Basti Benefits - #3213

So I’ve been having a bunch of health issues for the last few months, and someone told me about Ayurveda. One thing I came across was basti, and now I’m curious about it because apparently basti benefits are supposed to be really great for things like digestion and pain. I don’t really know much about how it works though, so I figured I’d ask here. My main problem is my stomach. It’s always bloated, and I have this feeling like food isn’t digesting properly. Sometimes I’ll go two days without being able to go to the bathroom, and then suddenly it’s the opposite - like diarrhea. It’s really frustrating. I’ve also started having joint stiffness, especially in the mornings, which I didn’t think was related, but someone said it could be a sign of vata imbalance, and basti benefits could help with that. I’ve never done any Ayurvedic treatments before, so this is all new to me. From what I’ve read, basti is a kind of enema therapy where they use herbal oils or medicines to cleanse the system. But honestly, I don’t understand how basti benefits digestion or why it’s connected to things like joint pain. Does it actually detoxify your body, or is that just something people say? Also, is it painful or uncomfortable? I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of doing something like this, but I’m open if it can really help. Another thing I’m wondering about is whether basti benefits extend to mental health. I’ve been dealing with stress, and my energy levels are really low these days. I read somewhere that basti helps balance energy flow in the body and can calm the mind. Is that true? Or is it more of a physical treatment only? I guess I’m also worried about side effects. Are there risks with basti? I don’t want to try something and then end up feeling worse. And how many treatments do you usually need to see the full basti benefits? I’d like to know if it’s worth the time and cost. If anyone here has tried basti, can you tell me how it felt? Did you actually see changes in your digestion, pain, or overall health? Also, how do you prepare for it? Do you have to follow a special diet or avoid certain foods? I just want to know what to expect before diving in.