Panchakarma (Methodology)
Panchakarma (five fold measures of bio-purification treatment procedures), one of the great specialities of Ayurveda, comes under Shodhana type of treatment, though it is not purely shodhana as it has the qualities of Brihmana, shamana, etc. Most of the panchakarma procedures are shodhana in their therapeutic action.
- Panchakarma presents a unique approach of Ayurvedic treatment with specially designed 5 procedures of internal purification of all parts/channels of the body.
- Highly personalized based on the needs of the individual, depending on the body type, dosha imbalances etc.
- Panchakarma also Recommended as seasonal treatment for toning your mind- body system
- Panchakarma procedures eliminate toxins and stagnated waste materials and metabolites from the body, purifying all gross and subtle channels.
- Panchakarma improves the absorption and metabolism of nutrients as well as medicines and also enhances immunity.
- After proper Panchakarma therapy, if appropriate Shamana chikitsa are adopted, the disease is not only cured but also the chances of recurrence become less or nil.
- Panchakarma permits the whole biological system to return to normalcy and equilibrium of doshas.
- Panchakarma minimizes the dose of medicines and even the toxicity.
- Panchakarma promotes the transport of ions and molecules through the cell membrane.
- Panchakarma is very essential before classical Rasayana and Vajikarana therapy.
- Reverses biological age.
The Panchkarma Therapy in the present times can be re-categorised into two groups:
- Classical Panchkarma: it is true form of internal purification and it is as per ayurvedic textual references.
- Keraliya Panchkarma: It is mainly based on certain traditional practices in Kerala, which mainly produces rehabilitative and physiotherapeutic effect apart from internal purification.
| Classical Panchkarma | Keraliya Panchkarma |
| Vamana (Medicated Emesis) | Shirodhara |
| Virechana (Medicated Purgation) | Pizhichil |
| Basti (Medicated Enema) | Navrakizhi |
| Nasya (Nasal Medication) | Talam |
| Raktamokshana (Blood-letting) | Kaya seka |
Vaman: is an induced vomiting by giving specific emetic drugs, to expel out vitiated doshas, by specialized procedures.
Indications: Bronchial asthma, chronic allergic disorders, acidity, diabetes, migraine chronic indigestion, skin ailments like psoriasis, vililigo, acne and various kapha disorders etc.
Virechan: is an induced purgation by giving specific purgative drugs, to expel out vitiated doshas through rectum by specialized procedures.
Indications: Hyperacidity, joint disorders, digestive disorders, gynaecological disorders, asthma, diabetes, skin ailments, headache, etc.
Basti: The process in which the medicated oil or decoction is administered into the pakwashaya or garbhashaya or mutrashaya with the help of basti yantra.
Indications: Paralysis, Hemiplegia, colitis, obesity, cervical/lumbar spondylitis, IBS, constipation, backache, sciatica, obesity, sexual debility, infertility, digestive disorders, etc.
Nasya: The process in which the medicated oils, churna, ghrita, herbal juices administered into the nostrils to expel out vitiated doshas.
Indication: headaches, facial palsy, sinusitis, insomnia, stress, trigeminal neuralgia, improves memory and eyesight, premature greying of hair, brings clarity to voice, migraines, nasal allergies, etc.
Raktamokshana (therapeutic blood letting)
Though it sounds very primitive way of treating, it is a very helpful process. Raktamokshana means removing vitiated blood from the body. It is a localized treatment .
Extraction of vitiated blood from the body by using surgical instruments and other tools is known as Raktamokshana.
Types of Raktamokshana
Raktamokshana has two types:
1) Using surgical instruments
Pracchana: scratching with a sterile scalp is indicated to drain the accumulated blood from a particular point.
Sira vedhana: Venepuncture is devised whenever vitiated blood circulates in the body.
2) Other tools
Jalouka prayoga: Deep-seated blood can be extracted with the help of leech application.
Shringa: To extract the blood vitiated by Vata, shringa or deer horn is indicated.
Ghati yantra: To drain the vitiated blood, which has settled in different layers of the skin, cupping is useful.
Following are some of the diseases for which Raktamokshana can be helpful:
Skin diseases, Herpes, Jaundice, Ulcers, Gout, Piles, Abscess, Leucoderma, Eczema, Deep venous thrombosis, varicose veins