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PANCH
KARMA
Vata,
Pitta, Kapha are the three doshas responsible for the metabolism
in the body. When they increase or get infected they produce
diseases. To cure these diseases and to establish balance
in these doshas Ayurved has propounded two types of treatments:
Shamana and Shodhana.
SHAMANA
The treatment, which doesn't eliminate the doshas or elevate
those, which are in normal condition but tries to bring equilibrium
in the imbalanced doshas, is called as "Shamana".
It can be done in seven ways:
-
Pachana
- Deepana
[Appetizers]
- Kshudha
[fasting]
- Trushna
- Vyayama
[exercise]
- Aatapa
[sun bath]
- Maruta
SHODHANA
The treatment through which increased doshas are eliminated
and balance is established between them is referred to as
"Shodhana".
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Process
of Panchakarma
(Comprises of three parts)
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Before
performing these processes "PURVA-KARMA" [Preparatory
processes] have been mentioned they are :Snehana[oleation]
and Swedana[sudation].By performing these processes the doshas
which are spread in the body get accumulated in the koshta
[trunk] and can be easily removed. Pitta and Vata doshas are
eliminated through the anus while Kapha dosha is eliminated
through the mouth. If the doshas are situated in the stomach
[Aamashaya] they are eliminated through the mouth and if situated
in the intestine [Pakvashaya]through anus.
A person
in whom kapha and pitta doshas have increased, who is obese,
has the strength to withstand the processes who is suffering
from indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation etc. is eligible
for shodhana treatment.
PURVA
KARMA
SNEHANA[oleation
therapy]
 In
this process animal fats, ghee [clarified butter], marrow
or vegetable fats like oil of sesam, mustard, almond etc.
are used either externally for massage on the whole body or
the affected part or internally [orally].
Snehana should be performed at daytime in hot climate and
at night in cold climate.
Eligibility for performing snehana
- Thin,
feeble [weak] persons
- Elderly
person and small children
- In
diseases like Facial paralysis, sciatica, joints pain
- Those
having a short memory
It has
been contra indicated in obesity , indigestion, abortion/miscarriage
and in a person who has undergone emesis/ purgation.
BENEFITS
OF SNEHANA:
By this treatment the skin becomes soft, the tissues are rejuvenated,
appetite improves, the internal organs get cleansed.
SWEDANA
[Sudation]
 To
give steam bath to the body or the affected part may be described
as swedana.It is mainly performed after snehana since snehana
softens the doshas and swedana liquiefies them, directing
them towards the kostha [trunk] for elimination.
Swedana is recommended in the following diseases:
-
Headache
- Facial
Paralysis
- Hemiplegia
- Rigidity
or spasmodic pain in the flanks, back, waist etc.
- Sciatica
, Pain in the muscles of thigh, calf muscles
- Oedema
- Gaurava
[feeling of heaviness in the body]
Swedana
should not be performed in diseases like diabetes, diarrhoea,
anaemia, ascites, in indigestion. It is also contraindicated
in pregnancy.
While performing sudation care should be taken to protect
the heart, eyes and testes. It should be performed till the
person feels light and the pain subsides.
BENEFITS
By performing sudation the body becomes soft, the doshas get
loosened from the affected srotasas [system] and get directed
towards the koshtha.
PRADHAN-KARMA
VAMAN
[Emesis]
 In
this process the infected doshas are thrown out of the body
by medication of emetics. It is the most effective treatment
in Kapha dosha.
Vaman
is recommended in Vasant rutu [spring season] since there
is natural increase of kapha dosha in our body. In a disease
having predominance of kapha dosha, Vaman can be performed
at any time after performing snehana and swedana.
INDICATIONS:
-
Kushta [leprosy or skin diseases]
- Navajwara
[fever]
- Diarrhoea
- Shlipada
[Elephantasis]
- Granthi
[lump]
- Kasa
[cough]
- Shwasa
[Asthama]
- Hrillasa
[nausea]
- Pratishaya
[cold]
- Visha
[poisons/toxins in the body] etc.
Vaman
has been contraindicated in obese person, in acute abdominal
conditions, in anaemia, in helmenthic infections, sorethroat,
in epistaxis or in a person who has taken enema.
VIRECHANA
[Purgation]
The process
by which increased doshas situated in the intestines [pakvashaya]
are eliminated through the anus is called as Virechana.
It is
the main treatment on increased Pitta dosha and is recommended
in Sharad rutu due to its natural increase in the specified
season. Though this may be the case it can be performed in
any season depending on the severity of the disease.
INDICATIONS
FOR PERFORMING VIRECHANA:
It
can be performed in diseases like-
-
Arsha [Piles]
- Visphota
[boils]
- Kamala
[Jaundice]
- Udara
[Ascites]
- Udarashula
[Pain in abdomen]
- Yoni
dosha [Gynaecological disorders]
- Krumi
[Helmenthesis]
- Vatarakta
[Gout]
- Malavarodha
[Constipation] etc.
Virechana has not been recommend in fever, lack of appetite
or in weak, feeble individuals.
SHIROVIRECHANA
/ NASYA
 Nose
is said to be the entrance to the head [Brain] .
Shirovirechana eliminates the increased doshas situated in
the head.This is a process in which the medication is given
through the nose. The medication is either in powdered form
which is blown in the nostrils through certain specific instruments
or in the form of medicated oils which is given with the help
of dropper.
It can
be performed to maintain health or in diseases like Headache,
Hicca [hiccups] Manyastambha [Cervical  spondylosis],
Swarabhransha [Sore throat], in epilepsy, skin disorders.
