What in the world is Panchakarma?
Panchakarma (Five-actions)- five methods for eliminating excess dosha/ toxins from the body for internal purification. It is a science of completely expelling the toxins from the body.
One who knows how to reduce, nourish, dry, oleate, foment,
and use the astringent therapies is the real physician.
-Charaka
Purva karma comes before Panchkarma. It prepares one for Panchakarma. Reducing the excess Doshas/toxins by 10 therapies also known as Palliation or Shamana (Purva karma). It can be short term (1 week), moderate (1 month) or long term (3 months) depending on the condition of the body. A strong and healthy person taking advantage of Panchkarma just for rejuvenation and prevention may skip Purva Karma.
Through Palliation, the lodged toxin loosens in the body and return to their original sites (gastro-intestinal tract). Once it reaches there, toxins are entirely expelled from the body through five methods called Panchkarma. Then the weakened body is revitalized.
Therefore, Panchakarma includes three stages-
- Preliminary (Purvakarma or Palliation)
- Primary (Panchkarma)
- Post-Panchkarma- Rejuvenation and toning therapies.
FUN FACT: We have over 300 bones at birth. reduce to 206 during adulthood.
Palliation therapies vary (dose, materials, time, etc.) according to the body type of each individual.
Briefly, 10 Palliation therapies-
1. Snehana (Oil Massage)
The whole body is massaged by different oils according to body type (dominant Dosha) of each individual. Application of oil to the skin goes into the deeper tissues, into Mamsa Dhatu and releases repressed emotions.
2. Svedhana (Sweat Therapy)
It uses steam baths or hot tub baths for the whole body as well as particular parts.
3. Herbal Tonics
A patient receives the dose of various herbs according to the disease type.
4. Oils and Ghee
The person has to consume the oils and ghee internally. This too helps in loosening the toxins from the diseased tissues.
5. Exercise
Calming Yoga postures, breathing exercises, and mild exercise.
6. Food
According to the body type and the nature of the disease.
7. Aroma-Therapy
Adds additional therapeutic value. Works more on the mind or psyche than the body helping balance the psychological causes of the disease.
8. Environments/colors
Fresh air and sun are an indispensable part of this. Again color therapy works more on the mind.
9. Lifestyle
The complete cycle of the day is taken care of. Nothing in excess, no noise or sleep during the day. Joy flows throughout the day.
10. Sadhana
Becoming calm, emptying the mind of thoughts, surrendering anxieties and fears. Forgiveness, visualization, art, chanting, dancing, etc. This is more of the practice of Yoga eventually helping the patient.
After this comes the Panchakarma-
1. Vamana (Vomiting)
As the name suggests Vamana is vomiting purposely. It cleanses the stomach and removes toxins and mucus from the chest and Nadis (channels). Vamana induces ease, clarity, calmness, improved digestion, absence of symptoms of the illness and not so much of discomfort. Rest is very important afterward. Solid food is taken after 4 hours and if hungry, one may take light liquid food.
2. Virechana (Purgation)
The simplest of all five methods. Dosages of herbs clean the stomach almost like refresh the stomach. Excess of Pitta from its sites in the gall bladder, liver, and small intestine (not large intestine) is removed with the help of purgatives (herbs). Virechana is for Pitta and liver disorders especially. Successful purgation includes lightness in the body, calmness and gas moves in the downward direction.
3. Basti (Enema)
Basti Therapy is mainly used for the excess of Vata. Cleanses and tones the colon. To be specific, Enema removes the stuck feces and toxins from the tissues. All the organs and tissues relate to the colon; the whole body is healed and rejuvenated. The colon absorbs nutrition. Moreover, a healthy and properly functioning colon is the key to glowing health.
An ideal therapy has a series of nine enemas. To define, the first Basti pervades the inguinal and pelvic region, the second one restores Vayu(Air element), third improves strength and complexion, fourth to ninth permeates Rasa (Plasma), Rakta (Blood), Mamsa (Muscles), Medas (Fat), Asthi (Bones) and Majja (Marrow) respectively.
4. Rakta Moksha (Bloodletting)
Blood-letting is releasing toxic blood from various body sites, mainly from the back. Generally, it releases 2 to 8 ounces of blood. At first, the blood must be dark or purple-ish and when it turns bright red, therapy is complete. In certain cases, a prick solves the problem. For example, a pinprick at the eyebrow resolves headaches and eye inflammation. It gives immediate results with Pitta disorders.
It is a lost therapy in India, as it is hardly practiced by anyone. Rakta Moksha should not be used on babies, the elderly, during pregnancy or menstruation and people with Anemia, Edema, Leukemia, cirrhosis or bleeding.
5. Nasya (Nasal administration)
Ayurveda tells that the nose is the gateway to the head. Nasal administration heals the diseases of throat, neck, head, and senses (nose, eyes, ears, etc.). Nasya also tones and strengthens these areas. Five forms of Nasya are Blowing, Snuffing, Pressing, Smearing and Smoke therapy. Nasal Therapy is given before meals.
Not all five are necessary for a patient.
FUN FACT: Our nose detect roughly 3 trillion smells.
Lastly,
Does it cure Everything?
The answer is Yes except the Karmic disease. It attacks the disease from every possible angle. That is what makes it capable to cure almost anything. Also, it heals a person on the elemental (subtle) level. Panchakarma is the main weapon of Ayurveda to fight against all the diseases. Also, Ayurveda not only entirely heals the system but also rejuvenates the weakened system and prevents the disease to re-occur.
Caution: One must go to a well-trained practitioner for Panchakarma.
