Panchakarma

Modern description

Panchakarma is a comprehensive Ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation therapy designed to eliminate accumulated toxins and restore balance within the body.

Purpose

Internal and external cleansing therapies, with a focus on external cleansing for leprosy.

Indications

• Wide range of conditions including digestive disorders, skin diseases, respiratory problems, neurological disorders, joint pain, stress, and chronic diseases. Used for detoxification, rejuvenation, and overall health maintenance.

Classical indications

• Leprosy (contextually)

Karma

• Dosha Shamana (pacifying doshas)
• Srotoshodhana (cleansing channels)
• Agni Deepana (igniting digestive fire)
• Ama Pachana (digesting toxins)
• Rasayana (rejuvenating)

Key ingredients

• Basti
• Panchakarma is not a single formulation but a set of five therapeutic procedures
• Virechana
• Nasya
• madanaphala fruit. Virechana frequently involves castor oil
• triphala. Basti can be Niruh Basti with dashamoola
• rock salt
• honey and Anuvasana Basti with sesame oil. Nasya often utilizes sesame oil
• brahmi ghrita. Raktamokshana involves specific tools and techniques.
• and Raktamokshana . Each procedure uses specific ingredients tailored to the individual and their doshic imbalance. Vamana often uses licorice root

Adult dose

Dosage and duration vary greatly depending on the individual's constitution (Prakriti), imbalance (Vikriti), strength, and the specific Panchakarma procedure. This must be determined by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.

Pediatric dose

N/A (Therapy)

Preparation steps

• **Purva Karma (Preparatory stage):**
• * **Pachana:** Oral administration of digestive herbs to improve digestion.
• * **Snehana (Oleation):** Internal and external administration of medicated oils/ghee to loosen toxins.
• * **Swedana (Sudation):** Herbal steam therapy to liquefy toxins and open channels.
• **Pradhana Karma (Main Cleansing Procedures):**
• * **Vamana (Emesis):** Therapeutic vomiting to eliminate excess Kapha.
• * **Virechana (Purgation):** Therapeutic purgation to eliminate excess Pitta.
• * **Basti (Enema):** Medicated enemas to eliminate excess Vata.
• * **Nasya (Nasal Administration):** Nasal administration of herbal oils to cleanse the head and neck region.
• * **Raktamokshana (Bloodletting):** Therapeutic bloodletting to purify the blood (rarely used in modern setups).
• **Paschat Karma (Post-treatment care):**
• * Gradual reintroduction of a light and easily digestible diet.
• * Rejuvenating therapies and herbal supplements to support healing.

Toxic ingredients

• ['Not specified']

Safety contraindications

• Acute illness, pregnancy, menstruation, extreme weakness, and certain chronic conditions.