Atharv Ayur Health Care
Health By Foods & Lifestyle
 Current page : Home      Ayurvedic Treatment      Panchkarma Treatments



Panchakarma Treatment
We all have a chart for our mo-bikes, for servicing plan. We never forget that we need to service our vehicle on such-such date, but we have never planned for the servicing of ours. We all are vehicles, vehicles of the great consciousness. For better results, we should take care if this machine, we will be able to complete the required and designated works for us.
Working of body system is just like that of a machine. Routine servicing is a must for the proper functioning of machine. With out timely servicing the working efficiency of the machine will decrease and after a time we have to throw it in garbage. Same happens when timely cleansing of body is not done. Because of all this Ayurveda advocates seasonal regime of body cleansing procedures. As different Doshas lose their balance in different seasons and also person very in their body type so purification procedures also very with person, season and disease.
Detoxification Procedures are told in Ayurveda in name Panchakarma. Panchakarma literally means five (Pancha) procedures (Karma). These are:
  1. Vamana (Therapeutic vomiting)
  2. Virechana (Therapeutic purgation)
  3. Niruha Vasti (Cleansing enemas)
  4. Anuvasana Vasti (Oleation enemas)
  5. Nasya (to give medicines through nasal route)
Some authorities tell Anuvasana Vasti and Niruha Vasti under same heading Vasti and Rakta mokshana (blood letting) as the fifth procedure of the Panchakarma

While doing any procedure there are some pre operative and some post operative managements that should be followed. So the whole procedure can be divided in:
  1. Pre Panchakarma Procedures
  2. Main Panchakarma procedures
  3. Post Panchakarma procedures
Pre Panchakarma Procedures:
These are two in number, known as Snehana (unction therapy) and the second one Swedana (sudation therapy). These are done simultaneously to loosen the Doshas and to bring them back to the big channels from smaller ones. For this purpose, first a big amount of fat is given to patient/ healthy person, as a result extra Doshas in the form of fat soluble by products, will be dissolved and will be eliminated by the nearest route. After these procedures now a person is ready to get serviced. This all is the same as we do with our vehicle; soap has been applied on the inner and outer surface now fast jet wash will be done.

Back to Top

Main Panchakarma procedures:
These can be said real Panchakarma procedures these are five in number, as we have told earlier. Because along with the unction and sudation these procedures also make body supple and smooth, to bear the hard jerks of main Panchakarma procedures. A brief knowledge of all these is as follows……
  1. VAMAN: This process is meant for the purification of upper 1/3 rd of the body, the place for Kapha. It is believed after unction and sudation and waste materials come and collect in the stomach. Now emetics are given and all the waste products will be eliminated. This procedure is best for hyper acidify, diabetes, skin diseases, psoriasis.
  2. VIRECHAN: It works on middle one third of body and purifies the body by removing excessive Pitta from it. Process is same as done in the case of Vaman karma, just route differs. Strong or mild purgatives are given and Pitta Dosha is excreted from the body. Results are just like miracles in – Rheumatoid, Arthritis, Hemiplegia, Skin Problems and Other Pitta Related Diseases.
  3. NIRUHA VASTI (cleansing enemas): Here medicines are given through anal canal with the help of a bladder (known as Vasti in Sanskrit, so the name). As the large intestine is the main place of Vata Dosha. So it is the treatment of choice for maximum neurological disorders, caused by aggravated Vata. In this type of Vasti herbal decoctions constitute the major part of the medicine.
  4. ANUVASANA VASTI (oleation enemas): This is also known as Vasti, as route is same, the anal canal. In this type herbal oils are used, these are given in lower quantities in the anal canal, so due to a lower pressure on anal canal, it has a tendency to be retained in side. And it does its work by taking own time. It gives best results in Chronic Constipation and Other Neurological/Vataj Disorders, where disease is caused by the increased Ruksh/Dryness factor of this Dosha.
  5. NASYA: Herbal powders or Juices or Oils are administered by nasal route in this type of treatment. It gives exclusive results in migraine – chronic headache, works for hairs and memory of booster

Back to Top

Post Panchakarma procedures:
After the fast jets of Panchakarma procedures our body becomes weak due to the exertion to the whole system. Now, to provide energy and balanced Doshas to body, special diet is followed strictly to boost the digestive fire. By this diet restriction body can digest and assimilate all the food articles. Now the drug or food, whatever is given to the body, will work maximum and give 100% results. If this diet regime is not followed strictly it may cause severe weakness in body!!

Back to Top

Some other detoxifying procedures:
  1. Kati Vasti:In this process specially prepared warm medicated oils is kept over the lower back with herbal paste boundary.
  2. Meru Vasti: Oil treated with special herbs is kept on whole the back bone.
  3. Janu Vasti: Here medicated oil is kept over knee joint with herbal paste boundary.
  4. Hrudya Vasti: This is an effective treatment for asthma, other respiratory problems, heart diseases and muscular chest pain etc.
  5. Nabhee Vasti: Medicated oil is kept over umbilicus with boundary of herbal paste. It treats the ailments related to the digestive system.
  6. Siro Vasti- Warm herbal medicated oil is retained within a closely fitted cap around the head, thus allowing the scalp to soak in the therapeutic oil.
  7. Greeva Vasti: Greeva Vasti has its therapeutic value in all types of joint problems of neck. In this procedure medicated oil is kept on back of neck with boundary of herbal paste.
  8. Navarakizhi: A massage to the body with small linen bags filled with cooked Navara rice (cooked in cow's milk and mixed with an herbal decoction) after a liberal application of medicated oil over the whole body.
  9. Pizhichil:  beautiful combination of Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation).
  10. Sarvang Dhara: Warm herbal liquid poured all over the body in a rhythmic way using special vessels very effective for hemiplegia, paralysis, rheumatic complaints, edema etc.
  11. Shirodhara: Luke warm herbal oil is poured in a continuous stream onto the forehead. Sirodhara rejuvenates and revitalizes the body and mind.
  12. Akshi Tarpana:Medicated Ghee is retained in a reservoir made over the eyes with black gram powder. This therapy will have a cooling effect on irritated and stressed eyes. This relieves eyestrain, improves eyesight and other eye related problems.
  13. Karnapoornam: In this process medicated extracts or oils are poured into the ears. This process helps to clean the ears and cures all the ailments.
  14. Gandoosha:This therapy involves the retention of medicated oil or decoction in the mouth. The benefits of this therapy will bring a glow to the face, improve lines and wrinkles, tone the skin and assist with any kind of mouth, voice or teeth disorders while cleansing the ear, nose and throat pathways.
  15. Utsadana:This therapy includes application of Dosha specific massage oil to the entire body and a thorough massage of herbal powders made into a paste.
  16. Sirolepa: Head is considered to be the best amongst all the organs, so applying medicines to this region is of great importance.

Back To Top


Ayurvedic Diet For weight loss