What is Panchakarma?

As the name suggests, a term used to symbolize five medical procedures. Pancha in Sanskrit stands for five and Karma is the therapeutic measures, therefore Panchakarma means five types of therapeutic measures. These are:

Vamana Karma (Therapeutic Emesis):

It is a unique procedure of eliminating the Doshas or the toxins out of the body from upper rout in the form of induced vomiting. It is helpful in Bronchial asthma, Cough, Heart burns, Anorexia, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Anemia, Obesity, Goiter, Urticaria, Psoriasis and many other ailments due to vitiated Cough and Pitta Dosha.

Virechana Karma (Therapeutic Purgation):

It is a procedure which helps in expelling the morbid accumulation of Doshas from the intestine by the way of induced purgation. It is helpful in various skin diseases, Acne, Chronic attacks of Fever, Vomiting, Nausea, Jaundice, Diabetes, Asthma and other ailments of liver & digestive systems due to vitiated Pitta Dosha.

Vasti Karma (Therapeutic Enema):

Vasti involves the introduction of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium into the rectum. Vata's predominant site is the colon and Vasti is the most effective treatment for Vata disorders. It relieves in Constipation, Distention of abdomen, Chronic Fever, Cold, Sexual disorders, Kidney stones, Heart pain, Backache, Sciatica and other Joints pains. Many other Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, paralytic disorders, muscular dystrophy, headaches etc. may also be treated with Vasti chikitsa.

Nasya Karma (Therapeutic Errhines):

The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose. The diseases which are well treated by Naysa are Throat diseases, Allergic Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Swelling affecting all parts above shoulder, Mumps, Skin Diseases, Epilepsy, Hair problems, Headaches, Migraine, Voice constrain,

Rakta Mokshana Karma (Therapeutic Blood-letting):

Allowing the blood to bleed by different techniques for therapeutic purpose is known as Raktamokshna. It treats the diseases like Skin disorders, Herpes, Jaundice, Chronic Ulcers, Gout, Piles, Abscess, Leucoderma, Eczema, Deep venous thrombosis, varicose veins. These practices are extremely helpful in relieving deep seated diseases as well as being beneficial for maintaining and improving physical and mental health. Ayurveda considers it necessary before the start of any other therapy. The logic being that as a cloth needs to be purified or cleaned of impurities and dust before it can be permeated with a new color; similarly the body needs to be purified before it can be permeated with new colors of youthfulness, health and vigor etc.

PANCHKARMA DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME FOR HEALTH MAINTAINANCE