Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
09 September 2024 | 12 min
Panchakarma is one of the central elements of Ayurvedic treatment and it represents the healing experience of the mind and body. It is a traditional therapy for intoxication that is meant to remove the toxins from the body and restore the doshas balance.
Panchakarma treatment has lately gained worldwide recognition due to the rising interest in the natural and holistic healing methods, with over 18000 people searching for it every month.
Panchakarma is not only a detox but also a comprehensive process of purification that heals and rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit. This treatment method is rooted in the Ayurvedic philosophy and is based on the concept that health issues originate from the accumulation of toxins in the body. Panchakarma therapy works to remove all these toxins from the body and restore its natural state of balance and harmony.
Vamana therapy is recommended to people with Kapha dominant disorders like weight gain, asthma and hyperacidity. When you go for the treatment, you will receive both inside and outdoor oleation and fomentation treatments that include therapies and some Ayurvedic drugs.
The poison in your body then melts and concentrates in the higher cavities of the body, after which you will be given emetic medication and a decoction. This removes the toxins from the body tissues and causes you to vomit.
This therapy works to remove toxins from your body by cleansing the bowels, that is the liver, gall bladder and small intestines. It also includes administration of inside and exterior oleation and fomentation therapies.
After that the patient is then administered with a natural purgative that will help in gut clearance. This will then remove the toxins in the gut.
Virechan treatment is recommended to people with pitta-dominant disorders such as herpes zoster, jaundice, celiac disease, gall stones, colitis and other similar conditions.
This treatment aims to cleanse and tone the colon. Scientifically, the colon is connected to all other body tissues and organs because it is the organ that absorbs nutrients. This means that cleansing it heals and rejuvenates the whole body.
The treatment is administered through the rectum and is beneficial to people with vata Dosha. All the doshas in the abdomen are accumulated and removed using Basti.
Nasya is an extremely effective treatment that helps in clearing and purging the head area. since the nose is believed to be the gateway to the head, this therapy is administered through the nose.
The treatment starts with a delicate massage and fomentation of the head and shoulders. After that nasal drops of the patient are regulated in both nostrils to help clean the whole head area.
The treatment cures all types of cerebral pain, headache, hair issues and neurological disorders.
This panchakarma treatment purifies the blood and cures diseases caused by impure blood. It can be performed in a particular part of the body or even the whole body, depending on the patient’s health problem and choice.
Raktamokshan involves releasing of toxin blood from the specific body parts. The patient releases 2 to 8 ounces of blood.
The treatment is effective against various skin infections such as psoriasis, dermatitis, hypertension and many others.
Panchakarma, is a bio-cleansing therapy and it plays a very important role in detoxing your body. This treatment cleanses the body from inside out and gets rid of toxins called ‘Ama’ from the body.
The toxins in the body are first loosened through palliation and purification. This allows them to return to their original sites through the bloodstream. Once there, the five panchakarma therapy procedures are used to completely expel the toxins from the body.
The panchakarma treatment therefore aims to free the body from toxins and residues that have accumulated in a long time. The treatment also looks to balance all the three doshas.
According to Ayurveda, the natural state of humans is a life of health, happiness and well-being. A healthy person has a body clear of toxins, is happy and emotionally at peace, and all their organs function normally.
At times our physical and mental systems accumulate toxins that cause the deterioration of the body functioning. With time, the systems become weak thus opening doors for chronic, degenerative and nonspecific disease to develop.
If not treated the nonspecific diseases may evolve into serious specific diseases that damage your health and overall wellness. To avoid all this, our bodies need Ayurvedic detox to flush out toxins and heal our physical and mental systems.
Panchakarma therapy, a natural and holistic treatment helps in bringing the body to sanity by removing toxins from specific parts of the body or even the whole body. This balances your systems and improves bodily functions.
This treatment therefore increases the vitality, inner peace, confidence and well-being of individuals removing toxins from the body and improving digestion.
Panchakarma therapy is carried out in three stages:
At this stage, the therapist applies the panchakarma therapy aspects to cleanse the body. The therapy method applied depends on the patient’s specific ailment and choice.
