Eranda Muladi Niruha Vasti – Ingredients, Benefits

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Erandamuladi Niruha Vasti is one of the most praised decoction enemas used for treating vata disorders. It also has wide spectrum of action and is used as an effective remedy for many diseases.

Reference – Charaka Samhita Siddhi Sthana, chapter 3, verses 38-42

Table of Contents

Ingredients of Erandamuladi Niruha Basti

Name	Botanical name	quantity
Erandamula	Roots of Ricinus communis	3 pala – 144 grams
Palasha	Butea monosperma	1 pala – 48 grams
Laghu Panchamula (Lesser five roots)	Roots of Desmodium gangeticum, Uraria picta, Solanum indicum, Solanum xanthocarpum & Tribulus terrestris	1 pala – 48 grams each
Rasna	Alpinia galanga	1 pala – 48 grams
Ashwagandha	Withania somnifera	1 pala – 48 grams
Atibala	Abutilon indicum	1 pala – 48 grams
Guduchi	Tinospora cordifolia	1 pala – 48 grams
Punarnava	Boerhavia diffusa	1 pala – 48 grams
Aragvadha	Cassia fistula	1 pala – 48 grams
Devadaru	Cedrus deodara	1 pala – 48 grams
Madanaphala	Randia dumetorum	1 pala – 48 grams

Preparation of decoction

The above mentioned ingredients are pounded so as to get their coarse powder.

This powder is boiled with water, 2 adhaka i.e. 5.12 liters approximately. When one eighth part i.e. 1 prastha = 640 ml approximately remains, it is filtered.

To the filtrate, 1 karsha = 12 grams approximately each of the paste of the below mentioned herbs is added and mixed thoroughly.

Shatahva – Anethum graveolens
Hapusha – Juniperus communis
Priyangu – Callicarpa macrophylla / Aglaia elaeagnoidea
Pippali – Piper longum
Madhuka – Glycyrrhiza glabra
Bala mula – roots of Sida cordifolia
Rasanjana – concentrated extract prepared from the stem bark and root of Berberis aristata
Vatsaka beeja – seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica
Musta – Cyperus rotundus

The resultant decoction is mixed with rock salt, honey, sesame oil and urine of cow and administered as enema.

Method of mixing the ingredients of decoction enema – the rock salt, honey, sesame oil, Erandamuladi decoction & cow urine are mixed one after the other in that order until a homogenous liquid is prepared.

Health benefits

Enhances appetite and improves digestion
Scrapes of excessive fat in the body and hence can be used in obese individuals
Relieves stubborn pain located in the legs, thighs, foot, sacral region and back
Brings back the vata blocked by kapha or vata vitiated by any other cause to a state of balance
Removes the blockage of feces, urine and fart and hence relieves pain / colic caused due to their blockage
Cures distension and flatulence
Cures urinary stones and gravel
Cures piles
Cures chronic intestinal disorders

Route of administration – anal or vaginal / urethral

Study – Clinical management of Sciatica (Gridhrasi) through Vasti (Erandamuladi Vasti) and Kati Vasti along with Trayodashanga Guggulu

Clinical experience

My clinical experience with Erandamuladi Vasti

Erandamuladi Vasti is my all time favorite enema combination. I have adequately used this enema in the treatment of Vata disorders, low back pain and sciatica. Apart from this, my expertise is using it adequately in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have used this in combination with Brihat Saindhavadi Taila, Guggulutiktakam Ghrita or combination of both for anuvasana vasti i.e. unctuous enema. For low back pain I have used it in combination with Sahacharadi Taila, Guggulutiktakam Ghrita or both. The relief of pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and other painful conditions is exemplary. It can be noted from first or second enema itself. If this enema is given after administration of purgation therapy or instant purgation, its effect will be enhanced. The enema has shown marked reduction in biological values and improvement on radiological pictures in some cases. It makes a noticeable change in ESR values, CRP, RA factor and other inflammatory markers.

I have also used this enema in patients of osteoarthritis with good results. In patients who have shown mild to moderate damage of joints in radiological pictures improved substantially. There was good reduction of pain, stiffness and the movements improved. Moderately good results were found in severe and well established cases of osteoarthritis with gross joint changes.
Read – OsteoArthritis Symptoms, Prevention, Lifestyle tips, Ayurvedic treatment

The enema is strong and quick acting. It might not be tolerated by many. In such patients it is good to give a test enema and check for tolerance. If this enema is your choice but you feel the patient may not tolerate it, you can do small changes. Avoid adding urine of cow. It will make the enema less strong. Still if the patient doesn’t tolerate the enema in spite of showing good results after couple of enemas, you can add milk instead of urine. In my experience this slight modulation has made this enema tolerable for almost patients. Addition of milk will enable the enema to act without causing any complications like colic or cramps if any. Apart from relieving pain I have also seen that the enema energizes the patient and acts as a supportive therapy when milk is added. If the patient is strong and tolerable; and if you are looking at strong action of enema don’t change the combination.
Research article – Clinical study to assess the effect of yoga basti in gridhrasi

As added benefits of this enema, I have also seen the enema improving and regulating the menstrual cycle in women, reducing the episodes of dysmenorrhea and relieving complaints related to sexual dysfunctions in some cases. Some cases of Premature ejaculation (PME) showed improvement and the performance increased in some cases.

Thus, Erandamuladi Kashaya Vasti effectively combats arthritis, the diseases pertaining to uro-genital system, painful conditions, certain gastro-intestinal disorders, constipation and pelvic disorders. It is highly effective in normalizing the apana vata dysfunctions and cures diseases caused by the same.
Case Study – Effect of Erandamooladi Niruha Basti in the management of avascular necrosis