Netra Tarpana is an Ayurvedic ocular therapy where medicated ghee is applied to the eyes and retained for a specified period of time. It nourishes the eyes, cools them, and helps expel impurities to strengthen vision and blood circulation. The procedure involves applying a paste wall around the eyes, filling the space with lukewarm ghee containing appropriate medicinal herbs, and retaining it for 15-30 minutes depending on individual needs or condition. Netra Tarpana treats various eye conditions like dryness, light sensitivity, and conjunctivitis, and also benefits healthy individuals by rejuvenating the eyes.

1. TARPANA/ NETRA BASTI- AN
OCULAR THERAPY
Dr. Shraddha Joshi
Ph.D. Scholar
Shalakya Tantra Dept.
ITRA, Jamnagar

2.  Netra Tarpana acts as both preventive and curative
therapy for maintaining healthy condition of eyes.
 Netra means eyes and Tarpana means nourishment.
 Netra Tarpana is a procedure where in lukewarm
medicated ghee is made to stay stagnant in the eyes for
a speculated time in a specific formed frame.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
2
Cont….

3.  This procedure is useful in healthy as well as diseased
person.
 It cools, lubricates and rejuvenates the eyes.
 It helps in the clarity of the eyes as it expelled out the
impurities.
 This procedure strengthens eye sight and increases the blood
circulation.
 The medicines having the quality to get into minute channels
of the body, when applied to the eyes enters deeper into the
layers of eyes.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
3
Cont….

4. INDICATIONS (TARPANA SADHYA VYADHI)
 Netra shushkata (Dryness of eyes)
 Prakashasahata (Photophobia)
 Ati darun , shirna pakshma (Stiff eyelashes)
 Netrabhighata (trauma)
 Vata-pitta dosha predominance
 Kricchonminmilan (Difficulty in closing of eyelids)
 Sirotpata (Hyperaemia of eye)
 Arjuna (Subconjunctival haemorrhage)
 Abhishyanda (Conjunctivitis)
 Adhimantha (Glaucoma) etc.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
4

5. CONTRA-INDICATIONS (TARPANA AYOGYA AWASTHA)
 Durdina (cloudy day)
 Ati-Ushna or Atishita Kala (extreme sunny day, cold
season)
 Patient having Chinta, Bhrama (worry, anxiety)
 In the conditions of acute pain.
 Complicated ocular disease.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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6. TARPANA VIDHI
 This procedure is divided into three parts
a) Purvakarma
b) Pradhanakarma
c) Paschatkarma
PURVAKARMA
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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7. 7
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
Position of Patient

8. 8
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
Masha (Horse gram) dough Liquefy the Ghrita

9. PRADHANA KARMA
 Akshi Tarpana should be carried out in the forenoon or in the
afternoon on an auspicious day after the food (taken by the
patient) has been digested and after the head and the whole
body of the patient have been treated with purification
measures properly.
 Patient is made to lay in supine position in a good lighted,
ventilated room free from dust and smoke.
 Than the eyes are encircled with firm, compact leak proof Pali
(wall) made up of paste of powdered Masha.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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10.  The patient is asked to close the eyes and over the
closed eyes, Ghrita processed with appropriate drugs
and liquefied in lukewarm water should be poured to
the orbit, till the level of tip of eyelashes.
 Patient is asked to open and close the eye
intermittently and steadily.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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11. MODIFICATION IN PROCEDURE OF TARPANA
 Nowadays a new technique was developed.
 A swimming goggle can be taken and its upper glasses
can be removed for pouring medicine.
 There is no chance of leaking of the medicine in this method.
 This gives best results and more comfort to the patient in
less time.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

