This is a five-fold procedure for eliminating accumulated impurities from the mind-body physiology. Pancha, in Sanskrit, means “five” and karma means “action”. Panchakarma, therefore, refers to the five actions that are considered the most powerful, purifying, and rejuvenating procedures in Ayurveda. This unique treatment aims at correcting the imbalance of the biological energies – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in order to maintain their inherent equilibrium. During each season of the year, one or more of the doshas accumulate, which results in an imbalance and makes the body prone to illness. Changes occur in both the mind and body of the individual. This entire process is designed to facilitate the deep-rooted release of stress and to encourage the individuals to surrender to the healing process. The five-fold treatment during Panchakarma is not only intended for the elimination of disease-causing toxins but also to replenish the tissues with nourishment.
There are three integrated components of the panchakarma process: the preparation phase [in Sanskrit known as Poorvakarma], the principal procedures [Pradhanakarma], and the post-treatment care which includes diet regimen and other dos and don’ts [Paschatkarma].
POORVAKARMA
Poorvakarma which is designed to prepare the body for the elimination of imbalances has three aspects
• Deepana-Pachana: Administration of digestives and carminatives to increase the digestive fire of the body, stimulate metabolism, activate digestive enzymes, increase the peristalsis and improve circulation.
• Snehana: This includes both internal and external oiling of the system. It is employed in order to liquefy the vitiated doshas, mobilize and collect these in the main body channels like the digestive tract. Edible oils and ghrita (clarified butter) processed/cooked with various herbs are used in oleation. According to Ayurveda herbalized oils and ghee are able to permeate the cells and tissues, encouraging the release of stored toxicity. Oleation is also provided externally through massage. An experienced Physician can decide which mode of oleation is effective for each individual.
• Swedana: Fomentation therapy is given only after employing proper oleation using hot water/decoction of medicinal herbs to soften and melt the body toxins so as to efficiently expel these with the assistance of the main purification procedures.
PRADHANAKARMA
Once the preparatory therapies have loosened and mobilized the toxins, the principal procedures are begun in order to eliminate impurities from the body. They are 5 in number:
• Vamana: This is a method of induced emesis using Ayurvedic medicine under the observation of an Ayurveda doctor. This balances the Kapha toxin.
Eg Vaman in treatment of PCOD, Obesity, Infertility, Psoriasis, Diabetes.
9. RAKTAMOKSHANA = letting out impurified blood by various methods. It’s an easy, fast-acting, and very effective method of detoxification.
• Virechana: This is a procedure that involves the purging of pitta toxins, downwards, through the natural alimentary passage and out through the anal orifice by administering Ayurvedic medicines.
• Virechana cleanses blood toxins, the sweat glands, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, spleen, and rakta vaha srotas.
Eg = Chronic Skin disorders, blood disorders, OBESITY, PCOD, INFERTILITY
• Vasthi:
Basti in Ayurveda is said to be the king of all Panchkarma & mainly related to treat Vata Doshas disorders. It introduces Ayurvedic medicinal enemas through the anorectal cavity, to help expel all three vitiated doshas, namely, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vasthi activates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and thereby restores the physiological equilibrium of the body. There are two types of vasthi treatments.
• Asthapanavasthi/niruhavasthi/kashayavasthi : In this procedure, Ayurvedic medicinal decoctions combined with herbal pastes, herbal oils, milk and honey is used to induce excretion. By purging the digestive system, this can eliminate impurities, accelerate digestion, and correct peristaltic movements. It is one of the most important procedures (Ardha chikitsa=half treatment) in all panchakarma.
• Anuvasanavasthi: In this procedure, medicated lubricants like oil, ghee is administered through the anorectal cavity. The lubricant helps to counter any effects of toxic expulsion on the rectal opening.
• Nasyam: Ancient civilizations often considered the nose to be the source of life. The nasyam technique focuses on this vital sensory organ and involves administering a combination of Medicinal powders, juice of fresh leaves, oil or ghee through the nostrils. Nasyam helps clean the nasal tract and also enhances the functioning of the olfactory senses. It is the effective door to reach out to the brain/ Nervous system. Nasyam can be a preventive, curative or rejuvenating therapy that stimulates the nervous system, prevents early aging.
