Janu vasthi Treatment in Ayurveda

What is Janu Vasti?

Janu vasti is a traditional Ayurvedic therapeutic procedure in which comfortably warmed medicated oil is retained in the knee region for a specific period with the help of a specially prepared frame.

It is indicated in knee joint diseases like osteoarthritis, meniscal tear, ligament injuries, etc.

‘Janu’ means ‘knee’, and ‘Vasti’ means ‘to hold’ or ‘to reside for some time.’ 

As its name suggests, the warm medicated oil is preserved in the knee joint using a unique frame made from black gram flour.

The procedure is recommended for 7 – 14 days and lasts 30 – 45 minutes, as suggested by the doctor.

This is an external therapy with a combined oleation (snehana) and fomentation (swedana) action on the body.

Benefits of Janu vasti

Janu vasti is a non-invasive, safe, and cost-effective outpatient therapy.

The benefits can be shortlisted as follows:

• Relieves pain and stiffness in the knee joint
• Improves the movements of the knee joint
• Strengthen the knee joints and the structures related to the joint.
• Soothes the neural input to the knee joint
• It improves blood circulation and removes the toxins in the affected area
•  Helpt to reduce Inflammation and swelling of the knee joint
• Brings the Vata dosha to an optimal level
• It is a safe, cost-effective, and affordable therapy with fewer or no side effects.
• Give lightness to the knee joint and a sense of well-being.

Therapeutic uses of Janu Vasti

Janu vasti is indicated in acute or chronic painful states of the knee joint associated with stiffness, swelling, and limiting movements of the knee joints. Clinical conditions under which Janu vasti is indicated are as follows:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Meniscal tear
• Ligament injuries such as ACL injuries
• Iliotibial band syndrome.
• Knee bursitis.
• Patellar tendonitis
• Cartilage tears
• Sprained ligaments

Avoid Januvasthi in case of acute Inflammation of the knee joint. 

It is contraindicated in conditions like:

• Acute fever.
• Patients are suffering from hemorrhagic diseases or kidney diseases.    
• Patients are suffering from infectious or inflammatory conditions. 

Janu Vashti’s treatment procedure

Janu vasti must be carried out after consultation with an Ayurvedic physician by a trained Ayurvedic therapist. First, examine the patient’s Prakriti (basic constitution) and vikriti (morbidity details). Then, a physical and radiological examination must be carried out before the procedure. X-rays must be taken to rule out any types of deformities or malignant changes. If there is an acute inflammation, it must be corrected before performing the procedure.

Oils used in Januvasthi Treatment

After assessing the condition of the patient and the disease, Use oil (tailam) or ghee (ghritam) accordingly. The commonly used medicated oils are:

• Kottamchukkadi thailam.
• Sahacharadi thailam.
• Dhanwantaram thailam.
• Karpasasthyadi thailam.
• Tila tailam etc.

Preparation of the frame for Janu Vasti

• Finely powdered black gram (200 -250 grams) is taken in a bowl.
• Warm water is added to the powder, kneaded well, and made into a thick paste.
• The prepared dough is rolled into a ring frame having the diameter of the patient’s knee joint, thickness of 3cm, and height of 5 – 6 cm.

Preparation of the patient for Janu Vasti

The treatment procedure can be done in four locations in the knee joint.

1. Supine position (lying horizontally with face up) with the knee extended – for treating the anterior part of the knee.
2. Prone position (lying horizontally with face down) with the knee extended – for treating the popliteal area.
3. Lateral position – treating the knee joint’s medial and lateral aspects

Commonly, the procedure is done after lying the patient in a supine position. 

• Oil massage (abhyanga) must be done all over the body before Janu Basti, and medicated steam (Nadi swedam) must be applied to the knee joints.
• The patient is advised to lie on his belly on a comfortable couch. Place a pillow below the knee joints for support.
• The prepared dough is placed in the knee joint in a circular shape, or plastic or steel rings can be used to put the ring.
•  Adequately seal The junction between the dough and the knee joint must be to prevent oil leakage.

The procedure of Januvasthi Treatment

• The medicated oil must be warmed by using the hot water bath method. 
• The warm oil (temperature: 40 – 45 degree Celsius) must be poured along the sides of the dough slowly into the ring after checking the temperature.
• The temperature is maintained throughout the procedure by replacing a small quantity of oil after reheating it in a hot water bath. 
• The process is carried out for 30 -45 minutes for seven days or as indicated by the physician.

Post-treatment procedure

• Remove the oil by dipping the cotton and storing it in a container. Then, it can reuse the next day after adding more fresh oil.
• Remove the dough; clean the area with warm water.
• Massage the area with circular and linear strokes.
• A towel must give local fomentation dipped in hot water.

Do’s and Don’ts during Janu Vasti

• Maintain the temperature of the oil at a uniform level throughout the procedure.
• Some oil must be kept in the ring while reheating the oil.
• Ensure proper dough sealing to prevent oil from leaking through the sides.
• If accidental burns occur, stop the procedure immediately. Apply aloe vera gel, turmeric with ghee, shatadhouta ghrita, etc., to the respective area.
• You can use the same oil for three days. From the 4th day onwards, use fresh oil.
• Assign a trained therapist to do the procedure.
• The patient must take rest during and after the treatment procedure.
• Avoid strenuous activities during the treatment course.

Side effects of Janu Vasti

There are no side effects for januvasthi treatment as this is an external and non–invasive therapy. 

Janu vasti is one of the best Ayurvedic Treatments in Kerala for knee joint disorders. Practice this magical treatment and see the results by yourself. Book an appointment at our Ayurvedic Hospital in Trivandrum to get Janu Vasthi Treatment