Objectives of Panchakarma:
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Maintenance of health by means of:
 Equilibrium of biological forces
Normal functioning of all 7 tissues
to enhance the power of digestion and metabolism.
to get rid of diseases from the very root out of the systems
Efficient elimination of waste products
Normal functioning of five sense organs
Harmony among body, mind and soul
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Treatment of disease:
In acute stage of disease, purificatory procedures help to break down the “amalgamation” and remove aggravated doshas responsible for the attack.
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Rejuvenation:
Rejuvenation means by which the body once again re-establishes its innate intelligence and regains the ability to naturally assimilate nutrients and eliminate wastes.
Panchkarma comprise of following phases stepwise:
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POORVAKARMA |
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PRADHANKARMA |
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PASCHATKARMA
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Poorvakarma (preparatory procedures):
The body is prepared first before starting any of the
Panchakarma treatment. Process
of preparation includes:
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SNEHANA (OLEATION) and
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SWEADANA (SUDATION/FOMENTATION)
SNEHANA (OILING)-
Oleation or Snehan is carried out to alleviate vata, soften
the doshas and body and makes the passage of excretas easier
from various sites. These procedures are mainly done with
oil and ghee. Various lepa (pastes) containing fatty
substances are also used in this therapy.
Snehana
is done by various methods like:
A.Sarvang or Ekang Abhyang- Massage to various body parts.
Abhyanga:
prepares
both the mind and body for smooth full functioning during
the day. Just as a machine needs regular oiling for good
performance, the human body benefits from regular massage.
It is good for all body types, balances the doshas and
nourishes all the tissues and organs. Ayurveda has long
recommended abhyanga to help retard aging and keep the
skin looking smooth and supple.
Abhyanga also helps to release impurities and toxins that
accumulate in the skin. Massage helps to dislodge
deep-seated toxins, which are then circulated through the
digestive tract and released through the elimination
process. Self-massage gives more energy throughout the
day, calms the emotions and keep the mind clear and
focused. Excess vata is calmed down by abhyanga, which in
turn balances the other doshas.
Shiroabhyanga -Indian Head Massage works on a mental and psychological level by stimulating
the release of endorphins to the brain. Indian Head
Massage can release anxiety, help relieve mental tiredness
and depression and can improve concentration and
alertness.This is done with the medicated herbal oils like
Ksheerbala, Mahabhringraj, Brahmi-Amla,
Neelibhringadi,Kayanadi,Kuntalkanti,Dhurdhurpatradi and
aroma oils etc.Indian head massage:
- Improves
tempro-mandibular
joint mobility, stretching and mobilizing the
muscular tissues of the neck and shoulders.
- Stimulation of
circulation to head and shoulders .
- Relieves the
pressure and stiffness in the cervical spondylitis.
- Increases lymphatic
drainage, helping to remove toxins
- Relieves stress and
tension
- Relieves headaches
and eyestrain
- Increases mental
alertness
- Promotes growth of
healthy hair and prevents premature graying
- Imparts feeling of
general well being.
B.
Shirodhara, Shirobasti, Pidicchil-
Pouring of luke warm oil, milk, decoctions on whole body or affected part.
Shirodhara:
'Dhara' means flow and here
it is as a pre-panchkarma therapy, which helps to open the
channels of body and mind to facilitate the treatment of
disease. In this technique liquid medicaments (like Herbalized oil,Milk or Ghee) are placed in a bowl at an
appropriate height above the body of the patient.
Individual's dosha, the nature of illness and the
constitution of patient. The oil is then dripped over the
forehead of the patient. This is known as Pransamvardhan
dhara. This treatment directly affects the central nervous
system and profoundly relaxes the mind. Therefore it is
ideal for mental stress and related problems, as well as
diseases of the ear, nose and throat, Paralysis,
neuralgia, loss of speech and memory, insomnia, alcoholism
and depression. Depending upon the constitution, disease /
dosha, the dhara technique is performed on the head or on
the body or both.
DURATION:45minutes.
Shirobasti:
In this
procedure the long leather cap is fixed over the head and
person has to sit
in straight spine position then medicated oil with a
particular temperature is poured and taken out at a regular interval for at least 30 to 40 minutes. Through this procedure pouring of oil in the crown overcomes the falling, graying and the other discolouration and cracking of hairs and all vata ailments of the head. It also bestows liveliness to the organs, a clear voice and firm jaws and strength to the head.
DURATION:45 minutes.
C. Kawala and Gandusha- Holding herbal decoction or oil or ghee in buccal cavity for a specific period of time.
D. Akshi Tarpan- Holding medicated ghee over eyes and surrounding areas for particular period.
'Akshi' means eyes, Tarpan means nutrition. This is a process ,where herbally medicated cow's Ghee (butter cream) is poured over the eyes.
 Fresh black gram paste is applied around the eyes (as a type of bike spectacles). This process is done with different herbal medications in certain eye diseases, like refractive error etc. and this is also a treatment to add beauty to eyes. (DURATION:25 minutes.)
