Panchakarma
Ostensibly the most eminent branch of Ayurveda is Panchakarma. The name Panchakarma literally means "Five Actions" which is well-suited given the fact that this technique relies upon five distinctive basic activities that control the body and Mind .In other words, Panchakarma healing technique is a pillar on which majority of Ayurvedic techniques stand.
The scope of Panchakarma treatments are well known for its preventive, curative and rejuvenation action. Ayurveda classics have mentioned multidimensional actions like, it removes toxins out of the body, helps in treating the disease conditions, improves metabolism, nourishes the body and if taken regularly in a proper way it helps to increase the lifespan of an individual.
Panchakarma detoxification treatments are
- Vamana Karma: Therapeutically induced vomiting
- Virechana Karma: Therapeutically induced purgation
- Basti karma: Medicated enemas which includes decoction and oil enema
- Nasya Karma: Administration of medicine through nasal drops
- Raktha Mokshana: technique of bloodletting
- Panchakarma treatments will be planned in 3 phases
Pre-Panchakarma:
- Examining and understanding an individual’s body constitution & the condition
- Counseling
- Correction of the digestive fire
- Planning the diet and lifestyle supportive for the treatment
- Snehana i.e. oleation and Svedana i.e, fomentation
Panchakarma the Main phase
- It is an important phase & it has to be done under the supervision of physician only.
- As planned earlier, in this phase medicine to induce vomiting or purgation will be administered. Also medicated enema will be administered depending on the condition. Specific Pre-Panchakarma procedures will be planned to make this phase more beneficial.
- These Panchakarma treatments are not merely a digestive tract cleansing therapies. It helps to remove the toxins from cellular level
Post-Panchakarma Phase
- In this phase patient will be observed for the symptoms related to the completion of detoxification.
- Based on the level & intensity of detoxification suitable diet will be advised.
- Diet starts with liquids like rice gruel and gradually it will be changed to semi-solid and then to normal diet. This phase is as important as main phase.
- In order to plan the Panchakarma treatments Physician may require some of the blood investigations based on which specific Panchakarma and diet will be planned.
Vamana
- It is a therapeutic emesis technique to cleanse excess Kapha Dosha accumulated in the body and the respiratory tract which causes repeated bronchitis, colds, cough or Asthma
Virechana
- It is a medicated purification therapy done for treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions, skin diseases and other issues associated with excess Pitta Dosha in the body.
Basti (Oil and Decoction Enema)
- It involves the administration of medicated oils/herbal decoctions through rectum. Basti is often called as the mother of all Panchakarma treatments since it flushes out the toxins from all the 3 doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, through the colon.
Nasya
- It involves the administration of medicated oils through the nose to flush out the accumulated toxins from the head and neck areas.
Rakta Mokshana
- Vitiated (impure) blood is considered as one of the important cause of disease in Ayurveda and therefore Rakta mokshana is the technique of bloodletting.
