The panchakarma techniques are unique for cleaning or detoxifying the body by eliminating the dosas (i.e. the toxic body metabolites) through the natural orifices. It penetrates vital tissues of he body in order to up root the source of gravation and dislodge the unwanted accumulations. The combination of Panchakarma along with the Ayurvedic medicine is used not only for urative purpose but also for the prevention of diseases and the maintenance of optimum health and rejuvenation. So every human being must go through this process of detoxification at least once a year to rejuvenate himself and maintain optimum health throughout the year.
This includes various therapies:
Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis): In this therapy medicated liquid (milk or juice) is given to the person to induce vomiting in a natural way, Indigested food, phlegm, harmful gastric secretions etc are expelled by cleaning the chest and abdomen.
Indication: Indigestion, Toxicity, Mental Diseases, Asthma, Dyspepsia, Epilepsy, Loss of Appetite, Sinusitis, Chronic Skin Diseases etc.
Virecana (Therapeutic Purgation): In this therapy medicated oil or powder or decoction is given to the person for purgation, so that the vitiated doOas comes out without any complication. It helps to revitalize the digestion and metabolic process.
Indication: Constipation, Ano-rectal Diseases, Bronchial Asthma, Jaundice, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Paralysis, Ascites, Gastro-intestinal Disorders etc.
Indication: Neurological Disorders, Constipation, Weight Loss, Sexual Dysfunction, Gynecological Disorders, Arthritis, Lumbago, Hemiplegia etc.
Nasya (Therapeutic Errhines): It is the most specific therapy for the diseases of head and neck. Here medicated oil or herbal juice is introduced through the nostrils. It then spreads to the head & its constituent parts, and removes the vitiated dosas (toxic materials) by cleaning the blocked sinuses, breathing airways and mental pathways.
Indication: Sinusitis, Migraine, Chronic Headache, Facial Palsy, Hemicrania, Anxiety, Insomnia, Mental Disorders, Cervical Spondylosis, Premature Graying and Hair loss etc.
Sirabedhana: Here blood letting is done by an incision to the vein of dependant parts according to the disease. Like Basti, it is half of the treatment in surgery.
Jalouka Avachrana: Here a non-poisonous and medicated leach sucks impure blood from the affected area.
Indication: Skin Diseases, Eczema, Hypertension Gout, Filariasis etc.
Sirodhara: Sirodhara is one of the most popular therapies in Ayurveda. A continuous stream of medicated oil or milk or buttermilk or green coconut water is gently poured onto the forehead using a specially made apparatus.
This promotes the rejuvenation and revitalization of the mind and body which in turn, acts as an anti ageing, and stress & strain relief factor.
Indication: Anxiety, Depression, Mental Diseases, Memory loss, Sleeplessness, Psoriasis, Asthma, Hemiplegia, Facial Palsy, Chronic Headache, Hair Graying and Hairless, Stress etc.
Pizhichil (Oil Bath): Here special herbal oil is gently poured onto the body while being massaged. This therapy is luxurious and protects the body from illness and disease, while also strengthening the immune system.
Indication: Neurological isorders, Spondilitis, Arthritis, Paralysis, Hypertension, Skin Wrinkling, Premature Ageing, Weakness, Diabetes etc.
Navarakizhi (Rice Massage): It is a highly effective rejuvenative therapy, in which massage is done with cotton bags full of navara rice (a special kind of rice cooked with herbal water & cows’ milk). The bags are dipped in the same mixture and applied all over the body in different postures after a general body massage.
Indication: Neurological Disorders, Poliomyelitis, Muscular Atrophy, Emaciation, General Weakness, Osteo Arthritis, Premature Ageing etc.
Elakizhi (Leaf Massage): In this therapy the body is massaged with cloth bags filled with fried medicinal leaves, lemon, coconut pieces etc. These bags are warmed in medicated oil and the whole body is massaged with it. This promotes better circulation, increases perspiration, improves the skin tone and gives optimum relaxation.
Indication: Arthritis, Neurological Diseases, Bone & Joint Problems, Asthma, Bodyache, Sciatica, Spondylosis, Back Pain, Sprains etc.
Thalapotichil: This is a procedure in which the head is covered by some medicinal paste.
The head is then covered with a plantain leaf and tied up for a certain period. Then the paste is removed and the head wiped clean.
Indication: Hair fall and Grayness, Dandruff, Mental Tension, Depression, Insomnia etc.
Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage): This is a full body and facial massage with herbal oil. It promotes peripheral blood circulation and is very effective for vigour & vitality, good eyesight, longevity, sound sleep and glowing skin.
Indication: General Bodyache, Mental Tension, Tiredness, Sleeplessness, Premature Ageing, Muscle Stiffness, Rheumatism etc.
Udvartana & Valuka svedana: These special techniques are for reducing weight and fat. The body is massaged with herbal powder and then buffered with sand bages. After a resting period a warm bath is taken.
Indication: Obesity, Excess Fat, Muscular Pain, Stiffness, Bodyache etc.
Vaspa Svedana (Herbal Steam Bath): The body is placed in a steam chamber with the head remaining outside. Steam from herbal drugs generates perspiration. It improves the peripheral circulation and eliminates excess water from body.
Indication: Arthritis, Spondylitis, Excess Fat, Joint Disorders, General Weakness, Heaviness etc.
Siro vasti: This is a procedure of placing medicated oil or ghee on the head with the support of a specially designed leather cap. A facial and neck massage is then applied. This is very good for head & neck problems.
Indication: Anxiety, Mental Disorder, Insomnia, Facial Palsy, Migraine, Chronic Headache etc.
Conclusion Ayurveda is the system of medicine incorporating centuries of wisdom in it. The emphasis here is on ways to promote health rather than just treat disease. The beauty of the system is that every individual is unique rather than being just another case of particular disease. It is one of the few systems of medicine taking mental, emotional and spiritual well being into account. All the suggestions and remedies prescribed in Ayurveda are completely in conjunction with nature