E-ISSN:2456-3110

Research Article

Vamana Shuddhi

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 9 September
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Evaluating Vamana Shuddhi through Analytical Methods: A Pilot Study

Harshitha M1, Asundi V2*, Purohit R3, Padyana S4, Komalankutty A5
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.9.4

1 Harshitha M, Third Year BAMS Student, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India.

2* Vijayalaxmi Asundi, Professor and HOD, Dept of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India.

3 Rohini Purohit, Associate Professor, Dept of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India.

4 Subrahmanya Padyana, Director, Alva’s Traditional Medicine Archive (ATMA) Research Centre, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India.

5 Anagha Komalankutty, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India.

Introduction: Panchakarma, comprises various detoxification and rejuvenation procedures, among which Vamana plays a vital role in eliminating excess Kapha Dosha. Vamana Sudhi, a therapeutic practice, is recognized for its effectiveness in cleansing the body and restoring balance. This study provides a comprehensive review of analytical methods used to assess the efficacy and safety of Vamana Sudhi, including hay tests, fat presence tests, pH meter analysis, and pH strip methods.

Materials and Methods: This study aimed to analyse pH levels, fat content, and the presence of bile salts in vomitus collected at every Vega during the Vamana procedure, regardless of the subject's disease conditions. A total of 15 participants underwent preparatory procedures, including Deepana-Pachana, Snehapana, Abhyanga, and Swedana, followed by Vamana using Madanaphala Pippali as the emetic agent.

Results: The Vamana procedure was conducted as per classical Ayurvedic texts. Subjects with Mandagni required more days for Deepana-Pachana compared to those with Madhyamagni. A significant correlation was observed between the duration of Snehapana and the type of Koshtha, suggesting that the duration of oleation therapy depends largely on gut characteristics. A notable pH changes in the last two Vegas indicated a shift in vomitus composition, suggesting that pH serves as an indicator of Pittanta. Additionally, a significant pH difference before and after treatment, as observed using pH strips, confirmed immediate gastrointestinal changes post-Vamana. The presence of bile in the vomitus further indicated successful expulsion of toxins.

Conclusion: Physical analysis of vomitus suggests that pH can serve as a reliable indicator for determining the endpoint of Vamana (Antiki Shuddhi). Measuring drug inputs and outputs (vomitus analysis) is crucial for assessing purification effectiveness (Maniki Shuddhi) and gaining insights into therapeutic outcomes. The study confirms the movement of Doshas from Shakha to Koshta and identifies fat presence in vomitus as a result of Snehapana and Kapha-Utkleshakara Ahara. This analytical approach provides a new perspective on evaluating the Vamana process.

Keywords: Vamana, Pittanta, Hay’s test, fat analysis, pH analysis

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Vijayalaxmi Asundi, Professor and HOD, Dept of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Harshitha M, Asundi V, Purohit R, Padyana S, Komalankutty A, Evaluating Vamana Shuddhi through Analytical Methods: A Pilot Study. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(9):16-19.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4751/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-07-10 2025-07-28 2025-08-07 2025-08-18 2025-08-27
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
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© 2025 by Harshitha M, Asundi V, Purohit R, Padyana S, Komalankutty A and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(9)16
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Harshitha M et al. Evaluating Vamana Shuddhi through Analytical Methods

Introduction

Pancasodhana, the five purification therapies of Ayurveda, play a crucial role in disease prevention, health promotion, and curative treatments. Among them, Vamana Karma is considered the primary procedure, specifically designed to induce therapeutic emesis.

This process facilitates the elimination of accumulated Kapha and Pitta Doṣhas from the body, particularly from the Ūrdhva Bhāga, through oral expulsion. Classical texts emphasize the administration of Vamana during Vasant Rutu to maintain health and prevent Kaphaja Vyādhis.[1] To ensure efficacy and minimize complications, the procedure must strictly adhere to classical guidelines.

The fundamental principle of Vamana is described as:

"Tatra Dosha Haranam Urdhwa Bhagam Vamana Sangyakam"[2] a process where vitiated Doṣhas are expelled through the upper channels of the body. The therapy is particularly beneficial in treating conditions like rhinitis, sinusitis, and various skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis and acne vulgaris), which are linked to Kapha aggravation. It is also effective in cases where Kapha interacts with Pitta or when Vata disturbs Kapha sites. The accumulation of metabolic waste and free radicals in the body can contribute to various disorders, making Srotoshodhana (channel purification) essential, which is effectively achieved through Vamana therapy.[3]

The classical preparatory measures, Purvakarma of Vamana include Abhyantara Sneha, Bahya Sneha, and Swedana. These procedures help mobilize Doṣhas from the Śākha to the Koṣṭha, facilitating their elimination through emesis. However, limited research has been conducted on the assessment of Śuddhi and the movement of Doṣhas during Vamana therapy.[4]

This pilot study aims to evaluate Vamana Suddhi through analytical methods by assessing Antiki Suddhi, including indicators such as the presence of Pitta and fat, to validate the movement of Doṣhas from Sakha to Koṣṭha. Through this analytical approach, the study seeks to enhance the scientific understanding of Vamana and its physiological impact.

