda wherein some medicated herbs, prescribed for smoking, are pounded and made into cigars which can be ignited and smoked regularly with the help of a pipe. This is considered altogether harmless and is indicated as the integral part of ‘daily routines’ described in Ayurveda.

5. It is categorically stated in ‘Sutrasthanam’ of ‘Charaka Samhita’ that the diseases pertaining to head and neck arising out of ‘vata’ and ‘kapha’, however strong the disease may be, do not affect the person who smokes through the oral route. It also strengthens hair, sense organs and voice. If the disorder is located in chest and throat, smoke should be taken in through mouth while if the disorder is located in head, nose and eyes it should be taken in through nostrils. After smoking in either from mouth or nose, the smoke should always be expelled only through mouth.

6. Schedule A complete self-control is considered to be an essential part of all the regimes prescribed in Ayurveda including smoking. Keeping this in mind, there are eight times prescribed for routine smoking. It is believed that the doshas get vitiated during these times. Smoking should be done thrice each time (three puffs each time) which implies that whenever cigars are to be smoked consecutive three puffs are to be taken each time. One is required to pause a little after smoking once (consecutive three puffs) and then repeat smoking for the second and third times in the same manner.

7. Types of smoking Routine/habitual (prayogik) Unctuous (snaihik) Eliminative (vairechana) Anti-cough (kasa-hara) Emetic (vamana)

8. Size and shape of smoking pipe Smoking pipe should be straight, with 3 knots, having nozzle of the measures of jujube(zizyphus jujuba) stone and made of material similar to that of enema pipe. With this provision the smoke used as per the dose and time does not affect the sense organs as it is not inhaled directly but is systematically interrupted by the knots and the flow is co- ordinated through the length of the passage of the pipe.

9. Medicinal herbs used for smoking pisum sativum, callicarpa macrophylla, nigella sativa, mesua ferrea, pavonia odorata, santalum album, cinnamomum tamala, cinnammomum zeylanicum, elettaria cardamomum, vetiveria zizanioides, glycyrrhiza glabra, boswellia serrata. Note: These are only a few of the many herbs prescribed for smoking in Ayurveda texts.

10. Some uses of medicated smoking heaviness of head, headache,rhinitis,hemicranias, earache,pain in eyes,cough,hiccups, dyspnoea, obstruction in throat, weakness of teeth, toothache, anorexia,lock jaw,alopecia, greying of hair, hair-fall, excessive drowsiness

11. Features of correct smoking Clarity of mind Clarity of throat and sense organs lightness of head balance of doshas.

12. Complications of untimely/ overdone smoking excessive thirst,dryness of throat and palate,heaviness in head,impairment of speech,impairment of sight,impaired hearing,giddiness,haemorrhage.

13. Contraindications of smoking Intrinsic haemorrhage Head injury Post-enema Post- purgation Defects of vision Mental confusion

14. Dr.Nilima Jain www.ayurprideindia.com Your comments /queries are welcomed at info@ayurprideindia.com