PANCHAKARMA is the essence of ayurveda. This word
is derived from two Sanskrit words- PANCHA meaning FIVE and KARMA meaning
PRACTICES or ACTION, so the word PANCHAKARMA refers to FIVE TREATMENT
PROCEDURES.
This
is a process used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease, poor
nutrition and environmental toxins. 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 aggravated 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 is a very
pleasurable experience that is tailored to individual needs and may involve:
- · OLEATION (SNEHANA)
- · Herbal steam therapy(swedana)
- · VAMANA (Emesis)
- ·
VIRECHANA (Purgation)
- · Herbal enemas (basti)
- · Nasal administrations (nasya)
- · Other special treatments (see treatments below)
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.
Specially trained therapists must administer these procedures in an exact
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 a knowledgeable expert who can recognize the signs
of properly and improperly administered Panchakarma supervise the therapy. 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 Ayurvedic Physician 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.
Panchakarma
treatments have been shown to create measurable brain wave coherence and to
lower metabolic activity. They allow the body and mind to drop into a profound
level of peacefulness. In this state of relaxation, it is possible to cleanse
toxins from tissues as well as to release deeply held emotional tensions.
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