What's Panchakarma Treatment? Health Benefits of Panchakarma.

Exactly what does Panchakarma mean?

Panchakarma - The Ultimate Five Healing Solutions for achieving balance in body, mind, & soul - As the name suggests, five types of activities or treatments including Vamana, Virechan, Vasti, Nasya, and Raktamokshana are followed in this therapy. 

Actually, it is just a purification and rejuvenation procedures targeted at the cleansing of your body. Ayurveda says that purification of the body is necessary before taking almost any treatment.

There is absolutely no solution designed for cleansing the body and/or mind in any other medical system throughout the world and this is only one reason that Ayurveda experts believe that Panchakarma treatment is a strong pillar of Ayurvedic system of medicine. This process is an integral combination of Ayurveda and Yoga. By using these five methods, blood toxins are taken out your body's closest orifices.

If you talk about the basic aspects of Panchkarma therapy then it is important to talk about two types of process. The foremost is Palliation therapy. The primary goal of palliative treatment is to burn off or melt away the toxic substances (Ama) after stimulating the digestive fire known as Agni in Ayurvedic set up of treatment.

Along with other is known as Purification therapy which is employed to eliminate vitiated humour. In Ayurveda, it is regarded as Shodhana therapy. It is a sophisticated purification methodology of the body to take care of different kind of diseases and increase longevity.

Therefore, without doubt, we may contemplate it a gift or a boon of Ayurveda which was developed thousands of years back and now its refined form is used.

Panchakarma therapy always should be taken under the guidance of the Ayurveda and Panchkarma expert. If it is attempted in an incorrect way, some serious side effects can happen. As a precaution, Panchakarma therapies should not be taken during pregnancy period, fever, and after injuries. Always make an appointment with Panchakarma specialist before implementing these procedures so that he can make a decision according to your health states.

Five procedures are being used in Panchakarma therapy which is divided into these steps

Vamana - 

It is recognized as medicine induced emesis which is the first step of Panchakarma therapy. In this particular form of therapy, an internal and external oleation and fomentation are required for a couple of days to bringing in liquid form of the toxins and gathering in upper cavities of the body. After that, the patient is given emetic medicine to induce vomiting. For this function, Madanaphala (Randia dumetorum) is used in this therapy. It helps to eliminate systemic toxins. It is especially recommended for kapha-dominated disorders like weight problem, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, acidity, epilepsy, hypersomnia, goitre etc.

Virechana - 

Additionally, it is called medicine induced purgation. In such a  form of the method, intestines are cleansed by giving herbal laxative or purgative to the patient. 

This process is adopted for putting off systemic toxins after giving internal and external oleation and fomentation therapies to the patient. Nisoth (Operculina turpethum) is given as a laxative medicine for this function.

Virechana is used to dispel pitta-dominated conditions like  jaundice, constipation, colitis, dyspepsia, gastritis, dysphagia, gastric ulcer, piles, splenomegaly, anal fistula, celiac disease, polydipsia, herpes zoster, eczema, dermatitis, pimples, burning sensation, urticaria, pemphigus, liver enlargement, vitiligo, psoriasis, helminthic disease, etc.

Vasti (Medicated enema) - 

It is a form of medicated enema in which herbal oil, decoction, ghee, or milk are used through the rectum. It is used mainly for vata-dominated chronic diseases like constipation, hemorrhoids, joint pain, gout, and sciatica. Apart from this, it is administered for other various health issues like cervical-spondylosis, anuria, arthritis, calf spasms, abdominal distension,  blurred vision, ataxia, prolapsed anus, aphasia, atrophy of the arm, loose motion, flatulence, diaphragmatic spasm, convulsion, depression, headache, giddiness, otalgia,tinnitus, emaciation, spleen enlargement, facial paralysis/ hemiplegia, low back pain, neurasthenia, numbness of the feet, urinary retention, and so on.

Nasya (Administration of medicine through the nose) -

In this kind of treatment, a nasal drop is administered to cleansing the head region. Before starting the treatment, a therapeutic massage and fomentation of the head and shoulder regions are necessary. 

It is a very effective treatment for a headache, migraine, sinusitis, sleep disorders,  rhinitis, neurological problems, upper respiratory catarrh, epilepsy etc.

Ayurveda suggests Anu Taila and Shada bindu oil as a nasal drop in executing this therapy.

