Panchakarma deals with the main preventive and therapeutic procedures of Ayurveda. These procedures are
These Pancakarmas help in detoxifying the body, when done as a seasonal regime they prevent diseases and help in balancing the three dosas of the body.
The various procedures like Dhara , Pizichal , Siro vasti, Katibasti, Kizhi, etc are done for the overall betterment of the body.
Pancakarma is the method of detoxifying the body to rejuvenate and facilitate the therapeutic benefits of medicine by means of five unique procedures. Pancakarma focusses on attaining main goal of Ayurveda that is “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam Atursya Vikaraprashamanam”. According to seasons there will be changes in the state of Tridoshas inside our body. This change is corrected by undergoing seasonal detoxification procedures thus it helps to achieve Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanum. When these three doshas are deranged in our body due to different causative factors it should be corrected with the help of Pancakarma. The vitiated dosas should be eliminated through the nearest route in the body.
The five Pancakarmas are Vamana, Virecana, Niruha Vasti, Anuvasana Vasti and Nasya.
Vamana: is indicated in the diseases caused due to vititation of kapha Dosa alone or combined with vititation of other dosas. Here vitiated dosas are eliminated in upward direction through the mouth.
Virecana: It is indicated in the vitiation of Pitta Dosa alone or along with vitiation of other dosas. These dosas are eliminated through the anal route.
Basti: It is indicated in the vitiation of Vata Dosa. Basti chikitsa is considered as Ardha chikitsa and some address it as Sampoorna Chikitsa. The medicines are administered in the form of a medicated enema through the anal route. It is classified as-
1. Niruha Basti
2. Anuvasana Basti
Niruha Basti: Here a special liquid medicament is used which is prepared out of honey, rock salt, medicated oil , medicines in the form of kalka, decoction of the medicines and special liquid medias according to the disease condition.
Anuvasana Basti : Here medicated oil is used as an enema according to the condition.
Nasya : It is a specialized form of treatment used in combating diseases pertaining to the head and neck region.The medicine is instilled through each nostril.