Panchakarma

Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means “five actions” or “five treatments”. This is a process used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease and poor nutrition. Normally the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials, including the vitiated doshas. However due to one’s repeated dietary indiscretions, poor exercise patterns, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition the digestive enzymes, metabolic co-factors, hormones, and agnis which regulate the body’s internal homeostasis become disorganized. This can lead to the accumulation and spread of toxins throughout the physiology resulting in disease. This waste matter is called ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a foul-smelling, sticky, harmful substance that needs to be completely evacuated from the body .

Panchakarma will remove the excess doshas and correct imbalances in them as well as eliminate the harmful ama out of your system through the body’s own organs and channels of elimination (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, etc). Panchakarma purifies the tissues at a very deep level. It involves daily massages and oil baths and is a very pleasurable experience. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance.

Panchakarma is a five-fold therapy; it is highly individualized based on the needs of the individual depending on the Ayurvedic constitutional type, doshic imbalances, age, digestive strength, immune status, and many other factors. Depending on each individual’s needs all or only parts of the five therapies are utilized. These procedures must be administered by specially trained therapists in a definite sequence for a specified period of time. In addition, although Panchakarma is for the most part a delightful and comfortable therapy, there can be periods of discomfort associated with the profound release of toxins which does occur. It is therefore essential that the therapy be supervised by a knowledgeable expert who can recognize the signs of properly and improperly administered Panchakarma. Fortunately these signs were meticulously recorded by the ancient vaidyas.

Like all medical procedures, Panchakarma Therapy always must begin with an initial consultation by a qualified health professional who can determine the individual’s prakriti (constitutional type), the nature of the health problem (if any), and the appropriate degree of intensity of the prescribed therapies. There are certain special circumstances in which panchakarma should be administered only with strict medical supervision: recovering drug addiction, alcoholism, hypertension, diabetes, and eating disorders are the most common. Panchakarma may also not be appropriate for individuals who are significantly underweight or physically weak or for persons with inadequately treated (or undiagnosed) hypothyroidism or hypoglycemia. The same is true of persons with cancerous diseases, immune deficiency states, or those recovering from recent surgery. All potential patients, but especially those identified above, should always consult a qualified health professional before initiating any form of detoxification program.

About Pancha Karma:

                Deep physical, mental and emotional healing is often experienced as a result of Pancha Karma. People report a feeling of lightness in the body and clarity of mind, the weight naturally balances. The cleansing involves daily two-hour treatment consisting of a warm, nurturing oil massage given by experienced therapist. This is followed by a relaxing full body steam treatment, which enables the oils to penetrate and lubricate the tender bodily tissues. These tissues are called seven dhatus, they are the constituents that make up the physical body. In order from superficial to deep, they are: Ras (plasma), Rakt (blood),Maans (muscle),Meda(fat), Asthi (bone),Majja (bone marrow), and Shukra (reproductive tissue fluid ). Each day of your Pancha Karma works deeper, from superficial to deep affecting nurturing, dislodging toxins from all 7dhatus to be eliminated.

How many days does it take to have a complete Pancha Karma?

 

                Each day of your Pancha Karma works deeper, from superficial to deep affecting nurturing, dislodging toxins from all 7 dhatus. So that all people have a complete experience, we focus on Pancha Karma programs that are at a minimum of 7 days. We offer 1-45 days of Pancha Karma for individuals & couples.

 

How does Pancha Karma cleanse?

 These treatments prepare the body to eliminate the buildup of toxins that have accumulated over time in the tissues, as a result of lifestyle choices, genetic predisposition, environmental pollution, and stresses.

There are five actual cleansings in Pancha Karma. They are the cleansing of the nasal and sinus passages, or nasya; the cleansing of the colon, or basti; cleansing of small intestines, or Verechena; cleansing of the stomach and lungs, or vamana, and cleansing of the blood known as rakta mokshan. The daily oil massage and steam treatment is necessary to facilitate the movement of the build up of toxins in the body. They are carried from the periphery, through the many channels that feed the bodily tissues, to the central part of the body and into the gastro-intestinal tract from where they can be safely eliminated. The individual constitution and current imbalance(s) determines which cleansings are appropriate and necessary.

Ayurveda looks at the cause of all disease as the result of an imbalance in the body, mind and/or spirit. When you treat the cause, imbalance, you treat the effect, disease. The purpose of Pancha Karma is to support the body in creating balance, and in that way disease is addressed. Ayurveda states that food is 60% of the medicine it uses to treat disease.

 

Pancha Karma eliminates the causes of disease:-

In the new trend of health care, people are taking more responsibility for their own health by using alternative health care measures, rather than giving that ‘power’ away to various health care systems that are not designed for prevention longevity. Ayurveda is a perfect way to create longevity and health, by focusing on eliminating the causes of disease and prevention. Each Pancha Karma session expands on the previous one, healing of body, mind and emotion deeper and deeper with each consecutive year. The Ancient Ayurvedic texts suggest receiving Pancha Karma three times per year for optimum cleansing and rejuvenation. However some people only have the time and the means to receive it only once per year, which is a very good plan. With every year it is truly possible to grow healthier and younger, rather than older and diseased. It is possible to grow in health and Ayurveda shows us how.