Raktamokshana (Blood purification therapy) - 

It really is a blood-letting (a therapeutic withdrawal of blood from the body for blood cleansing and purification purpose) procedure which gives effective results in the vitiation of blood. Although this method is practiced less nowadays because leech is used in it. Some people are afraid so much of leech and try to escape from this technique. This therapy is well known for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, allergic dermatitis, abscesses, depigmentation, migraine attack, sciatic pain etc.

Apart from these, there are some other methods which are adopted in Panchakarma therapy and all the therapies are equally important to undergo both as curative and preventive achievement and that is next -

Abhyanga (Oil Massage) - 

It's also a procedure of Panchakarma routines. It is performed in the first stage called Purva Karma (pre-treatment) that generally accompanied by svedana method. It is a kind of ayurvedic oil massage, in which a large amount of warm oil is used to take care for the diseases including nerves pain, joint pain, blood impurities, sleep disorders, anxiety, mental tension and so on.

Based on the patient's condition, it is used to massage whole body or specific parts may be involved like head, joints, upper and lower extremities. Its use is beneficial to make body parts lubricated and to calm the vata defects.

Vaspa Svedana (Steam Bath) - 

In this method, the whole body is kept in a steam chamber except the head and some essential herbs are put together in the water of steam chamber to get rid of some health conditions. This method helps in increasing blood circulation and putting off surplus water from the body. It is well indicated in the conditions of joint pain, obesity, general weakness etc.

Shirodhara - 

It is a specific and traditional therapy in which a stream of warm medicated oil is poured on the center of the forehead constantly. It is adapted for the treatment of head-related disorders. It is a useful procedure to promote sound sleep, reduce mental stress, relax the mind, improves concentration, nourishes hair and scalp, and so forth.

Potli Massage - 

Potli massage is performed with heated special bags/pouches stuffed with fresh and dried out herbs. It is of two types - Wet (Snigdha) and Dry (Shushka) Potli massage and selection of herbs or other items are done in accordance with the type of disease and physical condition of the patient.

In wet Potli massage, herbal oil is utilized to manage Vata associated conditions like paralysis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, frozen shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis etc. while dry Potli massage is done with a pouch of the sand or dry herbs powder. Dry Potli massage is required in the cases of joint inflammation, muscular pain etc.

Pizhichil - 

Relating to Ayurveda, Pizhichil interprets squeezing which is a balanced combination of oil massage and heat treatment. In this kind of treatment, two therapist works mutually and pour continuous streams of lukewarm herbal oil on the whole body and after that, a soft digital massage with rhythmic pressure is performed. Pizhichil is called Sarvanghdhara ( Sarvangh = entire body & dhara = stream) in Sanskrit term and indicated in stress, arthritis, muscular pain, nerves pain, paralysis, sexual weakness etc. and apart from this, it retains skin young, improves immunity level, and prevent aging.

Parts/Elements of Panchakarma

Mainly Panchakarma therapy is conducted into 3 phases named as Purva karma (Initial treatment), Pradhana Karma (Essential treatment), and Paschat karma (After practices)

In  Purva karma (Preliminary practices), whose goal is primarily detoxification of the body. Purva karma is followed before Panchakarma procedure. Udvartanam, Kati Vasthi, UroVasthi, Shirodhara, Snehana, Svedana, and Pizhichil are believed to be an important part of the preliminary practice.

The second phase is called Pradhana Karma (Vital practices) wherein  Vamana (Emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Vasti (Medicated Enema), Nasya (Nasal Medication), and Raktamokshana (Blood purification) are done to putting off blood impurities.

In the third phase, a successful attempt is made to bring the body into a normal and standard condition while rejuvenation can be started out with proper and healthy diet regiment, lifestyle modification, and herbs administration.

Health Benefits of Panchakarma Treatment

Panchakarma is some sort of natural gift that can bring up unlimited health benefits to help people in different ways. It may help in -

Eliminates blood impurities and toxins.

Reduces body weight.

Improves digestive fires and accelerating the metabolism.

Rejuvenates affected tissues.

Enhances immunity system.

Relieves stress and relaxes the body and mind.

Balances vitality including Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Improves skin tone, appearance, and the overall flexibility of joints.

Apart from these, Panchakarma therapy is also helpful in the cases of diabetes, digestive disorders (irritable bowel syndrome,constipation,indigestion, hyperacidity, colitis,), asthma, sciatic pain, weight problem, cervical spondylosis, paraplegia, headaches, hemorrhoids, sexual weakness, migraine, sinusitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, edema, and many others.

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WRITTEN  BY  RAJESH  KUMAR