Panchakarma is the ancient system of ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation therapies designed to facilitate the removal of deep rooted stresses and toxins in physiology. Panchakarma is a crucial part of Ayurveda which helps achieve a balanced state of body, mind and consciousness through detoxification and rejuvenation. Panchakarma is a process that involves 5 methods to balance the doshas in your body and rejuvenate it. Pancha means five and karma means treatment or action.

Bad habits and diet accumulate a lot of waste matter in your body called 'ama'. Ama also called as toxins are harmful to your body. Panchakarma removes these toxins so that your body is protected from disease.

Panchakarma treatment differs from person to person. It is specific to individuals and varies according to your dosha imbalance, age, strength. Immunity levels etc. So before doing the treatment is better to consult one of our physicians to know about your body dosha and its imbalances in detail. Panchakarma is divided into three phases:

POORVA KARMA (PRE - PANCHAKARMA PROCEDURE)

The goal of poorva karma is to prepare the body tissues for cleansing and release of toxins. Thus, before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to prepare the body in prescribed methods to encourage the release of toxins.

Poorva karma includess two procedures:

Snehana: Snehana is also called abhyanga (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.

Swedana: Swedana is fomentation. The toxins which are made soft in the oleation process become thinner here. The snehana process softnes sever and deep rooted toxins, which are liquified by fomentation to flush out of the body through sweat eventually.

PRADHANA KARMA

(THE MAIN PURIFICATION PROCESS)

Vamana: Vamana is one of the panchakarma treatments for kapha predominating disorders. After proper preparation of the individual through poorvakarmas for about 5-7 days, therapeutic induced vomiting is done by giving emetic drugs orally along with a large quantity of medicinal liquids. The subject is allowed to vomit all the contents of the stomach.

Virechanam: Virechanam is one of the panchakarma procedures for pita predominating disorders. After proper preparation of the individual through poorvakarmas for about 5 to 7 days, virechanam is done by oral administration of laxative herbs. It helps in secreting pitta accumulated in gall bladder, liver and small intestine.

Nasya: Nasal administration of medicine through nasal route. The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The treatment will cleanse and strengthen the nasal passages, allowing breathing fully and easily.

Vasthi:Vasthi means enema therapy. Vasthi is one of the panchakarma treatment for vata predomimating disorders. It is of two types:

• Sneha vasthi: It is medicated oil enema given to nourish and lubricate the body.

• Niruha vasthi: herbal decoction mixed with honey, rocksalt etc are administered through anal route.

Raktamoksham: This treatment is mainly used in the diseases resulting from aggravation of toxins in the blood. It is done with needles, leeches or suction cups. This treatment is very good for treating eczema, psoriasis, infections gout etc.

PASCHAT KARMA (POST-OPERATIVE CARE)

Paschat karma means after care, In this certain precautions are taken after finishing the main procedures to get the full benefit of panchakarma. It includes certain rejuvenating and rasayana therapy, lifestyle management, diet management, intake of herbal supplements etc.

• Sansarjan Karma ( Food therapy after detox)

• Rasayana chikitsa ( Rejuvenation therapy)

• Shaman chikitsa ( The pacification therapy with herbs and life style management)

The rasayana therapy in Panchakarma treatment packages includes:

Kashaya vasti: This treatment involves enema using medicated decoction. It helps in removal of gas that causes pain and also in removing toxins for purpose of body detoxification.

Sirovasti: Sirovasti is a process in which warm medicated oil is made to stay stagnant on the scalp for a specific time in a proper formed frame made up of leather or rexine sheet.

Dhara: Dhara is a process in which oil is applied on the person's head bearing in mind the resistance level of the person.

Njavarakizhi: A deeply refreshing and revitalising massage that is practiced as rejuvenation therapy in order to alleviate the joint stiffness due to vata.

Tharpanam:In tharpanam, hollo wells of black gram paste and gently sculpted around the eyes. It is a therapy which nourishes the eye specifically.

Karnapoornam: Karpoornam is instilling medicated oils or clarified butter (ghee) in the ears.

Anjanam: Application of medicine into the internal surface of the eyelid from the medial to lateral side. It reduces itchness, sharpens vision and eliminates dosha from the eyes.

Gandoosham: This treatment involves simple gargling using medicinal liquid. It treats many ailments of the ear, nose, eye, throat, mouth canal and head.

Yoga & Meditation:It helps in relieving stress, and enhances the brain's capacity of perception, awareness and efficiency in processing.