Panchkarma is a sanskrit word which means “five treatments”. These are a group of treatments used either alone or in combinations to clean the body by removing the vitiated doshas from the body.

Panchkarma is a sanskrit word which means “five treatments”. These are a group of treatments used either alone or in combinations to clean the body by removing the vitiated doshas from the body. Doshas are the biological humours of the body which are responsible for the state of health. Imbalance of these doshas is considered as a state of disease. Morbid doshas can be considered as the accumulated metabolic wastes in the body tissues. Normally the body has the ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials.

Factors Affecting State of  Doshas

Adoption of healthy lifestyle and healthy food habits are the important factors which help establish the equilibrium of the doshas. Other factors which influence the doshas are the circadian rhythm, the seasonal variations and the mental or spiritual state of the individual. Moreover, repeated dietary indiscretions, poor exercise patterns, lifestyle and genetic predisposition also influence and regulate the body's homeostasis. Disturbance in any of the above mentioned factors can lead to the accumulation of doshas.

Ama And Its Effect on Doshas

Another important factor that warrants attention of the physician is Ama. Ama is the incompletely digested and assimilated part of the food. It has the ability to disturb the normal functions of the doshas. When any of the doshas become inflicted with ama, their normal flow pattern is disturbed and the doshas tend to stay at different places in the body depending upon the suitable site.

Panchkarma Treatment of Doshas Accumulated  Inside Body

Panchkarma treatment help to remove the excess doshas and correct imbalances in them as well as eliminate the ama out of system through the body's own organs and channels like oral route, anal route and sweat glands. Panchkarma treatment purifies at the deeper levels of the tissues. This capability of the Panchkarma treatment is the key factor curing the deep seated and the chronic diseases.

Human body is naturally programmed to stay healthy. Panchkarma treatment is designed to maintain this state of health and re-establish the state of health in case of diseases. In state of health, resorting to recommended seasonal Panchkarma treatment helps to maintain the state of health. So it needs to be emphasized that these treatments are not only for diseased people rather they should be primarily considered for the healthy individuals.

Panchkarma therapies depend on the ayurvedic constitutional type i.e natural predominance of dosha, doshic imbalance, age, digestive strength, food habits, lifestyle  and immune status.

Restoration of Health By Panchkarma

The therapy must always begin with consultation by a qualified Ayurvedic Physician who can determine the individual's constitutional type, the nature of the health problem if any and the appropriate therapy. Healthy individuals should also consult Panchkarma specialist for panchkarma therapies to prevent seasonal diseases.

As the present society is busy, stressful and the diet is packed with various types of toxins, so the altered physical and mental systems accumulate toxins on  causing deterioration in the functioning of body. This ultimately weakens our system and thus opens the door for chronic, degenerative and non-specific diseases. Panchkarma can help by reversing these negative effects of daily living by clearing the micro channels of the body. This ensures supply of nutrients and removal of metabolic wastes. Panchkarma helps to restore natural state of health and wellness by cleansing of toxins, bringing balance of doshas and improving bodily function.

The five primary treatment methods included in Panchkarma are Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasya and Raktamokshana. These treatments cannot be performed directly. It is desired to prepare the body of the individual by three preliminary methods.  include deepana-pachana, snehana and swedana.

DEEPANA/PAACHANA

(Appetisers/ Digestives)

The foremost method to be used before Vamana and Virechana. Giving deepana  and paachana drugs help in digestion of ama.

SNEHANA

It implies administration of titrated dose of medicated  ghrita for a specific period. Snehana brings about certain changes in the doshas and the micro channels of the body which facilitate removal of doshas.

SWEDANA

Inducing sweating is called as Swedana. Application of swedana after snehana further modifies the doshas and also causes digestion of ama thereby helping in the removal of the vitiated doshas.

VAMANA (Therapeutic Emesis)

Vamana is a pradhana karma or a procedure of Panchkarma therapy. In this method, morbid vitiated doshas are expelled out from the body through the oral route. It is recommended for expelling mainly the kapha dosha from the body and is therefore specific therapy for kaphaja disorders. Vamana chikitsa is indicated mainly in the following diseased conditions such as nasal discharge, skin diseases, bronchial diseases etc.

VIRECHANA (Therapeutic Purgation)

It is second pradhana karma indicated under Panchkarma Therapy. Virechana means to expel out the doshas through the anal passage. It is the most suitable treatment method for removal of vitiated pitta dosha from the body and is therefore treatment of choice in pittaj diseases. It is indicated in diabetes mellitus,  jaundice, paralysis, bronchial asthma etc.

VASTI (Therapeutic Enema)

Vasti is the next pradhana karma included under Panchkarma Therapy. Administration of drugs through the anal route is called as Vasti. It is considered as the most important and effective treatment method among the purificatory treatments for the regulation of vitiated Vata dosha. It is mainstay of treatment in various vataj diseases. Along with its purificatory actions, Vasti also offers nourishing and replenishing properties depending upon the selection of the drugs used in the treatment.

NASYA (Drug Administration Through Nostrils)

Nasya is a term used for medicines or medicated oil administered through the nasal passage. It is considered as the best and most specific procedure for disease of the head. Like vasti, nasya offers dosha pacifying and nourishing properties.

Raktamokshana (Blood Letting)

Raktamokshana aims to eliminate impure blood as a therapeutic measure. Various different methods are used for raktmokshna, which include use of leeches, venepuncture, multiple incisions and cupping with cow's horn and Lagenaria siceraria. It is mainly indicated in skin and scalp diseases.

Recommended procedures of Panchkarma according to the months.

Doshas are the biological humours of the body which are responsible for the state of health.

Panchkarma is designed to maintain the healthy state of body and to reestablish the state of health in case of diseases.

Vasti is considered as the most important and effective treatment method among the purificatory treatments for the regulation of vitiated Vata dosha.

Raktamokshana is mainly indicated in skin & scalp diseases. It aims to eliminate impure blood as a therapeutic measure.

The above mentioned benefits signify that Panchkarma therapies are preventive and curative mode of treatment.

 Panchkarma For Chronic Diseases

1.            Acne

2.            Obesity

3.            Eczema

4.            Psoriasis

5.            Alopecia

6.            Paralysis

7.            Backache

8.            Facial Palsy

9.            Leukoderma

10.          Ulcerative colitis

11.          Irritable Bowel Syndrome

12.          Gastritis/ Peptic Ulcer Disease

13.          Sciatica

14.          Sinusitis

15.          Migraine

16.          Hypertension

17.          Osteoarthritis

18.          Radiculopathies

19.          Frozen Shoulder

20.          Diabetes Mellitus

21.          Cervical Spondylitis

22.          Rheumatoid arthritis

23.          Ankylosing Spondylitis

24.          Depression and Anxiety

Benefits of Panchkarma Therapies

According to classical Ayurvedic Texts, following benefits are achieved by adoption of timely and seasonal Panchkarma treatments.

Panchkarma for Chronic Diseases

1.            The vitiated doshas are eliminated from the body through the alimentary tract.

2.            Enhancement of digestion and metabolism.

3.            State of health is established.

4.            Complete cure of chronic diseases.

6.            Relaxation of mind.

7.            Clear complexion.

8.            Improvement in physical strength.

9.            Fertility.

10.          Virility.

11.          Delay of aging.

12.          Long and disease free life.

Panchkarma

Treatment                          Months

Vamana                               March, April      

Virechana                            March, April, September,October and November

Vasti                                      July, August

Nasya                                    Any Season

Raktamokshna                  March, April, September,October and November