Author: Prof.Sajitha k Professor, Dept. of P.G. Studies In Swasthavritta, Sri Sri College of Ayurveda, Bangalore

1. Applicability of Lepa in Swastha
Prof.Sajitha k
Professor, Dept. of P.G. Studies In Swasthavritta,
Sri Sri College of Ayurveda, Bangalore

2. contents
 Introduction
 Derivation
 Definition
 Synonyms
 Types
 Preparation
 Technique
 Time of application
 Preservation
 General rules
 Rutu anusara
 Labha/uses
 Ayogya
 Poorva karma
 Paschat karma
 Mode of action

3. Introduction
 Comes under Bahya Kalpana
 One of the Bahiparimarjana

4. Derivation
 Derived from Root “Lip", affixed by “Vang” pratyaya.
 “Lipyati anena iti lepanam”
The one which is used for anointing is Lepa.

5. Definition
 Medicines used in the form of paste for external application is Lepa.

6. Synonyms
“Alepasya cha namani lipthe lepascha lepanam”
|sha.sa.uth.kan.2/1|
 Lepa
 Alepana
 Lepta
 Lepana

7. Types
Acc. To |Su|
 Pralepa
 Padeha
 Alepa

8. Acc. To |cha|
 Shodhana pralepa
 Ropana pralepa
 Katinyakara pralepa
 Mardavakara pralepa
 Savarneekarana lepa
 Varnakara lepa
 Roma sanjanana lepa
 Twak karshnyakara lepa

9. Acc. To |Vag|
 Snaihika lepa
 Nirvapana lepa
 Prasadana lepa
 Stambhana lepa
 Vilayana lepa
 Pachana lepa
P.T.O

10.  Peedana lepa
 Shodhana lepa
 Ropana lepa
 Savarneekarna lepa

11. Acc. to |Sha|
 Doshaghna lepa
 Vishaghna lepa
 Varnya lepa

12. Preparation
 Drugs are made fine powder form
It is mixed with some liquids/other medium, indicated in
each preparation.
Made in to a soft paste for application.

13. In wet drugs
 Wet drugs are made in to kalka form
Then directly go for application.

14. Media
Media that can be used to prepare paste are:
 Water
 Cow’s urine
 Oil
 Ghee, etc;

15. Quantity of sneha dravya
 Vataja – 1/4th part
 Pittaja – 1/6th part
 Kaphaja – 1/8th part

16. Technique of lepa application
 It should be gently rubbed in an upward/ pratiloma /reverse direction.
 So that the action of the application quick and effective.
 Because application enters in to romakupa and further get absorbed
through swedavahi srothas and sira mukha, then produces good
results.

17. Time of lepa application
 Pralepa Should not be applied at night nor it should be allowed
to stay on after it dried up.
 Where as pradehas can be allowed to stay even after drying, in
order to cause constriction / pressure over the part of the
body.

18. Important
 The heat of the body comes out through the skin pores at
nights normally.
 If medicinal applications are done at nights the skin pores get
blocked and obstruct the transfer of body heat.
 So lepa should not be done at nights.

19. Preservation of lepa
If preserve in air tight containers…..
 Vegetable lepa churna will preserve their potency for
30 days,
 Mineral and metallic preparations last indefinitely.

20. General rules for application
 Always lepa should be applied in the opposite direction of the hair follicles.
 Should not be left after drying, it must be removed as soon as they are dries up.
 As the lepa are wet, it helps to skin where, as soon as they are dried they lose
their potency and irritate the skin.

21.  Lepa should be prepared freshly and use.
 They should be used only once.
 Over the previous lepa fresh once should not be applied.
 It should not be applied at night, if applied it causes skin
diseases by suppressing local temperature.

22.  Do not cover the lepa with cloth because it causes retention of sweat
which in turn leads to pidaka, Kandu, etc; complications.
 Lepa should not be too snigdha nor ruksha,
 Neither solid nor liquid, i.e.; it should be of medium consistency.

23.  Thickness of Alepa should be like that of wet skin of the Buffalo or 1/3ed of angula.

24. Poorva karma
 Abhyanga |A.H.Su.22/16|
Paschat karma:
 Mukha prakshalana with jala. |A.H.Su.22/16|

25. Ritu anusara lepa
 Acharyas has mentioned Kalanusara lepa.
 In ushna kala, lepa is applied for soothing effect.
 Where as in sheeta kala for producing ushnatha and kapha nashaka effects.

26. Different dravyas to different rutus
 Shishira Simhimoola, Tila, Krishna, Dravi twak, Nistusha and Yava.
 Vasantha Darbha moola, Hima usheera, Shireesha, Mishiba and Tandula.
 Greshama Kumudha, Utpala, Kalhara, Doorvi, Maduka and chandana.

27.  Varsha Kaleeyaka, Tila, Usheera, Mamsi, Tagara and Padmaka.
 Sharad Taleesa, Gundra, Pundra, yasti, kashanata and Agaru.
 Hemantha Kola majja, Vrishan moola, Shabara and Goura sarshapa.

28. Mukha lepa labha
By using Mukha lepa one can over come the diseases like:
 Akala palita
 Vyanga
 Valli
 Timira
 Neelika

29. Other benefits
 Stability of the Eye sight
 Pleasant facial appearance
 Good complexion
 Looks like fresh lotus flower.

30. Ayogya for lepa
Persons suffering with:
 Peenasa
 Ageerna
 Hanugraha
 Arochaka
 Datta nasya
 Jagarita purusha.

31. Snana anarha also considered as Ayogya
 Jwara
 Atisara
 Netra roga
 Karna roga
 Vata vikara
 Adhmana
 Peenasa
 Vishakta

32. To be avoided
 Divaswapna
 Ati bhashana
 Agni and Atapa sevana
 Shoka
 Krodha

33. Karmukatha (mode of action)
 Pitha which is present in skin is Bhrajaka Pitha
 It is said to be assimilate the dravya, which comes in contact with skin
either the form of lepa, i.e.;
 Further the Thiryag dhamani spread through out the skin like mesh.

34.  From these the Roma kupa originate through this path way the sweat
moves out and at the same time Rasa dhatu reaches the Roma kupa to
nourish them.
 In similar way the active principle of medicaments to the skin in the form
of Abhyanga, Parisheka, Avagaha, lepa, etc; is absorbed after undergoing
paka by Bhrajaka Pitha.

35.  There by it bestows normal function of skin is the experience of sukha
sparsha with the sensation of touch.c

36. Thank You