Panchakarma Treatment

(Purification and detoxification treatment)

As the name suggests it consists of five body purification therapies collectively known as Panchakarma. They are cleansing as well as therapeutic procedures. Panchakarma is an essential part of Ayurveda. It eliminates vitiated doshas and toxins from the body.

Why Panchakarma?

It eradicates roots of the disease that is disease causing toxins and helps in balancing doshas in body. Imbalance of doshas causes disease, if doshas are vitiated beyond a particular level; they give rise to various endotoxins, which have a tendency to be accumulated in minute channels (shrotus). These are beyond the level of pacification and hence need to be eliminated or removed from the body. In short we can say
AYURVEDA – PANCHAKARMA = 0

Panchakarma is not only good for alleviating disease but also useful in maintaining harmony of tridosha, saptadhatu, and malas for good health. Ayurveda advises seasonal body cleansing (Panchakarma) to combat seasonal diseases and keep body toxin free which improves digestion and metabolism..

All Panchakarmas have indication and contraindications, it should be performed under experienced and qualified ayurvedic doctors only.

Five therapies are-

Vamana - Induced Vomiting
Virechana - Induced Purgation
Nasya - Nasal Medicine
Basti - Medicated enema
Rakta mokshana - Bloodletting through needle or leaches (Jalouka)

Like surgery Panchakarma procedures includes three parts Poorvakarma, Pradhan Karma, Paschat Karma

(A) Poorvakarma – (Preparation for main treatment) Before actual procedure body need to be prepared it includes

• Pachan (Digestion) - This is acquired by some medicine and specific rules.

• Snehan (Internal and external oleation)- Internally medicated ghee or oils are given which helps to move toxins towards gastro-intestinal tract. External massage and oleation makes the skin and tissues soft and supple.

• Swedan (Fomentation) - It is a sweating done herbal decoctions followed by Snehan which helps to open pores of skin and to move toxins towards gastro-intestinal tract.

(B) Pradhan Karma (Main procedures) – Vaman, Virechan, Nasya, Basti, Raktamokshan whatever is indicated for a particular disease.

(C) Paschat Karma – ( Post therapeutic measures)

This includes sansarjan karma (specific dietetics), Dhumapana (smoking of medicinal cigar), and some rules to follow specific activities, specific day and night regimen

1. Vaman- Therapeutic vomiting or emesis
This therapy is used to remove vitiated doshas and toxins from upper part of the body through upper orifice that is mouth. It is most effective treatment in diseases of kapha.
For seasonal cleaning - it is recommended in Vasant Ritu (Spring after winter Season)
Diseases – Kapha, Kapha-pitta disorders, nasal problem, sinusitis, Chronic cold and cough, asthma, mental problems skin problems, some digestive problems, rheumatoid arthritis, some kidney disorders, obesity, infertility and many more diseases. It should be performed strictly under supervision of expert doctor.

2. Virechan Karma - Purgation Therapy
It is an induced Purgation Therapy This therapy is used to remove vitiated doshas and toxins from lower part of the body through lower orifice that is anus It is most effective treatment in diseases of Pitta.
For seasonal cleaning - it is recommended in Sharad Ritu (After rainy Season)
Diseases - Pitta ,Pitta-kapha disorders, skin diseases, liver and gall bladder problems, Digestive problem, blood related problems, gout, obesity, hyperlipidemia, inflammatory diseases, reproductory system related problems, arthritis and many more diseases.

3. Basti (Medicated Enema)

In this treatment various herbal decoctions with medicine powders, honey, medicated oils or ghee are administrated through rectal route. The main three types of basti are -

Niruha Basti - Decoction enema mixed with salt, honey, ghee etc. is administrated

Anuvasan - is also known as sneh basti in which medicated oil, ghee, etc are administrated

Uttarbasti - Administrated through urethral route, and in females it also administrated through vagina.

In Ayurveda basti treatment is also known as ardha chikitsa (half part of the treatment). Lot of emphasis is given on this treatment. This therapy is used for body cleansing procedure as well as it has therapeutic value. This treatment is effective in vata diseases.
For seasonal cleaning - it is recomanded in Varsha ritu (rainy season).

