What is special about the Indian way of looking at things, however, is that it makes no bones about assuming a direct, physical relationship between man and the Universe. There are five senses and five perceptible 'building blocks of being.' Three properties of the matter principle are applied to the thought life, Rajas becomes the quality of doubt, Tamas becomes error or delusion and Sattwa becomes probability.

Any disturbance of the unstable equilibrium of the three basic properties of the matter principle sparks off a chain reaction bringing about manifestations of Buddhi, Ahankara and Manas, three psychic qualities. Buddhi is the intellect, Ahankara the ego, and Manas the mind or spirit. The five human senses- smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing- answer to the five elements of perception : scent, flavour, form and colour, consistency (parpability) and sound. The five executive organ are the hands, feet, genitals, anus and tongue. The five primal elements, the PanchMahabhutas or the fundamental building blocks of being are earth, water, fire, air and ether (Prithvi, Jala, Tejas, Vayu, Akash.) Tamas gives rise to the element earth; Tamas and the psychic quality, Sattwa give rise to the element water; then again, Sattwa and the dynamically acting fundamental quality known as Rajas give rise to fire; the element air is brought into being by Rajas and finally, the element ether is brought into being by Sattwa.

Panchakarma treatments are Ayurveda cleansing and detoxification treatments which are effective on both physical and mental levels. The body and mind get revitalized and rejuvenated from the stress and strain of everyday life with Ayurveda Panchakarma treatments. It does not matter if you are trying to recover from a health problem, or you are making an attempt to simply improve your health levels and state of wellness – Ayurveda Panchakarma treatments can help you succeed in either.

Ayurveda Panchakarma treatments are effective in chronic as well as acute health issues. We are regularly helping patients of different pathologies and complicated diagnosis with Ayurveda detoxification therapies. We will be happy to help patients of following disorders with Panchakarma treatments – Malignant metastasis, Scleroderma, Multiple Sclerosis, Hepatitis–C, Kidney Diseases, Paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Psoriasis, PCOD, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes, Alopecia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s disease, BPH, Renal calculus, Endometriosis, Fibroid uterus.

Panchakarma treatments are the five-fold Ayurveda cleansing therapies which get to the root cause of the problem and eliminate the deep seated toxic metabolites (Ama) from the body thereby restoring equilibrium of the doshas and promoting healthy tissues. Just like a tree has to be destroyed completely by uprooting it, diseases have to be cured completely by cleansing toxins from the body by Ayurveda Panchakarmatreatments, otherwise there will be recurrence of the disease again and again.

Apart from providing curative line of treatment, Ayurveda Panchakarma therapies help in promotion of health & wellness and prevention of diseases, which is beneficial for both diseased and healthy. Just as a piece of cloth has to be washed well first before being subjected to dyeing; the body has to be purified with suitable Ayurveda Panchakarma therapies for enhancing better absorption of herbs and Rasayana (Ayurvedic Rejuvenation) therapies. There are three sequential steps in carrying out Panchakarma treatments in the classical way. They are Purvakarma, Pradhana Karma and Paschat Karma.

For proper and effective administration of Panchakarma, it is essential to prepare the patient before Panchakarma by Deepana – Pachana, Snehana and Swedana treatments.

Deepana – Pachana (Herbs to increase digestive fire and to promote digestion) – Oral administration of Deepana – Pachana (Digestive) herbs in the form of powder, tablet or decoctions help to enhance Agni (Digestive fire) and liquefy Ama (toxic metabolites) so that it can be eliminated from the body by Panchakarma treatments.

Snehana (Internal and External Oleation)

–Snehana is the process of administration of fats internally in the form of medicated ghee and externally in the form of Ayurveda oil massages. Suitable medicated ghee is administered orally in an increasing dose for a period of 3 – 7 days depending upon the severity of the condition and nature of the patient. Snehana helps in mobilization of the vitiated dosha from the site of morbidity.

Swedana (Sudation) – After Abhyanga (Therapeutic massage), Swedana is administered. Swedana is the procedure of inducing perspiration by application of heat to the body. This helps in liquefying the vitiated doshas and bringing them to the gastrointestinal tract from where they are eliminated by various Panchakarma treatments.

