E-ISSN:2456-3110

Research Article

Pinda Sweda

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 5 MAY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Pilot Study on Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda: A Step Toward Developing a Temperature Regulating Instrument

Gowda IS1*, Asundi V2, Purohit R3
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.5.6

1* Inchara S Gowda, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.

2 Vijayalaxmi Asundi, Professor and HOD, Department of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.

3 Rohini Purohit, Associate Professor, Department of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.

Swedana, a key treatment for musculoskeletal disorders caused by Vata and Kapha, includes Sankara Sweda. Sankara Sweda is the first and foremost Sweda type of Sagni Sweda by Acharya Charaka. So, it must have special importance in the management of various diseases. Sankara Sweda again is of many types. Based on its properties generally, it can be further broadly classified into Snigdha Sankara Sweda and Ruksha Sankara Sweda. In practice, the Sankara Sweda procedure struggles to maintain a consistent temperature throughout treatment. To address this, two Pottalis and two therapists are required, making the process time-consuming. Our Pilot study revealed an average body temperature drop of 4°F and a Pottali temperature drop of 69°F within a 2-minute inter-Pottali change period, with each Pottali applied for 2 minutes. A study on Upanaha Swedana demonstrated that maintaining a constant temperature yielded statistically significant results, outperforming the conventional method while reducing treatment time to 30 minutes. Therefore, this pilot study aims to modify Sankara Sweda Pottali for consistent temperature, enhancing its efficacy in managing musculoskeletal and other diseases.

Keywords: Swedana, Sankara Sweda, Pottali, Upanaha Swedana, Ayurveda, Fomentation

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Inchara S Gowda, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Panchakarma, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Gowda IS, Asundi V, Purohit R, Pilot Study on Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda: A Step Toward Developing a Temperature Regulating Instrument. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(5):32-37.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4300/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-04-10 2025-04-25 2025-05-07 2025-05-17 2025-05-27
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© 2025 by Gowda IS, Asundi V, Purohit R and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(5)32
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionMethodologyResultsDisscusionConclusionReferences
Inchara SG et al. Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda

Introduction

Application of heat by various methods at a diseases site or throughout the body such that it causes perspiration is called as Swedana. It is defined as a procedure which induces Sweda, relieves Sthambha, Gourava and Sheeta.[1]

Swedana is an ancient method to ward off pain or atleast the sufferings due to pain. Swedana has been included under Shadupakrama and thus has been given importance to Swedana as a principal method of treatment.[2]

Swedana using bolus prepared of drugs with or without being wrapped in the cloth is called as Pinda Sweda.[3] The term Pinda denotes a lump or bundle. It is also known as Sankara Sweda, Neevithapa, Pottali Sweda and Puta Sweda.[4-6]

Sankara Sweda is a widely and mostly practiced Swedana procedure where the principle of treatment is based on the combined effect of heat and the medicinal properties of drugs. Hence, based on Roga and Rogi one can opt for different combinations of Sankara Sweda according to the availability and properties of the drugs. The Sankara Sweda is classified based on dravya used as Ruksha and Snigdha Sankara Sweda.[7]

Methodology

The pilot study involved Churna Pinda Sweda, Patra Pinda Sweda, and Valuka Sweda to record key temperature metrics in 30 healthy individuals. Measurements included the Pottali's temperature before application, the individual's body temperature before application, the Pottali's temperature after application, the time taken for heat loss, the body's temperature at that point, and the time required to reheat the Pottali.

Churna Pinda Sweda

Churna Pinda Sweda is one of the types of Ushma Sweda. In Snigdha Pinda Sweda, first Abhyanga with oil is done all over the body and the Pottalis are also heated in oil. In Rooksha Pinda Sweda the Pottalis are directly applied all over the body without Abhyanga. Here, Rooksha Pinda Sweda was done.

The Upanaha Churna was mixed with 500 ml of Dhanyamla properly and cooked.

The Pottali is heated in steam of Dhanyamla and Swedana was done Ekanga, upto the achievement of proper symptoms of Swedana.

Ingredients used for Churna Pinda Sweda

Materials / DrugsQuantity
1.  Churna - Upanaha Churna350 gm
2.  Kora Cloth 45cm X 45cm1
3.  Dhanyamla1 litre

Patra Pinda Sweda

Patra Pinda Sweda is the type of Pinda Sweda where leaves of medicinal plants that have the property of Vata Kaphahara are roasted in a pan with little oil and a bolus is prepared by tying in the cloth. It is one of the types of Ushma Sweda.

Ingredients used for Patra Pinda Sweda

Materials / DrugsQuantity
1.  Arka160 gms
2.  Eranda160 gms
3.  Nirgundi160 gms
4.  Saindhava10 gms
5.  Shatapushpa5 gms
6.  Lemon2
7.  Haridra5 gms
8.  Murchita Tila Taila100 ml
9.  Kora cloth1

Valuka Sweda

Valuka Sweda is one among the Ruksha Sweda. Valuka Sweda is the treatment in which sand is used for fomentation of painful parts. It can be done as Sarvanga (whole-body) or Ekanga (locally) Swedana procedure.