Here are the five cleansing procedures in panchakarma:
This involves the recovery and after care of panchakarma like diet and lifestyle changes. The body starts rebuilding the tissues damaged by the disease and gives the, a new level of strength and purity.
Different Panchakarma procedures are applied for different health conditions. The major health conditions that are treated with this therapy are:
Vamana and Virechana procedures are applied to detoxify the stomach and intestines. Panchakarma treats constipation, bloating, indigestion, gas and irregular bowel movements by removing toxins from the digestive system. This improves the overall digestion.
Panchakarma therapies help treat arthritis, rheumatism, and back pain by reducing inflammation and enhancing blood circulation. Therapy helps rejuvenate the affected tissues, muscles and joints and gives relief from chronic pain and muscle stiffness.
Nasya therapy is effective in managing respiratory diseases like sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The treatment is administered through the nose and work by clearing congestion in the nasal passage and reduces inflammation there. Vamana, which is therapeutic vomiting detoxifies the lungs and the respiratory system leading to improved breathing.
Panchakarma detoxifies the body and removes toxins and impurities that cause skin issues like acne, eczema and psoriasis. Procedures like Virechana and Basti cleanse the digestive system, thus promoting a clear and healthy skin from within. Treatments that purify the blood heals the skin of issues like rashes and acne.
Panchakarma therapies reduces stress, promotes relaxation and also mental wellness by purifying the mind and body. The calming effect of the therapies provides a sense of serenity and inner peace.
Panchakarma aims to balance the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are responsible for regulating hormones. The procedures also support the endocrine system, which produces and regulates hormones in the body. Adrenal fatigue and cortisol imbalance are stress related hormonal imbalances that can be treated by relaxation and stress reduction.
Panchakarma therapy improves blood circulation, oxygenation of blood and also promotes nutrient delivery to the brain and nervous system. Patients with neurological conditions attain mental clarity, improved focus and cognitive functions after this treatment.
Cardiac disorders include rheumatic heart disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia. and inflammations like myocarditis, endocarditis and pericarditis. Panchakarma therapy treats risk factors for cardiac disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure, stress and others.
Panchakarma therapy is all about re-setting your body from within so you need to make certain lifestyle and dietary changes to increase the efficiency of the treatment.
When undergoing the treatment, it is essential that you eat light and easily digestible foods. Foods that are difficult to digest may interfere with the process of detoxification which will then reduce the effectiveness of the therapy.
Examples of foods that are easily digested are cooked vegetables, soups, stews lentils and rice. Also consume warm food and drinks to promote healthy digestion and also relaxation of the body.
Avoid processed foods and junk food because they contain artificial ingredients, chemicals, preservatives which put additional strain on the liver and the digestive system. Junk foods also cause inflammation and increase toxins in the body.
You are encouraged to consume organic and seasonal foods as they are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. You may also include herbal supplements that support detoxification and promote your overall health and wellbeing.
Panchakarma treatment gets rid of all toxins and impurities from the body. This therefore purifies the body, mind and also the soul.
Removing all the toxicity from your body achieves you a healthy and stress free body. The treatment also reverses the negative effects of stress on your body and mind, and also helps you relax completely.
Doshas govern the human body and if they are not balanced, our bodies react in an abnormal way. As a result, we then fall prey to numerous types of illnesses. Panchakarma therapy helps restore the balance between the doshas and in that our bodies continue functioning properly.
Panchakarma treatment promotes relaxation of the body and mind, which enables you to fall asleep faster and sleep better. It also encourages you to adapt healthy eating habits so that we can take care of our bodies.
Everyone is recommended to do Panchakarma therapy at least once a year. It is especially beneficial for individuals fighting lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, gastritis and others.
Panchakarma treatment can however be demanding both physically and mentally. It is therefore discouraged for people who cannot handle that amount of pressure.
Children and the elderly for example, are not allowed to undergo panchakarma therapy. Also, people who are physically weak or those dealing with after illness effects or operation should reconsider doing this treatment.
When you visit a therapist, they will first evaluate your health history, the present state of your health and doshic imbalance so that they can create for you a specified treatment plan.
Depending on your health condition, the therapist will advise you on the right Panchakarma procedure for you. You also have a choice in the treatment method you want, so if you are not comfortable with the one selected, you can change.