The term Panchakarma is a combination of two words –“Pancha” meaning Five and “Karma” meaning “Procedures”. The five Panchakarma therapies are Vamana (Emesis), Virechana (Therapeutic purgation), Nasya (Nasal medication), AnuvasanaBasti (Medicated oil enema) and NiruhaBasti (Herbal decoction enema). They help in cleansing the body and have a relaxing effect on the body and mind. After Purvakarma, followed by Abhyanga (Therapeutic massage) and Swedana (Sudation), suitable AyurvedicPanchakarma therapies are administered to the patient.

In this Panchakarma treatment, vomiting is induced by oral administration of herbal emetics to remove the accumulated doshas especially vitiated Kaphadosha from the body. 

Vaman is one of the five therapies of panchakarma in Ayurveda. Vaman means therapeutic vomiting which is a medicated emesis. This treatment is done for the aggravated kaphadosha, which dislodges the toxins mainly from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. This therapy is also done for preventive & curative purposes. Ayurveda believes that different seasons have a great influence in the aggravation of doshas, ex: Kapha in hemant (spring season), pitta in Sharada(winter)season and vata in greeshma(summers) season. Hence one can adopt Vaman therapy in Springi.ehemant season as a preventive therapy in order to prevent disorders related to kapha.

1) Vaman is induced in order to eliminate excess of mucus from the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract that causes excess of the kapha.

2) Pre-therapy procedure: before inducing vamana, patient is asked to have kapha aggravating foods such as the yoghurts, sweets, basmati rice, the prior night. This is done with the intention of increasing the kapha so that it gets eliminated out completely and forcefully from the system.

3) On the next day, a drink is made out of vomiting inducing drugs- madanphala, licorice, calamus root tea.

4) This drink triggers vomiting in the patient, if it doesn’t take place then it is induced by rubbing the tongue.

5) In this manner the patient expels the whole kapha outside and feels better & light after some time.

6) Post therapy: patient should take rest completely and consume light food. Fasting is recommended after vaman therapy as the whole system goes under heavy work.

1) Lightness in the chest is often experienced after undergoing the vaman therapy.

2) People analyse things more efficiently, promotes good voice and good appetite.

3) In ancient days vaman was said to be given to one, after consumption of poison or food poisoning which is today followed by stomach wash in modern science.

4) After vaman, the sinuses are cleared which in turn provides relief from congestion, wheezing and breathlessness.

5) It is a highly efficient treatment in Asthma and skin related problems like psoriasis.

6) Reduction in weight and cholesterol & triglycerides.

Indication:

Upper respiratory tract infection

Sinusitis

Asthma

Metabolic disorders like Diabetes.

Skin allergy, eczema, psoriasis

Erysipelas(cellulite)

Obesity

Urticarial rashes

Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation) –

This Panchakarma treatment involves the use of oral purgatives to remove the vitiated doshas especially Pitta dosha by inducing purgation.

Virechan is one among the five therapeutic procedures of panchakarma. It is a medicated purgation therapy which cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract, liver and gall bladder from toxins. It also removes toxins from the blood and thus purifies the blood. Virechan is mainly indicated for the disorders related to pitta. It pacifies the pitta dosha and thus its disorders. It can be adopted as a preventive procedure in sharad (winter) season as it is the season of aggravation of the pitta dosha.

1) Prior to the procedure, the patient is subjected to oleation and sudation therapies in order to bring the doshas to the abdomen.

2) Then on basis of the constitutional analysis, abdomen assessment, age, mental conditions, the dose and medicinal herb are decided and the patient is subjected to purgation.

3) The patient is asked to maintain a frequency chart and the consistency of the motion to analyse the effect of the dose.

4) More the frequency more the effect of the dose which is consider as a perfect purgation therapy.

5) After the therapy patient is asked to observe fasting and then take a light diet.

1) Detoxification of the toxins from the body and thus promotes good health.

2) Detoxify the toxins from the liver and hence regulates proper metabolism.

3) Beneficial in skin disorders, urticarial rashes, allergies.

4) In case of Gout, rheumatism, purgation is classically said to be the best.