Diseases - All types of Vata diseases, neurological diseases, arthritis, sciatica, constipation, PCOD, infertility, worm infestation, Emaciation, Muscular atrophy, slip disc, diseases of vertebra etc.

4. Nasya Karma (Nasal medicine)
In this treatment medicines (Herbal decoction, juice of herbs, medicated oil) are administrated through nostrils. As per ayurvedic texts nasal route is considered as gate way of brain. Again it is of two types shodhan (cleaning) , and therapeutic . - It eliminates increased doshas of head.
Diseases- It works on kapha, vatta doshas, diseases of head and neck, ENT problems, sinusitis, hair problems, etc.

5. Rakta Mokshan - (Blood Letting)
Removal of vitiated blood from the body is known as Raktamokshan. This can be done either through the prominent superficial veins with the help of simple needle or with leeches(Jalokavacharan), or with the help of empty dried bottle gourd (Alabu). Like basti treatment has importance in kaya chikitsa (Medicine branch) Raktamokshan or Blood letting has great importance in shalya chikitsa (Surgery branch), it is considered as half part of the treatment.
As per Ayurveda text number of diseases which are otherwise incurable can easily & effectively be cured only by Raktamokshan alone.
For seasonal shodhan - it is recomanded in Sharad ritu (after rainy season).
Diseases- It is an effective treatment for vitiated pitta dosha. Also indicated in skin disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis inflammatory conditions, sciatica, gout, chronic headache, etc.

6. Agnikarma – Medical Cauterization

According to Ayurveda, Agnikarmaia a superior para surgical procedure. Agnikarma means the application of Agni or heat directly or indirectly to the affected part of the body, with the help of different materials to give relief to the patient from disease.

Agnikarma holds a special place in surgery by Sushruta as it is believed that a disease once treated by Agnikarma does get infected or relapse easily. Even today in the modern medical science, the principles of Agnikarma have been adopted with advanced technology like radiation therapy, cauterization for haemostasis,excision of unwanted growth etc.

Materials used for Agnikarma-

Ayurveda suggests different kinds of material for Agnikarmawhich depends upon disease status, requirement of latent heat, diseased part of the body (superficial like skin or deep tissue like muscle or bone). Materials can be used are piper longum, feces of goat, teeth of cow, metal probes, arrow, wiks, stones, iron, gold, copper, bronze, honey, jiggery, ghrit(clarified butter), oil, bee wax etc.

Now a days Panchadhatushalakamade up of five metals- copper, bronze, brass,lead and tin, is in use due to easy handling and availiblity.

Diseases or conditions treated with Agnikarma-

- Painful conditions of bones and joints
- Joint stiffness
- Osteoarthritis
- Tennis elbow
- Calcaneal Spur
- Planter fasciitis
- Sciatica
- Vata and Kaphaheadches
- Low Backche
- Removal of warts and corns.

Some other procedures-

These treatments are categorized in Ayurveda as external snehana (using oil) or external oil application (oleation) to treat ailments.

Shirodhara - This is a great rejuvenating and relaxing therapy. In this gently liquid is poured over forehead. The type of liquid depends upon the disease to be treated, it may be medicated oil, ghee, milk, buttermilk, coconut water, decoction of herbs,etc. Diseases - Stress, fatigue, anxiety, hypertension, vataj headache, psychosomatic diseases, insomnia, memory loss, greying of hair, neurological disorder, etc.

Shirovasti : Shiro means head and vasti means container that holding liquids like medicated oil or ghee. So shirovasti means holding oil on head for a specific period of time with use of cap fitted on the head.
Diseases- Insomnia, anxiety, depression, stress, brain related hormonal imbalances, bells palsy, fascial wrinkles, etc.

Shiropichu : In this treatment cottan pad or gauze soaked in medicated oil or ghee is placed on the head or Brahmrandra. The oil is recycled periodically to keep it warm.
Diseases- Hair problems, dandruff, Premature graying of hairs, stress, anxiety, cervical spondylitis, some back pain, some eye problems, neurological problems, facial paralysis, etc.