Ingredients used for Valuka Sweda

MaterialsQuantity
1.  Sand500 gm
2.  Kora cloth1
3.  Vessel1
4.  Tag1

Results

The temperatures of the Pottali and the body were measured before, during, and after application using an infrared thermometer. The recorded temperatures were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA on ranks.


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Inchara SG et al. Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda

Table 1: Valuka Sweda - Churna Pinda Sweda - Patra Pinda Sweda - Body Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Body temp with 1st AT Body temp7.897Yes
2.1st AT Body temp with 2nd BT Body temp4.260No
3.2nd BT Body temp with 2nd AT Body temp7.466Yes
4.2nd AT Body temp with 3rd BT Body temp5.583Yes
5.3rd BT Body temp with 3rd AT Body temp7.312Yes
6.3rd AT Body temp with 4th BT Body temp4.773Yes
7.4th BT Body temp with 4th AT Body temp5.219Yes

jaims_4300_01.JPG
Figure 1

The analysis as in table 1 and figure 1 shows a significant increase in body temperature for most comparisons (P < 0.05), except between the 1st AT and 2nd BT body temperature (q = 4.260, P > 0.05). Overall, the upward trend indicates a consistent increase in body temperature post-intervention, suggesting the intervention’s thermal effect.

Table 2: Valuka Sweda - Churna Pinda Sweda - Patra Pinda Sweda - Pottali Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Pottali temp with 1st AT Pottali temp9.524Yes
2.1st AT Pottali temp with 2nd BT Pottali temp9.457Yes
3.2nd BT Pottali temp with 2nd AT Pottali temp9.747Yes
4.2nd AT Pottali temp with 3rd BT Pottali temp9.186Yes
5.3rd BT Pottali temp with 3rd AT Pottali temp8.912Yes
6.3rd AT Pottali temp with 4th BT Pottali temp8.729Yes
7.4th BT Pottali temp with 4th AT Pottali temp9.207Yes

jaims_4300_02.JPG
Figure 2

The results as in table 2 and figure 2 reveal statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in Pottali temperature across all comparisons, indicating consistent and impactful changes at each interval. The q values range from 8.729 to 9.747, suggesting a uniform and effective modulation of temperature throughout the study. These findings emphasize the intervention's robust and reliable thermal effect.

Table 3: Churna Pinda Sweda - Body Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Body temp with 1st AT Body temp5.124Yes
2.1st AT Body temp with 2nd BT Body temp3.246No
3.2nd BT Body temp with 2nd AT Body temp5.171Yes
4.2nd AT Body temp with 3rd BT Body temp4.076No
5.3rd BT Body temp with 3rd AT Body temp5.647Yes
6.3rd AT Body temp with 4th BT Body temp4.491Yes
7.4th BT Body temp with 4th AT Body temp3.763No

jaims_4300_03.JPG
Figure 3

The results as in table 3 and figure 3 show significant temperature differences (P < 0.05) at several intervals, particularly post-intervention phases, indicating the intervention's effectiveness. However, non-significant changes in intervals like 1st AT-2nd BT and 2nd AT-3rd BT suggest periods of stabilization or reduced modulation, reflecting variability in the intervention's thermal impact over time.

Table 4: Churna Pinda Sweda - Pottali Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Pottali temp with 1st AT Pottali temp5.920Yes
2.1st AT Pottali temp with 2nd BT Pottali temp5.396Yes
3.2nd BT Pottali temp with 2nd AT Pottali temp5.954Yes
4.2nd AT Pottali temp with 3rd BT Pottali temp5.035Yes
5.3rd BT Pottali temp with 3rd AT Pottali temp4.729Yes
6.3rd AT Pottali temp with 4th BT Pottali temp4.817Yes
7.4th BT Pottali temp with 4th AT Pottali temp5.171Yes

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Inchara SG et al. Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda

jaims_4300_04.JPG
Figure 4

The results as in table 4 and figure 4 show statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in Pottali temperature across all intervals, with q values ranging from 4.729 to 5.954.

This consistent significance indicates effective and uniform thermal modulation throughout the study, highlighting the intervention's reliability in maintaining meaningful temperature changes at each stage.

Table 5: Patra Pinda Sweda - Body Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Body temp with 1st AT Body temp3.940No
2.1st AT Body temp with 2nd BT Body temp1.932No
3.2nd BT Body temp with 2nd AT Body temp3.457No
4.2nd AT Body temp with 3rd BT Body temp1.742No
5.3rd BT Body temp with 3rd AT Body temp1.633No
6.3rd AT Body temp with 4th BT Body temp1.633No
7.4th BT Body temp with 4th AT Body temp1.878No

jaims_4300_05.JPG
Figure 5

The results as in table 5 and figure 5 show no significant differences (P > 0.05) in body temperature across all comparisons, indicating the intervention did not produce substantial thermal effects.

