🧾 Why the Vasti Came Out Immediately - Consistency (Thin Kashaya): If the decoction is too watery, it tends to flow out quickly instead of staying inside for absorption. - Volume Increase (800–900 ml vs. 700 ml earlier): A larger quantity can sometimes exceed the colon’s holding capacity, especially if the patient’s digestion or bowel tone is not strong. - Retention Ability: In the first 3 vastis, you could hold for 5–7 minutes, which is acceptable. But immediate expulsion during the 4th suggests either the bowel was already sensitive or the fluid was too thin/too much. - Dietary Minor Changes: Even small changes (like heavier food, excess oily/spicy intake, or irregular meals) can affect bowel response during Panchakarma.
🌸 Classical Considerations in Ayurveda - Sthira vs. Drava Kashaya: Thicker decoctions (with ghee or honey as anupana) are easier to retain than very thin ones. - Matra (Quantity): Kashaya Vasti is usually adjusted to the patient’s strength, digestion, and bowel capacity. Too much volume can cause immediate expulsion. - Purva Karma (Preparation): If snehana (oleation) and swedana (sudation) are not adequate, retention becomes difficult.
✅ Suggestions (General Ayurvedic Guidance) - Reduce volume: Go back to 600–700 ml instead of 900 ml. - Adjust consistency: Slightly thicker decoction or adding a small amount of ghrita/taila can improve retention. - Timing: Administer when bowels are relatively calm (not immediately after meals). - Diet: Favor light, easily digestible foods (mung dal, rice, boiled vegetables). Avoid heavy/oily/spicy foods during Vasti course. - Sequence: Sometimes alternating Kashaya Vasti with Sneha Vasti (oil-based) improves retention and effectiveness.
This can happen in Kashaya Vasti and is not uncommon
Possible reasons Higher quantity today (800–900 ml vs 700 ml) Increased bowel sensitivity / urge Apana vata prakopa Rectum already stimulated from previous vastis Meaning: It does not mean treatment failed Body was not able to retain that volume today What to do next Reduce volume back to 600–700 ml Give slow administration Ensure proper abhyanga + swedana before vasti Mild sneha vasti before next kashaya vasti can help retention
Hlo,
What you experienced can happen during Kashaya Vasti, especially when the volume is increased. Based on your details, this is not dangerous, but it does indicate that some adjustments are needed.
Why the Kashaya came out immediately (during administration) From an Ayurvedic perspective, the most likely reasons are: 1️⃣ Excess volume (Ati-mātra) First 3 days: 700 ml → retained for 5–7 minutes 4th day: 800–900 ml → expelled immediately 👉 Your Pakvāśaya (colon) tolerance is around 700 ml. Sudden increase overstimulates Apāna Vāta, causing immediate expulsion.
2️⃣ Thin consistency You mentioned the Kashaya was thin Thin Kashaya moves quickly and cannot be held, especially in Vata-prone individuals
3️⃣ Pakvāśaya sensitivity increasing by Day 4 After consecutive Kashaya Vastis, the colon becomes: More responsive More active Hence retention time may reduce if dose is increased
4️⃣ Natural urge dominance Even without pain, the urge reflex can become strong This is common when: Volume is high
Vata is already aggravated Is this a failure of Vasti? ❌ No Even if Kashaya comes out early: Some absorption still occurs Vasti still has Shodhana + Vata anulomana effect Especially since previous days had partial retention
What should be done now (Important)
✔️ Reduce volume 👉 Go back to 600–700 ml only Do not exceed what your body tolerates ✔️ Make Kashaya slightly thicker Slightly concentrated Kashaya holds better Avoid very watery preparation
✔️ Ensure proper Purva Karma
Before Kashaya Vasti: Abhyanga (oil massage) to abdomen & back Swedana (mild fomentation) This helps colon relaxation and retention ✔️ Correct posture
After Vasti: Lie on left side Slow deep breathing Avoid sitting or walking immediately
✔️ Diet on Vasti days Avoid: Raw food Excess liquids Cold items Prefer: Warm rice Moong dal Ghee Light, Vata-shamaka food
When to be cautious / stop Kashaya Vasti
Consult immediately if: Severe abdominal pain Burning sensation Continuous loose motions Weakness or dizziness (You do not have these, which is reassuring)
Summary Immediate expulsion today happened mainly due to increased volume Your body tolerates ~700 ml, not 800–900 ml This is not harmful, but dose must be individualized Continue treatment with reduced volume and proper preparation
Tq
Hello I get why you’re worried about the Kashaya Vasti coming out right away. It’s a common concern, but it doesn’t mean your treatment failed. Just want to clear things up for you as a MD PANCHAKARMA
YOUR CONCERN
First 3 days: You took about 700 ml, held it for 5-7 minutes, and then had a bowel movement, which is totally normal.
4th day: The dose went up to 800-900 ml, but it came right out. The Kashaya was thin, and you didn’t feel any pain.
No need to panic!
