What
is Panchakarma ?
As
the name suggests, Pancha in Sanskrit stands for Five and Karma are
therapeutic measures thereby meaning five types of therapeutic measures.
These are undertaken for the purification of the body and Ayurveda
considers it necessary before the start of any other therapy. The
logic being -as a cloth needs to be purified or cleaned of impurities
and dust before it can be imparted a new color. Similarly the Body
needs to be purified before it can be imparted new colors of youthfulness,
health and vigor etc. In fact, most of the times, Panchakarma is an
end in itself rather than a prelude to other therapeutic measures.
The
Panchakarma therapy of Ayurveda comprises of five basic types of advanced
treatment for evacuation of vitiated Dosha (toxic materials) from
the body. One can consider this as a cleansing program of toxins from
the body. There are so many subtypes of this therapy and different
types of herbal massages, fomentation's like steam, external oil treatments,
Basti (medicated enemas), Virechana (purgation through herbs), Vamana
(emesis through herbs), Nasya (nasal administration of oils) etc.
are incorporated. These practices are extremely helpful in relieving
deep seated diseases as well as it is also beneficial for maintaining
and improving physical and mental health.
Purvakarma:
Pre-purification Measures for Panchakarma
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. The two procedures are Snehana and Swedana.
Snehana
(Abhyangam) is the oil massage. Oil is applied to the entire body
with a particular type of massage which helps the toxins to move towards
the gastro-intestinal tract. Oil massage also makes the superficial
and deep tissues soft and supple, thus helping to remove stress and
to nourish the nervous system. Snehana is given daily for three to
seven days, as indicated.
Swedana
is sudation or sweating and is given every day immediately following
the Snehana. An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further
loosen the toxins from the individual. Swedana liquefies the toxins
and increases the movement of toxins into the gastro-intestinal tract.
Pradhanakarma:
Main Purification measures of Panchakarma
Vamana:
Emesis Therapy
When
there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis,
colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting,
Vamana, to eliminate the Kapha causing the excess mucus
Virechana:
Purgation Therapy
When
excess bile, Pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder,
liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation,
acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice.
Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration
of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative.
Nasya:
Nasal Administration
The
nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness.
The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An excess
of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas
is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.
Basti:
Enema Therapy
Vata's
predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic Basti involves the introduction
into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal
preparations in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment
of Vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of
time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic
fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache,
sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other Vata disorders
such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may
also be treated with Basti. Basti therapy is divided in two main types,
i.e. Anuvasana Basti or medicated oil enemas and Niruha Basti or medicated
enema of decoctions and medicated oils.
Other
miscellaneous therapies of Panchakarma:
Shirodhara:
It is recommended in anxiety, depression, hypertension, insomnia etc.
Kati
Basti: Useful in different backaches.
Janu
Basti: Useful in arthritis of knee joint.
Nadi
Sweda: Useful in pain disorders of different sites.
Pinda
Sweda: Useful in neurological ailments and in the management
of different pains.
Shashti-Shali
Pindasweda: Useful in neurological ailments.
Tarpanam:
Useful in the ailments of eyes.
Shirobasti:
Useful in hair fall and other diseases of skull.
Uttara
Basti: Useful in genitourinary diseases and infertility
of female.
Udvartana:
It is a medicated Ubtan to be applied over the skin for fair and glowing
skin.