This suggests that Patra Pinda Sweda might have minimal impact on body temperature modulation.

Table 6: Patra Pinda Sweda - Pottali Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Pottali temp with 1st AT Pottali temp6.444Yes
2.1st AT Pottali temp with 2nd BT Pottali temp6.539Yes
3.2nd BT Pottali temp with 2nd AT Pottali temp5.457Yes
4.2nd AT Pottali temp with 3rd BT Pottali temp4.838Yes
5.3rd BT Pottali temp with 3rd AT Pottali temp4.770Yes
6.3rd AT Pottali temp with 4th BT Pottali temp5.069Yes
7.4th BT Pottali temp with 4th AT Pottali temp5.103Yes

jaims_4300_06.JPG
Figure 6

The results as in table 6 and figure 6 shows significant differences (P < 0.05) across all comparisons, indicating a consistent and meaningful increase in Pottali temperature post-intervention. This suggests the intervention effectively maintains thermal changes throughout the sessions, reflecting its ability to sustain heat and deliver a steady therapeutic effect without notable stabilization or variability.

Table 7: Valuka Sweda - Body Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Body temp with 1st AT Body temp4.423Yes
2.1st AT Body temp with 2nd BT Body temp2.096No
3.2nd BT Body temp with 2nd AT Body temp4.219No
4.2nd AT Body temp with 3rd BT Body temp3.831No
5.3rd BT Body temp with 3rd AT Body temp4.375Yes
6.3rd AT Body temp with 4th BT Body temp2.422No
7.4th BT Body temp with 4th AT Body temp3.273No

jaims_4300_07.JPG
Figure 7


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Inchara SG et al. Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda

The results as in table 7 and figure 7 shows significant differences (P < 0.05) only in the baseline vs. 1st AT and 3rd BT vs. 3rd AT comparisons, indicating the intervention initially impacted body temperature but failed to sustain consistent changes across subsequent intervals. This suggests variability or reduced effectiveness over time in maintaining thermal modulation.

Table 8: Valuka Sweda - Pottali Temperature

SNComparisonq valueP< 0.05
1.Baseline Pottali temp with 1st AT Pottali temp5.253Yes
2.1st AT Pottali temp with 2nd BT Pottali temp5.055Yes
3.2nd BT Pottali temp with 2nd AT Pottali temp5.933Yes
4.2nd AT Pottali temp with 3rd BT Pottali temp5.818Yes
5.3rd BT Pottali temp with 3rd AT Pottali temp5.681Yes
6.3rd AT Pottali temp with 4th BT Pottali temp4.491Yes
7.4th BT Pottali temp with 4th AT Pottali temp4.906Yes

jaims_4300_08.JPG
Figure 8

The results as in table 8 and figure 8 shows significant differences (P < 0.05) across all intervals, indicating consistent and sustained increases in Pottali temperature post-intervention. This suggests the intervention effectively maintains and regulates thermal changes throughout the sessions, reflecting its strong efficacy in producing and retaining heat for therapeutic purposes without significant variability.

Disscusion

Study revealed an average body temperature drop of 4°F and a Pottali temperature drop of 69°F within a 2-minute inter-Pottali change period, with each Pottali applied for 2 minutes.

From the Pilot study, it was observed that the temperature of the Pottali gradually decreased during the treatment process. This temperature decline necessitates periodic reheating to maintain the desired therapeutic effect.

The fluctuating temperature not only interrupts the flow of the therapy but may also affect its efficacy, as the therapeutic benefits of Pottali-based treatments are closely linked to the application of consistent heat.

Maintaining a constant temperature throughout the procedure can enhance the therapeutic efficacy by ensuring sustained heat delivery, improving tissue penetration, and optimizing the overall patient experience. The challenges posed by temperature variation underscore the need for technological advancements in this area. A device capable of maintaining the Pottali at a constant temperature would minimize interruptions, reduce the workload of the therapist, and ensure uniform heat application, thereby improving the outcomes of the treatment.

Future studies focuses on the development of such an instrument. This could involve exploring the integration of advanced heating technologies, such as thermostatically controlled heating elements, and materials with superior heat retention properties.

Additionally, the design should prioritize safety, ease of use, and compatibility with traditional Pottali techniques to preserve the authenticity of the treatment while modernizing its approach. The potential impact of such an innovation could lead to significant advancements in Pottali-based therapies, making them more efficient and reliable in clinical practice.

Conclusion

The pilot study highlights a significant limitation in Pottali-based therapies: the gradual decrease in temperature during treatment, which necessitates periodic reheating and may compromise therapeutic efficacy. Maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the procedure is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes, enhancing patient comfort, and ensuring seamless therapy delivery.

This finding underscores the need for further research and innovation to develop a device capable of maintaining a constant Pottali temperature. Such advancements could modernize traditional techniques, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall effectiveness of Pottali-based treatments, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and contemporary technology.


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Inchara SG et al. Temperature Dynamics of Pinda Sweda

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