One thing that we have learned from Ayurveda is to embrace and accept the oily life. Ayurveda has recognized the medicinal value of oil, for both internal and external uses. From helping in detoxification to calming the nervous system. Ayurvedic Therapies build use of oil during a wide selection of medical aid to support the mind and body. When we talk about treating one’s eyes, oil can also be used in its treatment.
The therapy in which Ayurveda uses an oily substance (ghee) to cure the eyes is known as Netra Basti. In Sanskrit the word Netra means “Eyes” and Basti means “Bladder” or “Container”.
Netra Basti is also known as Nerta Vasti is a preventative and restorative Ayurvedic treatment for the eyes.
In Netra Basti therapy a dough made out of fresh organic flour is placed around the eye orbit to create a small dam. The dam made out of dough is then filled with luke-warm ghee that is clarified butter, and then the patient is asked to open his/her eyes and then has to perform various eye exercises while being submerged under the ghee. The duration of this therapy is approximately 1 hour in which the ghee is kept in the dough dam only for 15 minutes and the rest of the time is occupied by the setup procedure.
The ghee used is Triphala Ghrita. It is herbal ghee that contains Triphala, a 3-herb combination that’s extremely good for the eyes, which is cooked into it using a special Ayurvedic method. Any other herbal can also be used but that depends on the client’s condition.
After getting rid of the ghee, the bulk of the dough dam is then gently removed by pulling it off which doesn’t hurt. Then whatever is left behind is wiped off with the help of a warm and damp towel. ‘
After treatments care:
- Follow all the therapist home recommendations
- Rest for some time before you leave the center
- Wear dark sunglasses after the treatment till the time it is recommended to you
- Have light meals after your treatment
- Drink gallons of warm water or herbal tea
- Try avoiding stimulants as that may not support the desired effect of your treatment
The era in which we are living right now is completely digitalized, where everything is linked to digital technology and requires a lot of screen work, due to which eyestrain is continuously rising. this is where the Netra Basti comes in to heal. Netra Basti has plenty of benefits.
Netra Basti Advantages
- Helps in reducing the tension and migraine headaches
- It soothes out dry, itchy eyes.
- Enhances the vision
- Provides relief from all sorts of allergies
- Improves concentration and mental acuity
- Gives relief from eye socket tension, twitchiness, and squinting.
- Removes wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes.
- Helps to combat eye strain caused by tv, computers, and smartphones.
- Slows down the natural degeneration of eyes
- Nourishes the optic nerve tissues – even for those wearing a prosthetic eye.
The benefits of Netra Basti does not limit down over here. As our eyes are closely connected to the brain and nervous system, its healing effect reaches far beyond just our eyelids.
During the treatment, some people might experience mild stinging and therapeutic tearing, which is completely normal, as it’s the body’s way of cleaning and repairing the tissues.
The majority of the people do not experience any stinging, but that depends on which herbal ghee is being used for the therapy. the stringing caused during the therapy is not harmful and it goes away after the therapy. If someone is not comfortable with experiencing stringing during the therapy because of their fears then plain ghee can be used in place of herbal ghee.
Nerta Basti is a magnificent and delightful therapy for people with certain eye conditions like dry eyes, blurry or poor vision, double vision, redness, eye pain, difficulty opening or closing the eyes, and falling eyelashes. It is also beneficial for those who use their eyes excessively like working all day on a computer. It isn’t just a beauty treatment it is much more than that, it makes the whites of your eyes whiter.
Netra Basti Is Recommended For People Suffering From
- People having Injury in the eyes
- Suffer from dry eyes
- Have Stiffness in the eyes
- Loss of eyelashes
- Going through any sort of eye diseases caused due to vitiation of Vata and Pitta Squint.
- The blurring of the vision
- Suffer conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Fifth cranial nerve disorder
- Opacity of cornea
- Watering of the eyes
- Having pain in the eyes
- Swollen eyes
Netra Basti has a super relaxing after effect. Most of the people are scared during their first session but then the slightly warm, velvety ghee is soothing that nullifies the fear. The therapy makes you feel so nourishing, lubricating, and almost cozy.
It immensely cleans the eyes and relieves the trapped tensions in and around the eyes and their sockets. This relaxed is not just confined to the eye area, but the whole face feels it. The therapy removes and eases the fine lines and puffiness in the eye area, along with the inflammation and dryness caused in the eyes and the skin around the eye.
No doubt, that you’ll become a lover of Netra Basti once you’ve experienced it. The physical effects are silky smooth and therefore the energetic effect bolster you in creating positive images and visualization in your life
This is the time to form a conscious, lifestyle choice and support the treatment – never to travel catch a movie, finish a unique, or specialize in that knitting project.
I recommend scheduling two Netra Basti sessions, one week apart, for longer-lasting effects.
In Ayurveda, the methods of treatment mostly always work from the inside out as well as outside in. The results of Netra Basti or Netra Vasti therapy can be amplified by using certain Ayurvedic herbs and formulas that nourish the eyes from the inside out. Food and lifestyle also play an important role in this. As we all the whole body is connected, so the best way to approach the eyes, as well as the other part, is by making the whole body healthier.