• Raktha mokshanam : Rakta mokshana literally means ‘bloodletting’, and is an ancient therapeutic method to cleanse and detoxify the impurities in Blood. The most commonly practiced method of bloodletting involves placing leeches on various parts of the body – not for the faint-hearted. There are other methods of blood-letting as well like Cupping, Siravedh – Venous Puncture, and the procedure is selected based on an individual’s constitution, age, body strength and degree of toxicity in the blood, as also the weather at the time.
PASCHATKARMA
Paschatkarma is the final, post-procedural stage of the Panchakarma treatment. Paschatkarma helps to reinforce the benefits accrued after the Panchakarma treatment and with regular meditation, oil massages, pranayama and yoga, can open and rejuvenate the channels of the body and mind.
• Paschatkarma for vamana and virechana : Samsarjana karma: Since Vamana and Virechana tend to leave an impact on the internal lining of some parts of the digestive tract; a special dietary regimen is advised for three days to seven days after completion of the main procedures by the Ayurveda doctor. This specific diet is known as Samsarjana karma. It involves a diet regime of light, easily digestible, wholesome food with little or no spice, to rekindle the digestive fire and prevent accumulation of impurities.
• Paschatkarma for vasthi : After taking niruhavasti, the person is advised to take a warm bath and rest. A light diet of boiled lentils and grams should be consumed and a routine for a specific period, known as Parihara Kaala should be followed. During this period it is advisable to avoid all physical as well as emotional tensions. Sunbathing should be strictly avoided. All spicy, pungent and deep-fried, oily, stale foods and excessive eating should consciously be avoided after anuvasanavasthi.
• Paschatkarma for nasyam : After completion of nasyam, a special procedure called dhumapana (inhaling medicated herbal smoke) and gargling is recommended.
• Paschatkarma for rakthamokshanam : If the method selected is leech application, the site of application should be cleaned with normal saline and bandaging should be done after sprinkling turmeric powder on the site.
1. SNEHANA =
ABHYANGA = BAHYA SNEHANA – OR WHOLE BODY MASSAGE:
This is a whole body massage with warm medicated oil using a special traditional technique followed by herbal steam bath. This Ayurvedic massage is based on the knowledge of “marma” points which are the site of the reflexes.
This massage stimulates the main vital points and circulatory channels and revitalizes them. It is useful as an anti-ageing agent because it removes fatigue and renews one’s strength and vitality. It is beneficial in relaxation and removal of aches and pains and relieving stiffness. It helps to improve one’s personality.
Everyone can benefit from this massage and it is especially useful for Paralysis, Multiple Sclerosis, Hemiplegia and Parkinson’s disease and for heart patients.
SNEHAPANA = ABHYANTAR SNEHAN
Oleation of internal body parts using specific medicated Ghee, Oil etc.
Its to be done prior for panchkarma or as a treatment of diseases.
2.UDVARTAN – A warm oil massage with dry herbal powder followed by steam.
It removes blackish discoloration of skin & improves blood circulation all over the body. It reduces fat & hence helps to treat Obesity & non infectious skin disorders.
3. POTTALI (Pinda – Swedan)
1)A warm massage with bolus of medicated rice and Medicated milk.
2) Warm massage with bolus of herbal pastes and medicated oil.
Both these types of massage are effective in removing stiffness and pain from the muscles. They help to improve muscle tone, strengthen the tendons and muscle ligaments and cure various problems arising from the condition known as vaata. The nerves get strengthened and the effects of paralysis are reduced. Those suffering from Hemiplegia, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease also stand to benefit.
4. SWEDANA= HERBAL STEM – It is very useful for detoxification of Body & Mind. It helps to reduce fats & stiffness of body hence increases flexibility. Recommended for obesity, Body ache & Joint pain.
Athletes, wrestlers and swimmers experience the advantage of pottali especially after prolonged exercise.
5. NASYA:
It consists of special facial massage followed by the introduction of drops of medicated ghee or oil in the nose followed by steam inhalation.
It is a wonderful treatment to remove the doshas or congestion in the Ear, Nose & Throat. It cures problems of the respiratory track like chronic allergic asthma, cold cough etc.
It relieves mental fatigue, nervous disorders like depression insomnia, epilepsy and insanity. It is also useful in problems of excessive hair fall and premature graying. It helps to induce calm and quiet sleep. It sharpens the intellect by enhancing nervous system.
