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Panchakarma
is a Sanskrit word that means "five actions" or "five
treatments". This is a process used to clean the body of
toxic materials left by disease and poor nutrition. Normally
the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and
remove these waste materials, including the vitiated doshas.
However due to one's repeated dietary indiscretions, poor
exercise patterns, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition the
digestive enzymes, metabolic co-factors, hormones, and agnis
which regulate the body's internal homeostasis become
disorganized. This can lead to the accumulation and spread
of toxins throughout the physiology resulting in disease.
This waste matter is called ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a
foul-smelling, sticky, harmful substance that needs to be
completely evacuated from the body .
Panchakarma will remove the excess doshas and correct
imbalances in them as well as eliminate the harmful ama out
of your system through the body's own organs and channels of
elimination (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary
tract, stomach, intestines, etc). Panchakarma purifies the
tissues at a very deep level. It involves daily massages and
oil baths and is a very pleasurable experience. Ayurveda
recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for
maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance.
Panchakarma is a five-fold therapy; it is highly
individualized based on the needs of the individual
depending on the Ayurvedic constitutional type, doshic
imbalances, age, digestive strength, immune status, and many
other factors. Depending on each individual's needs all or
only parts of the five therapies are utilized. These
procedures must be administered by specially trained
therapists in a definite sequence for a specified period of
time. In addition, although Panchakarma is for the most part
a delightful and comfortable therapy, there can be periods
of discomfort associated with the profound release of toxins
which does occur. It is therefore essential that the therapy
be supervised by a knowledgeable expert who can recognize
the signs of properly and improperly administered
Panchakarma. Fortunately these signs were meticulously
recorded by the ancient vaidyas.
Like all medical procedures, Panchakarma Therapy always must
begin with an initial consultation by a qualified health
professional who can determine the individual's prakriti
(constitutional type), the nature of the health problem (if
any), and the appropriate degree of intensity of the
prescribed therapies. There are certain special
circumstances in which panchakarma should be administered
only with strict medical supervision: recovering drug
addiction, alcoholism, hypertension, diabetes, and eating
disorders are the most common. Panchakarma may also not be
appropriate for individuals who are significantly
underweight or physically weak or for persons with
inadequately treated (or undiagnosed) hypothyroidism or
hypoglycemia. The same is true of persons with cancerous
diseases, immune deficiency states, or those recovering from
recent surgery. All potential patients, but especially those
identified above, should always consult a qualified health
professional before initiating any form of detoxification
program.
About Pancha Karma
Deep physical, mental and emotional healing is often
experienced as a result of Pancha Karma. People report a
feeling of lightness in the body and clarity of mind, the
weight naturally balances. The cleansing involves daily
two-hour treatment consisting of a warm, nurturing oil
massage given by experienced therapist. This is followed by
a relaxing full body steam treatment, which enables the oils
to penetrate and lubricate the tender bodily tissues. These
tissues are called seven dhatus, they are the constituents
that make up the physical body. In order from superficial to
deep, they are: Ras (plasma), Rakt (blood),Maans (muscle),Meda(fat),
Asthi (bone),Majja (bone marrow), and Shukra (reproductive
tissue fluid ). Each day of your Pancha Karma works deeper,
from superficial to deep affecting nurturing, dislodging
toxins from all 7dhatus to be eliminated.
How many days does it take to have a complete Pancha Karma?
Each day of your Pancha Karma works deeper, from superficial
to deep affecting nurturing, dislodging toxins from all 7
dhatus. So that all people have a complete experience, we
focus on Pancha Karma programs that are at a minimum of 7
days. We offer 1-45 days of Pancha Karma for individuals &
couples.
How does Pancha Karma cleanse?
These treatments prepare the body to eliminate the buildup
of toxins that have accumulated over time in the tissues, as
a result of lifestyle choices, genetic predisposition,
environmental pollution, and stresses.
There are five actual cleansings in Pancha Karma. They are
the cleansing of the nasal and sinus passages, or nasya; the
cleansing of the colon, or basti; cleansing of small
intestines, or Verechena; cleansing of the stomach and
lungs, or vamana, and cleansing of the blood known as rakta
mokshan. The daily oil massage and steam treatment is
necessary to facilitate the movement of the build up of
toxins in the body. They are carried from the periphery,
through the many channels that feed the bodily tissues, to
the central part of the body and into the gastro-intestinal
tract from where they can be safely eliminated. The
individual constitution and current imbalance(s) determines
which cleansings are appropriate and necessary.
Ayurveda looks at the cause of all disease as the result of
an imbalance in the body, mind and/or spirit. When you treat
the cause, imbalance, you treat the effect, disease. The
purpose of Pancha Karma is to support the body in creating
balance, and in that way disease is addressed. Ayurveda
states that food is 60% of the medicine it uses to treat
disease.
Pancha Karma eliminates the causes of disease
In the new trend of health care, people are taking more
responsibility for their own health by using alternative
health care measures, rather than giving that 'power' away
to various health care systems that are not designed for
prevention longevity. Ayurveda is a perfect way to create
longevity and health, by focusing on eliminating the causes
of disease and prevention. Each Pancha Karma session expands
on the previous one, healing of body, mind and emotion
deeper and deeper with each consecutive year. The Ancient
Ayurvedic texts suggest receiving Pancha Karma three times
per year for optimum cleansing and rejuvenation. However
some people only have the time and the means to receive it
only once per year, which is a very good plan. With every
year it is truly possible to grow healthier and younger,
rather than older and diseased. It is possible to grow in
health and Ayurveda shows us how.
