Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word, derived from two words, “panch” which means “five”, and “karma” denotes “actions”. Panchakarma is known since the Vedic period and some of the classic Ayurvedic texts like Charaka samhita, Susruta samhita, and Ashtanga Hrdayam have extensively described panchakarma procedure & other treatments.
What is Panchkarma?
Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda refers to five therapeutic measures (Karmas) done for complete detoxification of the body. Panchakarma is a five-fold therapy; it is highly individualized based on the needs of the individual depending on the Ayurvedic constitutional type, dosha imbalances, prakriti, age, digestive strength, immune status, and many other factors. Depending on each individual’s needs, all or only parts of the five therapies are done.
The five therapeutic measures involved in Panchkarma therapy are :-
- Vamana (Therapeutic emesis)
- Virechana (Therapeutic purgation)
- Basti (Therapeutic enema)
- Nasya(Medication through nasal route)
- Raktamokshana (Blood-letting)
Why One Needs Panchkarma Therapy?
According to Ayurveda, good health depends upon our capability to fully metabolize all aspects of life, assimilating that which nourishes and eliminating the rest. When we can’t completely digest our food, experiences and emotions, toxins get accumulated in our bodily tissues, leading to imbalances and finally diseases.
When our digestive energies, known as Agni (fire), are strong we create healthy tissues and get rid of our waste products efficiently, which leads to a subtle essence called Ojas. Ojas is the vital energy that control our immunity, strength, and happiness—which we want in abundance. On the other hand, if our agni is weak, digestion becomes incomplete creating toxins which get stored in our body. This toxic residue is known as Ama.
Ama blocks the intestines, overflows through other bodily channels such as the blood vessels, and infiltrates the bodily tissues, causing disease. The presence of ama in the system can be felt as fatigue or a feeling of heaviness. It may induce constipation, indigestion, gas, and diarrhea, or it may generate bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, stiffness in the body, or mental confusion. Ama can most easily be detected as a thick coating on the tongue.
In ayurveda, the disease is actually a crisis of ama, in which the body seeks to eliminate the accumulated toxin. Thus the key to the prevent occurrence of any disease, the body should eliminate the toxins, once ama has begun to build up. To remove ama from the system, ayurveda employs many internal cleansing programs known as panchakarma.
Panchakarma removes the excess doshas and correct the imbalances along with eliminating the harmful Ama out of our 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.
Benefits of Panchakarma are:-
- Helps to balance Tridoshas.
- Restoration of metabolic power.
- Helps to maintain a healthy diet & lifestyle.
- Remove toxins from the body.
- Improves the complexion, skin glow, luster & immunity.
- Enhances mental clarity, awareness & forgiveness.
- Strengthens tissue functions.
- Decreases dependence on drugs like alcohol, tobacco, etc
- Slow down the aging process.
- Increases life span and facilitates tolerance.
- Boosts up immunity & energy level.
- Improves strength, endurance, energy & vitality.
Precautions One Should Take While Going For Panchkarma Treatment:-
- One has to use warm water to drink, bathe and for other activities.
- Sleeping during daytime is contraindicated.
- Rest when tired.
- Keeping awake late at night is not advisable.
- Avoid indigestible and heavy foods.
- Strenuous exercise and mental stress should be avoided.
- Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, both internally and externally.
- Person undergoing Panchkarma should abstain from sex.
- Avoid suppression of natural urges such as sneezing, coughing, micturition, bowel movements, etc.
- Panchkarma procedure should always be performed under the guidance of an Ayurveda expert.
- Never expect fast result with the treatment as these are the processes, actual effect may take place later on, depending upon constitution and diseased condition.
- One must follow the diet and lifestyle as per the advice of your Ayurveda expert.