12. PASCHATA KARMA
 After retaining of Ghrita for a stipulated period, the Ghrita is
drained out through a hole made at the bottom of dough wall,
near the outer canthus of the eye and the eye is irrigated with
lukewarm water fomentation.
 The Kapha which has already been stimulated by the potency
of Ghrita, should be eliminated by Shirovirechana (Nasya),
and medicated smoking (Dhoompana) with the Kapha
suppressive drugs.
 Patient is instructed to keep away from exposure to bright
lights, wind, sky, mirrors and luminous bodies.
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
12

13. PERIOD OF RETENTION OF GHRITA
 According to vitiated Doshas: (Su.Sha.)
Dosha Bheda Duration
Healthy eye 500 Matra (~15 min.)
Kapha Prakopa 600 Matra(~15-20 min)
Pitta Prakopa 800 Matra (~25 min)
Vata Prakopa 1000 Matra (~25-30min)
 According to site of disease: (Su.Sha.)
Site Duration
Sandhigata (Diseases of junctional areas) 300 Matra (~10 min)
Vartmagata (Eyelid diseases) 100 Matra (~3 min)
Shuklagata (Diseases of Sclera) 500 Matra (~15 min)
Krishnagata (Diseases of Cornea & Iris) 700 Matra (~20 min)
Drishtigata (Diseases occurring in the visual field or
retina, lens)
800/1000 Matra (~25-30 min)
Sarvagata (Diseases occurring all over eye) 1000 Matra (~25-30min)
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
13

14. TARPANA AVADHI (DAYS OF PROCEDURE)
 This process is done for 1 day 3 days or 5 days as per
the requirement.
Dosha Bheda Days
Vataja Vyadhi Daily
Pittaja Vyadhi Alternate day
Kaphaja Vyadhi At the interval of 2 days
Healthy person At the interval of 2 days
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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15. SAMYAKA TARPITA LAKSHANA (SIGNS OF PROPERLY
DONE TARPANA)
 Sukhaswapana - good (sound) sleep
 Avbodhatva - blissful awakening
 Vaishadhya - clearness of the eyes
 Varnapatava - discernment of individual colours
 Nivriti - feeling of comfort
 Vyadhividhvansa - cure of the disease
 Kriya Laghvama - easiness in closing and opening the eyes
 Prakash Kshamta - ability to withstand bright light
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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16. ATI-TARPITA LAKSHANA (EXCESSIVE TARPANA)
 Netragaurava - heaviness in eyes
 Avilta - indistinct vision
 Atisnigdhata - excessive oiliness
 Ashru Srava - lacrimation
 Kandu - itching
 Upadeha - stickiness
 Dosha Samutklishta - aggravation of Dosha
Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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17. HEENA TARPITA LAKSHANA (INADEQUATE TARPANA)
 Netrarukshata - dryness of eye
 Avilta - indistinct vision
 Ashrusrava - lacrimation
 Asahyam Roopdarshana - difficulty in vision
 Vyadhivridhi - aggravation of disease
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

18. TREATMENT OF INADEQUATE AND EXCESSIVE
TARPANA
 Dhoompana, Nasya, Anjana, Seka either Ruksha or
Snighdha are to be done for treating both inadequate
and excessive Tarpana conditions according to
predominance of Dosha.
 Snighdha Seka in disease of Vata predominance
Dosha.
 Ruksha Seka in Kapha predominance Dosha.
 Sheeta Seka in Pitta predominance Dosha.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

19. FACTORS AFFECTING ABSORPTION OF DRUG IN BODY
 Route of administration
 Solubility and bioavailability of the drug
 Physical state of drug
 Time of absorption
 Patient and drug compliance
 Absorbing surface
 Excretion of drug
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
MODE OF
ACTION*
*Dr. Arun Gupta N. et.al., Anticipated mode of action of Netra Tarpana; WJPS, 2020, Vol. 6, issue 7, pg. no. 263-270.

