Panchakarma Treatments

Panchakarma - Ayurvedic Complete Detoxification and Cleansing Panchakarma is Ayurveda's primary purification and detoxification treatment.  Panchakarma means the "five therapies". These 5  therapeutic means of  eliminating toxins from the body are Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti and  Raktamoskshana. This series of five therapies help remove deep-rooted  stress and illness-causing toxins from the body while balancing the doshas   (energies that govern all biological functions). Panchakarma Diet Panchakarma is ineffective if special detoxification diet is not given along with the  treatments. We at Ayurveda Retreat are very aware of this and every individual  undergoing Panchakarma receives special diet which is monitored every day by  the doctor. Additional treatments may be recommended by doctor but there will  be no extra charge. Vamana Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy which removes Kapha toxins collected in the  body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance.  Daily treatment involves loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally  eliminate them. Benefits of Vamana: Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Allergies, Hay Fever, Vitiligo,  Psoriasis, Hyperacidity, Chronic Indigestion Nasal Congestion, Edema, Obesity,  Psychological disorders, Skin disorders. Virechana (Purgation) Virechana is medicated purgation therapy which removes Pitta toxins from the body  that are accumulated in the liver and gallbladder, it completely cleanses the  gastrointestinal tract. It is a safe procedure without side effects. Benefits of  Virechana help root out Chronic Fever, Diabetes, Asthma, Skin disorders  such as Herpes, Paraplegia, Hemiplegia Joint disorders, Digestive disorders,  Constipation, Hyperacidity, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Headaches, Elephantiasis and  Gynaecological disorders. Basti (Enema or Colonic Irrigation) Basti (Enema) is considered the mother of all Panchakarma treatments since  it cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the 3 doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha,  through the colon. Basti is also highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment.  Medicated oil or ghee and a herbal decoction is given as an enema to clean  the colon and increase muscle tone. This procedure is usually applied  for 8 to 30 days, based on a person's medical condition. Benefits Hemiplegia,  Paraplegia, Colitis, Convalescence, Cervical Spondylosis, Irritable Bowel  Syndrome Constipation, Digestive disorders, Backache & Sciatica,  Hepatomegaly & Splenomegaly, Obesity, Piles, Sexual Debility & Infertility. Nasya (Nose Cleaning) Nasya involves the administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse  accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region. Based on the medical  condition of a person, it can be given up to 30 days. Nasya benefits include  Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bel's Palsy, Improves memory & eye sight, Insomnia,  Elimination of excess Mucus Hyperpigmentation in the face, Pre-mature  greying of hair, clarity to voice, Headaches of various origins Hemiplegia,  Loss of smell and taste, Frozen shoulder, Migraine, Stiffness of the neck,  Nasal Allergies, Nasal Polyp, Neurological dysfunctions, Paraplegiar, Sinusitis. Raktamokshana Raktamokshana is the procedure to cleanse blood and is advised only in very rare  conditions. It is not advisable during general Panchakarma. Most Ayurveda Centers  , including ours do not offer Raktamokshana due to the high risk of infection involved  in blood cleansing.

