Panchakarma is the group of five fold treatments, all of
which are not commonly practised in all diseases. The panchakarma
therapies include vamana, virechana, vasti ,nasya and raktamokshana.
Vamana is emesis, virechana is purging, vasti is enema, which of two
kinds done with medica and medicated decoctions and is called
snehavasti and kashayavasti respectively, Nasya is instillation of
medicines through nose, and raktamokshana is blood-letting. All the
panchakarma procedures are to be performed under the supervision of an
experienced qualified physician only.
Objectives of Panchakarma:
To loosen the toxins
To eliminate the vitiated elements that are the cause for the disease.
1. Vamana - Use of Emetics
This therapy is mainly used in cases of chronic
disorders due to Kapha dosha. It involves induced and controlled
vomiting with the help of medicines. Vamana should not be given to the
very young or the very old or during pregnancy.
2. Virechana - Use of laxatives
This therapy is mainly used in cases of chronic
disorders due to Pitta dosha. It involves induced and controlled
purgation with the help of medicines. Virechana should not be given to
the very young or the very old or during pregnancy.
3. Vasti - Medicated Enema
Involves administering medicines through orifice.
The medicines used can be decoctions, pure / formulats,
milk etc. It is used to cure arthritis, backache etc.
4. Nasya - Nasal administration of medication
Nasya is administered through the nose. Medicated
powders, decoctions or oil drops are introduced into the nasal
passages. They remove residual doshas and toxins from the head and neck
area especially the areas above the collar bone . Nasya is used in cases
of migraine, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headaches, eye disorders etc.
5. Rakta Mokshana - Blood letting
Is done either with the help of venesection, or
using leeches. It is mainly used to cure gout, skin and blood disorders
(pigmentation), elephantiasis, alopecia.
Purvakarma: Pre-purification Measures
Before the actual operation of purification
begins, there is a need to prepare the body in prescribed methods to
encourage the body to let go of the toxins. After taking care of the
deepana pachana ,the two procedures are 'snehana' and 'swedana '.
Snehana is the oleation therapy. Oil is applied to the entire body with a
particular type of massage- ie the external oleation . Oil massage also
makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple. Snehapana the
internal oleation- is given daily for three to seven days, as
indicated. Swedana is sudation or sweating and is given following the
snehana . An herbal concoction is added to the steam to further loosen
the toxins from the individual. Swedana liquefies the toxins . After
three to seven days of snehana and swedana , the doshas become well
"ripened". A particular panchakarma method is then given according to
the individual's constitution and disorder, age, season, prakruti and
vikruti etc . Properly graded diet and rest are also of great importance
while undergoing therapies.
Paschat karma- post purification measures
After eliminating the toxins by using one / more
Panchakarma process, special diet regimen and life style is advised like
Laghu Ahara means intake the particular food which get digested easily
and slowly; gradually the person is put on regular diet. This process
takes time equal to the time taken in Panchakarma procedures.
