Dhumapana – धुमपान अध्याय – Medicated Smoking : Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthan Chapter 21

In dhumapana adhyaya we’re getting to know in depth about the use of herbal smoke, its advantages, benefits, indications, timings, and contraindications. This chapter is the 21st in the book Ashtangahrudayam Sutrasthana, written by Acharya Vagbhata, the son of Vaidyapathi Simhagupta.

Dhumapana indications

Anyone who wants to look after his health needs to take in a daily dose of herbal smoke to treat or prevent the development of illnesses in the Urdhwajatru Vikara(upper part of the shoulders). An increase in Kapha or Vata causes these diseases.

Types of Dhumapana

Types of Dhumapana

Snigdha Dhuma lubricating, also called Mrudu (Soft) Prayogika, is useful for Vata imbalance.

Madhya Dhuma medium is beneficial for Vata as well as Kapha imbalance. Also known as Shamana human.

Teekshna Dhuma – strong, useful in Kapha imbalance. Also called Virechana Dhuma (Purifying). 2

Dhuma Ayogya- a person who is not suitable for inhaling

Dhuma Ayogya- person unsuitable for inhalation

Smoke inhalation should not be considered for those who suffer from Raktapitta – bleeding disease.
Virikta – – who has been through Virechana therapy, Udara – ascites, intestinal obstruction
Meha – diabetes, urinary tract disorders Timira – blindness,
Urdhwa Anila: upward movement of Vata and Adhmana. Bloating, flatulence Rohini is a serious illness of the throat and diphtheria
Basti, who have received enemas,
those who’ve just consumed wine, fish, curds or honey, fats, and poison, who have suffered injuries to the head,
Pandu – Anemia and
Jagarita – people who are awake all midnight. 2a – 3a

Herbal smoking can cause adverse side effects.

Side effects of smoking herbal cigarettes

Side effects of Dhumapana / herbal smoking

Doing Dhumapana at an inappropriate or excessive time can lead to Rakta pitta bleeding disease.
Andhya – blindness,
Badhirya – deafness, Trut, excessive thirst
Murcha – losing consciousness, fainting Mada, Moha – delusion
A cold regimen must be used. 5

The treatment of Dhumapana’s adverse effects

The cold regimen is the best treatment

Dhumapana Kala- right time to inhale medicated smoke

Indication for Mridu Dhuma

Indication for Mridu Dhuma

Smoke that is mild, lubricating, and not harmful should be inhaled Kshut after sneezing.
Jrumbhita – yawing,
Vit – defecation, Mutra – urination
Striseva – copulation, shastrakarma , surgical procedure, Hasya – a series of laughter Dantakashta Use of a toothbrush.

Indication for Madhyama Dhuma

Indication for Madhyama Dhuma

The smoke of moderate strength should be inhaled at the end of the night.
close of the meal and
close of Nasya therapy

Virechana Dhuma

Virechana Dhuma

Purgative, strong smoke is best inhaled after a night
Nasya is the final stage treatment, Anjana after applying collyrium

Snana after bathing and Chardi – after vomiting. 5-6

Dhuma yantra- smoking apparatus

Dhuma yantra- smoking apparatus

The smoke apparatus must be made with the same material as the enema nozzle (from metals such as iron, gold, silver, etc.);
It should be able to have three chambers.
It must be straight

It will allow the passage of the thumb and Kolasthi seeds of the Jujube fruit through openings on the tip and root and tip, respectively. 7

Dhuma Yantra Length

Its length Dhuma Yantra should have to
24 Angula(width of one knuckle) for Mrudu (soft, Sneha) Dhuma 32 Angula for medium Dhuma and
40 Angula for powerful Virechana Dhuma.

Dhumapana Quantity

Dhumapana Vidhi – technique of inhalation medical smoke

Dhumapana Vidhi – method of inhalation

The patient must sit straight and centered, keeping his mouth open, and breathe the smoke from both nostrils, alternately.
Inhaling from one nostril, he must stop the other.
Inhalation is recommended greatly, taking in the smoke and exhaling it in one round; three sessions should be completed every time. 9

Dhuma agrees to the movement of Dosha

Dhumapana Vidhi – method of inhalation

Smoke should be breathed by the nostril first in case the imbalanced Doshas are located within the head and nose.

