PANCHA KARMA
The most important detoxification and rejuvenation treatment practiced in Ayurveda is called Pancha Karma (Pancha means five and karma means action). This five-fold treatment removes Ama and the excessive doshas from the deeper tissues of the body therefore slows the aging process, improves energy and addresses chronic conditions in a positive way. Its purpose is not only to eliminate the deep seated toxins that cause the disease but also to nourish and rejuvenate the tissues.
The Pancha Karma therapy is performed in three stages: Purvakarma, (the preparatory procedures), the actual Pancha Karma (the main treatment) and the post treatment care (Paschatkarma).
Purvakarma , or the preliminary stage of the Pancha Karma prepares the body for the elimination of the toxins and is associated with the following procedures:
- A very light diet;
- In case the patient has Ama, or undigested food mass, the intake of certain herbs is recommended to help the digestion of Ama , step called in Sanskrit Ama Pachana (digestion of Ama);
- Internal and external Snehana, which means internal and external oleation, where specific herbs and oils are taken internally and applied externally on the body or on the different maramas (Abhyanga, external basti, Pidna Sweda, Garshana, etc. are part of the procedures employed during the Purvakarma).
- Shirodhara, the application of a steady oil stream on the third eye, as a part of the external oleation.
- Swedana - which means sweating, employed after each oil application on the body, a therapeutic application of heat to the body meant to open the channels, bring the medicated oil deeper into the tissues and to move the toxins into the digestive channel.
Poorvakarma is followed by the appropriate Panchakarma therapy, depending on the Prakriti and Vikriti of the patient and consists of:
- Nasya (therapeutic application of medicated oils or powders to the nostrils),
- Virechana (purgation therapy),
- Vamana (emesis therapy),
- Sneha basti (therapeutic enema with medicated oil) and
- Niruha basti (therapeutic enema with herbal decoction).
After Panchkarma, the post treatment care consists of a different herbal, dietary and lifestyle rejuvenation therapies (in Sanskrit called Rasayana) meant to strengthen the body and nourish it after the deep cleansing therapy.
It is important to note that this therapy should be undertaken only under the supervision of a qualified Ayurveda Practitioner.
