What is Ayurveda Panchakarma
Ayurveda Panchkarma is an ancient Indian method of body purification and the
purpose is to balance the Doshas in the body.
Panchakarma:
- Opens the channels
- cleanses tht body
- relaxes the mind
- flows the energy
- balanches the doshas
- regenerates the tissues
- rejuvenates the body.
Panchkarma
Treatments
1.Vaman
- Medically induced vomiting
2.Virechan
- Medically induced purgation
3.Niruh
vasti- Medicated decoction enema
4.Sneh
vasti- Medicated oil enema
5.Nasya-
Medicated nasal drop
Purpose of these
treatments
1.Vaman
To balance Kapha
2.Virechan
- To balance Pitta
3.Niruh
vasti- To balance Vata
4.Sneh
vasti- To maintain Vata
5.Nasya-
To balance all three dosha above neck region
Doshik composition
Vata
Air element (Air + Ether)
Pitta
Fire element (Fire + Water)
Kapha
Earth element (Earth + Water)
Basic Treatments
Vaman
Vaman
is the first and foremost karma (treatment) in Panchkarma
In
this procedure, dosha are eliminated through the mouth in upward movement
Vaman
is best indicated for elimination of Kapha dosha, and predominant diseases
from its imbalance
Vaman
(or vomiting) is brought up the day following the completion of internal
snehan
In
some cases a gap of one day may be given
At
dinner the previous evening the patient should have food which aggravates
Kapha dosha (e.g. curd, ghee, rice etc.)
Benefits of Vaman (vomiting)
Nasal
diseases
Skin
diseases
Fever
Cough
Tuberculosis
Asthma
Thyroid
dysfunction
Diabetes
mellitus
Indigestion
Virechan (medically induced purgation)
Virechan
(purgation) is the second karma (treatment) in Panchkarma
In
this procedure, dosha are eliminated through the anal rout in downward
movement
Virechan
is best indicated for elimination of Pitta dosha, and predominant diseases
from its imbalance
Following
the completion of internal snehan, a gap of one day is given for this
procedure
At
dinner the previous evening the patient should have food which aggravates
Pitta dosha (e.g. khichari with ghee)
Benefits of Virechan
Vasti (medicated enema)
Vasti
is referred to as half
the treatment
in Ayurveda
Vasti
is best indicated treatment to balance Vata
In
this procedure, medicines are administered through the anal rout
Medicines,
as decoction enema (consisted of a mixture of oil, honey, salt and decoction
of various plants) is called Niruh Vasti
Medicines
as oil enema (specific medicated oil) is called Anuvasan Vasti
Oil
enema in small amount is called Matra Vasti
Niruh
Vasti is specially administer to balance vata while Anuvasan Vasti is used
to improve strength of the body
Matra
Vasti is used only in delicate person, older people, senile debility, weak
patient and those who are having lack of physical and mental power
On
a basis of duration and number, Vasti may be of three types viz. Yog vasti,
Kal vasti and Karm vasti
Selection
of Vasti is depend upon illness and Doshik condition
NV
(Niruh vasti) and AV (Anuvasan vasti) is always administered after the
Abhyang and Swedan (whole body massage and steam)
For
Matra Vasti, Abhyang and Swedan (whole body massage and steam) is not always
necessary
For detailed descriptions of miscellaneous treatments,
please check the buttons in the left column of this page.
Food and Cantine
During the panchakarma programme specific food is served in the cantine. It
is of utmost importance to keep silence while eating, because of the following
reasons:
- Talking while eating will reduce saliva and increase dryness in the
mouth. This condition will cause improper digestion, and lead to increase of
'Ama' (endo-toxin) in the body;
- The biggest energy source for the appropriate survival of the physical
body is FOOD;
- If conversing while eating, it is obvious that the mind will remain
connected with other issues rather than the food that is being eaten.
Therefore, the right nourishment that should be absorbed from the eating
process does not take place;
- According to Ayurveda philosophy, talking while eating is strongly
indicative of disrespect of the 'Anna' (food).
What may be felt during and after Panchkarma
Elimination
of physical and mental toxins might give rise to various physical and mental
symptoms, like weakness, dizziness, lethargy, drowsiness, dryness,
irritation, digestive upsets, sneezing, restlessness, excitability, anger,
emotional upsets, mood swings, recalling old thoughts, actions and events,
heightened sexual desire, craving for different tastes, etc. These symptoms
disappear automatically.
Energy
levels may vary from day to day since Panchkarma besides being a cleansing
process also works at very subtle energy levels
The
energy levels begin to normalize once the entire procedure is complete. It
may however take a week or more
The
real benefit from Panchkarma can be perceived after 7 to 15 days.
Benefits may vary at a personal level depending upon the bodys individual
response and the post-Panchkarma routine advised by the physician
Post-Panchkarma Instructions and Precautions -
After
completion of Panchkarma treatment the diet regime should be adhered to for
at least 7 days, and thereafter as often as possible
It
is advisable to rest the body for a couple of days before embarking upon a
journey after completion of Panchkarma. Do not go trekking or undertake
similar strenuous activities too soon
If
a panchkarma diet advised by the physician is not possible, then a diet with
plenty of fruit included is desirable
Avoid mental stress as much as possible after finishing the Panchkarma
treatment
Harmful combination of foods-Ayurvedic views-
Fish
should not be eaten in combination with milk; one is cold, the other is hot.
Being thus incompatible they tend to vitiate the blood and tend to cause
obstruction of the channels.
The
flesh of domesticated wet, land or aquatic creatures should not be eaten in
combination with honey, til (Sesame), gur (jaggery), milk, black gram,
garden radish, lotus stalks or sprouted grains.
Milk
should not be mixed with salty food
Cold
water should not be drink after ghee or any fatty food
Curd/yogurt
should not be eaten at night but if felt necessary then one tea-spoonful of
honey or cooked mung daal juice may be stirred in it before eating
Three
different kinds of grains should not be eaten together
Fruits
should not be eaten just after the main meal, it should be taken separately
Thank You!
Bhole Baba ki Jai !!
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