BENIFITS
By performing
Nasya the breathing process becomes smooth and the indriyas
[Special senses] i.e the nose, ears, eyes, throat, tongue
strengthen and improve their function.
BASTI
[Enema]
 Since
most of the diseases are caused due to imbalance in Vata dosha
this treatment is said to cure half of the diseases.It has
been referred as "Ardha Chikitsa". Though this treatment
can be used according to the gravity of the disease it is
mainly to be performed in the varsha rutu [Rainy season] owing
to the natural increase of Vata dosha in this season.
It
is of three types:
1.NIROOHA BASTI- It mainly contains decoction of medicinal
herbs and a little amount of fat in it. It has been indicated
in gout, diabetes, hyperacidity, disuria, meterrorhagia, heart
diseases.So also it is not recommended in weak person or one
who is suffering from abdominal distention, piles, diarhoea,
dysentry, vomitting, cough, asthama.
2.
ANUVASANA BASTI- It mainly contains fats and a small amount
of decoction of herbs.It has been indicated in the following
ailments:
- Anaha
[distended abdomen]
- Vatarakta
[Gout]
- Pleeha
[Splenomegaly]
- Aatisaara
[Diarrhoea]
- Pratishaya
[Cold]
- Malavrodha
[Constipation]
- Ashmari
- Rajonaasha
[Amenorrhea]
- Vata-rogas
[various diseases caused due to imbalance of vata dosha]
Anuvasana
basti has not been recommended in
-
Anaemia
- Jaundice
- Pyrexia
(Fever)
- Piles
- Common
cold
- Splenomegaly
- Helmenthic
infections
RAKTAMOKSHANA
Rakta
or blood has been described as the fourth dosha by some acharyas.
It is called "Jeevan" or life.If there is any disturbance
in its circulation, constitution it causes disease. So to
reduce the rakta dushti or impurites of the blood this process
has been described. "Rakta mokshana" means extracting
blood from the body through certain specific equipments like
Shrunga [horn of an animal], Alabu [An instrument prepared
from dried bottlegourd], Jalauka [Leech] , Siravedha [puncturing
a vein].
INDICATIONS
-
Vidradhi [Pus formation]
- Pleeha
[Increased spleen]
- Agnimandya
[Loss of appetite]
- Jwara
[Fever]
- Netra,
Mukha, Shiroroga [Diseases pertaining to eyes, mouth, head]
- Trushana
[Excessive thirst]
- Kushtha
[leprosy/Skin diseases]
- Vatarakta
[Gout]
- Bharma
[Vertigo]
- Liver
disorders
These
diseases are caused due to impurities in rakta dosha.
It has been contraindicated in piles , anaemia, pregnancy,
asthama, diarrhoea, one who has undergone oleation, sudation
or any other panchkarma treatment.
While
describing these processes specific age limits have been mentioned-
Vaman and Virechana should not be performed before ten years
of age or after seventy years.
Shirovirechana should not be performed before seven years
and after eighty years.
Siravedhana should not be done before sixteen years or after
seventy years.
Other
Procdures
SHIRODHARA
 The
patient is asked to lie down over taila droni. Tail/ Ghee/
Butter milk/ etc. should be showered over the head of the
patient. The showering height should be at least 4 to 5 inches.
During this procedure, massage on head is necessary. Showering
should be done for about 20 to 25 minutes. After completion
of the procedure Head should be cleaned with hot water and
warm cloth. Absolute mental and physical rest is necessary.
SHIROBASTI
After
completing oleation and sudation therapy at evening patient
is advised to sit on a chair. A leather strip is wound around
patient's head just above the eyebrows. It is tightened using
string. The edges (the junction of head and the leather bag)
of the leather bag should be sealed with dough made from black
gram flour. Lukewarm medicated oil is poured into it till
it reaches the level 2 inches in height above head, which
will oleate the crown. This should be kept till the nose starts
running, eyes become watery. After completion of this procedure
gentle massage is done on the neck and shoulders.
KATIBASTI
 The
patient is advised to sleep in prone position (i.e. on his
abdomen). A ring 2 inches in height is formed using wet black
gram flour is fitted on the back (on the affected vertebras).
The edges (the junction between the bag and back) of the bag
should be sealed neatly. Medicated oil (lukewarm) is poured
into the bag up to 2 inches in height, which will oleate that
encircled area. This should be kept for 15 to 30 minutes.
(This time can be increased according to the need of the disease)
HRITBASTI
 A
ring 2 inches in height is formed surrounding the cardiac
region (According to the surface marking of Heart) using wet
black gram flour. The edges (the junction between the bag
and the skin) of the bag should be properly sealed. Medicated
oil is poured into the bag up to 2 inches in height, which
will oleate the marked area.
UTTAR
BASTI
It
is given through the urethra in males and urethra and vagina
in females in diseases pertaining to the bladder or genitalia
in females.
In women uttar basti should be given between the fourth and
the sixteenth day of the menses since the mouth of the uterus
is open in this period. But in case of severity of the disease,
prolapse of the uterus, pain in the genitalia, dysuria it
can be given at any time.
Uttar basti has been contraindicated in diabetes.
PASCHAT
KARMA
Paschat
karma can be described as the dietetic regimen to be followed
after taking panchkarma treatment. It is important since it
activates the appetite in slow but sure manner. If this is
not followed properly the various processes give rise to complications.
Some
general rules to be followed after performing panchkarma:
Avoid eating cold food, cold drinks.
Avoid late nights, anxiety, getting angry.
Avoid food which may cause indigestion.
BENEFITS
OF PANCH KARMA
- It
has a soothing effect on the mind and body
- Increases
strength and energy
- It
rejuvenates the tissues
- Improves
the metabolism, activates the appetite
- Improves
the complexion
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