Procedures

Panchakarma therapy is performed in 3 stages:

  • Purvakarma - preparatory procedures that help the body discard the toxins present in the stomach and tissues and help facilitate the toxins to move to the alimentary canal.
  • Pradhanakarma - main treatment which is designed as per each individual's needs
  • Paschatkarma - post treatment care includes the diet regimen and the other dos and don'ts.

'Pancha' means 'five' and 'karma' means 'action.' This five-fold purification therapy aims at correcting the imbalance of the doshas - Vata, Pitta, Kapha in order to maintain their inherent equilibrium. During each season of the year, one or more of the doshas accumulate, which causes an imbalance and makes the body prone to illness. It involves five cleansing procedures:

  • VAMANA - inducing vomiting specially for kapha related illnesses like asthma, coughs, chronic colds, psoriasis, acne, arthritis, diabetes and other kapha disorders. This is a painless, drug-induced emetic process.
     
  • VIRECHANA - inducing purgation specially for elimination of Pita related toxins from the body. Here, drugs that stimulate bowel movements are induced for the expulsion of excess Pita.
     
  • NASYA - nasal cleansing by the application of medical oils or powders. The nostrils are considered the Doorway to the Brain and nasal application of oils is helpful in conditions like allergic sinusitis, migraines and epilepsy. If the Nasya therapy has been carried out effectively, Kapha related toxins from the paranasal sinuses are eliminated and the region nourished. Due to this, the patient feels great relief in the head and clarity of the sense organs. Breathing becomes completely unobstructed which gives sound sleep at night. Olfactory improvement is also felt. Nasya is excellent for chronic sinusitis, headaches, throat diseases, chronic colds, chest congestion, epilepsy, catarrh, migraine, voice constraint, eye diseases and cervical spondilitis.
     
  • VASTI - medicated enema is particularly good for alleviating excess Vata. Vasti's effects are directly felt in the colon, the prime abode of the Vata. With the application of a series of purifying and nourishing Vastis, the morbid doshas and other toxins trapped for long in the tissues are eliminated. This restores the equilibrium of the humours. Vasti is good for spleen disorders, colic, calculus, kidney stones and many other diseases due to a Vata disorder. It helps in chronic constipation, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, sciatica, various neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, dystrophy and atrophy of nerves and muscles. - Sneha Vasti - enema using medicated oil which remains in the colon and rectum for a short period of time to absorb the toxins and eliminate them out of the body.
     
  • NIROOHA VASTI - enema using a special combination of herbal decoctions, paste, powders and oils. It has an effect on the nervous system to help eliminate the imbalances in Vata.
     
  •  RAKTHAMOKSHANA - to remove impurities from the blood through leech therapy or other methods.

    This 5-fold treatment during Panchakarma has not only been intended for elimination of disease-causing toxins but also to replenish the tissues with nourishment. This is why it is often termed as Rejuvenation Therapy.
     

SHIRODHARA -

The person is made to lie on the Dharapathi (wooden plank of small boat size and form) and medicated oil is made to drip on his forehead evenly over a fixed duration from an earthen pot hanging above. This is very effective in the treatment of neurologically related diseases like Insomnia, Epilepsy, Migraine etc.
   
UDVARTANAM -

 The whole body is gently massaged with medicated powders prepared with various herbs. This helps to reduce fat patches from the body known as cellulites, toning of the muscles, improves blood circulation and eases joint pains. Regular Udvartanam is good for not only cellulites but it helps to lose weight by increasing the basal metabolic rate.

Indications:
• Obesity
• Oily skin
• Lack of complexion
• blemishes
 
   
NETRATARPANAM -

Netra Tarpana: Ayurvedic Eyes Rejuvenation
This treatment aims to provide optimum rejuvenation to eyes. Dough of Urad (black gram) is put around the eye ball in such a way that a dam like appearance is seen. Then herbal healing ghee (clarified butter oil) is put in this groove to lubricate eye and surrounding areas which will be kept warm for 30 – 35 minutes. This provides improved vision with beautiful eyes and strengthening of eye tissues

It also helps in under eye circles if done regularly for few days.

Indication:

  • Burning in the eyes  
  • Dryness in the eyes
  • Vata diseases in  the eyes
  • Curved eyes 
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Pain in the eyes
  • Watering eyes
  • Night blindness
  • Squinting
  • Myopia
   
   
NASYA -

The administration of drugs through the nose, is called Nasya. Nasya is particularly useful in the treatment of diseases occurring in the organs situated above the clavicle. It will promote the functions of the sensory and motor organs above the clavicle. It specifically provides strength to the head, nose and neck. Indirectly it works on the whole body by improving the functioning of the endocrine glands. It will prevent premature wrinkling, graying and falling of the hair.
Indications:
• Stiffness in the head, neck, teeth and jaw
• hemicrania
• Pain in the shoulders
• Chronic coryza (sinusitis)
• Diseases of mouth, nose, ear, eye and head
• Facial paralysis
• Hoarseness of voice
• Tooth ache and other tooth disorders
   

KATI VASTI -

The waist area of the body is called Kati. Vasti in this case implies a container. Kativasti is an effective therapy of Ayurveda for Katisula, which is the term for lower backache or stiffness or pain felt down the back.

The patient is made to lie face down on the Droni. A rectangular reservoir made of black gram dough is built up on the lower back, around the lumbo-sacral area. After ensuring that this is leak-proof, a lukewarm medicinal oil, which alleviates pain and strengthens the bone tissues, is slowly poured into it. The oil and the receptacle are kept on for about half an hour. After removing them, the affected area may be gently massaged with the same oil. The patient is then made to take rest for a short while.

For severe conditions of Gridrasi (Sciatica) and osteo-arthritis of the hip, the latter condition characterized by severe pain radiating down the leg, a combination of Shamana (palliative) and Shodhana (eliminatory) measures is necessary to prevent a relapse.