Ayurvedic purification procedures It has now been scientifically shown that a natural purification treatment  can successfully eliminate environmentally toxic substances such as  polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB's) and pesticides from the body, without  damaging side effects. A study at the Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy at Maharishi  University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa in collaboration with a special  laboratory at Colorado University demonstrated that classical Panchakarma  treatment eliminated up to 50% of the detectable toxins in the blood. Chemicals injure health The world's largest facility for substance identification, the Chemical Abstracts  Service in Columbus, Ohio, USA, currently has more than 13 million artificial  substances registered. At least 100,000 of these industrial commodities  combine into a chemical “soup” which we constantly absorb through food,  air and skin. Experts calculate that in Germany, 30% of the population  suffer from environmentally induced diseases. Most of the today's environmental toxins are lipophils that accumulate in the  fatty tissues of the body. These fat-soluble toxins are associated with a range of  diseases such as hormone disruption, immune system suppression, allergies,  diseases of the liver and skin, various types of cancer, neurological illness,  reproductive disorders and deformities. The study The study consisted of two parts: a cross-sectional comparison and a longitudinal  pre- and post- treatment. It was designed to examine the level of contamination by  toxins in the population and the effectiveness of Panchakarma treatment in  eliminating these poisons.  Panchakarma Treatment Several modalities in the Ayurveda detoxification procedure use non-toxic,  lipophilic materials, such as clarified butter in the oleation phase and herbalized  sesame oil in the massage and enema treatments. These traditional methods are  believed to sequentially loosen and remove lipid-soluble toxicants from their  deposited sites and stimulate their elimination. In the cross-sectional study of 88 subjects age 45 years and older participated in the  cross-sectional study: 48 had previously undergone the detoxification procedure  an average of 18 times, and 40 had not. Blood samples from both groups were  sent to the Analytical Laboratory in the Department of Environmental Health  at Colorado State University that was blind to the treatment status of the subjects. PCBs and Pesticides Found in Blood Samples Blood samples from both cross-sectional groups were assayed for 17 lipophilic  toxicants, including 9 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 8  pesticides and metabolites, such as DDE, a by-product of DDT. The specific  PCBs and pesticides that were studied had either been previously linked to  major health problems or had been of high concern for their potential toxicity.  The results showed that blood levels of PCBs and several pesticides were  significantly lower in the detoxification group than in the controls. The longitudinal study In the longitudinal study, blood samples from 15 subjects who participated in  the Vedic Approach to Health Ayurvedic detoxification procedure were assayed,  pre-and post-treatment, by Colombia State University Analytical Laboratory. The results of the two-month longitudinal study showed that PCBs and  Beta-HCH levels were reduced by 46 per cent and 58 per cent respectively  in the MVAH detoxification group. Without this intervention, the expected drop  in PCBs and Beta-HCH over two months would be only a fraction of one per cent.  Previously, no method had been scientifically verified to reduce levels of these  lipid-soluble toxicants in the human body without causing negative side effects. Assessment The study came to two conclusions: 1) An alarming finding of the study was that PCB and DDE levels appear to be  unexpectedly high in the general population and may actually be increasing.  This is surprising since these toxicants were banned decades ago in many  countries. However, they have not disappeared from the environment since they  have half-lives several years in duration. Also, they are still entering the food chain  through imports. 2) Within days, Panchakarma treatment eliminated a large proportion of  these fat-soluble toxins from the body. Without this intervention, the expected  drop would be only a fraction of one per cent. Study Shows Banned PCBs and Agrochemicals in Blood Reduced 50 Percent By Centuries-Old Detoxification Procedure. Reference: Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, (Sept./Oct. 2002), Vol. 8, No. 5: pp. 93-103.

People are confused with this term. Everyone believes that Panchakarma 

therapy means 'massage'.

As a matter of fact there is no 'massage' in Ayurveda Therapy. The systematic 

application of 

medicated oil is called 'massage' which actually is "Abhyangam". Panchakarma

means the five 'kriyas', 

which is to purify and eliminate the impurities from the body.

PANCHAKARMA

1. NASYAM (application of small drops of medicine through nose)
2. VAMANAM (induced vomiting)
3. VIRECHANAM (purgation)
4. VASTHI (medicated enema)
5. RAKTHAMOKSHAM (blood letting)
These are the Panchakarama Treatments. Panchakarma is purification therapy.
Important Therapies
REJUVENATION THERAPY (ABYANGAM & SWEDANAM)The massage 

is done with a combination of herbal oils especially prepared Ayurvedic 

and applied throughout the body to stimulate key points. It's very good for the 

overall health of the skin and prevents aging early and relieves pain and muscle pain.

Herbalized steam bath. The body is heated to remove mental, emotional &

 physical toxins lodged deeply within the tissues. Head is kept cool, providing

 a sense of calm & openness so the steam can cleanse deeply without

 overheating or stressing the body.

