Panchakarma, the five-fold therapy of purification is the unique specialty of Ayurveda. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance. It is the best solution for cleansing or detoxifying the body. Panchakarma treatment can broadly be divided into two parts:
- Purvakarma: Pre-purification Measures (Preliminary Procedures)
- Five Basic Shodanas: Cleansing Methods (Main Procedures)
Purvakarma: Pre-purification Measures
Before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to prepare the body with prescribed methods to encourage it to let go of the toxins. Purvakarma uses preliminary detoxification and toxins neutralizing methods. It involves snehan and svedana methods.
- Snehpana (Internal Oleation)- Snehpana, also known as oleation, is basically an internal intake where the whole body is lubricated by medicated oil or ghee. It is a major preparatory procedure before panchkarma.
- Swedana ( Fomentation)- Therapeutic production of sweat (sweda) by applying variety of measures is known as swedana karma. It produces smoothness and flexibility of our body. The entire procedures of purification depend upon proper mobilization of Doshas from periphery which is achieved by Snehpana and Swedana.
After three to seven days of snehan and svedana, the doshas become well “ripened.” A particular panchakarma method is then given according to the individual’s constitution and disorder, prakruti and vikruti, respectively.
Five Basic Shodanas: Cleansing Methods
Panchakarma treatment includes five ayurvedic therapies:
- Vaman (Medicated Emesis)
- Virechan (Purgation)
- Basti (Enema)
- Nasyam (Nasal Instillation)
- Rakta Mokshana (Detoxification of the blood)
- Vaman (Medicated Emesis): In this procedure patients are orally administered milk or herbal decoction followed by medicine which induces vomiting. This helps in elimination of the toxins thus disposing the poisons from the body. Therapeutic vomiting is used to treat chronic asthma, diabetes, chronic allergies, hay fever, nasal congestion, lymphatic congestion, chronic indigestion, and edema.
- Virechan (Purgation): This procedure includes the elimination of toxic matter from the intestines by administering therapeutic purgation (excretion) or a therapeutic laxative method. It is a medicated purification therapy done for treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions, skin diseases, and other issues associated with excess pitta dosha in the body. Virechanam is an especially effective cure in cases of jaundice and hemorrhoids.
- Basti (Enema): Basti is an ayurvedic therapy through oils or herbal decoctions is administered through anal route. It is having broader therapeutic action on almost all the tissues of body and have rejuventive , curative, preventive, and health promotive actions. It is recommended for diseases like vata vyadhi (neurological disorders), constipation (malavrodh), distended abdomen, amenorrhea,abdominal spasmodic pain,paralysis, backache, gout, arthritis, slip-disc etc.
- Nasyam (Nasal Instillation): Nasyam refers to a procedure where the medicated drugs or oils are administrated through the nostrils to flush out the accumulated toxin. This Ayurvedic therapy is the best for people suffering from diseases that target the head area,. Nasyam is the best remedy for congestion, sinusitis, headaches, migraine, allergies, cervical spondylosis, premature greying of hair, insomnia, stiffness of the neck, and other nasal infections.
- Rakta Moksha (Detoxification of the blood): Raktmokshan is blood purification therapy in which small quantity of blood is removed to neutralize accumulated pitta toxins of many blood borne diseases. It is used to treat skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, pigmentation, and dermatitis etc.
During any step of panchakarma therapy, traditional ayurveda recommends certain lifestyle changes and dietary guidelines. Any panchakarma therapy should be done under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda doctor.
For any ayurvedic treatment or consultation, book your appointment with Dhara Ayurveda. Visit our retreat center, “Arogyadham” at Utthan Foundation situated at the bank of river Ganges in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.