21.  Ghrita is used primarily for Tarpana.
 Effective in subsiding Pittaja & Vataja disorders.
 It improves Dhatus.
 Overall booster for improving Ojas.
 Possess quality of trespassing into minutest channels of body.
 Possess Sanskaranuvartana (Easily imbibes the properties of other
drugs) quality.
 Possess Balya (strengthening), Brihana (nourishing), Rasayana
(rejuvenator) property.
 Contains mainly omega-3 & 6 fatty acids, Vit. A, E, K & antioxidants.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

22.  Tarpana can also be considered as a route of ocular drug delivery
through topical administration.
 Most of the topically applied drugs, the site of action is usually different
layers of the cornea, conjunctiva, sclera, and the other tissues of eye.
 Mucin present in tear film plays a protective role by forming a hydrophilic
layer and it also clears the debris and pathogens.
 However, tear film displays a rapid restoration time of 2-3 min, and
topically administered solutions are washed away within 15-30 s after
instillation.
 And so more amount of drug with more contact time is required for
increased bioavailability.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

23.  In case of Tarpana the volume of drug retained over
ocular surface is much higher.
 Thus mucin itself may get diluted by the Ghrita or any
other Tarpana drug removing the hydrophilic layer
barrier and provides more drug for absorption.
 In addition to tear film, various layers of the cornea,
conjunctiva and sclera play an important role in drug
permeation.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

24.  Epithelium- Lipophilic in nature
 Stroma- Hydrophilic in nature
 Endothelium- Lipophilic in nature
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

25.  Tarpana is mostly done with lipophilic drugs in the form of
Ghrita, thus it can be well absorbed through lipoidal
membrane.
 Used Lukewarm: May dilate the tight junctional complexes
thus allowing paracellular drug penetration.
 Endothelial junctions are leaky and facilitate the passage of
macromolecules between the aqueous humor and stroma.
 So, it is vital to understand that the permeant should have an
amphipathic nature in order to permeate through these
layers.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

26. Tarpana when did with Siddha Ghrita, it contains
more small chain fatty acids having small
molecular radius than the long chain fatty acids.
Thus, they may get readily absorbed.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

27.  Exerts extraocular pressure to the lens thus increasing
its axial length- Improves the accommodation.
 Ghrita preparation used in Tarpana are in the form of
suspension containing different particles of the drugs
and the particles donot leave the eye as quick as
solution.
 So, Tarpana has proven to be the most efficacious
Netra Kriyakalpa in various disease.
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi

28. MECHANISM OF COW GHEE IN AKSHI TARPANA
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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
In cornea the epithelium & endothelium is lipid permeable i.e. Lipophilic
Hence lipophilic drugs are effectively delivered to Cornea
The ghee is used in Tarpana procedure is lipophilic
Ghee has quality of passing into minute channels of body
Intraocular drug absorption to ant. Lens capsule, ciliary muscles and other
tissues.
Due to to more contact time of ghee in Tarpana procedure, the absorption will
be more to cure disease.
Desired therapeutic action
Relief in symptoms

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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
Administration of Tarpana in the eye
Absorption of the drug through various layers of eye
Activation of
Chakshuvaisheshika Pitta
Spread of the drug in to the deeper tissues through Rupavaha Siras
Activation of Alochaka Pitta
Ghrita- Rasayana, Balya, Chakshushya property
Activation of
Buddhivaisheshika Pitta
Increased power of Drishti
Nadi (Optic nerve)
Activation of Visual centre in
brain (Occipital lobe)
Overall
improvement in
visual status

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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi
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Administration of Tarpana in the eye
Fat soluble ingredients of Drugs absorbed through cornea
Lipids (Phospholipids-Glycerides)
Vitamin A,D,E,K & Carotene
Transportation of drugs through cornea to deeper tissues
Amino acids & proteins
Increases lubrication b/w lens
fibers
Increases muscular power of
ciliary muscles
Overall
improvement in
visual status
Helps in anaerobic oxidation
Acts as antioxidant
Prevents cornea & lens from
oxidative injuries

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Dr.
Shraddha
Joshi