Duration: 1 hour
Indication: Low back ache, the complexion of skin, muscular toning, body shaping,

 increase in memory, vigor & vitality, retard ageing process.
SIRODHARA

Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic treatment which involves slowly pouring liquids over

 the forehead.It is used to treat a range of skin conditions, along with eye problems,

 stress, insomnia, memory loss, and greying hair. A wide range of liquids

 can be used, depending on the patient's body type; oils are common,

 but milk, buttermilk, and water can also be used. Frequently, the liquid wil

l be infused with herbs tailored to the person.

Duration: 30 minutes
Indication: Loss of sleep, eye diseases, mental diseases, stress, hair loss,

 migraine, neurological problems, stiffness in neck, etc...
NASYAM

Application of tiny drop/drops of medicine through nose. It is a useful mode 

for ailments upward of the neck medicated oil, Ghees are generally used though

 Sometimes coronas (powders), extracts of herbs too are used.

Duration: 30 minutes
Indication: Migraine, facial paralysis, bell's plasy, frozen shoulder, ENT problems, etc.
KIZHI
ELAKIZHI, NAVARAKIZHI, NARANGAKIZHI, PODIKIZHI, ETC.)

Fomentation with various combinations of fresh herbal leaves, medicines, etc..

Duration: 1 hour
Indication: Muscular dystrophy, cervical & lumbar spondylosis, paralysis, lumbago, rheumatic pains, sports injuries, rejuvenation, etc.
NETRA TARPANAM, PUDAPAKAM
Pudapakam is the retention of medicated oil over the eyes of a person to give a

 cooling effect to the eyes, strengthening the optic nerve, relief from repeated 

stress injury, and different diseases that affect the eyes.

Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
Indication: Various eye diseases & Care
UDWARTHANAM

Application of medicated powder on the body
Duration : 45 minutes
Indication: Effective for obesity ,hemiplegia ,skin diseases etc.
PIZHICHIL

Pouring of lukewarm medicated oil on the body systematically

Duration: 45 minutes

Indication: Paralysis, sciatica, Osteoarthritis, horse feet, numbness, disc prolepses, etc...

About Ayurveda

“Ayurveda is beyond beginning and ending. A science of eternal healing, it is 

compared to a vast ocean, and studying Ayurveda to swimming across; 

it is a lifelong journey."- Charaka Samitha

Native to India, Ayurveda is the ancient medicinal form, developed 

during the Vedic times, about 5000 years ago. 'Ayur' means life, 

while 'Veda' means science. Therefore, Ayurveda literally means the 'Science of Life'.

 It is not just a medicinal system, but also a way of life. Ayurveda deals with 

the physical, as well as spiritual health. The medicinal form is governed by 

the laws of nature, which suggest that life combines senses, mind, 

body and soul. According to the Science of Life, the structural aspect of

 every individual comprises five elements - earth, water, fire, air and space.

While giving Ayurvedic treatment to a person to cure a particular disease, 

the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being is considered. The best part of acquiring an Ayurvedic treatment is

 that if the prescribed doses of medicine are taken, the diseases can

 be cured most effectively. The Ayurvedic medicines generally 

come in powders, tablets, decoctions, and medicated oils, 

prepared

 from natural herbs, plants and minerals. In addition, the diseases

 treated and cured by Ayurvedic medicines do not cause any side effects. 

According to Ayurveda, every individual's structural aspect comprises five elements - earth, water, fire, air and space. The functional

 aspect of the body is governed by three biological humors. Traditional 

techniques and processes are used to prepare the medicines at home, 

while certain amount of mechanization is inevitably used for large-scale 

production. The beauty of the therapeutics is that they contain the active 

principles in their natural forms and their administration in prescribed 

dozes does not cause any side effects to the patients. 

Ayurveda gives a complete look into the lifestyle of a person, like starting

 from his/her personality to the daily food habits. The Science of 

Life helps us understand each individual at a very subtle personal 

level and giving a detailed description about the diet, daily routine, lifestyle, 

actions and activities to be followed. Science teaches how to live life in a 

balanced way. Ayurveda aims at having a healthy and happy society free 

from diseases. In short, the aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of 

healthy people and to cure the diseases of sick people.

