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In Ayurveda treatment consists of four basic forms,
namely - medicine or drug therapy, pancha (five) karma (actions/
systems), dietary regime and regulation of lifestyle. It
works in two fundamental ways - cure and prevention. The preventive
aspect of treatment is further subdivided into swastha varta
(personal hygiene) - consisting of dinacharya (daily routine),
ritucharya (seasonal corrections) and sadachara (appropriate
behaviour) - rasayana & vajikarana (rejuvenation & virlification)
and yoga.
The curative aspect consists of three parts antati parimaijana
(internal medicine) - consisting of samsodhana (internal purification
through panchakarma) and samsamana (curative action) - external
medicine as massage, use of pastes & powders and finally surgical
treatment.
The deep cleansing process, unique to Ayurveda, that enables
the body to release excess doshas and toxins from its cells
and expel them is called Panchakarma, which basically denotes
detoxification or elimination of toxins from the body. Although
the human body is considered as a great, intelligent, natural
healing system capable of rejuvenating itself, the formation
of toxins reduces this natural capacity. It is then that Panchakarma
plays a crucial role in that correction.
The concept of constitution (Prakriti)
This is central to Ayurveda. Individuals are comprised of the 3 forces (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) in unique combinations so that no 2 persons are alike. The constitutional determination provides insight into the deeper workings of an individual. With this it is possible to become aware of the foods, spices, herbal medicines, emotions, thoughts, climates, colors, activities and so on that tend to either balance or unbalance a particular individual and to either improve or aggravate various types of illness. Furthermore, it is possible to outline the disease tendencies of the different constitutions so that a preventive lifestyle may be observed; also, health promotion for individuals of different constitutions can follow a rational, time tested approach utilizing all that nature provides. Accordingly, a person can plan diet and other routine activities affirming to his / her constitution. This can help a lot in maintenance of good health and prevention of diseases.
PANCHAKARMA (Detoxification & Intensive Rejuvenation Therapy)
What is PANCHAKARMA?
Panchakarma is a curative management plan for diseases.
As the name suggests, Pancha in Sanskrit stands for Five and Karma are therapeutic measures thereby meaning five types of therapeutic measures. These are undertaken for the purification of the body. Ayurveda considers this necessary before the start of many other therapies. The logic being –that the body needs to be purified (cleaned of impurities) and rejuvenated in health before it can be treated for complex health problems. In fact Panchakarma on its own is a cure to many problems.
The Panchakarma therapy of Ayurveda comprises of five basic types of advanced treatment for elimination of vitiated Dosha (toxic materials) from the body. One can consider this as a cleansing program of toxins from the body. There are many subtypes of this therapy and different types of herbal massages, steam bath, external oil treatments, Basti (medicated enemas), Virechana (purgation through herbs), Vamana (emesis through herbs), Nasya (nasal administration of oils) etc. are incorporated. These practices are extremely helpful in relieving deep seated diseases as well as it is also beneficial for maintaining and improving physical and mental health.
Therapies given to each patient in Panchakarma depends on the body type and health problems.
PURVAKARMA: Pre-purification Measures for Panchakarma
Before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to prepare the body in prescribed methods to encourage the body to let go of the toxins.
The two procedures are Snehana and Swedana.
1. Snehana (Abhyangam) is the oil massage. Oil is applied to the entire body with a particular type of massage which helps the toxins to move towards the gastro-intestinal tract. Oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple, thus helping to remove stress and to nourish the nervous system. Snehana is given daily for three to seven days, as indicated.
2. Swedana is sudation or sweating and is given every day immediately following the Snehana. An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the individual. Swedana liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins into the gastro-intestinal tract.
PRADHANAKARMA: Main Purification measures of Panchakarma are as follows
Vamana: Emesis Therapy
When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting, Vamana, to eliminate the Kapha causing the excess mucus
Virechana: Purgation Therapy
When excess bile, Pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative.
Nasya: Nasal Administration
The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.
Basti: Enema Therapy
Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic Basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of Vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Basti. Basti therapy is divided in two main types, i.e. Anuvasana Basti or medicated oil enemas and Niruha Basti or medicated enema of decoctions and medicated oils.
Other therapies of Panchakarma:
1. Shirodhara: It is recommended in anxiety, depression, hypertension, insomnia etc.
2. Kati Basti: Useful in different backaches.
3. Janu Basti: Useful in arthritis of knee joint.
4. Nadi Sweda: Useful in pain disorders of different sites.
5. Pinda Sweda: Useful in neurological ailments and in the management of different pains.
6. Shashti-Shali Pindasweda: Useful in neurological ailments.
7. Tarpanam: Useful in the ailments of eyes.
8. Shirobasti: Useful in hair fall and other diseases of skull.
9. Uttara Basti: Useful in genitourinary diseases and infertility of female.
10. Udvartana: It is a medicated Ubtan to be applied over the skin for fair and glowing skin.
WHY PANCHAKARMA?