5) Mainly relieves gastro-intestinal disorders.

6) Reduces weight by removing excessive fat from the abdomen.

1) Rheumatic arthritis

2) Gout

3) Obesity

4) Chronic asthma

5) Cardiac disorders

6) Tumors growth

7) Jaundice

8) Gall stone

9) Spleen disorders

10) Eczema, psoriasis

11) Hypersensitivity

12) Urinary retention

Contra –indication:

Person suffering from fissures, ano-rectal bleeding, fever, immunocompromised patients, weak persons, pregnant women, age below 15 years and old age people are contra-indicated for virechan.

Nasya (Nasal medication)

– Nasya is one of the Ayurveda Panchakarma therapies which helps in removal of vitiated doshas from the region above the clavicle especially head and sinuses by instilling liquid medicines through the nose after massage and fomentation of face and neck. This Panchakarma treatment is beneficial in disorders affecting the head, face and neck. Read more

Nasya

The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.

Prana, life force as nerve energy, enters the body through the breath taken in through the nose. Prana is in the brain and maintains sensory and motor functions. Prana also governs mental activities, memory, concentration and intellectual activities. Deranged prana creates defective functioning of all these activities and produces headaches, convulsions, loss of memory and reduced sensory perception. Thus nasal administration, nasya is indicated for respiratory disorders, sinus congestion, migraine headaches, convulsions and certain eye and ear problems. It will promote the functions of the sensory and motor organs above the clavicle. It specifically provides strength to the head, nose and neck. Indirectly it works on the whole body by improving the functioning of the endocrine glands. It prevents premature wrinkling, graying and falling of the hair.

Breathing also can be improved through nasal administration. For this treatment, the little finger is dipped into ghee and inserted into the nose. The inner walls of the nose are slowly massaged, going as deeply as possible. This treatment will help to open the emotions. (Nose tissue is tender and for this application the fingernail must be kept short to avoid injuring the delicate mucus membranes.) Since most people have deviated nasal septums, one side of the nose will be easier to penetrate and massage than the other. The finger should not be inserted forcibly. The massage should proceed by slow penetration, the finger moving first in a clockwise, then counter-clockwise direction. By this means, the emotions that are blocked in the respiratory tract will be released. One may use this treatment each morning and evening. In this way breathing patterns will change as the emotions are released and the eyesight also will improve.

1. Pradhamana (virechan) Nasya (cleansing nasya) uses dry powders (rather than oils) that are blown into the nose with a tube. Pradhamananasya is mainly used for kapha types of diseases involving headaches, heaviness in the head, cold, nasal congestion, sticky eyes, hoarseness of voice due to sticky kapha, sinusitis, cervical lymph adenitis, tumors, worms, some skin diseases, epilepsy, drowsiness, Parkinsonism, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, attachment, greed and lust. Traditionally, powders such as brahmi are used.

2. BrumhanaNasya (nutrition nasya) uses ghee, oils, salt, shatavari ghee, ashwagandha ghee and medicated milk and is used mainly for vata disorders. It is said to benefit conditions resulting from vata imbalances such as vata-type headaches, migraine headache, dryness of voice, dry nose, nervousness, anxiety, fear, dizziness, emptiness, negativity, heaviness of eyelids, bursitis, stiffness in the neck, dry sinuses and loss of sense of smell.

3. Shaman Nasya (sedative nasya) is used according to which dosha is aggravated but mainly for pitta-type disorders such as thinning of hair, conjunctivitis and ringing in the ears. Generally certain herbal medicated decoctions, teas and medicated oils are used.

4. NavanaNasya (decoction nasya) is used in vata-pitta or kapha-pitta disorders and is made from decoctions and oils together.

5. MarshyaNasya (ghee or oil nasya): alleviates pitta-vata and expels the toxin from head and neck.

6. PratiMarshya (daily oil nasya) is performed by dipping the clean little finger in the ghee or oil and inserting into each nostril, lubricating the nasal passage with gentle massage as described above. This helps to open deep tissues and can be done every day and at any time to release stress.

