About the treatment
Nabhi basti is a nurturing and soothing therapy concentrating on the navel and abdomen area. The significance of the nabhi or ‘navel’ is universally understood as the point of entry of life, our origin of existence and the unspoken connection to our mother. And as such, is vulnerability to imbalances caused by emotional or physical trauma that can affect the entire physiology. Enveloping and bathing the navel in warm unctuous oil allows for stagnant energies to be released and gives space for fresh prana to enter the body.
The natural oils for this treatment are specifically chosen according to the condition and are maintained at a particular temperature. A dough dam is created to hold a pool of the oil for a set length of time as its warmth and pressure deeply penetrates and is absorbed through the skin to muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues. Gentle manipulation of the subtle marma (vital energy points) enhances its healing impact. This procedure is then followed by a little, light massage of the surrounding area enhancing circulation and allowing ease of movement.
This therapy is recommended as a course and is effective alongside diet and lifestyle regimes as part of a fertility, post-natal or women’s health programme.
More information...
The Basti’ can be roughly translated as ‘something inside’ or ‘something which holds.’ It is a term used to describe the urinary bladder in ayurveda, a compartment or container which holds or pools something for a period of time.
There are two types of basti therapies in ayurveda. The first is internal enema therapy which is given as a part of Ayurvedic Panchakarma. The second is external. This therapy is external.
There are several types of external basti to include:
• Kati basti – lower back treatment
• Greeva basti – around the area of neck/between shoulder blades
• Janu basti – around knee area
• Kurpara basti – around the elbow
• Hridaya basti – around heart marma point
• Nabhi basti – around navel region
• Shirobasti – head region
• Chakra basti – around each chakra of the body
• Netra basti – around the eye area
Benefits:
Nabhi basti has many benefits to include:
o Reducing anxiety, stress and nervousness
o Relaxing the digestive systems improving assimilation and elimination
o Enhancing blood supply to the area
o Soothing nerves
o Promoting better circulation by removing stagnant toxins for the area
Indications:
Nabhi basti is recommended for many disorders including:
o Digestion problems
o Diarrhoea and constipation
o IBS
o Colitis and Crones disease
o Irregular periods
o Endometriosis
Contra-indications:
Nabhi basti is not recommended under the following conditions:
• Low digestive fire (agni) or excessive toxins (ama)
• During pregnancy
• During menstruation
• Whilst breastfeeding
• Acute fever, chest or sinus congestion
• Inflammation, swelling or redness of local area
• Open or bleeding wounds, healing scars or burns
• Active headache or migraine
• Directly after a heavy meal or when very hungry
• Less than 8 weeks after surgery to local area
