The Panchakarma therapies are the unique ancient wisdom from Indian Health scientist that involves the removal of etiological factors of different categories to prevent, to cure, & to rejuvenate the damaged tissues due to chronic diseases/ ageing process after purification/ changing the required flora in the desired system.

In modern researches while finding the site for adult stem cells it is found that abundant adult cells are found in eye bulb, nasal cavity, skin, stomach, gut, rectum. These are the routes that are used to root out the toxins from the system & rejuvenating formulations are administered, as before these kinds of modern studies it seems to be unbelievable that with the help of some type of eye drops / some medicated oils thru nostrils can cure ataxia/ facial paralysis kind of diseases.

The complete purification of body or detoxification of body from disease causing agents is Panchakarma Therapy.  It involves a series of treatment after complete examination of disease and diseased.  It is done for two purposes:

1. Prevention & Promotion of Health Status

In healthy person who has no disease, due to age, seasonal variation, habitat; some of the doshas get increased in their physiological range only.  To expel out these vitiated doshas so that these could not create any disease after getting stimulating from other triggering factors, affect the resistance power, accelerate the ageing the process in various organ systems.  After excreting out from the body some Rasayana therapy can be advised to slow down the ageing process and to remain disease free even in old age.

2. To Reverse the Disease Process

To expel out the disease causing vitiated dosha/ doshas with the help of one or more process of shodhana therapeutic measures this can be done. Panchakarma Therapy involves a series of processes-

PRE PANCHAKARMA THERAPY (Process of Purification) – To carry out Panchakarma therapy the body is prepared so that all the toxins can be removed completely i.e. Deepana – Pachana – Snehana-Svedana are done.

Internal and external uses of medicated oil/ ghee so that toxins accumulated here and there get dislodged [work like saponification]. iii.Svedana (Steam Therapy) - It is given with suitable herbal water after oleation to open all the channels& to expel the circulating toxins into gut.

PANCHAKARMA THERAPY

Specific type of Shodhana therapeutic measure is selected among 5 processes for specific type of disease and type of toxins-

a) Vamana (Vomiting) - To expel out toxins of Kapha category through induced vomiting.  More than 600 formulations are described in Charaka Samhita for different diseases conditions for Vamana.  This type of Shodhana karma is done in the disease conditions which are generated with the involvement of Kapha dosha i.e. diabetes, some skin disease, asthma, coronary artery disease, obesity etc.

b) Virechana (Purgation) - This process of purification is done in the diseased person having disorders of pittaj type or in health person whom Pitta dosha is vitiated.  More than 900 formulations are used for purgation in different kind of disease.  This is done in diseases like hyperacidity, hypertension, bleeding disorders, pittaj type of heart disease which Pitta doshas is basically causing disease.

c) Asthapana (Enema with herbal Water) - This process is carried out to pacify the Vata.  It is done in person in whom Vata is vitiated/ Vata is main factor in manifestation of disorders like Arthritis, various aches/ pains slip disc, spondylitis, and the disorders, which affect the lower portion of the body.

d) Anuvasana (Enema with herbal oil) - This process is a part of complete process of vasti, practically after every Asthapana vasti, Anuvasana is given so that Vata does not increases.  It can be done alone also to pacify Vata and to provide nutrition in emaciated diseased person.

e) Nasya (Medication through Nose) - This process is done to expel out toxins from supra-clavicle region and used in disease conditions like sinusitis, facial paralysis, migraine etc.

POST PANCHAKARMA THERAPY CARE

After eliminating the toxins by using one / more Panchakarma process, special diet regimen and life style is advised like Laghu Ahara means intake the particular food which get digested easily and slowly; gradually the person is put on regular diet.  This process takes time equal to the time taken in Panchakarma procedures.