Panchakarma

This therapy employs administration of medicated oils either internally or externally. There are various types of external application of the medicated oils, depending on the parts of the body involved and type of the massage performed. The external application of oil is called abhyanga or ayurvedic massage. Whole body massage with specific Ayurvedic oils to nourish and revitalize the body tissues (dhatus) and to allow the toxins to be removed from the cells. Abhyanga not only loosens the toxins but helps in achieving deepest healing effects by naturally harmonizing the body – mind and spirit. It is carried out in silence, which helps to harmonise various functions of the body. Silence and rest are two important components in the process of activating the body’s own self-healing mechanisms. This massage is performed symmetrically with synchronized movements by the help of two well-trained panchakarma therapists and is usually followed by a medicated steam bath (swedana). It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda. Benefits: Increases tissue strength, improves blood circulation, rejuvenates the whole body, removes cellulite, beautifies the skin, delays aging, induces sound sleep, promotes vitality, pacifies vata imbalance, reduces stress and removes toxins.

Swedan (Herbal Fomentation) – This refers to the remedy that involves application of heat in various ways to make the patient sweat. It is the second major form of the preparatory procedures. Among 13 types of swedan, nadi sweda and vashpa sweda are used as panchakarma preparatory procedures. The vapors dilate and soften the channels of the body allowing the impurities to move out. Herbal steam specific to the ailment or vitiated dosha is administered which opens the pores, dislodges the toxic materials, making them subtler and flushes the system. In addition to this it reduces the body’s stiffness. Benefits: Reduces pain in the body, eliminates toxins, promotes lightness, reduces stiffness, beautifies the skin, removes cellulite.

Anuvasana basti is primarily oil based and is meant to be building and nourishing. It is a cleansing as well as nourishing enema.

Basti is the mildest and safest detoxification therapy recommended for a wide variety of illnesses and considered one of the most important aspects of treatment. According to Maharshi Charak it is 50% of all the therapies. It cleanses the accumulated toxins from the colon and is treatment of choice for the diseases caused by imbalance of vata. Vata is the most active principle in pathogenesis. Balancing vata may treat the root cause of most of the diseases. It improves the absorption, stabilizes vata and is highly beneficial as a rejuvenating and treatment also. Medicated oil or ghee and an herbal decoction are given as enema to clean the colon and increase muscle tone.

Niruha basti, which is primarily a decoction predominant enema where various kinds of herbal decoctions are used for the treatments. The main purpose of nirhua basti is purification. specially prepared decoctions are used for this purpose.

Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy, which specially cleans kapha toxins collected in the body and decongests the respiratory tract. In preparing for vamana, one sets up the conditions in which it can occur spontaneously. Various Ayurvedic decoctions are used for inducing vomiting. Whole procedure is performed cautiously under the supervision of physician with proper care.

Administration of medicated oil through the nose is called Nasya. Nasya is particularly useful in the treatment of diseases occurring in the organs situated above the clavicle. It cleanses accumulated kapha toxins from the head and neck region and promotes the functions of the sensory and motor organs above the clavicle. Nasya is said to stimulate the base of the brain through its effect on the olfactory nerve endings bringing greater clarity and balance to the mind, brain and senses. It specifically provides strength to the head, nose and neck. Indirectly it works on the whole body by improving the functioning of the endocrine glands. It prevents premature wrinkling, graying and falling of the hair.

It removes accumulated pitta toxins from the liver, gall bladder and small intestine and cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. In this procedure herbal preparations are administered orally to increase bowel movements for bringing toxins out from the body with defecation. A person undergoing virechana may have many bowel movements depending upon the nature of koshtha and toxins. It is a safe procedure and effect is obvious.

In Ayurveda diet has been given extreme importance and dietary consideration is an important component of every prescription. After panchakarma, special dietary advice is given to the patient to increase the strength of digestive fire through lighter diet and gradually bringing the patient to his normal diet.

A regulated lifestyle also plays an important role in getting the maximum benefits of panchakarma treatment and
the person has to follow a prescribed dietary and lifestyle regimen which is suitable to their constitution.