What is Panchakarma?
Panchakarma is a method of cleansing the body of all the unwanted waste after lubricating it. Panchakarma are 5 (five) in number; hence the term PANCHA (five) – KARMA (procedures). Panchakarma treatment is unique in the sense that it includes preventive, curative and promotive actions for various diseases. It cleans the disease from the body by root with the help of Panchakarma therapies that is called detoxification.
5 Major Therapies in Panchakarma
- Vamana karma
- Virechana karma
- Nasya karma
- Niruh Basti
- Anuvasana Basti
PRIME TREATMENT
1. SNEHANA
It involves the application of medicated oils, ghee and herbs to the body internally and externally for three to seven days. Snehana is crucial as it loosens amam, or toxins, and doshas in the body, thereby facilitating their expulsion during Pradhanakarma stage.
2.SWEDANA KARMA ( Sudation therapy )
Swedana is the process of inducing sweat with the help of steam, generated from medicated herbal decoctions. It is the pre-operative procedure in various Ayurvedic detox therapies where the objective is to dilate the channels of the body to detach the toxins from the tissues.
Additional therapies
Shirodhara
Shirodhara comes from the two Sanskrit words “Shiro” (head) and “dhara” (flow). It’s an Ayurvedic healing technique that involves having someone pour liquid – usually oil , milk , buttermilk – onto your forehead . It’s often combined with a body, scalp or head massage.
Griva Basti
The word Griva refers to neck and Basti stands for retaining something inside mainly medicated oil. It is an ayurvedic neck care and basically a hot oil therapy. Griva Basti is bathing the neck region with medicated oil or freshly prepared herbal decoction.
Kati Basti
Kati Basti is traditional ayurvedic treatment used for lower backache and disorders of lumbosacral region, including slip disc, lumbar spondylitis, sciatica, spinal problems etc. kati basti is a part of external oleation therapy in Ayurveda.
Janu Basti
In Sanskrit “Janu” means knee and Basti means to Retain Oil . Janu basti addresses the pain and stiffness and discomfort of the knee joint. The movement of the knee joint makes locomotion easy and the knee joint is the some sense one of the most important joints in the human body .
Agnikarma
Agnikarma (therapeutic heat burn) is one which gives instant relief from pain by balancing local Vata and Kapha Dosha without any untoward effects.
Leech therapy
Medicinal leech therapy (MLT) or Hirudotherapy is a kind of complementary and integrative treatment method applied with blood sucking leeches. Leech saliva contains hirudin, an anticoagulant and anti-platelet agent that works to prevent blood clots and reduce the amount of congested blood in the tissues.
Mukha Lepam
Mukha Lepam is the basically Ayurvedic Facial which refers to application of a Ayurvedic Facial mask consisting of various herbal pastes that have beneficial effects on skin. It is a very famous ayurvedic facial therapy which can be characterized as a pure ayurvedic skincare treatment. This herbal and natural pack contains various sorts of herbs, therapeutic plants, juices of plants, oils, ghee, decoction, etc. are utilized that are free from side effects.
Potli massage
Potli massage therapy is done using heated herbal pouches also known as potlis (or poultice) that are used to rejuvenate, relax and nourish the affected area. It is an Ayurvedic therapy wherein warm poultices are filled with natural ingredients like herbal powders, oils or certain medical concoctions and then are massaged all over the body. These warm poultices are meant to massage specific parts of the whole body and induce perspiration.
Abhyanga
Abhyanga (oil massage) is a form of ayurvedic therapy that involves massage of the entire body from the head to the toe with dosha–specific warm herb infused oil. The oil is commonly pre mixed with herbs for specific conditions. Traditionally, the base oil used is sesame but Ayurveda professionals base the oil section on the dosha type and hence herb oils like Ashwagandha oil , Mahanarayan oil , Bhringraj oil , Brahmi oil and Neem oil can be used and in some cases to correct kapha dosha almond oil or Corn oil might also be used .
Cupping therapy ( Hijama )
Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that some people use to ease pain. A provider places cups on your back, stomach, arms, legs or other parts of your body. Inside the cup, a vacuum or suction force pulls skin upward. Cupping is a form of traditional Chinese or Middle Eastern medicine.
Akshi Tarpan therapy (Eye Rejuvenation)
Akshi Tarpana is an unique procedure in Ayurveda where herbal infused ghrta (ghee) is placed over the eyes for a specific period of time. The herb-infused ghee nourishes and strengthens the eyes. The process starts with a gentle message for the head and face. It is said to be an excellent treatment to improve vision and clarity of the mind.
Nasya therapy
Nasya therapy is an Ayurveda therapy that includes instillation of herbal oils, juices or powders through the nasal route. It works specifically on disorders of ear, nose and throat. Nasya is one among the five Panchakarma therapies. Nasya also increases our immune power and prevent other diseases also like hair fall, premature graying of hairs, chronic headache, coryza, eye diseases, etc.