What is Panchakarma in Ayurveda and What are its benefits?

Everyone wishes for a healthy life free of ailments. A poor way of living has played a key impact in the genesis and progression of many diseases. Ayurveda properly emphasizes that health is not only the absence of diseases, but also the regularity of dosha, dhatu, agni, and mala kriya, as well as a joyful mental, spiritual, and physical state.

Ayurveda also prioritizes disease prevention and treatment, with Panchakarma playing a significant part. When favorable conditions arise, the dosha is balanced on a daily and seasonal basis. If a person engages in aahara and vihara that defiles a specific dosha, it can result in corresponding ailments in their aggravated stage. As a result, Panchakarma becomes an unavoidable option for eliminating them and maintaining health. Oral administration of medicines following Panchakarma is extremely beneficial in a holistic approach to health. Panchakarma has a holistic impact on a person's life.

Read on to understand more about Panchkarma and its profound effects and benefits on an individual's life.

What is Panchakarma?

Panchakarma is a complex system for removing doshas (toxins or waste) and naturally purifying the body without the need for incisions. "Pancha" means "free," and "karma" means "body detoxification treatment." The weakened doshas are claimed to be removed from the body through five methods. The five methods are: 

• Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting)
• Virechana (Therapeutic Purging)
• Nirooha Basti (Decoction Enema)
• Anuvasana Basti (oil enema)
• Nasya (instillation of medicine through the nostrils)

The Panchakarma procedure contains three major steps

1. Purva Karma -  

Purva Karma refers to the preparations that are to be done prior to detoxification.

• Deepana & Pachana

These procedures are carried out in order to clear the channels and ama (toxins) so that the toxins can be easily dissolved and expelled during the primary detoxification phase. By increasing the body fire, or Agni, the hard, toxic blockages are released. Internal medications are used for this purpose. This process is known as Deepana and Pachana, and it lasts 3-5 days, depending on the patient and their condition.

• Snehapana 

After Deepana and Pachana, the whole body is oiled with Snehapana (oral) and Abhyanga (massage). Patients are instructed to consume a specified amount of medicinal ghee or oil over time. Every day, the amount of medicinal ghee or oil is gradually increased. Snehapana treatments might last anywhere from 3 to 7 days.

Abhyanga (massage) is performed with medicated oil or ghee and can last from 1 to 4 days, depending on the severity of the condition. Snehapana and Abhyanga are components of Snehapana therapy that repair the weakened Vata dosha, softening the body and dissolving the accumulation of weakened doshas (toxins or waste).

• Swedana

Swedana is the method of producing sweat using steam derived from therapeutic herbs decoctions. It is the preoperative procedure in different Ayurvedic detoxification procedures, with the purpose of diluting the body's channels and releasing tainted doshas (toxins or waste) from the tissues. Ayurvedic fomentation is usually performed after an oil massage.

2. Pradhana Karma - 

This is Panchakarma, a five-step method that is highly tailored based on the individual's needs, age, digestive strength, immune system, and other aspects. This intensive Panchakarma technique can only be performed under the supervision of an Ayurvedic practitioner. The five karmas for total body cleaning are as follows:

• Vamana Karma

Vamana Karma (induced vomiting) refers to the process of eliminating tainted doshas (toxins or waste products) through the ascending tract (mouth) . It is especially beneficial for Kapha-pitta dosha and Kaphaja disorders. The most commonly used medicine for Vamana karma is Madanaphala. Medicines with Ushna (hot), Tikshna (pungent), Sukshma (subtle), Vyavayi (which permeate the entire body before digestion), and Vikasi (which produce joint looseness) potency enter the heart and circulate through the vessels. They liquefy the compact (clinging) doshas, and separate and expel the clinging doshas that are in the gross and subtle channels due to their Agneya nature (predominance of Agni Mahabhuta).

• Virechana Karma 

Virechana Karma (therapeutic purification) refers to the process of releasing tainted doshas (toxins or waste products) through the lower tract (rectum). Virechana Karma is a medicinal cleansing that cleanses excess Pitta-Kapha, purifies the blood, and eliminates toxins from the body. The therapy primarily targets toxins stored in the liver and gallbladder, effectively clearing the gastrointestinal tract.

• Nirooha Basti 

Nirooha Basti is a Panchakarma technique used to treat Vata-related diseases. It is the most effective treatment for Vata dosha and Vataja disorder. It relieves the irritated Vatadosha by using decoctions administered via the rectal route.

• Anuvasan Basti

Anuvasana Basti is used to treat people suffering from severe dryness, who have good digestive fire and pure vatavyadhi (nervous system, musculoskeletal disorders, etc.). In this procedure, a small amount of warm oil mixed with a small amount of Shatapushpa kalka and Saindhav is used to balance Vata Dosha.

• Nasya 

The nasal cavity serves as a doorway to consciousness and a pathway to the brain. The mind, Prana Vayu, Tarpaka Kapha, Sadhaka Pitta, and Majja Dhatu are all affected by medicines administered through the nasal cavity. The Nasya is administered on an empty stomach. The patient is instructed to lie down with their heads tilted back, and the Nasya medicine is administered into each nostril.

3. Pashchat Karma-

This is a post-therapy diet designed to return the body's digestive and absorptive capabilities to normal. It consists of rejuvenation treatments, lifestyle management, diet control, and the use of herbal supplements. It consists of the following procedures:

• Samsarjana Karma 

Nutritional therapy is used after detoxification to progressively increase the patient's food from liquid to semi-solid to normal.

• Rasayan Adi Prayogam 

A rejuvenating Rasayan therapy that promotes natural immunity and overall well-being.

• Shaman Chikitsa

A calming therapy with herbs and lifestyle management. 

Also Read: Is it possible to treat Ascitis By Ayurvedic Panchkarma Therapy?

Benefits Of Panchakarma Treatment

1. Prevention of disease
2. Promotion and rehabilitation of health
3. Cure of disease
4. Preconception health
5. Pediatric health
6. Rejuvenation health
7. Geriatric health
8. Sensory health care
9. Psychiatric health
10. Relaxing the mind and body and relieving stress

Conclusion

Panchakarma is a unique contribution to human wellness. If used correctly, these therapy approaches can work miracles. Panchakarma therapy removes doshas, cures ailments, restores normal strength and complexion, and promotes longevity. On the other hand, elimination therapy entirely eradicates diseases, ensuring that they do not reoccur unless extremely strong etiological elements are present. On the contrary, they expel the tainted doshas from their roots.

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