REVIEW OF AYURVEDIC BAHYA PRAYOGA KALPANA: LEPA, UPANAHA, UDVARTANA, ABHYANGA, AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC MECHANISMS

Ayurveda emphasises harmony between the body, mind, and environment through both internal and external therapies. Bahya Prayoga Kalpana—the group of external applications—includes Lepa (herbal paste), Upanaha (medicated poultice), Udvartana (herbal powder massage), and Abhyanga (oil massage). These practices act through the skin to balance Doshas, improve circulation, and promote systemic well-being. This review compiles insights from classical Ayurvedic scriptures and modern scientific literature to explore their preparation, methodology, and therapeutic effects. Lepa is mainly used for inflammatory and dermatological conditions, Upanaha combines warmth and compression for musculoskeletal relief, Udvartana assists in detoxification and fat metabolism, and Abhyanga enhances neuromuscular tone and mental relaxation through gentle oleation. The physiological actions of these treatments correlate with mechanisms recognised in modern medicine, such as improved microcirculation, enhanced transdermal absorption, and modulation of the nervous system. Together, these traditional procedures exemplify Ayurveda’s refined understanding of external healing and its alignment with integrative health principles.