 

Pretreatment (Purvakarma)

The purvakarma procedures are often under appreciated in the grand scheme of proper administration of Panchakarma.The general purpose of the Poorvakarma Therapies is to begin to loosen, liquefy, and move the vitiated doshas from their abnormal sites in peripheral tissues to the appropriate central site within the alimentary canal. Oil massage and fomentation are administered on the night before the day of Vamana. Prior to the start of Vamana, the patient is asked to drink a specified quantity of ghee or oil until the stool becomes oily, or nausea occurs. If vamana is planned a Kaphagenic diet is given during this time to aggravate Kapha. Either during the same time period or for one week subsequently, oil massages are given..

 Vaman ( Therapeutic Vomiting)

        This treatment is used when there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, cough, cold or asthma. The objective of the therapy is to induce vomiting to get rid of the mucus causing excess kapha. On the morning of the vamana., kapha aggravating foods such as basmati rice and yogurt with salt is given to further aggravate the kapha. The application of the heat to the chest and back will help liquefy kapha. A drink consisting of madanaphalam, and honey is given to the patient. (Other substances used include salt, and cardamom) Vomiting will either occur spontaneously or is induced by rubbing on the tongue. 4-8 vomiting is the target. After vomiting the patient will feel very comfortable; most of the congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will disappear along with the clearing of the sinus.

Indication-

Therapeutic vomiting is used for cough, cold, symptoms of asthma, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning, skin diseases, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic indigestion, edema (swelling), epilepsy, chronic sinus problems and for repeated attacks of tonsillitis.

 

Virechana  ( Purgation Therapy, Laxative Therapy)

    Virechana is the cleansing of the pitta and the purification of the blood toxins. Generally, it is administered three days after the Vamana treatment but this may vary. If Vamana therapy is not needed, Virechana can be administered directly after purvakarma. Virechan cleanses the sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver and spleen. A number of effective and safe herbs can be used as a laxative. This include senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow’s milk, salt, castor oil. When taking these laxatives, it is important to adhere to restricted diet.

Indication-

Virechana is used for treatment of skin diseases, chronic fever, piles, abdominal tumors, worms, gout, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

  

 Basti (Medicated Enema)

Medicated enemas are used for various specific reasons. In general, this treatment is used to promote elimination of the loosened Vata dosha out through the rectum. There are many specific enemas listed in Ayurveda.

Basti involves introducing medicinal substances such as herbalized oils and other herbal decoctions in a liquid medium into the rectum. Basti is especially good for vata disorders. It alleviates constipation, distention, chronic fever, the common cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, vomiting, backache, neck pain and hyperacidity. Such vata disorders as sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, neurodegenerative conditions, and gout can also be treated by Basti. There are about 80 vata-related disorders in Ayurveda. About 80 percent of them can be treated with medicated enemas.

Since vata is mainly located in the colon and bones, the medication is administered rectally.

Types of Enemas:

1. Niruha Basti (Decoction Enema) – mainly herbal decoction and small amounts of oil
2. Anuvasana Basti (Oil Enema) – mainly warm oils with small amounts of herbal decoction
3. Bruhana Basti (Nutrititive Enema) – warm milk, meat broth, bone marrow soup, etc.

Nasya (Nasal administration of drugs )

This treatment involves the administation of herbalized oils and liquids into the nostrils. It is useful for treatment of kapha-oriented problems, of ear, eyes, nose and throat disorders such as migraine, sinusitis, catarrh, and bronchitis.

The nose is the gateway to the brain and to consciousness. Prana or vital energy enters the body through breath taken in through the nose. Nasal administration of medication helps to correct the disorders of prana affecting the higher cerebral, sensory and motor functions. Nasya is indicated for dryness of the nose, sinus congestion, hoarseness, migraine headache, neurodegenerative conditions (i.e. multiple sclerosis), convulsions and certain eye and ear problems.

Types of Nasya

1. Virechana (purifying with use of powders or herbs)
2. Nutritive Nasya
3. Sedative Nasya
4. Nasya decoctions

 

Blood Letting (Rakta Mokshan)

Blood letting is used to eliminate toxins that are absorbed into the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract. This process purifies the blood. It is used for disorders such as repeated attacks of skin disorders such as urticariya, rash, eczema, acne, scabies, leucoderma , chronic itching and hives. It is also often effective for enlarged liver and spleen, haemochromatosis, and for gout.

Blood letting, which should only be administered by a qualified physician, is useful to relieve several pitta disorders such as acne and rash. If administered properly, it stimulates the antitoxic substances in the blood stream, thus developing the immune mechanism in the blood system.

     Thus Ayurvedic-Panchakarma provide complete and ideal health care. Actually it treats the root cause of disease rather then just suppression of the symptoms of diseases. One criticism of modern scientific medicine is that it encourage a disease -oriented ,rather than patient-oriented approach, thinking in terms of a “case” rather than a”person”