The procedure which produces Unctuousness (स्नेहन), Oozing (विष्यन्दन), Softness (मृदुत्व) and Liquidity (क्लेदन) is known as Snehana.
It is very important to make soft all the Dosha and Dhatu before the onset of any cleansing procedure. Sources of these materials are

• Animals
• Plants

Though there are a number of Snehana materials in nature, mainly Ghee (घृत), Oil (तैल), Muscle fat (वसा), Bone marrow (मज्जा) are the top listed. Ghee is considered to be the best among them. In Vata and Kapha predominant disorders, Taila / medicated oil and in Pitta disorders, Ghruta / medicated ghee are advised.

Based on the mode of administration, this therapy is divided into two types:

• External
• Internal

External (बाह्य स्नेह)

Varieties of external usage of Sneha have been explained in Ayurveda classics, which can be selected in both healthy and unhealthy person. Some of them are:

• Abhyanga (Oil massage)
• Pariseka (Systematic pouring of the oil over the body)
• Lepa (Oil application)
• Pichu (Keeping cotton (which is soaked in the warm oil) over the affected area.)
• Basti (Keeping oil over the affected area for few time with the help of reservoir, made out of wheat flour or black-gram paste)
• Gandusha (Gargling)
• Karna poorana (Filling ears with medicated oil, keeping for few minutes)

Internal (आभ्यन्तर स्नेह)

For the internal administration of Sneha, one must be cautious about Agni (Digestive fire). For a person having good Agni and without any signs of INDIGESTION, Sneha can be given.Based on the need of the person / body and capacity of AGNI, the mode of administration of Sneha & the dosage will be decided.

As per mode of action, it is divided into

• Shodhana (Dosha elimination)
• Shamana (Dosha palliation)
• Brimhana (nourishing)

Based on the requirement of the body, sometimes only one type of Sneha is selected; sometimes 2 or 3 or all the 4 varieties of Sneha may be mixed together.