Treatment procedures
Bodypurification or Panchakarma has three phases of actions:
1. Pre-purification phase.
2. Main purification phase.
3. The Post purification phase.
Panchakarma
treatments are administered over a period of 5 to 28 days or even more.
Any treatment below this period would be of little effect and may cause
damages to body tissues.
Pre-Purification Phase
Sirodhara Luke warm herbal oil is poured in a continuous stream onto the forehead, while receiving a gentle massage on the fore head.
Snehapanam
is the oral intake of specially prepared medicated ghee (clarified
butter) in empty stomach. It is done to lubricate all body channels to
push out body toxins.
Thailadhara
is a continuous showering and massaging process of the whole body using
warm medicated oil to activate the muscles and nerve endings.
White lead wort,
malabar nut, liquorice,
sesame oil etc. are the commonly used ingredients.
Thakradhara
induces coolness to the brain, relaxes the mind, and reduces mental
stress and increases memory power. Thakradhara means the profuse
pouring of medicine-rich buttermilk on the person’s forehead.
Thalam treats headaches, cerebrum-vascular diseases, insomnia, ENT diseases, vertigo etc.
In Thalapothichil
the person’s scalp is completely applied with high value medicinal
pastes. Heals problems related to the head and neck regions.
Udvarthanam
This is a typical deep and dry massage using herbal powders. This
massage stimulates hair follicles and subcutaneous fat tissue to break
down subcutaneous fat storage.
Upanahasweda comprises of the local application of a medicinal paste to treat pain and swelling.
This phase comprises the Panchakarma. Depending on the ailments, one is
advised to undergo two or three of the Panchakarma therapies. The
doctor decides on the type of treatments suitable for a particular type
of person. Ayurveda doctors have to monitor these treatments.
Treatments without expert guidance can lead to complications.
Nasyam
in ayurveda refers to the instillation of medicated oil through the
nose. It is the best procedure for the treatment of sirorogas i.e.,
sodhana of urdhvanga. Nasyam helps to discard the mucous toxins from
head and neck channels.
In Pancha karma therapy, nasyam treatment involves application of warm
oil to the shoulder and neck of the patient with the patient lying
supine and tips his head back. Lightly warmed oil is dropped into each
nostril. The patient should inhale deeply. The usual dose is 8 drops
but this varies according to the disease and its nature. The timings
are morning in kapha diseases, noon in pitta diseases and evening in
vata diseases. After the nosy, the shoulder, face, palm and sole of
limbs should be massaged briskly for few minutes. . Dhoomapana and
gargling with hot water should be done afterwards. Nasya should not be
done continuously for more than seven days.
It should also be noted that panchakarma treatments should not be administered to children under 8 years and to those over 80.
Vamanam
induced vomiting and is the first in panchakarma treatments. This
process is to be done carefully and needs skilled personnel. It induces
expulsion of the contents in the stomach through the mouth. Kapha or
kapha dominant diseases like psoriasis, urticaria, bronchial asthma,
mental disorders etc can be effectively treated by vamanam treatments.
Besides, it also removes wastes from the upper body parts like the
chest and lungs area. It is a very effective form of body purification
treatment.
Vamanam is a continuation of the sneha
sweda done the previous day. After administering sneha sweda, the
patient is given kapha increasing foods. The next morning, after
ablutions and a hot water bath, the patient would be asked to sit in a
relaxed manner in an armchair. Milk or sugar cane juice is commonly
used for this purpose. The patient drinks as much milk as he can. Then
a paste of madana phala, along with yashtimadhu powder vacha, rock salt
and honey mixed with milk would be given. Within a short time, the
patient feels nauseous and starts vomiting. All impure accumulated
kapha will come out. Normally eight bouts are seen. Vomiting is stopped
when the pitta or yellow colouration is seen, which is considered the
correct symptom. If the bouts are less, vomiting should be done by
irritating the uvula by touching with the fingers or a quill. Then
allow the patient to wash his face and fingers with hot water.
Then dhoomapana is done. The smoke should be inhaled through one nostril and exhaled through the mouth which is repeated thrice.
This
is followed by paschat-karma. These are mainly food restrictions,
called samsarjana kriya. Just after vamana, if the patient is hungry,
thin gruel is given. After ascertaining the digestive power, thick
gruel, porridge, porridge with meat soup are given. The entire
treatment takes 15 days.
However, vamanam is not advisable for pregnant women, the aged , the weak and those suffering from cardiac problems.
Virechanam
in body purification is a purgation treatment using herbal medicines.
It expels impurities from mid zones of the body like the liver,
gallbladder and the intestinal tract. Pitta and pitta dominant diseases
are cured by this pancha karma treatment. In virechanam, the vitiated
doshas are made to pass through the anus. Poorvakarma as done in vamana
is also done in virechanam. Though several drugs are mentioned for
virechana, trivrit is considered the best and several trivrit
combinations are used. It is to be noted that the medicine is given
only when the last meal has been digested. . Avipathy churna, another
medicine, mixed with hot water is given after 9 a.m. No food is given
till virechana is over. In proper virechana, the patient passes urine,
stool, pitta, medicine, kapha and vata in that order. About 20 purges
may be seen. However, it all depends on the patient's health.
