Panchakarma
Treatment
Panchkarma Treatments
Ayurveda has rightly emphasized that health is not only the state of not having disease but, it is the state of normalcy of Dosha, Dhatu, Agni and Malakriya. It also includes the Prasanna Atma (soul), Indriya (sense organs) and Manas (mind).
Three doshas of the body, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which broadly represent the nervous system, the metabolic system, and the nutritive system, keep the human body in balance. Whenever the delicate balance between these doshas is disturbed, a disease may be manifested. The main objective of the Ayurvedic system of treatment is to restore the original state of equilibrium between the doshas. To achieve the same Ayurveda has advocated certain regimens and treatment modalities such as Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Vega Adharana, Rasayana–Vajikarana and Panchakarma.
Panchakarma is a method of cleansing the body of all the unwanted waste after lubricating it. Panchakarma are 5 (five) in number; hence the term PANCHA (five) – KARMA (procedures). Panchakarma treatment is unique in the sense that it includes preventive, curative, and promotive actions for various diseases.
Main procedures of Panchakarma
- Vamana (Therapeutic emesis) – induced vomiting helps clear the upper gastro intestinal tract upto the duodenum (end of stomach) and part of the respiratory tract especially in kapha Dominant conditions.
- Virechana (Purgation) – induced purgation clears the lower gastro- Intestinal Tract from the duodenum (end of stomach) till the exit and especially in Pitta Dominant conditions.
- Vasti (Enema using medicated oil/Decoction/Milk/Buttermilk/Ghee) – enema Cleanses the area of large intestine where the accumulation of toxins causes more than 80% of non-communicable disorders especially in Vata Dominant conditions.
- Nasyam – Nasal instillation of medicated substances helps clear the toxins from head, neck, and related system and organs for head and neck including ear, eye, thyroid etc.
- Raktmokshan (Therapeutic withdrawal of Blood) – the withdrawal of affected blood by vein puncture, abrasions, using Leech, and applying cupping.
Pre-operative procedures of Panchakarma -
one in not advised to give or take panchakarma therapies without these pre-operatives as the results shall not be satisfactory and the toxins will nit get out of Body.
Nidana Parivarjan (abstaining the food and life schedules which causes accumulation of toxins in body)
Deepana and Pachana (correcting the digestive system by quick methods)
Snehana (using medicated oil/ ghee on body for massage or taking internally as required for the disease)
Swedana- (taking hot fomentation of body or affected organ by steam/ medicated bolus/ dry methods or taking hot water internally as required for the disease)
How many types of panchakarma therapies are known now days.
Does every patient need all of therapies?
No, the authentic panchakarma specialist always determines the nature and status of patient body, disease, environmental conditions than he/she decides, what therapies will be beneficial for the patient. Afterwards he/ she will decide the medicine (formulates oil/ ghee/ decoction etc) and the frequency of therapies and the duration of each therapy. In ayurveda, all patients with same medical conditions may not be treated in same manner as there may be great difference between the body nature and the causative factors.
Most of the times, doctor advised 2 to 8 therapies to patients after considering the ayurvedic protocol. Selecting therapy only is not the key to success.
How many sittings of each therapy will be enough for me?
This question can be answered by doctor and after thorough examination of patient and the disease.
Are there any contraindications of panchakarma therapies?
Yes, each therapy has indications and contraindications, neglecting them may alleviate the diseases or may produce other complaints.
Are there any side effects of panchakarma?
If done by unprofessional, uneducated person there may also be life threatening conditions. If done under professional and registered ayurveda doctors (BAMS or MD Ayurveda), you will feel very well as they shall bound to the protocol.
By not obeying the directions of doctor, you may also cause harm to yourself.