Dhumapana when dosha in Nose

If Dosha from the head and nose are not releasing, however, they are adhering to each other when inhaling; it is recommended to do so initially through the mouth to cause them to move before moving them by inhaling through your nose.

When the Doshas are located within the throat, breathing should be performed in reverse order – first through the nose, then with the mouth.
The smoke that is inhaled (either through the mouth or the nose) must be exhaled by mouth only;

If let out through the nose

It causes loss of vision.

Dhumapana Time

Dhumapana Time

Smoking is recommended to be done thrice by inhaling three times and exhaling 3 times.

Dhumapana types

Snigdha Lubricating mild smoke is recommended only for three sets of inhalations and exhalations during the day time.

Madhya Medium kind, 2 sets with 3 inhales and 3 exhales, and 

Shodhana purgative of strong kind, 3 – 4 sets of 3 inhale and 3 exhales.

Herbal smoke blends – Dhumapana Dravya

Mridu Dhumapana Drugs – a mild form of smoke

Mridu Dhumapana drugs

The most effective drugs are Guggulu, Aguru, Musta, Shauna, Shaileya Nalada Usheera, Valaka, Varanga, Kounti, Madhuka, Bilvamajja, elavaluka, Shrivestaka, Sarjarasa, Dhyamaka, Madana, Plava, Shallaki, Kumkuma, Masha, Yava, Kunduruka, Tila oil from the pith and fruits from trees. Fat muscle-fat, Marrow, and Ghee. 13-15

Shamana Dhumapana Dravya – Madyama medium type of smoke

Shamana Dhumapana Drugs

The most effective drugs are shallaki, Laksha, Prithvika Kamala, Utpala, Barks of Nyagrodha, Udumbara, Asvattha, Plaksa, and Rodhra; Sita, Yasthimadhu (licorice) Suvarnatwak Padmaka, Raktayastika Kustha, Sagara, and various scents perfumeries.

Teekshna Dhumapana Drugs – strong and purgative smoke

Teekshna Dhumapana drugs

beneficial medicines include Jyotismati, Nisha (turmeric), Dashamula, Ala, Laksa, Shweta, and Triphala. Substances that have a strong scent and are drugs of Murdha Virechana Gana-vide chapter 15, 13- 18

Dhumavarti – Preparation of smoking wick

Dhumavarti preparation of smoke wick

A Reed (tall grass, a grass-like plant) twelve Angula long immersed in water for a day and night must be wrapped up in five layers, each over the next with an elastic band of cloth.
It is then smeared with a thin drug paste. It is thicker and similar to the middle part, which is the middle of the thumb. It is recommended to dry in the shade, trimmed of its reed, and then smeared with any suitable fat (oil or Ghee)
It is to be put into the smoking tube and lit by fire, and then smoking is taken in. 19-20 1/2

Kasaghna Dhuma Smoke – Antitussive smoke to treat cough

Kasaghna Dhuma- Antitussive smoke for cough

A tube between 10 and 8 Angula in length to be connected to a hole in a capsule composed of earthen saucers, and the person suffering from cough should be made to breathe smoke via the tube. 21

Notes A burning charcoal or coal is put into the earthen vessel. The herbs are sprinkled over it, then covered by a different vessel with a hole in its center. A tube is attached to the hole through which smoke is breathed.

Dhumapana Benefits – advantages of smoking therapy

Dhumapana Benefits

Cough, Dyspnoea, Rhinitis, and voice disorders. Bad smell of the mouth and nose, and face; facial pallor hair, hair loss disorders; discharges of pain, itching, and even in daily activities, a decrease or loss of function in the mouth, ears, and eyes Hiccups and stupor do not affect people who smoke frequently. 22

This chapter is concluded. This concludes chapter Dhumapana Vidhi, the twenty-first sutrasthana from Astangahrdaya Samhita.

FAQ’s of Dhumapana Adhyaya