Substances Used in Nasya: brahmi, ginger, ghee oils, decoctions, onion, garlic, Piper longum, black pepper, curry pepper, rose, jasmine, mogra flowers and henna.

Indications for Nasya:

Stress

Emotional imbalances

Stiffness in the neck & shoulders

Dryness of the nose

Sinus congestion

Hoarseness

Migraine

Hemicrania

Headache

Convulsions

Stiffness in the head, neck, teeth and jaw and facial paralysis.

 

AnuvasanaBasti (Medicated oil enema) – In this Panchakarma treatment medicated oil is administered through the anal route for expelling vitiated doshas. It is highly beneficial for pacifying Vatadosha. Read more

Basti : Medicated enema

Basti: Medicated Enema Therapy

Vata’s predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedicbasti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal substances like oil and decoction etc in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. This is one of the five pradhana karma of panchakarma.

Vata is a very active principle in pathogenesis. If we can control vata through the use of basti, we have gone a long way in going to the root cause of the vast majority of diseases.

Vata is the main etiological factor in the manifestation of diseases. It is the motive force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta. Vata is mainly located in the large intestine, but bone tissue (asthidhatu) is also a site for vata. Hence the medication administered rectally effects asthidhatu. The mucus membrane of the colon is related to the outer covering of the bones (peritoneum), which nourishes the bones. Therefore, any medication given rectally goes into the deeper tissues, like bones, and corrects vata disorders.

1. Anuvasana (oil enema) is used in pure vata disorders and when a person is having excess hunger or dryness related to vata imbalances.

2. Niruha-Asthapana (decoction enema) is used, among other conditions, for evacuation of vata, nervous diseases, gastro-intestinal vata conditions, gout, certain fever conditions, unconsciousness, certain urinary conditions, appetite, pain, hyperacidity and heart diseases.

3. UttaraBasti (through the urethra with men or vagina with women) is used for selected semen and ovulation disorders and for some problems involving painful urination or bladder infections. This is not to be used for someone with diabetes.

4. MatraBasti (daily oil enema) is used by someone emaciated by overwork or too much exercise, too much heavy lifting, walking too long a distance, too much sexual activity or someone with chronic vata disorders. It does not need to be accompanied by any strict dietary restriction or daily routine and can be administered, in the appropriate cases, in all seasons. It gives strength, promotes weight and helps elimination of waste products.

5. Karma Basti (schedule of 30 bastis),

6. Kala Basti (schedule of 15 bastis; 10 oil + 5 decoction)

7. Yoga Basti (schedule of 8 bastis; 5 oil + 3 decoction).

In karma, kala and yoga bastis, it is better to give both types of basti in combination and not oil and decoction separately. The conditions under which these are recommended are too detailed to be able to list in this article. In general, the indications and contra-indications that apply to basti also apply here.

8. BruhanaBasti (nutritional enema) is used for providing deep nutrition in select conditions. Traditionally, highly nutritive substances have been used, such as warm milk, meat broth, bone marrow soup and herbs like shatavari or ashwagandha.

It relieves constipation, distension, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti

1) constipation

2) low back ache

3) Inflammatory disorders like Gout, rheumatism

4) Neurological disorders like sciatica

5) Nervous disorders like vata headache

6) Obesity

7) Emaciation

8) sexual weakness, infertility

9) Muscular atrophy

Enema therapy should not be used if the patient is suffering from diarrhoea, bleeding of the rectum, chronic indigestion, breathlessness, diabetes, fever, emaciation, severe anaemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, old age or for children below the age of seven years.

For oil enemas: diabetes, obesity, indigestion, low agni, enlarged liver or spleen, unconsciousness, tuberculosis and cough. for decoction enemas: debility, hiccough, haemorrhoids, inflammation of anus, piles, diarrhoea, pregnancy, ascites, obesity, diabetes and some conditions involving painful or difficult breathing. for nutritional enemas: diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, ascites. for urethra or vaginal enemas: diabetes

 

NiruhaBasti (Herbal decoction enema) – This Ayurveda Panchakarma treatment involves the introduction of herbal decoctions into the anal route with the patient lying in left lateral position. NiruhaBasti Panchakarma treatment is effective for balancing Vatadosha. Read more

Basti : Medicated enema

Basti: Medicated Enema Therapy

Vata’s predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedicbasti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal substances like oil and decoction etc in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. This is one of the five pradhana karma of panchakarma.

