Detoxification
In Ayurveda, treatment is divided mainly into two types — samana chikista and sodliana cliikista.
Samana cliikitsa pacifies the vitiated doshas by using various medicinal, herbal, mineral preparations. However, if the doshas are vitiated beyond a particular level, they give rise to various endotoxins, which will be accumulated in the weaker parts of the body. In such cases, sodhana cliikitsa or purification therapy is done. Since it consists of the five types of main therapies, it is known as Panchakarma cliikitsa.
Panchakarma therapy removes toxins that have accumulated in the body. These toxins are often buried deep inside the tissues of the body and may disturb its normal functioning. These toxins, called ‘ama’, weaken the body, making it more vulnerable to diseases, and will delay healing.
The first phase of Panchakar- ma therapy is preparation phase or purva karma. It includes pachana (digestion), snehana (internal and external oleation) and swedana (fomentation). This phase helps the body to get ready for actual purification process.
Snehana
Abhyangam is oil massage. In this, oil will be applied to the entire body through a particular type of massage which helps the toxins to move towards the gastro- intestinal tract. Oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and flexible, thus helping removal of stress and nourishing of the nervous system. Snehana is given daily for three to seven days, as indicated.
Swedana is sudation or sweating and is given eveiy day immediately following snehana. A herbal concoc- tion may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the individual. Swedana liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins into the gastro-intestinal tract.
The next phase is therapeutic phase or pradhana karma which includes vamana (induced vomiting), virechana (induced purgation), vasti (medicated enema), nasya (nasal medicine) and rakta moksham (artificial bloodletting). These are the main five cleansing methods.
Vamana:
Therapeutic vomiting
Eliminating the kapha which produces excess mucus is the primary objective of this therapy.
One may take two to three glasses of salt water (it can aggravate kapha) and then rub the tongue to induce vomiting. Once the mucus is released the patient will feel instantly relieved. It is likely that congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will be collected, hence the sinuses will become clear.
This treatment is best for all kapha-type disorders, headache, dizziness, epilepsy (between attacks), chronic sinus problems, and for repeated attacks of tonsillitis and nausea. Besides, it will help to release the block at the respiratory organ.
Virechana:
Purgation therapy
Virechana helps relieve excess pitha, which creates bile disturbance in the body. Normally, this treatment is done three days after vamana. If vamana therapy is not needed, virechana can be done straightaway.
Virechana cleanses the sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kid- neys, stomach, liver, and spleen. A number of fine herbs are used as a laxative. These include flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow’s milk, salt, castor oil, raisins and mango juice. When taking these laxatives, it is important to adhere to restricted diet.
This treatment is good for skin diseases, chronic fever, piles, abdominal tumours, worms, gout, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Vasti:
Enema therapy
Normally, this treatment is used to flush the loosened doshas out through the intestinal tract. Vasti is mainly done for vata disorders. It involves injecting medicinal substances such as sesame oil, calamus oil, or other herbal decoctions in a liquid medium into the rectum.
It alleviates constipation, distension, chronic fever, comm on cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, vomiting, backache, neck pain and hyper acidity. Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism and gout can also be treated.
Types of Vasti
Oil enema or nirhua vasti
Decoction enema or anuvasana vasti (herbal enema)
Nutrition enema
Enema should not be given to persons suffering from chronic indigestion, bleeding from rectum, diarrhoea, diabetes, severe anaemia and for aged people and children under 7.
Nasyam:
Nasal administration (elimination of toxins through the nose)
This therapy involves inhaling vapour from medicinal herbs. Mostly, it is done to eliminate kapha-related problems, ear, eyes, and nose and throat disorders such as migraine, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Nasal administration of medicine helps to correct the disorders of breathing affecting the higher cerebral, sensory and motor functions.
It is indicated for dryness of the nose, sinus congestion, hoarseness migraine headache convulsions and certain eye and ear problems
Types of Nasyam
Virechana (cleansing with the use of powders or herbs)
Nutritional nasyam (for vata-related disorders)
Sedative nasyam
Nasya decoctions
Ghee or oil nasyam ditions from your body and mind
Rakta Moksha
Bloodletting is used to eliminate toxins that are absorbed into the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract. This process will purify blood.
Ulis treatment is best for skin disorders such as urticaria, rash, eczema, acne, scabies and chronic itching.
Do not do bloodletting in cases of anaemia and edema.
Reintegration phase or paschat karma is the final phase. This includes sansarjan karma (specific dietetics), dhumapana (smoking of medicinal cigars) and some rules on lifestyle.
Benefits
Eliminate toxins and toxic conditions from your body and mind
Restore your constitutional balance, improving health and wellness
Strengthen your immune system and resist illness
Reverse the negative effects of stress on your body and mind, thereby slowing the ageing process
Reverse the negative effects of stress on your body and mind, thereby slowing the ageing pro-cess
Enhance your self-reliance, strength, energy, vitality and mental clarity
Bring about deep relaxation and sense of well-being
