Resource For Body & Soul

Panchkarma

What is Panchkarma ?

PanchKarma is a part of the purification therapies of Ayurveda. "Panch" means five and "Karma" means action so literally translated, it is a set of five systematic actions used for Purification of the Body.

Benefits Of Panchkarma
1...Purifies the body by excreting out toxic waste materials so that the root cause of disease can be eliminated & recurrence of disease can be subsided.
2...Various systems of the body can be made healthy by regularizing the metabolism which was initially affected by irregular food habit, Environment Condition or other factor.
3...Reverses biological age by its property of inducing Rasayana Karma (Rejuvenation therapy).
4...Minimizes drug doses & toxicit
5...Gives easy recovery, sustained relief & inhibits the relapse.
6...More potent with long lasting effects.
7...This therapy is not just for an ill individual but a healthy one can also get a long, healthy & energetic life.

Following two types of treatments are shown in Ayurveda:

1... SHAMANA CHIKITSA (Palliative therapy ):        Deals with oral administration of drugs. Ingestion and systemic absorption of drugs takes place in this treatment. Certain limitations are faced in this therapy.
2... SHODHANA CHIKITSA (Elimination therapy):       Deals with local application of drugs. No systemic absorption takes place, only local application of drugs to get desired effect. In this therapy, doshas get aggravated after treating them with fasting & digestive drugs, but there is no chance of relapsation, if we treat the vitiated doshas by means of elimination therapy. And this Elimination therapy constitutes ‘PANCHKARMA’ therapy which consists of the five processes, namely
i)     VAMANA (Emesis)
ii)    VIRECHANA (Purgation)
iii)   BASTI (Medicated enema)
iv)   NASYA (Nasal Insufflation)
v)     RAKTAMOKSHANA (Blood letting)

Vamana (Emesis)A medicated emesis therapy, cleanses Kapha collected in the body by preplanned induced vomiting and decongests the respiratory tract. The endotoxins (Vitiated Kapha & Pitta) which are in stomach, in cells and tissue of the entire body are eliminated by the Vaman therapy.
Indications : Effective in Kapha predominant diseases like Bronchitis, Asthma, Severe Skin diseases (Psoriasis, Urticaria, Eczema etc.), Sinusitis, Diabetes, Chronic Cold, Anorexia, Specific Abdominal disorders, Chronic indigestion, Epilepsy, various psychological disorders etc.


Virechana (Purgation)Virechana is a process by which doshas are made to pass through Anus. It is said to be the important therapy for evacuation of pitta dosha. By virechana th pitta dosha & malas are cleared not only from the colons and rectum but also from whole body i.e. from cellular level.
Indications : Chronic Fever, Skin diseases, Acne, Allergic disorders, Eczema, Psoriasis, Ascites, Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Thyroid Disease, Asthma, Arthritis, Jaundice, Infertility, Oligospermia, Hemiplegia, Constipation, Hyperacidity, Headache, Worms, Gout & in various “PITTA” predominant diseases.

Basti (Medicated Enema) Use of medicated enemas-cleansing enemas to dispel high vata(air) from the colon and to remove Doshas(impurities). When basti dravya is inserted into the PAKWASHAYA (The main root of vatta dosha), its “VEERYA” i.e. effect is spread all over the body through appropriate channel. Basti is also highly beneficial in rejuvenating treatment; especially in convalescence.
Indications : In all vata conditions like Neuromuscular and Musculoskeletal disorders, Chronic Constipation, Paralysis, Sciatica, Backache, Gynecological disorders, Infertility, Oligospermia, Arthritis, Heart disease & All types of Pains, etc.


NASYA (Insufflation Therapy)Administration of certain medications (oil, ghee, powder, swarasa) through Nose is called Nasya.
Indications : Cleanses accumulated Kapha dosha from the head and neck region. Effective in treating urdhwajatrugata rogas (ENT & Eye disorders), Trigeminal Neuralgia, Facial Palsy, Paralysis, Insomnia, Pre-mature graying of Hair, Headache of various origin, Frozen Shoulder, Stiffness of the Neck, Neurological Dysfunctions, Sinusitis and also improves Memory & Eye Sight.


RAKTAMOKSHANA (Blood letting) Elimination of vitiated blood & toxic elements from the body. Jalloka are also used for this purpose (Blood letting by leaches
Indications : Effective in Haemopathological Conditions, Allergies, Sciatica, Gout, Leucoderma, Skin diseases, Scabies, Chronic itching, Skin rashes, Alopecia, Urticaria, Hyper tension, Enlargement of liver & Spleen etc. associated procedures of Panchkarma.