India has gained worldwide recognition for its indigenous and 

extensive Ayurvedic treatment. Various centers are established throughout 

the length and breadth of the country, wherein authentic Ayurvedic 

treatment is given. Kerala is the hub of Ayurvedic treatments in India. 

Ayurvedic treatment's soothing effect on the body and soul has attracted 

tourists from different parts of the country and across the globe.

 This has proved a boon for tourism in the states of India, especially Kerala, 

where Ayurvedic treatment is given at various health centers and tourists resorts.

Ayurveda Panchakarma

Panchakarma means five therapies, the in house treatment for healthy 

and unhealthy as well. The Panchakarma is a curative line of management 

plan for all diseases, which are not amenable to palliative management. The 

pathogenesis of almost all disorders follow a general pattern either from 

Amashaya(stomach) or Pakwashya(large intestines) abode or site of 

digestion and digestive food respectively. The one two or all of three 

doshas get vitiated & spread to one or more specific immuno- compromised

 site and develop the disease entity.

Here it explains the need of Panchakarma because by these five therapies 
in a series or one or two therapies as selected management plan by qualified
 panchkarma specialist these vitiated doshas are expelled out from the body 
and thus body gets purified and free from circulating toxins. By vitiated 
doshas we mean the morbid matter. The five therapies or procedures 
for eliminating vitiated doshas from the body are the modes of purification 
of doshas and channels.

VAMANA THERAPY

Vamana i.e. process of Emesis is used to clean se the kapha from the body. 

It is used for the kapha disorder. It is also helpful to control certain pitta 

disorder i.e. digestion related problems. In Ayurvedic Panchakarma kapha 

scattered all over the body is bought in the stomach using various 

pre-panchakarma treatments like snehana and swedana. It is also 

applicable on chest and mouth and relieves from congestion & mucus plugs.

VIRECHANA THERAPY

The middle part of our body navel area is the main site of pitta. In the

 process of purgation the digestive systems is cleaned. It helps to improve 

the working of pitta in the body. We have already seen that Virechana is the

 best treatment for pitta problems. It also acts on vata and kapha problems.

BASTI OR VASTI ( Medicated enemas ):

It is a high colonic cleansing proess. Basti is most treatment of 

Panchakarma group of treatments. Basti is very good treatment all

 vata type problems. It is very good for other two Doshas i.e. kapha and

 pitta as well. It acts on all sorts of aches and pains, joint pains,

 arthritis, lumbago, spondylitis, chronic constipation.

NASYA ( Nasal insufflations)

This is a separated independent therapy for problems of orgns in 

the head region. Nasya therapy is beneficial for all three doshas and it

 act specially vata and kapha. Nasya which is done by ayurvedic 

expert as a Panchkarma therapy acts on tarpaka kapha and 

useful in condition like hemicranias, headache, facial paralysis etc.

RAKTA MOKSHAN

This is done as a final therapy in Panchakarma. Rakta Mokshan is useful

 for pitta disorder, various diseases, related to blood, hypertension, 

acne, pimples, leucoderma, pigmentation, swelling, inflammation, skin diseases, liver, and spleen disorder, non healing ulcers, heat boils, allergies, skin rashes, etc.

These five therapies/ Panchakarma are always preceded by pre procedure,

 eliminative measure such as SNEHANA (oleation) & SWEDANA (sudation)

 by different classical means. The purpose of pre-procedures to prepare the

 person for main five therapies.and by these we achieve in principle

 the traction of peripheral doshas to central part of the body that is the gastrointestinal

 tract. After panchakarma therapies the SANSARJANA Karma , the post-operative 

procedure must be followed to get a complete cure by achieving the well-stimulated 

agni that is digestive fire and enhanced resistance of the person.

WHY PANCHAKARMA :

- to eliminate the toxic matter from the body.
- to enhance the power of digestion and metabolism.
- to eliminate diseases from the very root out of the systems.
- to restore normal health .
- to gain the strength, increase the virility and improve the progeny.
- to have more clearer complexion.- to increase the power of sense organs and motor organs.