External Therapy Protocol
Upanaha Sweda (Medicated Poultice)
in Bengaluru
Upanaha Sweda is the application of a warm, thick, medicinal herbal paste over a painful, swollen joint or muscle, which is then tightly bandaged with specific heat-retaining leaves (like Castor or Calotropis) and left for several hours.
Clinical Benefits
- Provides sustained, deep heat to heavily swollen and extremely painful joints
- Excellent for acute Osteoarthritis of the knee (sandhigata vata)
- Draws out fluid and reduces swelling in bursitis and acute sports sprains
- Softens hard, stiff joint capsules (like in Frozen Shoulder)
Clinical Procedure
1. Preparation (Purvakarma)
- • A paste is prepared by boiling specific herbal powders (like Kottamchukkadi) with rock salt, oil, and sour liquids (tamarind water or buttermilk).
2. Main Action (Pradhana Karma)
The hot paste is applied thickly (about 1-2 cm) over the affected joint. It is immediately covered with a Vata-reducing leaf (like Eranda/Castor leaf) and bandaged tightly with a cotton cloth to trap the heat.
3. Post-Therapy (Paschatkarma)
- • The poultice is left on for 12 hours (often applied at night and removed in the morning, or vice versa).
- • Once removed, the area is washed with warm water.
Patient FAQs
How is this different from Lepam?
Lepam is usually applied thinly, allowed to dry, and washed off after 30 minutes. Upanaha is applied very thickly, covered with leaves, and bandaged to trap the heat for 12 hours, acting like a continuous slow-release thermal patch.
Medically Reviewed by Dr Abhiram SSBAMS (Reg No: 36991)
Chief Consultant, Ayurvedic Rheumatology & Dermatology • Updated: 2026-07-24
Protocol Details
Duration
Application takes 10 minutes; retained for 12 hours.Frequency
Applied daily for 3 to 7 days during acute pain flares.Primary Indications
condition-osteoarthritiscondition-goutcondition-frozen-shouldercondition-cervical-spondylosis
Contraindications
- Open wounds or severe skin infections over the joint
- Acute burning sensations (unless specific cooling Upanahas are used)