Another
mild form of virechana is also used as an ayurvedic therapy. It is
commonly used to treat various kinds of ailments in which poorvakarma
are not necessary.
Diseases like hemiplegia and those due to vata are treated well with
vasti. However, acute diarrheas, chest lesions, piles, hiccups, are not
treated. For Kashaya vasti, honey, rock salt, sneham, paste of
medicines are required and is mixed one by one in the above order. An
emulsion is made by churning all and warming in a water bath. This
should be taken on an empty stomach at about 10 a.m. Application is the
same as snehavasti. When the bowels are clear, the patient is allowed
to take a hot water bath. This should be done after two or three
snehavastis. Sneham, paste of medicines and kashayam noted above are
selected as per disease and stage.
Vasthi
the most important of the therapies in Panchakarma involves the
introduction of herbal oils and decoctions into the colon through the
rectum.
Kateevasthi
is a warm oil treatment done by retaining certain amount of warm
medicated oil on the lower back of the body, for about 40 to 50
minutes. Sirovasti is the retention of warm medicated oil over the head
for a certain amount of time is a warm oil treatment done by retaining
certain amount of warm medicated oil on the lower back of the body for
about 40 to 50 minutes. Sirovasti is the retention of warm medicated
oil over the head for a certain amount of time.
Urovasti. A mixture of warm herbal oil is allowed to stay on the chest with the help of herbal paste enclosure.
Post purification phase
Once the Body purification treatments are over, rehabilitative measures
are given which include guidelines on diet, lifestyle and other things.
If not followed the effects of the treatments would diminish. Doctors
prescribe various Ayurveda formulations such as kashayams lehyams etc.
to fortify body cells and tissues, massage oils and kuzhambu for body
and joint lubrication.
For getting maximum results out of the Rasayana therapy, the two main
forms oushadh (Medicines) and Acharyas (Behavior/deeds) need to be
followed. Medicines and diet prescribed by doctors have to be taken and
these have effects on the body tissues, digestive juices, doshas etc,
while the behavior or habit of a person influences the mind, soul and
sensory faculties.
Ayurveda offers extensive Rasayana therapies. The aim of
Rasayana is to keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal
functioning condition. It nourishes, restores and balances the body
functions and maintains the overall health and well being of an
individual. Mind is made calm and peaceful, nerves and bones are kept
soft and sooth. These, to a very large extend, prevent the ageing
process and also free the person from diseases even during an advanced
age.
The person will be able to see things like before
and the sharpness of hearing and vision continues. The glow in his face
and the colour of his skin remains as before. It is with this in view
one has to resort to rejuvenation therapy. There are case histories
were persons of 65 years could increase testosterones level from 190 to
300.
Two forms of Rasayana treatments are presently
available: the shorter version (Vaataatapika) and the longer version
(Kuteepraaveshika).
Oral medicines for Body Purification |
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Herbal medicines form an important part of any ayurvedic treatment.
Oral medicines for Stress Management will be extracts of pure medicinal
herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore
the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure Stress
Management.
Kashayam and
Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations
Lehyams – semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.
Neem,
ginger,
amaltas,
nutmeg,
liquorices,
gooseberry,
bael
etc are some of the medicinal herbs used in the preparation of
kashayams, lehyams and arishtams for the use of Stress Management
patients.
The type and quantity of the medicines to
be taken are decided by the doctor after a detailed consultation and
examination. The patient’s body type, age etc are also important
factors to be considered.
Diet Regulation for Body Purification |
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Foods and germinated wheat are recommended. Raw root vegetables, whole
wheat bread, cheese, butter, honey, and raw milk are recommended. Juice
of fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed in large quantities
Stress Management patients are advised to stick to a pure, natural and
wholesome diet, low in fat and cholesterol. They should strictly avoid
alcohol, salt, sweets, tobacco etc. A diet of natural foods and
germinated wheat are recommended. Raw root vegetables, whole wheat
bread, cheese, butter, honey, and raw milk are recommended. Juice of
fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed in large quantities.
Yoga and Life Style for Body Purification |
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Yoga
and Meditation are proven and effective way to develop and maintain
perfect harmony and balance in our body systems. It provides us with
immunity against all diseases. It alters brain wave activities
reflecting in increased relaxation and a better focused mind. It is
known to reduce fatigue in Stress Management patients. The commonly
suggested yoga postures for stress Management patients are Shavasana
(corpse pose) and Halva Asana (Plough pose). Yoga Nidra is also highly
recommended as it makes the mind calm and tension free.
Life style: Stress Management patients are recommended
to avoid tension and worry in their daily lives. Developing a sense of
humour, establishing meaningful relationships with others, enjoying the
beauties of nature, keeping pets, spending more time with family and
taking part in recreational activities will effectively reduce stress
in individuals.
It is advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after
the Panchakarma experience. During this time the body is weak after a
purification process
