Part 2 ( with agnikarma tips!) We use Suvarna Shalaka because needle can not be used in diabetic patients. As it doesn’t cause wound, so pus formation is naturally prevented. Of course it is used in pain only. When there is pain of calcaneal spur, then Mrittika Shalaka is used. (Mud or clay probe) In case of corn, heated Loh Shalaka (Iron probe) is used. This probe should not be too pointed. This probe should be red hot for Agni karma success. If it is not so much hot, then there are chances of pus formation. And wound takes much more time to heal and corn is also not cured. So, not too pointed but red hot Iron probe is must while performing this Agni karma. Agni karma is used to relieve pain as well as to cure the disease. Texts reveal that diseases cured by Agni karma never recur. Hence after excision of tumour, Agni karma is done at operated site for prevention of recurrence. In Ayurveda Agni karma has been used to stop bleeding (Rakta stambhan). In excessive bleeding, Agni karma is done at bleeding site. Of course it is the last remedy to stop bleeding when treatments like binding (Sandhan), coagulation (Skandan), pachan are not working. Ayurveda was completely aware that When Agni karma was done to stop bleeding, bleeding stops but normal tissues at that site get damaged. Hence Agni karma is stated as the last choice to stop the bleeding. Cautery which is similar to Agni karma is commonly used in all operatives. If Cautery is done after hernia operation, then chances of recurrence are more. Because Cautery damages normal tissues at that site. Modern scientists warned about this but surgeons ignored this fact. Surgeons use coagulation Cautery to save time, no need to ligate each and every blood vessel, mopping of blood is less required. Surgeons compromise by doing coagulation Cautery. But in case of hernia, recurrence is more after such Cautery. In case of TUR (Trans Urethral Resection), obstructive pathology is seen after use of such Cautery. Thus Agni karma is used for various purposes. Today we are restricted to it's use only in pain relief.
The fact is also applied to Viddha Chikitsa. Generally, Rakta mokshan is done in Rakta Pradoshaj vikara (Blood disorders). Blood letting is done if blood pressure is increased suddenly. Viddha or Rakta mokshan is done to cure many diseases. Viddha or Agni karma is needed many times. It is described that we can perform treatments till patient can tolerate and doesn’t go in shock. Patient and doctor both should be alert, conscious during these procedures. Because of logistic problems, patient can not come frequently or twice a day. Hence by experience we perform these procedures for seven days. Because during procedures many times wound is created. And wound or burn or Viddha takes time of seven days to heal. Our treatment should give relief to patient in 7 days is other aspect of this. Jaggery is also used for Agni karma. But such material should be used at specific points. For example: muscular wasting of shoulder (Ansa shosha), frozen shoulder (Avabahuka) where Jaggery is recommended. Cow tooth (Godanta) is also recommended like Jaggery. In such cases, when there is no specific mention of Agni karma material then in that case, by experience Pancha Dhatu (5 metals namely Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Brass) are used as material. In many colleges, Shalaka (probe) made up of all 5 dhatus is used. But our body parts respond to different temperatures. Hence all these metals should be used separately as this gives better results. In Shalakya Tantra (E.N.T) Viddha Chikitsa is predominantly used. This Viddha Chikitsa includes almost 50% treatment in E.N.T than other treatments described. Sushruta described this treatment first. 500 years after Sushruta, Vagbhata also described this treatment in E.N.T. Interestingly, Vagbhata made changes in Rasayan Chikitsa if compared to Sushruta. But description of Viddha Chikitsa, points of Viddha are same as stated by Sushruta. It shows this was routinely practised in between period of these 2 stalwarts. In spite of dominance of Bauddha Dharma in era of Vagbhata, this Viddha Chikitsa was in great practice.
If someone asks me whether this treatment was only in India or any other country? Answer is Yes. Our neighbouring country China has such treatment in the name of acupuncture and moxibustion. These are very similar to Viddha and Agni karma Chikitsa respectively. In acupressure also, triangular needles were used in ancient time which are similar to our ‘Aara’ instrument. During the course of time changes occurred and now a days generally Platinum needles are used. Depth of Viddha mentioned by Ayurveda is same as stated in acupuncture. Whether moxibustion should be done after acupuncture? Is mentioned after each procedure in Chinese medicine. Ayurveda doesn't have such specific instructions. Both these sciences are developed in same era approximately 1500 B.C. Both nations have geographical similarities. i.e. Both have hilly region like Himalaya on one side and sea on the other side. Ayurveda accepts sheeta (Cold) and Ushna (Hot) as basic principles. Chinese medicine also has same principle in the name of Yin (Cold) and Yang (Hot). So Chinese medicine and Ayurveda are that way same. WHO has given recommendation as ‘medical treatment’ to acupressure and moxibustion. Ayurveda has covered Viddha and Agni karma Chikitsa in less points as compared to acupressure and moxibustion. It actually denotes Ayurveda's Greatness. But unfortunately this science doesn't get its true value. Viddha and Agni karma were fully used in practice in surgery as well as in E.N.T still it is not recognised in world today. We give reason of Bauddha religion for it but This reason is not logical. In spite of Bauddha religion dominance, accidents, foreign body intrusion, animal attacks were routine happenings in that era also. Where treatment was necessary.
Stambha means muscular spasm. Vat (Vayu) is entrapped in muscles and hence there are restrictions to the movements. In such cases, Agni karma is performed after doing Snehan (Massage) and Swedan (Fomentation). This gives better results in cervical muscle spasm. Pradhaman Nasya is done before Agni karma which gives better results. For this Pradhaman Nasya, Nebasulf powder bottle is used. Such bottle has very small hole so it becomes easy to inhale the powder inside. For Pradhaman, mixed powder of Vacha (Acorus) and suntha (Ginger) is used in proportion of 2/3 and 1/3 respectively. Such bottles are easily available and very comfortable to use. Medicinal powder is inhaled in proper quantity. Another similarity between Ayurveda and Chinese medicine is when disease is caused by cold principle in that case Agni karma is used and Viddha is used in cases of diseases caused by hot principle. Hence near seashore acupressure or Viddha are more fruitful than Himalaya region and vice a versa, moxibustion or Agni karma is more fruitful in Himalaya region as compared to seashore. So hot and cold principles are used in these treatments. Ayurveda has not stated this clearly but Chinese medicine has such clear description. In China, in Himalaya region Agni karma is done and near seashore acupuncture is performed. In normal climate region like Pune, we will not find such difference. But in cold places like Kashmir, Viddha will not be fruitful as blood will not come out because of cold weather. Main condition in Agni karma is obstructive pathology is cured and pain inducing factors get assimilated in blood. Thus pain is relieved. Exact action of Viddha is not known but as stated in Rakta mokshan, impure blood lets out first. Vayu is also of Laghu Guna and pain is always because of Vayu. So after Rakta mokshan or Viddha, this Vayu escapes out and pain is relieved. In science of Ayurveda, this treatment is immortal. Ayurveda has mentioned another important thing. like earth, our body has 80% water content and 20% solid content. Hence considering dominance of Udak (Jala/water) principle, Agni karma is more recommended.