Panchakarma - A 5-Modality Treatment for Wellness and Detoxification

by jiva ayurveda Jivaayurveda

The word “Panchakarma” has been derived from a Sanskrit word which means “five actions” or “five treatments”. Whenever there is a need to purge the toxic materials out of the body, Panchakarma treatment is needed. Toxins are usually accumulated because of disease, poor nutrition, repeated dietary indiscretions, poor exercise patterns etc.

These toxins, as they enter the body, the cause a lot of damage to the cells. Even though the body itself contains enough ability to clear the toxins but there can be times when it may fall weak and be unable to do so. This weakness may occur because of genetic predisposition of metabolic co-factors, abnormal fluctuation of hormones, and leading a poor lifestyle. As these factors pile up, the body somehow loses its ability to shield its internal system and the person may soon realize that he is falling sick. Other than these reasons, it’s the disorganization of internal homeostasis that often leads to such problems.

When there are so many damages that happens to the body, its obvious that you need to find a way to cleanse the body. Although there are many ways to clean the body but even to this day, many people believe that the Ayurvedic manner of cleansing tends to be the best and panchakarma, provided by Ayurveda is highly effective. The system of Ayurveda came out about 1000 years ago and even to this day, it holds enormous significance. There is a different way of working of Ayurveda and the techniques are completely different and more often than not, it does not cause any harm or side effect to the body.

There is a different way Ayurveda looks at a problem. It focuses on elimination of waste matter which is often the cause of most diseases. the waste matter, Ama, is known to be a sticky, foul-smelling, harmful substance which must be purged out of the body and with the help of Panchakarma, which is an effective five-fold therapy, all the harmful substances are eliminated from the body and the imbalances caused in the body are rectified.

When you undergo Panchakarma, you would realize that the process involves daily massages, nasal administrations, oil baths and herbal enemas. This five-fold therapy is provided to the individual as per his Ayurvedic constitutional type and that may include dosha imbalances, immune status, age, digestive strength etc.

Panchakarma includes a five modality for wellness and detoxification. Since you know it has several steps and measures of doing it, here we are going to discuss that.

• Vaman

In this treatment, a patient undergoes internal and external oleation along with fomentation therapies for some time. With the aim of eliminating the toxins, they are liquefied and piled up in upper cavities of body. With this, the patient receives emetic medicine and decoction. There are times when a patient may experience vomiting but this happens only because the toxins are being eliminated from the body tissues. Experts recommend this therapy for kapha-dominated conditions like obesity, asthma and hyperacidity.

• Virechan

elimination of toxins takes place through the evacuation of the bowels in virechan. The therapist may give given a herbal laxative so as to facilitate evacuation of the bowels and cleanse the body. For people suffering from diseases such as herpes zoster, colitis, jaundice etc, they can benefit from this therapy.

• Basti

as per the nature of any chronic disease, herbal decoctions, ghee or milk are pushed in the rectum, under Basti. You can utilize this if you suffer from conditions such as arthritis, constipation and piles.

• Nasya

If you suffer from pain in the head region. With gentle massage and fomentation in the head and shoulder regions, this therapy is conducted. You can easily find it at any ayurvedic centre.

• Raktamokshan

This therapy is highly effective for cleansing blood. For skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema etc, this therapy is considered to be really effective.

You can now lead a high quality life with Panchakarma!