Who Can Benefit From Panchakarma?

July 18, 2018

The word Panchakarma finds its origin in Sanskrit and translates to five actions — Pancha meaning five and Karma meaning actions.

Practitioners of Ayurveda believe that it is important to maintain harmony among the doshas or humors in the body to enjoy good mental and physical health. The three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are present in different proportions in each person, and the ones that peak, present themselves as unique character traits.

An imbalance in the doshas can lead to the accumulation of Ama, or the toxic waste left behind from improper digestion. Poor food habits, environmental pollutants, stress and other factors contribute to an increase in Ama, which directly leads to diseases.

Panchakarma and Its Benefits

A body troubled by imbalanced doshas and a weak Agni (digestive fire) can benefit from Panchakarma. Panchakarma is one of the oldest detox programs known to us and it can be customized to suit individual needs. Customizations are usually based on a person’s health condition and predominant doshas.

A typical Panchakarma program involves the following procedures:

Purvakarma (pre-treatment): This is the preparatory phase of the detox program and involves two main steps:
- Snehana: An oil massage that, along with moving toxins to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, makes the skin more soft and pliable. It may also reduce stress and improve the functioning of the nervous system and is usually administered for three to seven days.

Who can Benefit from Panchakarma

Swedanam: Saunas are known to help remove toxins through the skin and this ayurvedic version incorporates various medicinal herbs that add to the benefits of a hot sauna. It helps loosen the toxins and pushes them toward the GI tract for efficient removal.

Who can Benefit from Panchakarma?

Pradhanakarma (the five main actions):
- Vamana: An induced and controlled form of purging that eliminates Kapha-related toxins that have accumulated in the respiratory tract. This process is said to benefit digestion and metabolism and may also be beneficial for the mind, sense organs, intelligence and even skin health. The Vamana process can also boost immunity and fertility while slowing down the aging process. In combination with other steps of the Panchakarma, it may be beneficial for digestive issues, asthma, respiratory disorders, thyroid problems, anorexia, obesity and diabetes.
- Virechana: Another form of controlled purging that is meant to remove Pitta-related toxins from the liver and colon. The process is recommended for people suffering from ulcers, blisters, freckles, jaundice, cataract, gout and various skin diseases. It may also support those diagnosed with diabetes, asthma and goiter.
- Basti: The process involves an induced enema that uses an oil-based potion. It is said to be the most powerful of all the steps of the Panchakarma because Basti has the power to remove toxins related to all three doshas. There are eight types of Basti and a practitioner picks one to suit the individual’s needs. Basti is said to improve conditions like gout, some types of fever, bladder infections, cardiovascular ailments, appetite and rheumatism.
- Nasya: This is a unique technique where a medicated oil is poured into the nostrils to loosen the Kapha-related toxins from the head and neck regions. Since the medicines are administered through the nasal cavity, they can reach areas of the eyes, ears and head. Nasya can help reduce or remove congestion, nourish the tissues, improve the functioning of the sensory organs, promote longevity, enhance hair growth, relieve stress and rejuvenate the entire nervous system. It is recommended for people with neurological diseases, constant headaches, loss of taste and even some psychiatric ailments.
- Raktamokshana: This treatment involves a medicinal extraction of blood to remove Pitta-related toxins from the blood and is recommended for conditions like psoriasis, eczema, eye problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), migraine and high blood pressure.

Who can Benefit from Panchakarma?

Paschatakarma: The post-treatment phase of the Panchakarma is the key to experiencing all the benefits associated with this ancient detoxification treatment. Individuals are put on a light diet comprising easily digestible foods that will help the body recover from the intense cleansing.

The entire Panchakarma process is believed to reverse any harmful conditions prevalent in the body and restore the harmony of the doshas and Agni.

Complementary Ayurvedic Treatments

These unique treatments are either done during the Purvakarma or pre-treatment, are interspersed with the Panchakarma or are done during the Paschatakarma or post-Panchakarma treatments.

Who can Benefit from Panchakarma?

Abhyanga: A type of choreographed massage technique that uses special herbal oils to gently loosen the toxins on the outer extremities of the body. It is said to improve immunity and circulation and even provide a sense of calm.
Pizhichil: Considered a wonderfully nurturing procedure where a warm herbal oil is gently poured and spread onto the body to lubricate the skin, remove toxins and relax the body.
Shirodhara: A process that involves pouring medicated oil onto the forehead to free the toxins, relax the nervous system and lubricate the body’s channel for a better flow of doshas.
Udvartana: Here, the body is gently embalmed with an herbal paste, usually applied in the opposite direction of the conventional massages, to help reduce the concentration of fat under the skin, increase strength, exfoliate the skin and provide relaxation.
Marma therapy: Marmas are the bridges between the mind, body and emotions and depending on specific body compositions, practitioners pick the appropriate oils and massage the body to awaken the immune system and release blocked energy. It could help relieve severe pain, regulate body temperature, balance the doshas and enhance sleep and cognitive functioning.
Facial/face massage: Different facial massages are incorporated, usually before the Nasa process, for maximum assimilation of the medicines. It also helps improve the circulation in the facial muscles, calm the body and mind, improve the appearance of the skin and provide overall relaxation.

Who can Benefit from Panchakarma?

Unlike modern detoxification processes that focus more on weight loss, the ancient process of Panchakarma is a wholesome procedure that complements mental and physical health. Though it may be an intense procedure, the fact that Panchakarma has lasted for thousands of years should be proof enough of its authenticity and effectiveness.

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