Panchakarma
An Ayurvedic way of rejuvenating and detoxifying human body. Literally Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means “Pancha – Five” & “Karma – Process”. This process has specific methods to safely and effectively remove ama (toxins) from complete body without weakening or harming the physical system. The treatment is popular for its beneficial effect on overall health,
Reverse the negative effects of stress on your body and mind thereby slowing the aging process.Strengthen your immune system and become more resistant to illness.Restore your constitutional balance improving health and wellness.Eliminate toxins and toxic conditions from your body and mind.Enhance your self-reliance, strength, energy, vitality and mental clarity.
There are three main stages of treatment that are all extremely important and must be carried out correctly. In three stages 5 processes are followed Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Vasti (enema), Nasya (nasal administration) and Rakta Mokshana (blood-letting). Depending on the individual and their particular health imbalance, one or more of these Purification therapies may be used.
1. Preliminary treatment (Purvakarma Therapies) :
This beginning process prepares body to get rid of stored toxins. In the first step “SNEHANA (Oleation)” body saturated with herbal and medicated oils. In external oleation gentle or vigorous body massage is performed on the pressure joints and complete body. Internal oleation performed with ghee or medicated oil helps loosen toxins and move it from deeper tissues into GI tract. In the Panchakarma final therapy these toxins eliminated completely.
In additions to this Shirodhara therapy is performed. Shirodhara, a form of treatment, is a word which comprises of two terms ‘shiro’ meaning head and ‘dhara’ meaning pouring in stream or sprinkling. This process reduces stress, soothe the nervous system, treats insomnia, bring relief from migraines, lowers high blood pressure, decreases hair loss, reduces stress and even helps to increase mental focus and concentration.
2. Herbal Steam Bath:
An herbalized steam treatment which involves sweating by applying Medicated Steam. A person sits in a sweat box with head out. Herbal steam is infused to the box from a container of herbs and medicinal leaves. Herbal steam is applied to the complete body and as result body starts sweating. The process continues from 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the persons individual’s state of imbalance. This process results in the release of endorphins which make the individual relax absolutely in an invigorated and blissful state of being. In this 2nd stage of Panchakarma, Oils applied in the oleation process gets deeper into the skin and releases deep-rooted toxins in the layers of the skin.
Major benefits of Ayurveda Steam Bath:
1. Promotes general health
2. Beautiful and glowing skin
3. Reducing Weight
4. Stress Relief
5. Improves blood circulation
6. Relief from Joint pain
7. Relieves allergies/asthma
8. Removal of Toxins
9. Enjoyable and rejuvenating experience
3. Specific therapy (Main Therapy):
At this stage person is treated for the particular disease he/she has. First the health disorders of a person are identified by Ayurvedic Physician then he/she is advised to go under a particular therapy.
a) Vamana Therapy: Induced vomiting is carried out under strict supervision of Vaidya to remove excess of toxins from the upper part of the body.
b) Virechan Therapy: A purgative substance is given on empty stomach to patient followed by a healthy diet. This purgative substance cleanses stomach, small intestine and large intestine and removes toxin through stool.
c) Basti Therapy: In his therapy herbal oil or medicinal decoction are injected in the rectum though colon and are used to treat diseases related to all the tri-dosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha).
d) Nasya Therapy: In this therapy ghee or herbal oils are passed though nostrils to treat nose, eyes, ears and nervous system related diseases.
e) Raktamokshana Therapy: It is a bloodletting therapy used to treat diseases related to blood, heart and lungs.
4. Paschatkarma Therapy: In this therapy a person is helped to get back to his/her normal life through various methods. A patient who is undergoing healing process must only follow a strict diet as advised by the Ayurvedic practitioner. The patient should also carry out exercise or yoga that can revive the inner strength of the body.