Mode of action:

Vata is a very active principle in pathogenesis. If we can control vata through the use of basti, we have gone a long way in going to the root cause of the vast majority of diseases.

Vata is the main etiological factor in the manifestation of diseases. It is the motive force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta. Vata is mainly located in the large intestine, but bone tissue (asthidhatu) is also a site for vata. Hence the medication administered rectally effects asthidhatu. The mucus membrane of the colon is related to the outer covering of the bones (peritoneum), which nourishes the bones. Therefore, any medication given rectally goes into the deeper tissues, like bones, and corrects vata disorders.

1. Anuvasana (oil enema) is used in pure vata disorders and when a person is having excess hunger or dryness related to vata imbalances.

2. Niruha-Asthapana (decoction enema) is used, among other conditions, for evacuation of vata, nervous diseases, gastro-intestinal vata conditions, gout, certain fever conditions, unconsciousness, certain urinary conditions, appetite, pain, hyperacidity and heart diseases.

3. UttaraBasti (through the urethra with men or vagina with women) is used for selected semen and ovulation disorders and for some problems involving painful urination or bladder infections. This is not to be used for someone with diabetes.

4. MatraBasti (daily oil enema) is used by someone emaciated by overwork or too much exercise, too much heavy lifting, walking too long a distance, too much sexual activity or someone with chronic vata disorders. It does not need to be accompanied by any strict dietary restriction or daily routine and can be administered, in the appropriate cases, in all seasons. It gives strength, promotes weight and helps elimination of waste products.

5. Karma Basti (schedule of 30 bastis),

6. Kala Basti (schedule of 15 bastis; 10 oil + 5 decoction)

7. Yoga Basti (schedule of 8 bastis; 5 oil + 3 decoction).

In karma, kala and yoga bastis, it is better to give both types of basti in combination and not oil and decoction separately. The conditions under which these are recommended are too detailed to be able to list in this article. In general, the indications and contra-indications that apply to basti also apply here.

8. BruhanaBasti (nutritional enema) is used for providing deep nutrition in select conditions. Traditionally, highly nutritive substances have been used, such as warm milk, meat broth, bone marrow soup and herbs like shatavari or ashwagandha.

Benefits:

It relieves constipation, distension, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti

1) constipation

2) low back ache

3) Inflammatory disorders like Gout, rheumatism

4) Neurological disorders like sciatica

5) Nervous disorders like vata headache

6) Obesity

7) Emaciation

8) sexual weakness, infertility

9) Muscular atrophy

Enema therapy should not be used if the patient is suffering from diarrhoea, bleeding of the rectum, chronic indigestion, breathlessness, diabetes, fever, emaciation, severe anaemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, old age or for children below the age of seven years.

For oil enemas: diabetes, obesity, indigestion, low agni, enlarged liver or spleen, unconsciousness, tuberculosis and cough. for decoction enemas: debility, hiccough, haemorrhoids, inflammation of anus, piles, diarrhoea, pregnancy, ascites, obesity, diabetes and some conditions involving painful or difficult breathing. for nutritional enemas: diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, ascites. for urethra or vaginal enemas: diabetes

Paschat Karma (Post Panchakarma / Follow up Regimen)

For enhanced benefits after Ayurveda Panchakarma treatments, one should avoid both diet and lifestyle that contribute to illness. Follow up regimen in regard to diet and lifestyle helps to intensify Agni (digestive and metabolic fire), restore physical strength as well as optimum functioning of the body systems. Post Panchakarma regimen includes intake of wholesome food and avoidance of day sleep & physical and mental over-strain.

1.Eradicates diseases from its root cause.

2. Restores health & wellness and minimises recurrence of the disease.

3. Promotes immunity & improves strength, vigor and vitality.

4. Enhances digestion and metabolism.

5. Delays ageing, rejuvenates the body and mind.

6. Improves the functioning of sense organs and mind.

7. Promotes longer, healthier and happier life.