Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda (SSPS) is one of the most important and special forms of treatment in Kerala. It is also known as Navara Kizhi.
It is a process by which the whole body or a part of it is made to perspire by the external application of medicinal pudding, in the form of boluses tied up in a cloth bag.
References to this treatment are available in the Ashtanga Sangraha as well as the Charaka Samhita. The method has been prevalent in Kerala since time immemorial and is still practised today.
Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda is a type of Brimhana Sweda, in which cooked Shashtika rice is used to induce sweating.
Indications
Preparation of Kizhi
- Prepare Balamoola Kashaya by boiling Bala moola in water and reducing it to 3 litres.
- Divide the Kashaya into two parts of 1.5 litres each.
- To one part, add 750 ml milk and 300 g Shashtika Shali rice and cook properly.
- Tie the cooked rice into 2 potalis.
- Mix the other part of the Kashaya with 750 ml milk; this is used as the drava dravya during the procedure.
Poorva Karma
The patient is asked to sit on the Droni with legs extended. Abhyanga is done with the prescribed oil in the following seven positions:
- Sitting
- Supine
- Right lateral
- Supine
- Left lateral
- Supine
- Sitting
Pradhana Karma
- After Abhyanga, the patient is asked to sit on the Droni with legs extended.
- A frying pan is kept on a mild flame and the prescribed oil is poured in (10–15 ml each time of dipping).
- When the pan gets hot, the potalis are dipped in oil and warmed.
- The warm boluses are gently applied in a synchronized manner by two therapists positioned on either side of the patient.
- The heat of the boluses is maintained throughout the procedure by dipping them in the hot oil repeatedly.
- The process is performed in all seven positions advised for Abhyanga.
- The procedure is continued until Samyak Swinna Lakshana are attained.
The prepared potalis are dipped in the mixture of Balamoola Kashaya and ksheera, which is boiled simultaneously. The potali is rubbed and squeezed mildly on the patient's body. This is done in 7 postures, 5 minutes each.
After the procedure is completed, the Shashtika is scraped from the body using a coconut leaf, and oil is applied over the body with a mild massage.
The Pinda should be changed every 3 days.
Precautions during preparation
- The coconut should not be over-roasted or burnt.
- Avoid overheating the pan.
- Do not use excessive oil in the preparation of the medicine.
- Tie the bolus firmly to avoid leakage of the contents during rubbing.
Precautions during the procedure
- Avoid excessive heating of the bolus to prevent rupture.
- Ensure uniform pressure and temperature on all parts of the body.
- Boluses should be applied with sufficient warmth.
- The direction of massage with the boluses should always be Anuloma.
- Therapy should be stopped when Samyak Swinna Lakshana are attained.
- The ideal time for the procedure is 7–11 am or 4–6 pm.
- The temperature of the bolus while applying on the body should be 45–55 °C.
- Treatment should be done only after observing Jeerna Ahara Lakshana.
Duration
| Preparation time | 10 min |
|---|---|
| Procedure time | 40 min |
| Bath time | 10 min |
Complications and management
| Complication | Management |
|---|---|
| Rashes | Application of sheeta veerya dravya such as Shatadhauta / Sahasradhauta Ghrita, Yashtimadhu Taila, Kumari pulp, and Haridra with Ghrita over the affected part. |
| Giddiness and fainting | Sprinkle cold water over the patient's face, then give Sharkarodaka to drink. |
Pashchat Karma
- The patient is asked to take a hot shower after sweating has subsided (when body temperature returns to normal).
- Apply Rasnadi Churna.
- Follow Pathya and Apathya.
Jambeera Pinda Sweda
A potali prepared with Jambeera (lemon) to induce sweating.
Indications
Preparation
- Take 25 ml oil in the pan, add the pieces of Jambeera and fry until soft.
- Add the remaining powders one by one.
- Divide into two parts and tie into potalis.
The procedure is the same as that of Patra Pinda Sweda.