Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c11.14

c11.14

The woman should, according to Suśruta, be anointed with balā oil and smeared with a decoction of herbs removing vāta. If any disease (doṣa) has still remained in her, she should be given to drink on the same day pepper (pippalī), pepper-root and other pungent stuffs powdered and mixed with sugar-water. This should be pursued for 2 or 3 days until the spoilt blood is removed. When the blood is purified, she should be given to drink for three days oil- or milk-pap prepared with vidārigandhā. Then she should be given, according to the condition of her vitality and digestive power, rice with deer-sauce prepared with corn etc. When she has taken this diet for one and a half month, the restrictions in relation to her diet and mode of living are stopped, and she is no more considered as sūtikā. According to some, this is so when menses appear again (Su 3.10.16). Her body is also anointed and is covered with long piece of cloth in order that vāta may not enter her body and harm it. Anointing of the body, smearing, baths etc. are in general recommended to the woman along with strength-giving food and drink. Such care of the woman is necessary, lest difficult or even incurable diseases may threaten her (Car 4.8.47 f.; AS 2.3.212 f.; AHr 2.1.94-100 f.).