Abhyangam & Swedam A whole body massage with specific herbal oils to nourish and revitalize the body tissues (Dhatus) and to allow the toxins to be removed from the body. Abhyanga has much deeper and far more reaching effects than an ordinary massage, that uses mineral oils and lotions. This massage is performed symmetrically by two therapists for one hour and is usually followed by medicated steam bath (Sweda). It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda.
Benefits: Increases tissue Strength, improves Blood Circulation, Rejuvenates the whole Body, Beautifies the Skin, Delays aging, Induces Sound Sleep, Promotes vitality, Pacifies Vata Imbalance, Reduces Stress and Removes toxins. Duration : 1 ½ - 2 hrs


Shirodhara A continuous stream of medicated warm oil/herbal decoctions/medicated milk/buttermilk is poured onto the forehead for 30-45 minutes in an oscillating manner. It is deeply relaxing and revitalizes the central nervous system. Shirodhara gives the best results when taken after an Abhyanga.
Indications : Headache, Hyper tension, Dandruff, Grey hair, Sleeplessness, Paralysis, Mental disorders, Diseases of Eye, Stress, Depression, Lack of confidence, Lack of concentration, Epilepsy, Dementia, Migraine, For relaxation of mind, To improve the function of 5 senses, To improve intelligence & To promote self esteem. Duration : 30-45 minutes


Sarvangadhara (Pizhichil) Kayaseka Medicated oil/milk is poured onto the body in continuous streams while being gently massaged, for one hour. It is extremely soothing and relaxing. It acts as a free radical scavenger, toning, strengthening and deeply rejuvenating the whole body. It is applied after Abhyanga
Indications : Effective in Prolapsed Disc, Parkinsonsism, Paraplegia and similar conditions, Hypertension, Arthritic Pains etc. & also promotes Healing of fractures. Duration : 1 hr


PATRA PINDA SWEDANA (Kizhi) The body is massaged with the “potalis” (cloth bags) made from fried leaves of medicinal plants after dipping it in warm oil. It is applied after Abhyanga
Indications : Polio myelitis, Paralysis, Nervous disorders, Cervical & lumbar spondylosis, Frozen shoulder, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Sprains & Cramps & Various “Vatta” predominant diseases. Duration : 1 hr


SHASTIKA SHALI PINDA SWEDANA (Navarkizhi): Shashtika shali rice which have medicinal property are cooked with milk and herbal decoctions and made into bolus in cloth bag & then applied on the affected parts of the body.
Indications : Polio myelitis, Muscular dystrophy, Emaciation, Osteoarthritis, Stiffness of body, Paralysis, Cerebral Palsy & To increase vitality. Duration : 1 hr


BHASHPA SWEDA (Steam Bath) The leaves of Medicinal plants are boiled with water in swedanayantra & resulting Vapour is passed on the whole body of the person seated in the steambox.
Indications : Paralysis, Arthritic pain, Exhaustion, Neuralgic pain, Stiffness of body, Obesity, Various “Vata” predominant diseases & Pre-treatment for panchkarma. Duration: 15-20 minutes


NADI SWEDA: In this procedure, the steam generated from medicated decoction is applied on the target area with the help of a rubbertube which is joined to the swedanayantra.
Indications : Arthritic conditions, Muscular stiffness, After localized abhyanga etc.


BEAUTY TREATMENT“LEPANA CHIKITSA" in Acne, Black Pigmentation, Wrinkles, Blackheads, Oily Skin, Dry skin…...


Shirobasti (On the head)Effective in treating Facial Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Ottalgia, Deafness, Degenerative conditions of Brain, Parkinsonism etc.


Kativasti (Lumbar region)Effective in treating Lumbar Spondylosis, Low Backache, Sciatica, Disc Prolapse etc.


Greevavasti (Cervical region) Effective in treating Cervical Spondylosis, Frozen Shoulder etc.


Januvasti (Knee joints) Effective in treating Knee Joint Pain, Osteoarthritis etc.


Urovasti/Hridvasti (Cardiothoracic region) Effective in treating Hypertension, Problems of Ribs, Tuberculosis. etc.


Netravasti/Netra tarpanam (Eyes) Effective in curing Myopia, Hypermetropia, Astigmatism, Cataract and other Ophthalmic conditions.


Chakravasti (Umbilicus) Digestive disorders.


Duration : 7-14 days, 30 to 45 minutes daily