AP Ayurvedic Treatment & Therapies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During Purvakarma (preparatory procedures), Snehana and Swedana serve which primary purpose?
- Directly eliminating doshas from the body
- Mobilizing vitiated doshas from tissues to the GI tract for elimination (Correct answer)
- Strengthening Ojas and immunity before cleansing
- Suppressing Agni to reduce digestive heat
Correct answer: Mobilizing vitiated doshas from tissues to the GI tract for elimination
Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (fomentation) loosen and liquefy accumulated doshas in the dhatus and guide them back to the alimentary canal, where main Panchakarma procedures can expel them.
Question 2: A practitioner prescribes Patra Pinda Sweda using leaves of Eranda (castor), Nirgundi, and Rasna. This bolus therapy is BEST indicated for:
- Hyperthyroidism and excess heat conditions
- Musculoskeletal disorders with Vata-Kapha aggravation (Correct answer)
- Skin hyperpigmentation due to Pitta
- Obesity with Kapha dominance only
Correct answer: Musculoskeletal disorders with Vata-Kapha aggravation
Patra Pinda Sweda uses anti-inflammatory and Vata-Kapha-pacifying leaves to relieve joint stiffness, muscle spasm, and pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions.
Question 3: Which specific Nasya type is indicated for nourishment, strengthening of sensory organs, and Vata disorders of the head?
- Virechana Nasya
- Bruhana (nourishing) Nasya (Correct answer)
- Shamana (palliative) Nasya
- Pradhamana Nasya
Correct answer: Bruhana (nourishing) Nasya
Bruhana Nasya uses heavy, nourishing substances like medicated ghee or oils to strengthen the sense organs, voice, and mind, and is indicated for Vata imbalances in the head region.
Question 4: Yoga Basti, a classic Basti schedule, consists of how many total enemas administered over how many days?
- 8 enemas over 8 days (Correct answer)
- 12 enemas over 12 days
- 16 enemas over 16 days
- 32 enemas over 32 days
Correct answer: 8 enemas over 8 days
Yoga Basti is a short Basti course of 8 enemas — 3 Anuvasana and 5 Niruha — administered alternately over 8 days.
Question 5: Kavala Graha (oil pulling or oil gargling) primarily benefits which category of conditions?
- Lower limb neuropathy
- Oral health, gum disease, and head-neck disorders (Correct answer)
- Reproductive disorders
- Gastrointestinal motility issues
Correct answer: Oral health, gum disease, and head-neck disorders
Kavala Graha involves holding and swishing warm medicated oil in the mouth to strengthen gums, teeth, jaw, voice, and address oral and head-neck region conditions.
Question 6: In Udvartana (herbal powder massage), the direction of strokes is applied AGAINST the direction of hair follicles primarily to:
- Increase Kapha by compressing lymphatics
- Create friction that generates heat and reduces subcutaneous fat and Kapha (Correct answer)
- Cool Pitta through opposite directional force
- Stimulate Vata's movement through energetic strokes
Correct answer: Create friction that generates heat and reduces subcutaneous fat and Kapha
Vigorous upward strokes against hair growth in Udvartana generate friction and heat, which liquefies and mobilizes subcutaneous fat and excess Kapha, supporting weight management.
Question 7: Which post-Panchakarma regimen (Paschat Karma) practice is ESSENTIAL to prevent complications and consolidate treatment outcomes?
- Immediately resuming a full normal diet and activity
- Practicing Samsarjana Krama — a graduated dietary regimen from liquids to solid foods (Correct answer)
- Fasting completely for seven days
- Performing intense exercise to stimulate Agni
Correct answer: Practicing Samsarjana Krama — a graduated dietary regimen from liquids to solid foods
Samsarjana Krama is a carefully graduated dietary regimen post-Panchakarma that progressively rebuilds Agni and digestive capacity, preventing relapse and consolidating purification benefits.
AP Ayurvedic Treatment & Therapies 3
During Purvakarma (preparatory procedures), Snehana and Swedana serve which primary purpose?