Materials and Methods

A pilot study involving 15 subjects from the Panchakarma Department of Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College conducted, with vomitus samples analysed through pH testing[5], lipid tests[6], and Hay’s test[7] for bile salts. The results will determine the statistical significance of Vamana Suddhi parameters, contributing to a scientific understanding of the procedure.

Observations and Results

The study observed a predominant presence of individuals with Madhyama Agni and Madhyama Koshtha, which are essential factors influencing the effectiveness of Vamana. The duration of Deepana-Pachana, a preparatory procedure, varied according to Agni, with subjects having Mandagni requiring more days. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference in Deepana-Pachana duration based on Agni levels (P >0.05). Similarly, most subjects required three days of Deepana-Pachana before Snehapana, aligning with Ayurvedic principles. Gender-wise distribution revealed a higher number of female participants in the study.

During Vamana procedure, most subjects experienced an average of 7-8 Vega, and the majority achieved Antiki Shuddhi, with visible Pittanta in final stages. Analysis of input-output volumes showed a mean difference of 292.84 ml, confirming that most administered medications were expelled, validating Samyak Shuddhi. A significant change in pH levels before and after treatment was observed (P <0.001), indicating a clear gastrointestinal transformation post-Vamana. Further, Hay’s test revealed presence of bile in later Vega, even in cases where Pittanta was not visually evident, highlighting its role in detecting purification markers and preventing excessive Vamana (Atiyoga). Fat analysis across different Vega showed a statistically significant difference, with fat content increasing in later Vega, reinforcing Ayurvedic concept of Dosha movement from Shakha to Koshta. The Vega-wise pH analysis demonstrated a significant difference between 1st and later Vega (P <0.001), supporting notion that pH shifts indicate transition to Pittanta. The relationship between Snehapana duration and Koshtha type was also statistically significant (P = 0.035), affirming that Vamana procedures were conducted per classical Ayurvedic guidelines.


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Harshitha M et al. Evaluating Vamana Shuddhi through Analytical Methods

Overall, these findings validate the effectiveness of Vamana through measurable physiological and biochemical markers. The study supports Ayurveda’s traditional principles while providing scientific data to enhance its clinical applications. Further research with larger sample sizes and advanced vomitus analysis can refine these observations and establish more concrete parameters for assessing Shuddhi Lakshana in Vamana therapy.

Discussion and Conclusion

Vamana plays a crucial role in the treatment of diseases caused by Kapha aggravation or its combination with Pitta and Vata, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and skin conditions like psoriasis and acne. It helps eliminate metabolic waste, which otherwise leads to free radical formation and tissue damage. The process of Srotoshodhana (purification of bodily channels) through Panchakarma, particularly Vamana, is essential in restoring balance. Observations in the study showed that most subjects had Madyamagni and Madhyama Koshta, factors crucial for determining the effectiveness of Vamana. The duration of Deepana-Pachana was largely dependent on Agni, with Mandagni subjects requiring more days for preparation.

The study highlighted key physiological responses during Vamana. Most subjects experienced Pravara Shuddhi, with an average of 7-8 Vega. The presence of bile in the final stages of vomiting (Pittanta) was confirmed through pH analysis, indicating a shift in gastric composition. Hay’s test further confirmed Pittanta, even in cases where it was not visibly apparent, providing an additional marker for assessing the completion of the purification process. Additionally, input-output analysis revealed that nearly all administered medications were expelled by the end of the procedure, reinforcing the effectiveness of Vamana in achieving Samyak Shuddhi (proper purification).

The pharmacodynamics of Vamana drugs were also explored, emphasizing their properties - Uṣṇa, Tīkṣṇa, Sūkṣma, Vyavāyi, and Vikāṣi - which facilitate the breakdown and mobilization of Doshas. These properties help liquefy and expel toxins by directing them toward the stomach, from where they are eliminated under the influence of Udāna Vāyu. pH analysis before and after treatment showed a significant rise in pH levels,

suggesting a clear impact on gastrointestinal function. The presence of fat in vomitus confirmed the movement of Doshas from Shakha to Koshta, validating classical Ayurvedic concepts.

Overall, this analytical study underscores the efficacy of Vamana in disease management, particularly in Kapha-related disorders. It provides scientific validation for traditional Ayurvedic principles through physiological and biochemical markers.

Further research, including advanced vomitus analysis and larger sample sizes, could deepen our understanding of Vamana’s impact, making it a more refined therapeutic approach in modern Ayurveda.

References

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