Panchakarma - An Introduction
What is Panchakarma? How This Ayurvedic Healing Leads a Healty Lifestyle?
Ayurveda treatments include four basic forms of therapies, which are medicine or drug therapy, Panchakarma, Ayurveda diet or nutritional therapies and rejuvenation therapies. Amongst these, Panchakarma is the most important and effective therapy to rebuild a healthy lifestyle.
Panchakarma therapies are done in a natural environment in general cases and under the guidance of experienced Ayurveda practitioners. Panchakarma is an ancient form of therapy that originated in India. The word Panchakarma means five actions or techniques. This therapy helps to enhance the metabolism of the body and mind with the help of these five actions. It is the ultimate mind and body healing experience that detoxifies the body, strengthens the immune system and restores balance and well-being. In general cases, Panchakarma is done in two ways:
- Treating the toxic materials (doshas) in the body by natural herbs and medicines.
- Eliminating the doshas from the body.
Stress, strain, unhealthy lifestyle and changes in the weather are the major reasons that cause the toxins to develop in the body. These toxins have to be removed somehow from the body so that one can live a healthy life. So with the help of Ayurveda therapies, especially Panchakarma, you can completely remove these toxins from the body and can lead a healthy and powerful life.
Panchakarma is administered in two sets of therapies, namely Fomentation and Oleation. Fomentation uses therapies that will make a person sweat and Oleation involves application of special oils to the body.
How Panchakarma Treatments Therapies are Performed?
The five different types of treatments in Panchakarma therapy include:
Vamana Karma (use of emetics):
This treatment is used for ‘Kapha’ disorders like asthma, cold, bronchitis and sinus. It is a medicated therapy that removes Kapha toxins accumulated in the body and the respiratory tract causing excess mucus. Once the mucus is released, the person feels relieved instantly.
Basti Karma (medicated enema):
It is the most effective treatment for vata disorders. The treatment helps to promote emission in the colon and hence ensures good health. This treatment is highly beneficial in cleansing and detoxifying the body.
Virechana Therapy (use of laxatives):
This treatment is used to treat toxic substances from the gall bladder. It is a very effective technique to purify the body. It also helps to cure disorders like hyperacidity, skin disorders, digestive disorders, ulcer and constipation.
Rakta Mokshana (blood-letting):
This is basically purification of the blood. It is a complicated procedure and is used in general Panchakarma treatment. In this treatment, impure blood from the body is removed by using surgical instruments to remove the toxins in the blood.
Nasya Karma (nasal administration):
In this therapy, herbal stems are inhaled through the nose that clears the nasal passages and lungs. The pleasant smell of the essential oils used in this help a lot in removing the toxins in the head, eyes, nose and other areas.
The duration of the Panchakarma therapy is from three to seven days. Before prescribing any therapy, first, the physical and mental condition of the person is considered. Panchakarma is a vital Ayurvedic treatment which requires proper guidance and administration. Sometimes not everyone requires all the five types of Panchakarma. So it is highly recommended that this therapy should be undertaken with proper observation and supervision of a trained Ayurvedic practitioner.