Pretreatment (Purvakarma)
The purvakarma procedures are often under
appreciated in the grand scheme of proper administration of
Panchakarma.The general purpose of the Poorvakarma Therapies
is to begin to loosen, liquefy, and move the vitiated doshas
from their abnormal sites in peripheral tissues to the
appropriate central site within the alimentary canal. Oil
massage and fomentation are administered on the night before
the day of Vamana. Prior to the start of Vamana, the patient
is asked to drink a specified quantity of ghee or oil until
the stool becomes oily, or nausea occurs. If vamana is
planned a Kaphagenic diet is given during this time to
aggravate Kapha. Either during the same time period or for
one week subsequently, oil massages are given..
Vaman ( Therapeutic
Vomiting)
This treatment is used when there is congestion in the lungs
causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, cough, cold or
asthma. The objective of the therapy is to induce vomiting
to get rid of the mucus causing excess kapha. On the morning
of the vamana., kapha aggravating foods such as basmati rice
and yogurt with salt is given to further aggravate the kapha.
The application of the heat to the chest and back will help
liquefy kapha. A drink consisting of madanaphalam, and honey
is given to the patient. (Other substances used include
salt, and cardamom) Vomiting will either occur spontaneously
or is induced by rubbing on the tongue. 4-8 vomiting is the
target. After vomiting the patient will feel very
comfortable; most of the congestion, wheezing and
breathlessness will disappear along with the clearing of the
sinus.
Indication-
Therapeutic vomiting is used for cough, cold, symptoms of
asthma, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning,
skin diseases, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic
indigestion, edema (swelling), epilepsy, chronic sinus
problems and for repeated attacks of tonsillitis.
(Virechana) Purgation
Therapy, Laxative Therapy)
Virechana is the cleansing of the pitta and the purification
of the blood toxins. Generally, it is administered three
days after the Vamana treatment but this may vary. If Vamana
therapy is not needed, Virechana can be administered
directly after purvakarma. Virechan cleanses the sweat
glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver and
spleen. A number of effective and safe herbs can be used as
a laxative. This include senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk,
dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow's milk, salt, castor oil.
When taking these laxatives, it is important to adhere to
restricted diet.
Indication-
Virechana is used for treatment of skin diseases, chronic
fever, piles, abdominal tumors, worms, gout, jaundice,
gastrointestinal problems, constipation and irritable bowel
syndrome.
(Basti) Medicated Enema)
Medicated enemas are used for various specific reasons. In
general, this treatment is used to promote elimination of
the loosened Vata dosha out through the rectum. There are
many specific enemas listed in Ayurveda.
Basti involves introducing medicinal substances such as
herbalized oils and other herbal decoctions in a liquid
medium into the rectum. Basti is especially good for vata
disorders. It alleviates constipation, distention, chronic
fever, the common cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones,
heart pain, vomiting, backache, neck pain and hyperacidity.
Such vata disorders as sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism,
neurodegenerative conditions, and gout can also be treated
by Basti. There are about 80 vata-related disorders in
Ayurveda. About 80 percent of them can be treated with
medicated enemas.
Since vata is mainly located in the colon and bones, the
medication is administered rectally.
Types of Enemas:
1.Niruha Basti (Decoction Enema) - mainly herbal decoction
and small amounts of oil
2.Anuvasana Basti (Oil Enema) - mainly warm oils with small
amounts of herbal decoction
3.Bruhana Basti (Nutrititive Enema) - warm milk, meat broth,
bone marrow soup, etc.
Nasya (Nasal
administration; Errhine Therapy).
This treatment involves the administation of herbalized oils
and liquids into the nostrils. It is useful for treatment of
kapha-oriented problems, of ear, eyes, nose and throat
disorders such as migraine, sinusitis, catarrh, and
bronchitis.
The nose is the gateway to the brain and to consciousness.
Prana or vital energy enters the body through breath taken
in through the nose. Nasal administration of medication
helps to correct the disorders of prana affecting the higher
cerebral, sensory and motor functions. Nasya is indicated
for dryness of the nose, sinus congestion, hoarseness,
migraine headache, neurodegenerative conditions (i.e.
multiple sclerosis), convulsions and certain eye and ear
problems.
Types of Nasya
1. Virechana (purifying with use of powders or herbs)
2. Nutritive Nasya
3. Sedative Nasya
4. Nasya decoctions
Blood Letting (Rakta
Mokshan)
Blood letting is used to eliminate toxins that are absorbed
into the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract.
This process purifies the blood. It is used for disorders
such as repeated attacks of skin disorders such as
urticariya, rash, eczema, acne, scabies, leucoderma ,
chronic itching and hives. It is also often effective for
enlarged liver and spleen, haemochromatosis, and for gout.
Blood letting, which should only be administered by a
qualified physician, is useful to relieve several pitta
disorders such as acne and rash. If administered properly,
it stimulates the antitoxic substances in the blood stream,
thus developing the immune mechanism in the blood system.
Thus Ayurvedic-Panchakarma provide complete and ideal health
care. Actually it treats the root cause of disease rather
then just suppression of the symptoms of diseases. One
criticism of modern scientific medicine is that it encourage
a disease -oriented ,rather than patient-oriented approach,
thinking in terms of a "case" rather than a"person"
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