Ayurveda is the ancient practice of natural healing that was developed in India thousands of years ago. Though it remained confined to its birthplace for many years, people around the world have accepted it as an effective system of healing, resulting in the rise of Ayurvedic healing centers in the U.S.
What Is Ayurveda?
Finding its roots in the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, Ayurveda translates to Life Science (Ayur meaning Life and Veda meaning Science). This life science is the result of the work of many scholars and when followed diligently, it can help harmonize the body and mind with nature for ultimate well-being. Ayurveda studies the human body and offers guidelines for leading a happy and healthy life.
What Are Doshas?
According to Ayurveda, the body is governed by three doshas or humors that arise from a combination of the five elements: earth, water, fire, wind and ether. The doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha and are considered the basic energies in everybody that control all the characteristics of the mind and the body. Every individual has all three doshas, but one or two dominate over the third one to develop unique characteristics. Some practitioners consider Agni, the digestive fire, to be a dosha too as it is the key factor in understanding the body’s composition.
- Vata: Vata symbolizes the wind and is considered the most powerful of all three doshas. It is believed that persons dominated by vata are typically light, energetic and thin and an imbalance could lead to insomnia, constipation, anxiety and other problems.
- Pitta: Pitta symbolizes fire and is said to control everything related to temperature and chemical reactions in the body. A pitta-dominant person tends to be extremely brilliant, focused on goals and a lover of life. An imbalance can cause irritability and digestive issues.
- Kapha: This dosha symbolizes the earth and an individual dominated by kapha can be loving, organized, happy and very easy-going, but a slight toss up can make them lethargic and also experience weight gain and problems with the respiratory system.
- Agni: Ayurveda practitioners believe that the body digests anything that is put into it — food, liquids, thoughts and emotions (both positive and negative). If the Agni is strong, the body has the ability to digest everything; a person with a weak Agni may be prone to diseases.
Another important component of the body is Ama. In Sanskrit, Ama means uncooked or undigested and in Ayurveda, it points to the by-products of improper digestion. Ama is considered toxic and an accumulation of Ama can result in symptoms like lethargy, a feeling of heaviness and shortness of breath.
What Is Panchakarma?
Panchakarma technically means five actions, Pancha meaning five and Karma meaning actions in Sanskrit. The body works in harmony only when all the doshas (humors) are in sync and there is no accumulation of ama (toxins) in the system. But with poor food habits, environmental factors, stress and other factors, the accumulation of Ama becomes inevitable.
When there is an excess of Ama and the body becomes imbalanced, diseases take over. This is where Panchakarma comes into the picture as it is one of the oldest detox programs available that is considered extremely beneficial for removing the Ama from the body and restoring balance.
The Panchakarma Process
The panchakarma procedure is tailored to each individual and comprises a strict diet, herbal medicines, cleansing processes and massages to suit each person’s requirements. The detoxification program is designed to improve the functioning of the Agni, remove Ama and restore the body’s harmony.
During the process, the toxins on the outer extremities of the body are loosened and brought to the gut for easy removal. Since Panchakarma involves intense detoxification methods, it is recommended to consult a physician and prepare your mind and body for the procedure.
The Panchakarma involves the following procedures:
- Purvakarma (pre-treatment): The preparatory phase for the detox procedure comprises two steps: Snehana and Swedanam. Snehana is a specialized oil massage said to help move accumulated toxins toward the gastrointestinal tract. Swedanam involves a herbal sauna-like process that further helps soften the toxins and improve their movement toward the gastrointestinal tract.
- Pradhanakarma (the five actions): After completing the two preparatory steps, the individual is advanced to the five main actions or the Panchakarma:
- Vamana: A supported purging of Kapha-related toxins that have accumulated in the respiratory tract.
- Virechana: A procedure that involves the removal of Pitta-related toxins that typically accumulate in the liver and gallbladder.
- Basti: An induced enema that is considered the most potent of all the five actions because Basti is capable of removing toxins from all three doshas efficiently.
- Nasya: A special technique involving the pouring of medicated oil through the nose to loosen and remove Kapha toxins from the head and neck regions.
- Raktamokshana: The relieving of blood involving a controlled removal of small quantities of blood to help remove Pitta toxins from the blood.
- Paschatakarma: The final step of the process, the post-treatment phase, is as important as the main steps because the Panchakarma will have its positive impact only if you take proper care of your newly rejuvenated body. Individuals who have undergone Panchakarma are usually on a light diet of simple, easily-digestible foods so that the body’s Agni is restored. Ample rest is also recommended to fully recover from the detoxification.
It is the staunch belief of ancient and modern Ayurvedic practitioners that when a body’s doshas or humors are imbalanced, it can impact mental and physical well-being. By putting the body through an intense yet beneficial process like the Panchakarma, one can restore the balance and harmony required for leading a healthy and happy life.
The content of this Website is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References
Panchakarma (5 Purifying Actions) | Everyday Ayurveda. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://everydayayurveda.org/panchakarma/
Home. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://lotusayurvediccentre.org.in/health-services/ayurvedic-therapy/panchkarma/
Panchakarma. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ayurvedichealing.net/panchakarma/
