Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means “five actions” or “five treatments”. This is a process used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease, poor nutrition and environmental toxins.
Normally the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials, including the vitiated doshas. However, due to one’s repeated dietary indiscretions, poor exercise patterns, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition, the digestive enzymes, metabolic co-factors, hormones, and agnis which regulate the body’s internal homeostasis become disorganized. This can lead to the accumulation and spread of toxins throughout the physiology resulting in disease. This waste matter is called ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a foul-smelling, sticky, harmful substance that needs to be completely evacuated from the body.
Panchakarma will remove the excess doshas and correct imbalances in them as well as eliminate the harmful ama out of your system through the body’s own organs and channels of elimination (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, etc). Panchakarma purifies the tissues at a very deep level.
It is a very pleasurable experience that is tailored to individual needs and may involve:
✓ Daily warm oil massage (abhyanga)
✓ Herbal steam therapy (swedana)
✓ Lymphatic massage
✓ Herbal enemas (basti)
✓ Nasal administrations (nasya)
✓ Other special treatments
Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance.
Benefits of Panchakarma:
✓ Cleared toxins from the entire system
✓ Balanced doshas |
✓ Healed digestive system |
✓ Enhanced immunity |
✓ Decreased stress |
✓ Anti-aging |
✓ Improved skin lustre |
✓ Weight-loss (if overweight) |
✓ Deep relaxation |
✓ Meditative outlook on life |
✓ Enhanced mindfulness |
Types of Panchakarma
TYPES OF PANCHAKARMA
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1. Raktamokshan
Raktamokshana is an effective blood purification therapy, in which carefully controlled removal of small quantities of blood is conducted to neutralise accumulated Pitta toxins of many blood-borne diseases. This is because Raktamokshana decreases the quantum of enhanced Pitta dosha and thus the diseases caused by Pitta are also relieved.
Benefits:
✓Treats Varicose veins |
✓Relieves Arthritis pain |
✓Helps to treat Sciatica |
✓Cures Hemorrhoids |
✓Treats Cardiovascular Diseases |
✓Therapeutic for skin disorders ke Psoriasis, Eczema etc |
2. Vamana
Vamana Karma, also known as medical emesis or medical vomiting, is one of the five Pradhana Karmas of Panchakarma which is used in treating Kapha disorders.
Generally Vamana treatment is carried-out in the early morning on an empty stomach when the Kapha is intense. The night before the therapy, Kapha aggravating foods are provided to the patient. On the day of the treatment, depending on the condition of the patient, heat is applied to the region of chest as well as the back portion to liquefy the Kapha. The procedure has been carreid out in kapha kala to removes kapha in toxic form, which creates major diseases like skin problems, ILD, Lungs fibrosis, asthma, hypothyroidism, hearts disorders, chronic rhinitis..
After the liquefaction of Kapha in the body a special medicated drink like yashtimadhu kashay, cranberry juice depends upon diseases is given to the patient that stimulates the emesis. Waste products (vitiated dosha) are eliminated through the upper gastrointestinal tract. After the emesis, the therapy is continued with ghee treatment and a steam bath. Proper rest is advised after undergoing the Vamana therapy, with proper diet continuation for next seven days as post procedure karmas to increase agni ( hunger ).
Benefits:
✓ Vitiated and aggressive Kapha dosha is expelled out of the body, leading to cure of disease. |
✓ The digestion and metabolism power gets enhanced, |
✓ Normal health is restored; |
✓ The sense organs, mind, intelligence, and complexion become clear and gain strength; |
✓ The person gains strength, nourishment and immunity, |
✓ It improves the chances of fertility, virility and sexual power. |
✓ It helps to slow down aging process. |
✓ One can live healthily for long time. |
3. Virechan
Virechana is one of the Panchakarma therapies wherein purgation is induced by drugs and it specifically aims at the elimination of excessive Pitta Dosha from the body. Normally, after Virechanakarma, patient does not complain of having any untoward like those present after diarrhea due to dehydration.
Benefits:
✓Flushes out of the toxins and excess mucus from the GI tract and thus improves digestion. |
✓ Clears congestion from the liver and thus improves metabolism and fat digestion. |
✓ Relieves many gastrointestinal disorders |
✓ Improves the condition of skin disorders, rashes & allergies. |
✓ Helps manage Paraplegia, Hemiplegia Joint disorders etc. |
✓ Achieve improved immunity and thus resistant to many diseases |
✓ Achieve a better circulatory system |
✓ Management of weight |
✓ Activate the lymphatic system |
✓ Nourish the skin |
✓ Strengthen the muscles |
✓ Improve digestive system |
4. Nasyam
Nasya is a kind of Panchakarma treatment for body cleansing a used in Ayurvedic medicine. Administration of drugs by the route of nasal cavity is termed as nasya, nāvana, nasya karma, etcetera are synonymous to nasya. Randomized controlled clinical trials have shown reduction in the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis by nasya Clinical trials of nasya have been carried out for myopia. Pradhamana nasya is used by ayurvedic physicians and have been found useful to treat chronic sinusitis. Nasya is a sanskrit word, which means " related to nose". So in this Nasya therapy, ayurveda treatment is performed through the nostril. Ayurvedic medicine either in the oil or smoke forms is infused into the nostrils. Nasya panchakarma therapy is very useful to address the disease related to head region, e.g. insomnia, stress, anxiety, early greying of hair, allergies.
Benefits:
✓Strengthens the Nasal Passages |
✓Relieves Headaches & Migraine |
✓Treats Allergies & Sinusitis |
✓Clears Mucous Blockages |
✓Opens Blocked Channels |
✓Treates Nasal Infections |
✓Remedy for Congestion |
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5. Basti
Considered as the mother of all treatments, it cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the 3 doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, especially Vata toxins, through the colon. Basti is also highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment, especially in convalescent periods. Medicated oil or ghee and an herbal decoction are given as an enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone. This procedure is usually applied for 8 to 30 days, based on the medical condition of a person..
Benefits:
✓Increases Appetite |
✓Clears Bowels |
✓Eliminates Constipation |
✓Reduces Hyperacidity |
✓Removes Unwanted Toxins |
✓Removes Vata Vitiation |
✓Remedy for Congestion |
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Shirodhara Therapy
Shirodhara comes from the two Sanskrit words “shiro” (head) and “dhara” (flow). It’s an Ayurvedic healing technique that involves having someone pour liquid — usually oil, milk, buttermilk, or water — onto your forehead. It’s often combined with a body, scalp, or head massage.
Benefits:
✓Very beneficial for people with Vata / Pitta imbalance |
✓Aids Memory |
✓Promotes better sleep |
✓Body get Strengthened |
✓Solution to many Eye Disorders |
✓Sleep is induced and Ageing is slowed |
✓Benefits chronic headache and migraines |
✓Reduces stress |
✓Relieves from Anxiety and Nervousness |
✓Improves Concentration |
✓Improves hearing and clears the nasal problems. |
✓Improves the vision, hearing and clears the nasal problems. |