-To eliminate the toxic matter from the body
-To enhance the power of digestion and metabolism
-To eliminate diseases from the very root
-To restore normal health
-To gain the strength, increase the virility and improve the progeny.
-To rejuvenate and bring back youthfulness
-To increase the power of sense organs and motor organs
According to Ayurveda, every human being is a unique phenomenon of cosmic consciousness. The three Dosha (humors) determines every individual’s psychosomatic temperament or constitution. Vata (ether plus air), Pitta (fire plus water) and Kapha (water plus earth) are called the Tridosha, meaning the three Dosha. The internal environment is governed by Vata -Pitta -Kapha (V-P-K), which is constantly reacting to the external environment. The wrong diet, habits, lifestyle, incompatible food combinations (e.g. milk and fish, melons and grain, yogurt and meat or cooked honey etc.), seasonal changes, repressed emotions and stress factors can all act either together or separately to change the balance of V-P-K. According to the nature of the cause, Vata, Pitta or Kapha undergo aggravation or derangement that produces Ama (toxins). To stop the further production of Ama Ayurvedic literature suggests putting the person on a proper diet with appropriate lifestyle, habits and exercise, and administering a proper cleansing program such as Panchakarma.
Diseases treated by PANCHAKARMA
Rheumatic disorders: Osteo, rheumatic,psoriatic arthritis
Paralysis: Mono, hemi, para, quadri plegia
Parkinsonism and Epilepsy nervine disorders
Gynaecological disorders: cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, dub, dysmenorrhoea
Allergies and Hay fevers bronchial asthma
Cancer benign and malignant
Skin Afflictions eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo
E.N.T. Diseases -tinnitus, hard of hearing, speech disorders, sinusitis
Insomnia & Psychosis sleep disorders
Kidney diseases nephrotic syndrome,urolithiasis chronic renal failures
Digestive diseases reflux oesophagitis, peptic ulcer
Migraine headaches
Can PANCHAKARMA be effective in critical diseases ?
Yes, Panchakarma is beneficial and effective (not a cure) for cancer.
The treatment of any above mentioned disease is there in Panchakarma management plan in any day of the calendar . Yet by ayurveda way of diagnosis a detailed history is required as regards to history & chronicity of illness, time , country of origin, the constitutional status and the factors should be known to Panchakarma consultant as first hand information to plan treatment according to disease preferably by correct analysis of prevalence and pathogenic stage of one or the three doshas prevalent in the disease and the season as well. The physical environment is mainly based on time and space. The time includes diurnal variation & season variations. The space includes the geographical considerations which is equally important for the person to be treated and one's food habits and life style and at the same time the vegetation and herbs used during the treatment.
Seasonal Purification by Ayurveda & Yoga
The base for health maintenance and disease prevention in Ayurveda is purification. some of the guidelines are given for routine seasonal cleansing practices of Ayurveda and yoga.
Winter to spring :
During the juncture of seasons between to spring (APRIL) KAPHA, the bioforce of growth, structure and mucus is aggravated. Ayurveda recommends the method of 'Vamana' (use4 of emetics to induce vomiting other practices include heat elimination therapies, nasya (nasal medication), Exercise, Fasting, less sleeping and Dry Massage.
In yoga, the main purificatory methods are 'Vamana Dhauti (purification by vomiting),and vastra Dhauti (purification by means of a cloth) other practices used include Neti (Nasal Cleansing) and Kapal-bhati (skull shinning)
Spring To Summer :
During the juncture of seasons from spring to summer (june) PITTA, the bioforces of heat , is naturally aggravated. In Ayurveda, the main purificatory practice used is Virechana (purgation and Rakta mokshana (Blood Letting). Massage is also recommended. In Yoga, varisara dhauti or shankha- prakshalana (intestinal washing with saline water) is used. Also nauli (Intestinal churning) and Kapal-bhati are practiced.
Summer To Autumn :
During the juncture of season from summer to Autumn ( october) VATA, the bioforce of movement and dryness is naturally aggravated. In ayurveda Basti (medicated herbal enema) is main purificatory practice recommended. Other practices include oil massage, svedana (sweating) and snehan (oiling ). In yoga, basti (enema ) is also recommended with certain breathing practices and postures to help maintain the balance of the air and movement producing bioforce.
Autumn to winter :
During the juncture of season from Autumn to winter (december ) KAPHA, the bioforce of growth and mucus begins to accumulate and vata , should naturally be pacified. None of the bioforces are inherently aggravated. None of the bioforces are inherently aggravated. often, however when an individual's Agni is not balanced it will increase erratically during this time to meet the demands of the cold and diminishing light of winter. This will cause dryness (A vata derangement as well as some pitta disturbance due to the erratically inflaming agni. When dryness become a prominent symptom then Snehan (oiling) in the form of oil massages, oil enemas, nasal medication and increasing essential fatty acids in ones diet can be very helpful.
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