feces for a similar shiny and oily quality. When the dhatus get fully lubricated, the excess oil become evident through the oily smell emanating from the body.

The night before vamana is administered, the patient takes food which stimulates kapha - sweet, heavy, cool, sticky and oily foods including yogurt, milk, bananas and urad dal (black lentil soup). Before going to bed the patient is given an herb vacha (acoromus calamus) to stimulate stomach secretions. Its energy is hot and causes the ama in the stomach to thin out. On waking the next morning the patient refrains from eating and drinking. Vamana is always given early in the morning when jala element dominates the external environment and kapha dosha dominates the body's internal environment. Normal doshic activity causes maximum watery and mucous secretions to accumulate in the kapha zone during this time bringing kapha toxins out of the dhatus and into the hollow spaces of the stomach. Early morning when the greatest amount of kaphic ama is available for elimination offer the best time for this process.

The procedure begins by giving the patient approximately 1.5 cups of thin sweet tasting porridge made from wheat and milk. After this he is given an emesis stimulating herb Madan phal. The fruit's dried powder is soaked in honey overnight and made into a paste. Approximately 1.5 teaspoon is given to the patient to lick. The patient is then given a large quantity of licorice tea or sugarcane juice or a saline solution. The patient is asked to drink as much of this tea as possible, about 3 to 4 liters. Within a few minutes the patient feels hot, his stomach churns and he feels the urge to vomit. Vomiting comes on bouts and usually occurs smoothly. Within an hour the whole procedure is finished. The patient continues vomiting until there is a bitter, sour or burning taste in the mouth. At this point the urge to vomit automatically stops.

When the vomiting stops, the patient should rest and avoid stress as well as physical or sexual activity for the whole day. He should abstain from food and liquids for four to five hours, after which he can take some thin rice water. Vamana temporarily exhausts the digestive fire so the patient needs food, which is easily digested. Vamana benefits all kapha disorders. It leaves the patient feeling light and aware. His senses function with greater clarity and precision.

Nasya
It is the process of therapeutic cleansing of the tissues and organs of the head and neck. It introduces medicated oils and powders into the nose. It removes ama from the nose, larynx, pharynx, mouth, sinuses, eyes and ears. Ayurveda describes the nose as the doorway to the brain. It cleanses and opens the channels of the head, which improve oxygenation, and flow of pure prana that has a highly beneficial influence on brain functioning. It is used to alleviate dry nasal passages, sinus congestion, common cold, chronic sinusitis and allergies. It relieves headaches, migraine, and epilepsy and has a positive effect on degenerative diseases of the brain and mental retardation. Traditionally nasya uses two different substances, medicated powders and medicated oils for the following three purposes:

• To promote secretions that dislodge and carry toxins out of the body, these are called shodhana nasya.

• To create palliative or soothing effect called shamana nasya.