Ayurvedic Treatments

Panchakarma Chikitsa

Pancha means five and karma means procedures . These are the procedures which cleanse the body by expelling the vitiated doshas from their main sites.

The different Panchakarma's are,

Vamana (emesis)
Virechanam-(purgation)
Kashaya vasthi (enema foe expelling doshas )
Sneha vasti (retension enema )

Nasyam (nasal instillation of medicine)

Indication

• As a part of preventive medicine - Tridoshas tend to vitiate due to improper food habits, seasonal changes etc. Pu rifying the body by expelling such vitiated doshas regularly halts the further progression of disease process.
• As a part of rejuvenation - Any procedure or medicine that is administered for rejuvenation will go futile if the body has not been cleansed of vitiated doshas. Panchakarmas therefore are essential for those who want to rejuvenate their body.
• As a part of curative therapy - Diseases when caused by severly vitiated doshas will not be cured completely by just passification of doshas. Vitiated doshas need to be expelled here and panchakarma are what required.
  
  

These procedures are done in 4 stages

Poorvakarmas - Pre-operative measures.
Pradhanakarmas - Operative measures.
Paschathkarmas - Post-operative measures
Samsarjanakramas - Dietry regimen

Poorvakarmas

These are the procedures to be done before doing the Panchakarmas for smooth return of doshas(body humors) from the deeper tissues to the koshta(gastrointestinal tract) so that they can be expelled by Panchakarmas. Eg.- Snehapana( internal administration of unctuous drugs like ghee) for a specific period followed by fomentation are the poorvakarmas for Vamana and Virechana, Application of oil in the face, head, neck and shoulders followed by fomentation are the poorvakarmas for Nasyam and so on.

Pradhanakarmam


The main karmas are called as Pradhana Karmas.

Vamana (Emesis)

This karma is indicated for expelling the vitiated kapha. The procedure will be conducted in early morning. Person who has already undergone the poorva karma will be stopped when the symptoms of perfect vamana are observed.

Virechana (Purgation)

Virechana is done mainly for expelling vitiated pitta. Medicine will be administered in late morning. Person has to remain indoor. The procedure is continued until the proper symptoms are observed.

Kashaya vasti (Enema for expelling doshas)

This karma is indicated mainly in the vititation of vata. Along with the sneha vasti, kashaya vasti imparts much more benefits to the body. The procedure is to be done between 10 am and 12 noon. Person must undergo all the preliminary procedures. The medicine for vasti is a combination of decoction, medicated oil, pastes etc. This will be administered through the anal route using a special instrument. The person will be observed throughout the procedure. After some

time he develops the urge to evacuate. Hot water bath and special diet will be given after complete evacuation. A combination of 3 kashaya vasti and 5 sneha vasti or 6 kashaya vasti and 9 sneha vasti or 12 kashaya vasti and 18 sneha vasti is advocated depending upon the condition.

Sneha vasti (retension enema)

This karma is indicated in the vitiation of vata. Oil processed with various medicines is administered through the anal route using a special instrument. This imparts oleation and nourishment apart from curing the disease. The procedure is to be done immediately after the noon/evening meals. Sneha vasti along with kashaya vasti is administered in numbers of 8, 15 or 30.

Nasyam (nasal instillation of medicine)


Nasyam (nasal administration of medicines) ---This karma is indicated for enhancing the strength and functioning of parts above the neck. Also it is advocated in most of the disorders like head aches, sinusitis, neuralgia, disturbance of sensory faculties etc. Person must undergo the mandatory poorvakarma. Medicines in various forms like oil, juice etc. is administered into the nostrils. The karma is done either in the morning or in the evening according to the condition and must be repeated for minimum seven days.



Paschathkarmam

These are the procedures to be done after the pradhanakarmas. Each pradhana karma has to be followed by a specific paschatkarma. Following are a few such procedures

Dhoomapanam (Inhalation of medicated smoke)
Kabalam (Gurgling the mouth with medicine)
Gandusham (Steadying the mouth with medicine)