A pre-purification procedure to prepare the body for the main Panchakarma. It includes Bodily Massage (snehana), Steam (swedana), Shirodhara (oil treatment of head), the ingesting of ghee and other complementary treatments to assist in softening and oileating the body in order to prepare the toxins for elimination.
Indicatons:
Seasonal problems, Vata vyadhi (nervous disorders), Arthritis, Paralysis, Backache, Sciatica, Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, Mental retardation, P.I.D, Vertibral degeneration, Spondilosis.
Main Panch Karma
The five procedures of panchakarma for balancing the vata, pitta, kapha and the five elements i.e. space, air, fire, water and earth. These procedures are Vamana karma, Virechana karma, Basti karma, Nasya karma and Rakta mokshan karma.
1-Vaman karma (therapeutic vomiting)
Vamana is a most effective therapy for kapha disorders. It is not only stomach washing, but it is a whole body cleansing process.
This process is not recommended to old people after age of 60 years and for soft hearted person, high blood pressure patient, and weak person.
Indications:
Seasonal cleansing, Cough, Asthma, Obesity, Indigestion, Skin problems, Hyperacidity.
2-Virechana Karma (Purgation therapy)
Virechana is a most effective therapy for Pitta related disorders. It is not only intestinal cleansing but, it is a whole body cleansing by creating a medicated diarrhoea. It eliminates all toxins and waste products through the anus. Balances fire and water in body.
Indications:
Seasonal cleansing, Skin disorders, Allergy, Fever, Hotness in the body, Constipation, Piles and Fistula, Gout, Diabetes, Poisoning.
3-Basti (Enema Therapy)
The combination of herbal oils, decoctions, ghee, salt etc. is given through the anus into the intestine. It is a most effective therapy for Vata disorders.
Indications:
Seasonal cleansing, Nervous disorders, Jaundice, Paralysis, Arthritis, Obesity, Backache, Constipation, Muscular atrophy.
4-Nasya karma (Nasal administration)
Nasal drops in each nostril for elimination of excess bodily humours accumulated in the sinuses, throat, nose and head areas. ‘Nasa hi Shirso Dwaram’ it means the nose is the doorway to the brain according to Ayurveda.
Indications:
Seasonal cleansing, Sinusitis, Headache, Migraine, Nasal polyps, Thinning hair, Baldness.
5- Rakta-mokshana karma (Blood Letting)
It is the application of Leeches for purification and cleansing of deep seated blood toxins.
Indications:
Seasonal cleansing, All skin problems, Arthritis, Gout, Eczema.
