What Is Panchakarma? Beginner’s Guide to Ayurvedic Detox Therapy

Living in a fast-paced world, more than positivity, we are surrounded by stress, irregular routines, unhealthy eating habits, insufficient amount of sleep, and amidst all this workloads we forget to care about our own selves, and to maintain a healthy human body. While advancing technology offers medications for quick wellness, but little did everyone know that it has a lot of long-term disadvantages. Whereas Indian Ayurveda, that is, the traditional Indian medical system, focuses on holistic approaches to ensure health and well-being. Ayurveda offers a Panchakarma treatment program for good health.

Panchakarma is an effective detoxification and rejuvenation therapy for relaxing the body, mind, and consciousness. The name of Panchakarma itself means “five procedures.” So the five therapeutic phenomena that Panchakarma offers include:

• Vamana (vomiting)
• Virechana (purgation)
• Basti (enema)
• Nasya (nasal administration)
• Raktamokshana (bloodletting)

Understanding the cause of Illness

Physical balance is maintained by the elements of Tridosha. It is said that when the elements of Tridosha, which are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, get disturbed in their balance, then it results in some sort of disease. Ayurveda states that order is the state of health since Vata, Pitta and Kapha are in equilibrium, and any occurring disease leads to disorder of the state of health.

• Vata comprises ether and air.
• Pitta comprises fire and water.
• Kapha comprises water and earth.

Mental Balance is maintained by the seven bodily tissues. When the seven bodily tissues are working in coordination with each other so it brings harmony between the mind, senses and consciousness. The seven bodily tissues include:

• Rasa (emotion)
• Rakta (blood)
• Mamsa (muscle tissue)
• Meda (fatty tissue)
• Asthi (bone)
• Majja (bone marrow)
• Shukra (male reproductive tissue) and Artava (female reproductive tissue)

Panchakarma Treatment: The Detox Therapy

Before the treatment of Panchakarma begins, Purvakarma, that is, pre-purification methods, takes place. Purvakarma process is a vital part of Panchakarma because it removes the deep-rooted toxins from the body. The pre-purification methods include Snehan and Swedana.

1. Snehan (Oleation) is a process of applying medicated oils while gently massaging the body to nourish the body, lubricate its tissues, and prepare the body for further treatments.
2. Swedana (Sudation) is a process of providing steam or heat to the body to induce sweat that relieves muscle stiffness. This process is done just after oiling the body.
3. After the pre-purification methods, the different treatments of Panchakarma phenomena begin.

Vamana, also known as the Emesis Therapy

The process of Vamana involves inducing vomiting to eliminate the excess of Kapha Dosha.

• Vamana process takes place when there are repetitive episodes of asthma, bronchitis, cold and cough.
• Firstly, the individual is required to take a special diet to increase Kapha, and then a medicated herb is provided to induce vomiting.
• After vomiting, the excess of Kapha is removed from the respiratory tract, lungs, and stomach.

Virechana, also known as the Purgation Therapy

The process of Virechan involves purging or the evacuation of bowels to eliminate the excess of Pitta Dosha.

• Firstly, the individual is required to take natural herbal laxatives for the occurrence of bowel movements.
• The natural herbal laxatives include trivrit, jayapala, aragvadha, and triphala.
• After purging, the excess of Pitta is removed from the gastrointestinal tract, live,r and gall bladder.

Basti, also known as the Enema Therapy

Basti is considered as the core treatment for most diseases because here the excess of Vata is eliminated from the body, and Vata plays an active role in pathogenesis, that is, the development of diseases.

• The process of Basti involves injecting a liquid into the rectum for cleansing and removing the excess of Vata.
• The liquid injected is a herbal decoction, which includes honey, rock salt, ghee, paste of herbs and kwatha.

Nasya, also known as Nasal Administration

The process of Nasya involves the medication of nasal administration to maintain the proper balance between Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

• Firstly, the individual’s face, chest, and head are gently massaged with the inhalation of steam, and the individual is made to lie on their back.
• Then the medicated oils are injected into the nostrils. The medicated oils include anu tailam, shadbindu tailam, kumkumadi tailam, and jatyadi tailam.
• In Ayurveda, it is stated that the nose is the gateway to the brain, so this process keeps us physically as well as mentally healthy.

Raktamokshana, also known as Bloodletting Therapy

The process of Raktamokshana involves purifying the blood, removal of the impure blood, and eliminating the toxins from excess of Pitta, since Pitta and blood are interconnected; if there will be excess Pitta, then it will lead to blood toxicity. The toxins present are absorbed by the blood and circulated throughout the body. The bloodletting therapy involves further different procedures.

• Firstly, Siravyadha, that is, puncturing a vein.
• Secondly, Prachchana, that is, making an incision on a vein to let the impure blood be out.
• Thirdly, Jalaukavacharana, that is, applying medicinal leeches to suck out impure blood, and the saliva of medicinal leeches is secreted into the skin, leaving an effective impact.
• Lastly, Alabu, that is, the suction cups are placed on the skin, which creates a vacuum, and finally, the impure blood is drawn out, and the blood is purified.

The benefits of Panchakarma include:

• It strengthens the immune system of the human body to resist diseases and infections.
• It removes accumulated toxins and harmful substances from the human body.
• It enhances the functioning of the digestive system by easily breaking down and absorbing the food.
• It reduces stress levels, resulting in mental well-being.
• It supports healthy fat metabolism, reducing excess weight in the human body.
• It slows down the aging process in mental activeness and physical appearance.
• It rejuvenates the body and gives a fresh vibe to the mind.
• It maintains an equilibrium balance between Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
• It helps in fighting against diseases and their prevention.
• It improves concentration levels, enhancing mental well-being.
• It provides a natural glow to the skin, nourishing the cells within.
• It opens all the pathways for smooth circulation.
• It ensures the cleansing and detoxification of the human body.
• It provides lubrication in the running of the circulation.
• It ensures a long-lasting, healthy life.

Panchakarma is, although an ancient therapy but still relevant in today’s time and still stands strong as one of Ayurveda’s most powerful healing systems. Practicing Panchakarma either daily or twice a week will bring a lot of positive changes and have a long-lasting, beneficial impact. Panchakarma helps in ordering the imbalance of elements and ensures the proper coordination between the mind, body, and consciousness. This detoxification process cleanses internally and helps in calming our mind, relaxing our body, reducing our stress, and enhancing our immune system

Read More: 5 Best Ayurvedic Massage Therapies to Calm Mind & Body