Panchakarma
About Panchakarma
Panchakarma is the ultimate mind-body healing experience for detoxifying the body, strengthening the immune system, and restoring balance and well-being. It is one of the most effective treatment modalities in Ayurvedic Medicine. It promotes purification, Detoxification and Rejuvenation. It can be recommended to almost everybody to eliminate the toxins and prevent diseases, as well as for treating a disease when an individual is experiencing illness. Most of the panchakarma therapies are also a pleasant and relaxing experience for mind and body. All panchakarma therapies require some pre and post therapies (purva karma and paschat karma) and diet regimen. The word Panchakarma means "five therapies". These 5 therapeutic treatments that eliminate toxins from the body are Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti and Raktamokshana.
vamana:
Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy which removes Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance. The procedure takes around 8 to 10 days.
Indications: For Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Allergies, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Hyperacidity, Chronic Indigestion, Nasal Congestion, Edema, Obesity, Psychological disorders, Skin disorders.
virechana:
Virechana is medicated purgation therapy which removes Pitta toxins from the body that are accumulated in the intestines, liver and gallbladder. It completely cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. It is a safe procedure without any side effects. The procedure also takes around 8 to 10 days.
Indications: For Constipation, Hyperacidity, Digestive disorders, jaundice, Chronic headache, migraine, Diabetes, Asthma, Skin disorders such as Herpes, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, eczemas, and Gynecological disorders.
basti:
Basti (Enema) is considered as the mother of all Panchakarma treatments. It cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the 3 doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, through the colon. Basti is also highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment. Medicated oil or ghee and an herbal decoction are given as enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone. This treatment is given as 8, 16 or 30 days course, based on the medical condition of a person
Indications: For Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, Arthritis, Cervical Spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, disc prolapse or degeneration, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic Colitis, Constipation, Digestive disorders, Backache & Sciatica, Hepatomegaly & Splenomegaly, Obesity, Sexual Debility & Infertility.
nasya:
Nasya involves administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region. It can be given up to 30 days depending on the disease.
Indications: For Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bell's Palsy, insomnia, sinusitis, hyper pigmentation in the face, pre-mature graying of hair, clarity of voice, headaches of various origins, loss of smell and taste, frozen shoulder, migraine, stiffness of the neck, nasal allergies, nasal polyp, and neurological dysfunctions. It also improves memory & eye sight.
raktamokshana:
Raktamokshana means 'letting the blood out'. Raktamokshana is an effective blood purification therapy, in which carefully controlled removal of small quantities of blood is conducted to neutralize accumulated Pitta toxins of many blood borne diseases. This is because Raktamokshana decreases the quantum of enhanced Pitta dosha and thus the diseases caused by Pitta are also relieved. There are several ways to letting the blood, but practically removal by syringes and by application of leeches is used as these are the most effective and safe methods.
Leech application:
There near about 600-650 species of leeches found around the world. Out of this variety, only 15-20 are used for treatment purpose. Hirudo ventralis (Indian cattle leech) is used in India for treatment purpose. The size of the leech varies from half inch to eighteen inches. The color of usable leech is greenish brown
Indications: For all pitta diseases, eczemas and other skin diseases, gout, edema, inflammations and abscess, severe pains and stiffness anywhere in the body.
abhyanga / snehana / swedan:
Abhyanga means application and massage of medicated oil all over the body in a specific manner. This is done only by trained masseurs. Different medicated oils are used according to the season, and the constitution of patient. The abhyang is generally followed by swedan i.e. steam bath. It is recommended in Ayurveda as a daily practice of healthy life. Abhyanga improves skin texture and complexion, relaxes the muscles, and reduces fatigue.
Indications: Chronic fatigue, generalized body pain, muscular weakness, dry and lusterless skin, any other vata disorders and as a preparatory process (purva karma) of other panchakarma therapies.
shirodhara:
It's a process of a slow drip of warm medicated oil on the forehead followed by a gentle and relaxing head massage.
Indications: It's the best remedy for stress and anxiety, mental relaxation, premature graying of hair, hair fall, dandruff, shirodhara is also useful in lack of sleep, skin disease of scalp.
netra tarpana:
Netra Tarpana is one of the specialized treatments for various eye disorders. Netra Tarpana acts as both preventive and curative therapy for maintaining normal healthy condition of eyes. Netra means eyes and tarpana Means Nourishment. Netra Tarpana is a procedure wherein lukewarm medicated ghee is made to stay stagnant in the eyes for a speculated time in a specific formed frame.
Indications: Refractive errors, Dry eyes, Conjunctivitis, Watery eyes, Computer vision syndrome, Eye strain, Cataract, Glaucoma, Night blindness, Ptosis