Panchakarma Detoxification Process

Panchakarma Treatments

Ayurveda (ayur= life, Veda=science) is one of the most ancient forms of treatment traditions available to mankind. Believed to be more than 5000 years old, Ayurveda offers a holistic concept on health and well being which is more and more relevant in the current world scenario. Ayurveda defines health as a state of well being and happiness , where in the body is clear of toxins, the mind at peace with itself ,the emotions calm , the wastes eliminated sufficiently from the body and the body organs working optimally.

Panchakarma is one treatment process in the Ayurveda tradition which encapsulates it’s essence so wonderfully well. It is basically a cleansing and rejuvenating programme for not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. Day to day life stresses cause toxins to accumulate in our body and soul, thereby leading to decay and deterioration in the optimal functioning of our body. If not attended to, this leads on to the development of specific disease patterns ultimately damaging our well-being and happiness. Panchakarma tries to restore the equilibrium of the body by eliminating the accumulated toxins from the system. This is called Sodhana Chikitsa in ayurvedic parlance.

Panchakarma treatments include the following five detoxification procedures. Before starting on the panchakarma detoxification procedure, it is important to do the preparatory treatments called purvakarma. The role of the purvakarma or preparatory phase is to prepare the person for panchakarma detox. The five panchakarma detoxification procedures include:

Nasyam(Nasal installation)
Vamanam (Induced Vomiting)
Virechanam (Purgation)
Vasthy (Enema)
Raktamoksham (Blood Letting)

Preparatory treatments (Purvakarma) include various treatment modalities like uzhichil (medicated oil massage), pizhichil, njavarakizhy, sirodhara, udwarthanam etc. These preparatory treatments cause the release of toxins from the various organs which are subsequently eliminated by the appropriate panchakarma procedure. Please note that dietary restrictions and modifications as well as use of medicines for internal consumption are an integral part of the purvakarma or preparatory phase.