* Your treatment hasn’t failed. * Your body isn’t rejecting it for good.
It just means your Vata and colon were a bit off that day.
AYURVEDIC UNDERSTANDING
When the Kashaya comes out fast, we call it Ashaya Asahishnuta or colon intolerance. Here’s why it might have happened in your situation:
1. Too much Vata that day: Your colon is where Vata hangs out. If Vata goes a bit wild, your rectum gets super sensitive, can’t hold things as well, and you feel an immediate urge to go.
2. Sudden jump in volume: Your body was used to 700 ml. Going straight to 800-900 ml can really shock your colon and make it release everything right away. You should increase the amount slowly, not all at once.
3. Thin Kashaya: If it’s too watery, it doesn’t really hold its place in your colon and just slips out too fast.
4. Cleansing did its job: The first three days already cleaned things out. Once your colon is cleaner, you naturally hold it for less time. That’s a good sign, not a bad one!
Is 5-7 minutes holding time enough?
Yes! For Kashaya Vasti, even 3-10 minutes is enough to get the job done. You don’t need to hold it as long as with some other types of Vasti. So, your first three days were perfect.
What to do now:
–Go back to a smaller amount: Try 600-700 ml again. Don’t push for more.
– Thicker Kashaya: Ask your doctor to make it a bit thicker by adding more Kalka and Sneha (oil/ghee). This helps it stay in.
–Get ready beforehand: Before the Vasti, have a mild massage on your belly and lower back, and some gentle heat therapy. Make sure your bowels aren’t acting up right then.
–Stay chill: Being worried or stressed can make your colon react and push things out. Try to relax and breathe slowly during the process.
What not to do:
* Don’t do another Vasti right away. * Don’t try to force it faster or with more pressure. * Don’t think the treatment is a failure. * Don’t stop your Panchakarma without talking to your doctor.
When is it a real issue?
Only if this happens every day, and you have pain, cramps, bleeding, or feel weak. Good news: that’s not what’s happening with you!
* This happens a lot in Panchakarma. * It’s about Vata sensitivity and the amount of Kashaya. * A few small changes, and you’ll be good to go. * You’re still getting the benefits of the treatment.
Warm Regards Dr. Snehal Vidhate
WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED DURING THE FOURTH KASHAYA VASTI IS A KNOWN AND CLINICALLY SEEN RESPONSE AND IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE TREATMENT HAS FAILED OR THAT SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG
WHEN KASHAYA VASTI COMES OUT IMMEDIATELY OR EVEN DURING ADMINISTRATION IT USUALLY INDICATES THAT THE COLON HAS BECOME MORE SENSITIVE AND RESPONSIVE AFTER THE PREVIOUS VASTIS THE FIRST THREE DAYS YOUR BODY WAS ADJUSTING AND EXPULSION WITHIN FIVE TO SEVEN MINUTES IS STILL CONSIDERED A THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE
ON THE FOURTH DAY THE VOLUME WAS INCREASED TO EIGHT HUNDRED TO NINE HUNDRED ML AND YOUR KASHAYA WAS THIN IN CONSISTENCY THIS COMBINATION CAN STRONGLY STIMULATE THE RECTAL REFLEX AND VATA LEADING TO IMMEDIATE EXPULSION EVEN WITHOUT PAIN THIS IS MORE COMMON IN PEOPLE WITH ACTIVE APANA VATA OR SENSITIVE RECTUM
IT DOES NOT MEAN THE MEDICINE DID NOT ACT EVEN SHORT CONTACT TIME CAN STILL STIMULATE THE COLON AND VATA THE COLON MAY ALSO BE CLEANER NOW SO IT COULD NOT HOLD THE LIQUID
FOR NEXT VASTI IT IS BETTER TO REDUCE THE VOLUME BACK TO SEVEN HUNDRED ML OR EVEN SIX HUNDRED ML SLIGHTLY INCREASE THE OIL CONTENT IN THE VASTI TO HELP RETENTION ENSURE WARMTH OF THE KASHAYA AND BODY DO A PROPER POORVA KARMA WITH ABHYANGA AND SWEDANA BEFORE VASTI AVOID EMPTY STOMACH OR EXCESS HUNGER BEFORE PROCEDURE
IF IMMEDIATE EXPULSION CONTINUES THEN SHIFTING TO A COURSE OF ANUVASANA VASTI OR ALTERNATING OIL AND KASHAYA VASTI MAY GIVE BETTER RESULTS
THIS IS A FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF THE BODY NOT A COMPLICATION AND WITH SMALL ADJUSTMENTS RETENTION AND BENEFIT WILL IMPROVE
According to sushrut samhita most you can give is 1200 ml but due to bala kshya, samhana and other factors basti in today’s age should not exceed 650 ml unless it’s a brihun basti. So keep the kashya basti at 700ml only and yes 5 to 7 min retention is enough for kashya basti. Dr Akshay negi MD PANCHAKARMA
