THE 5 KARMAS OF PANCHKARMA

1. VAMAN / वमन / (EMESIS) :

In this treatment, a patient is given internal and external oleation and fomentation therapies for few days. Once the toxins get liquefied and gather in upper cavities of body, the patient is given emetic medicine and decoction. This induces vomiting and helps to eliminate toxins from the body tissues.

‘Vaman’ therapy is especially recommended primarily to the people with high Kapha (कफ) imbalance.

Benefits :

Bronchial asthma, Chronic Allergies, Hay fever, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Hyperacidity, Obesity, Chronic indigestion.

2. VIRECHANA / विरेचन /(PURGATION) :

It is a medicated purgation therapy. In this treatment as well, the patient is given internal and external oleation and fomentation therapies.After that, the patient is given a herbal laxative to facilitate evacuation of the bowels that helps in cleansing the body of toxins.

It completely cleanses gastrointestinal tract. Virechan therapy is primarily recommended for removing ‘pitta’ (पित्त) toxins that are accumulated in liver and gall bladder

Benefits :

Hyperacidity, Gall bladder diseases, Indigestion.

3. Basti / बस्ती / (ENEMA) :

Administering medicated substances through enema is Basti. Medicated oil, ghee or herbal decoctions are administered into the rectum, which gives incredible positive results. Basti is considered as mother of all panchakarma treatments. It removes the accumulated toxins from all the three ‘doshas’ (दोष) – ‘vata’ (वात) , ‘pitta’, and kapha’.

Benefits :

Improves digestion, Muscle tone, Arthritis, Joint pains, Slip Disc, sciatica.

4. Nasya / नस्य् / (NOSE CLEANSING) :

Administering medication through nose for cleansing the head region. At the beginning of the therapy, the head and shoulder regions are given a gentle massage and fomentation. Then, nasal drops are administered in both the nostrils. This brings about the cleaning of the entire head region.

Benefits :

Various types of headaches, Migraine, Hair problems, Sleep disorders, Neurological disorders, Sinusitis, Chrone rhinitis and Respiratory diseases.

5. SHIRODHARA / शिरोधारा :

This involves slowly pouring small stream of medicated oil or herbal decoction over the forehead.

Benefits :

Hormonal problems, Phycological disturbances, Stress, Hair related problems.