Talapothichil : A special paste of different herbal powders is applied to the head, after that it is covered with recommended leaves and with the cloth. Before and after the process as light massage is given to the head with medicated oil. A hole is made at the centre of the paste and medicated oil is poured and held in it for some time.
Diseases- Hair problems, loss of hair, premature graying of hairs, dandruff, diseases of scalp, epilepsy, some mental problems etc.

Ayurvedic Massage- This is a time tested, world renowned therapy.
This is a special method of herbal medicated oil massage specially to suit the requirement that is patient’s complaints, body constitution, age, etc. It is very relaxing and rejuvenating.
It improves blood circulation, removes toxins and repair worn out tissues.
It removes bodyches and pains
It relieves stress, strain, fatigue and promotes sound sleep.
It nourishes skin, texture, complexion, and glow.
It revitalises the nervous system and regain the vigour and vitality.

Pizhichil
Pizhichil is a type of sarvangdhara. Sarvang means whole body and dhara means stream. Thus it refers to pouring a stream of oil on whole body.
It is mild and coordinated massage, which is done with constantly flowing warm, medicated herbal oil.
It is recommended for extremely high Vata dosha, muscular aches and pains, oesteo arthritis, insomnia, depression etc.
It tones and rejuvenates the skin, promotes relaxation, blood circulation, nourishes muscles, nerve tissues.

Navarakizhi
Nhavarakizhi is a treatment using medicated milk-porridge (medicinal rice called navara) made into a bundle (kizhi). The kizhi is dipped in a mixture of milk and medicinal decoction and is applied all over the body. This is a rejuvenating, nourishing and restorative treatment that will reduce emaciation of the muscles and will build a better immune system. It improves the luster and texture of the skin. It is very effective in convalescence period of injury and trauma, muscular wasting, arthritis, general weakness, paralysis, pains related to the joints and sore muscles etc.

Pottali Massage
Fresh leaves are fried with several beneficial herbal ingredients and tied into cloth, dipped into warm medicated oil and used for massaging the body.
It is effective in chronic back pain, joint stiffness, sciatica, spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular pain etc.

Udwartan
Dry massage treatment using herbal powders. It is effective against obesity and body stiffness.

Localized Vasti-
Method of treatment is by retaining lukewarm herbal medicated oils or ghee by special arrangements with the help of gadgets or lepas.

Kati Vasti- For lumber spondylitis, low back pain, sciatica, intervertebral disc prolapse etc.

Greeva vasti- Cervical spondylitis, chronic pain in neck etc.

Janu Vasti- Pain and stiffness of knee joints, osteo-arthritis etc.

Hrud Vasti- Vata dosha in chest, nourishes and strengthens chest and cardiac muscles, helps in regulating cardiac functions, coronary artery blockage.

Netra Tarpan- Netra in Sanskrit means eyes and Tarpan refers to nourishment or rehydration process. So accumulatively the term means nourishment of eyes. It is very effective in dry eyes, scratching and burning sensation of eyes, redness of eyes and irritation, pain in the eyes, vision impairment, sensitivity to light, blurring vision, conjunctivitis, night blindness, myopia, etc.

Swedana (Medicated fomentation)
Swedana is of two types wet or dry, mild or strong, and produced with or without the aid of fire. For example exercise is a form of swedana which does not involve fire. Wet Swedana is the process of inducing sweating with the help of steam generated from medicated decoction. Dry swedana involves hot fomentation by hot bed , hot bag , hot sand bag, application of hot leaves, or hot paste of herbs on particular area etc. Depending on the case, swedana may involve the whole body or specific part of the body.

Benefits-

It improves blood circulation thus reducing inflammation. Detoxification- It cleanses and beautifies skin. Opening of skin pores stimulate sweating allowing the emission of toxins and other impurities through the skin.
Effective in stress relief. Eases sore muscles

Mukha lepa- (Face Pack)

The herbal paste which is applied on face is known as mukha lepa. Face packs are one of the oldest and beautiful methods of cleansing skin.
There are various kinds of face packs described in Ayurveda which have nourishing, healing, cleaning, astringent and antiseptic properties.
Face packs are mentioned in Ayurveda help to get rid of wrinkles, dark circles, pimples, acne, pigmentation etc.
By choosing according to skin type, season maximum benefits of herbal face packs can be derived.