E.Karnapurana- Oleation of ears by putting Almond,Mustard,Sesame oil,Dashmool or Dipika tail.Before putting oil some practitioners prefer cleansing of the ear by ear candles which helps in the expulsion of ear wax with the creation of vaccum inside the candle.
Indications: Vata disorders like Osteoarthritis, Spondylitis, Hemiplegia, Paraplagia, Dryness of skin, Eye diseases, Frozen shoulders, Sciatica.These treatments have quality to provide restfulness, vigor, strength, and cognition.Though Internal (oral intake of medicated ghee) and External oleation(Abhyanga) is commonly done before starting Pradhan Karma.But each of the above mentioned Karma like Pidicchil,Shirodhara etc.are also used as a therapeutic measure individually,for some disease or for
rejuvenation;that may or may not be followed by Pradhan karma
SWEDANA (Steam):
It liquefies aggravated dosha and brings them back to their own sites from where they are easily expelled out by main panchkarma procedures (pradhan karmas)
“Whatever relieves stiffness, heaviness, cold in the body and produces sweat is Swedan”.
It opens the pores of skin and dilates all the channels in the body.
Generally in common practice the method of providing medicated steam to whole body is through lying steam chamber and sitting steam chamber; steam given through a pipe generated in an auto clave or steamer for localized steam treatment.In this the steam is generated with the decoctions or various herbs selected according to the constitution and the main disease.
PRADHAN KARMA (MAIN PROCESS):
The five main procedures after poorvakarma are:
VAMANA
Expulsion of Doshas by inducing vomiting.
Dosha: Kapha
Indications: Cough, Asthma, Chronic Rhinitis, Coryza, Skin disorders, Anorexia, Excessive salivtion, epilepsy, allergy, mental disorders, to reduce fat etc.
Drug: Powder of mixture of Madanphala, Pippali 4 gram, Vacha 2 gram and Rocksalt 1 gram is given orally which is effective to produce approximately five bouts of vomiting.
VIRECHANA
Expulsion of Doshas by inducing purgation(loose motion).
Dosha: Pitta
Indications: Chronic fever, skin diseases, piles, diseases of spleen, tumours, anuria, worms, headache, asthma, heart diseases, epilepsy, jaundice, gouts, arthritis, deformation of sperm, constipation, oedema, abscess, mental diseases etc.
Drug:
Castor oil 20 ml or Triphala 10 gram, or Avipati Churna 4 gram is given orally.
NASYA
Dosha: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Indications: Diseases above the clavicle, brain disorders, coryza, alopecia, premature graying of hair, rhinitis, migraine, stiffness of neck and head, dental pain, ear ache, pain in nose and eye, sinusitis, facial paralysis, loss of speech, jaundice, compression of brachial plexus, frozen shoulders, epistaxis, loss of memory etc.
Drug:
Almond oil, Shad bindu tail, Anu tail, Ghee etc. are administered through Nostrils with the head tilted backward and downward.
NIRUHA BASTI
Dosha: Vata
Indications: This is indicated when Vata is vitiated due to the obstruction in the channels.Hemiplagia,Paraplegia,Sciatica,Osteoarthritis,Rheumatoid arthritis,Constipation,Facial paralysis,Stiffness in body,Obstruction in urination,Tremors and Obesity.
Drug:
700 ml to 1litre of Dashmool/Rasnadi etc. decoction, 50 ml oil and honey,3gm rock salt,3-6gm of herbal paste(kalka).It is administered per Rectum.
ANUVASAN BASTI
Dosha: Vata
Indications: A person suitable for Niruha is usually suitable for Anuvasan Basti.Also patients with dryness of body, low body weight (debilitating body), and strong gastric fire.It also compensates the dryness which comes in the body as a result of Niruh Basti.That is why in general practice these two Bastis are given alternately.
Drug: Mahanarayan tail, Dhanwantar Tail etc. 50 ml to 100 ml. It is administered per Rectum
The Text Sushrut Samhita suggests Raktamokshan as the fifth procedure and has considered both the Bastis as one.
PASCHAT KARMA
The post operative procedure must be followed after Panchkarma to get a complete cure by achieving the well stimulated agni that is digestive fire and enhanced resistance of the person. This is basically the diet regimen to bring the patient to normal state slowly by giving some Soups made from light vegetables , lentil or pulses with ghee.
Changes,Innovation and Improvisation is an ongoing process of the human mind to which Ayurveda terms as Yukti which implies with the changed procedures according to the need and disease of the patient.Some of the added procedures that have been incorporated in the Panchkarma ;though they are apart from the known five procedures.
KATIVASTI
This treatment is indicated for slip disc,lumber spondylosis, sciatica , ankylosing spondylitis and low backache, A rim of urad gram ( a kind of Pulse) is made and put over the affected portion of the spine and indicated medicated oils are poured with a special technique in to that rim . The oil takes care of the inflamation over the affected vertebre, nerves and muscles.
HRID VASTI
This Unique Hridroga treatment is developed by Ayurveda India for Heart diseases. The treatment in done with medicated ghritas (butter), A specially shaped urad gram is placed over the precordium and then this are sealed with fresh paste and then thin ghee are poured into the rim. so as to be there for 15-20 minutes.
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