10. KARNAPURAN:
It consists of pouring warm medicated oil in the ears with special massage around the ear and on the face and lower neck. It uses the “marma” technique and is followed by facial steam. It is effective for ear problems, jaw problems, fatigue, facial expressions and the effects of ageing.
11. NETRATARPANA, NETRADHARA & NETRABASTI:
It consists of a warm oil bath to the eyes. It is especially effective for those handling computers and digital screens.
It is most useful for different sorts of eye problems like dryness of eyes, weak eyesight, reddening and pain in the eyes.
All persons in positions of higher authority stand to benefit from all above treatments.
12. PADABAHYNGA:
Massage on the soles of the feet with kasa vaati and shatadhoughtghurt (ghee that is washed 100 times).
It induces calm sleep & help to treat Insomnia. It reduces pain & dryness of the sole & leg. It is an instant reliever of fatigue, stress. It is the simplest and most revitalizing treatment of body, mind & soul.
13. SHIRO-abhyanga
Shiro-abhyanga is a head massage i.e. application of medicated oils to the head followed by a gentle massage.
It rejuvenates the entire body and strengthens the nervous system.
14. FACIAL- Seasonal (WINTER/summer/monsoon)
It is treatment of the face & its disorders like Acne Vulgaris, Spots etc.
Oleation of facial parts with suitable herbal preparations as per seasonal & individual skin. It is followed by the use of herbal facial steam.
It gives a lustrous appearance to the face by improving facial tone & glow.
15. SANDHIBANDHA: Parts involved – Any Joints
It is a special treatment for joint pains using warm medicated oil and binding material. It relieves knee pain, shoulder pain and arthritis and anybody can avail of it.
16. LEPA:
It is an application of herbal paste or medicinal plaster on a specific part of the body or affected area. The treatment can be used on all the body parts.
It restores the equilibrium of the doshas.
It is especially suitable for athletes to avoid injuries, muscle & ligament tear etc.
12. LOCAL BASTI –
A ring of gram flour dough with warm oil within the ring is placed on various parts of body like Neck, center of chest, knee joint, back etc.
A) MANYABASTI: Parts involved – Cervical Region
This relaxes and rejuvenates the neck and eases the pain of cervical spondylosis.
B) KATIBASTI: Parts involved – Vertebral column & Spine.
It strengthens the vertebral column and spinal cord. It helps to overcome problems of sciatica, spondylosis, slip-disc and stiffness in the pelvic region. Katibasti develops stamina and reduces back pain; it reduces problems related to osteoporosis.
C) HRUDBASTI: Parts involved – Chest & Heart Region
This rejuvenates the heart muscles, strengthens
Cardiac activity, calms down the heart spiritually and improves respiratory disorders.
It is excellent for all cardiac disorder & strengthens the function of heart.
D) JANUBASTI: Parts involved – Knee Joints
It revitalizes and strengthens the knee and relieves the troubles of the knees including severe pain in the knees.
13. UTTARBASTI – Uttarbasti is a very popular noninvasive procedure of Panchakarma without anaesthesia.It is done on OPD basis for the treatment of disorders of urethra in males and urethra and vagina in females.
Female – Menstrual disorders like Menorrhagia, Leucorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, etc., Infertility, Miscarriage, fibroid, cyst; DUB etc. are treated by Uttarbasti. Diseases pertaining in the Urinary tract infections (Urinary incontinence, & genitalia regions of females are also relieved.
Male – Disease related to any type of urinary problems, benign prostate enlargement, incontinence of Urine and Cystitis (a urinary bladder infection caused by bacterial infection), less sperm count, Impotence etc.
Prescription-As advised by concern doctor & precautions
All above therapy are preventive treatment for two wheeler users, athletes, wrestlers, swimmers.
14.SHIRODHARA / TAKRADHARA:
It is the process of pouring warm medicated oil or milk or buttermilk on the site of the center of the eyebrow & on the forehead which awakens the third eye – the seat of cognitive vision.
This is effective in inducing quiet and calm sleep by reducing fatigue, psychological problems, stress, tension and hair complaints. It invigorates the body and mind and stimulates cognitive memory.
15 Agnikarma =
Using of Heat energy in various forms for treating many diseases.
Eg. Use of Panchadhatu Shalaka for agnikarm in chronic joint disorders relieves instant pain.