"The word Panchakarma comes from classical Ayurvedic texts and means literally 'five actions'. Subtly harmonising purification procedures dissolve metabolic waste products and environmental toxins from the body's tissues in a gentle and effective way and eliminate them from the physiology. These extremely pleasant relaxing treatments enliven the bodies own self-healing powers bringing about a profound and lasting rejuvenation. Panchakarma can be taken for as few as three consecutive days to a more common five-day treatment and as many as thirty days."

Pancha Karma - Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre

"Pancha Karma is strong reduction therapy. It is the single most powerful healing therapy utilized in Ayurveda. It is applied for the purpose of eliminating ama (toxins) and excess doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) in strong patients and is beneficial in the healing of many conditions. Pancha Karma can only be performed on a strong patient and requires proper preparation before beginning. Pancha Karma is a process, not a procedure. It is the process of removing ama and excess doshas from the body and mind and then rebuilding the internal strength (ojas) of the body. There are three components to the process of Pancha Karma: purva karma (techniques for preparation), pradhana karma (techniques for elimination) and prashat karma (follow-up techniques for rejuvenation)."

"Pancha Karma begins with proper preparation to ready the body for the elimination of ama. This process, called purva karma, can last from 3 -21 days. The second phase of Pancha Karma is the actual elimination of ama and excess dosha. These are the main practices of Pancha Karma. This phase is called pradhan karma. This process takes anywhere from 5 - 10 days. The final phase of Pancha Karma, called praschat karma, is considered follow-up practices to rebuild the strength of the body. This phase of care takes 21 - 28 days. Hence, a complete program of Pancha Karma, properly applied, can take nearly two months. Each phase is essential to the process and failure to properly preform any one of them decreases the results."

Wisdom Ways - Pancha Karma - Purification Therapies

Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting)

Vamana, is a therapeutic emesis therapy, which cleanses toxins related with kapha dasha. Pre-treatment such as intake of medicated ghee, abhyanga (oil massage) and swedana (medicated steam bath) are administered prior to inducing vamana, to loosen and remove the toxins from the body.

This treatment is very effective in bronchial asthma, chronic allergies, hay fever, psoriasis, nasal congestion, obesity, edema, chronic indigestion, skin disorders, vitiligo, psychological disorders, hyperacidity, etc.
Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation)

This is a medical purgation therapy, which removes toxins related with Pitta dosha from the body. It is a safe procedure without any side effects.

It is effective in chronic skin disorders, vitiligo psoriasis, diabetes, asthma, paraplegia, gynecological disorders, elephantiasis, headaches, hyperacidity, constipation, digestive disorders, Joint disorders, hemiplegia etc.

Basti (Medicated Enema)

Considered as the mother of all treatments, it cleanses the accumulated body toxins and waste related to all the three doaha namely vata, pitta and kapha, especially that related with vata dosha. Basti is also highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment especially in convalescent periods. In this procedure medicated oil or ghee and herbal decoction is administered as an enema. This procedure is usually administered for 8 to 30 days, based on the medical condition of a person.

This treatment is effective in neurological disorders, paraplegia, hemiplegia, colitis, cervical spondylosis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, digestive disorders, piles, backache, sciatica, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, obesity, convalescence sexual debility and infertility.

Nasya (Nasal Instillation of Medicine)

Nasya is the administration of medicated oil through the nose, which cleanses and removes accumulated toxins and waste from the head and neck region. This treatment is usually given for 7 days. Based on the medical condition of a person, it can be given up to 30 days.

It is useful in nasal allergies, nasal polyp, sinusitis, chronic cold, neurological dysfunctions, paraplegia, hemiplegia, trigeminal neuralgia, Bel's palsy, insomnia, headaches of various origin, migraine, premature graying of hair, loss of smell and taste, frozen shoulder, stiffness of the neck, etc. It also improves memory and eyesight.

Raktamokshna (Therapeutic Blood Cleansing)

This is a very effective blood purification therapy, in which carefully controlled removal of small quantities of blood is conducted to neutralize accumulated toxins related with Pitta dosha.

It is useful in allergies, skin disorders such as eczema, allergic dermatitis, etc.

Dr. Prashant Sawant

Ayurlife Positive Health Centre and Research Institute
82/B, Pokar Mansion, Near Railway Station, Chembur, Mumbai – 400 071
Tel: 2521 2390, 55993693

Article reprinted under Creative Commons license.