Panchkarma Ayurveda Treatments

2.  Panchakarma therapy is considered a complete, holistic approach to the elimination of the root cause of each and every chronic disease.  In the USA, 70% of deaths are dueto chronic diseases rather than infectious diseases.

3. Acharya Charaka emphasized the importance of Panchakarma as – “Doshah Kadachith Kupyati Jitaa Langhana Pachanaih / Jitaah Samsodhanardhe Tu Na Tesham Punarudbhavaha” // (Charak Sutra Sthana 16-20)

4. Pancha means FIVE Karma means actions or procedures Treatments in Ayurveda are classified into two groups: Shamana Chikitsa (Pacification therapy) Shodhana Chikitsa (Purification therapy) Pancha Karma is classified as “Shodhana Chikitsa” (purification/detoxification procedure)

5. Used to subdue the vitiated or disturbed Doshas, from which any ailments may have arisen Administration of various medicinal herbo-mineral preparations

6. If the doshas are vitiated beyond a particular level,they give rise to various endo-toxins (Ama), which have a tendency to be accumulated in the minute channels (Srotas) These endo-toxins (Ama) are beyond the level of pacification and hence they need to be eliminatedfrom the body through Sodhana therapy Ayurveda recommends purification therapy for the majority of chronic diseases

7. Health maintenance Elimination of the disease Prepare for rejuvenation

8. (Swasthya Rakshana) PK is recommended for most individuals, even those who are healthy, as part of regular seasonal regimens The doshas naturally accumulate owing to seasonal changes and can cause disease if they are not timely removed

9. In autumn (Vata season), Basti (medicated enema) is recommended to alleviate the normal aggravation of vata caused by the cold wind, dryness of theseason In summer (Pitta season), Virechana (induced purgation) is given to remove excess pittadosha, caused by excessive heat In spring (Kapha season), Vamana (induced emesis) & Nasya (nasal therapy) is performed to remove excess kapha caused by the coolness and dampness of the season

10. In acute diseases, if the vitiated doshas areremoved timely, disease progression can be immediately arrested. In chronic diseases, Ama (endo-toxins) adhere to organs and cells; vitiated doshas are first removedby Pancha Karma therapies.

11. Rejuvenation / Revitalization therapies: After completion of Pancha Karma, rejuvenation (Rasayana) and revitalization (Vajeekarana) therapies are performed to enhance strengthen tissues

12.  Strengthens immune system and provides more resistance to illness  Cleansing and rejuvenating therapy for body, mind and consciousness  Slows aging process  Reduces dependence on drugs and medications  Eliminates excess Doshas and toxins from cells  Beneficial effects on overall health, wellness andself- healing  Relives stress from both body and mind

13.  Enhances digestion and metabolism  Restores constitutional balance, improvinghealth and wellness  Reverses the negative effects of stress onbody and mind, thereby slowing the aging process  Clears the sense faculties, mind, intelligenceand complexion  Increases strength, nourishes the body  Revitalizes the nervous system  Enhances self-reliance, strength, energy, vitality and mental clarity

14.  Brings deep relaxation and sense of well-being  Implements positive lifestyle changes  Vitiated doshas are eliminated through the alimentary tract  Reduction in diastolic blood pressure  Reduced anxiety levels  Reduction in levels of toxins such as lead, PCB, and dioxins  Reduced cardiovascular risk factors  Reduction in total cholesterol levels: decreasein lipid peroxide levels (LP); increased HDL cholesterol

15. CONTRAINDICATIONS OF PANCHAKARMA  Pregnancy, lactation, extreme obesity, during menstruation, lympho-sacroma, cancer of lungs, melanoma, hypertension, angina, CCF, emaciation, active HIV or AIDS, or any active infectious disease

16. Pancha Karma Classified as – • Poorva karma - preparatory actions • Pradhana karma - main actions • Paschath karma - post-therapeuticactions

17. Poorva karma (Preparatory therapy) • Pachana - Digestive Therapy • Snehana - External & Internal OleationTherapy • Swedana - Sudation / FomentationTherapy

18. Digestive Therapy (Pachana)  During digestive therapy, cleansing is achieved by the ingestion of various herbs and decoctions, which are pungent, bitter in taste and hot in potency, depending upon Ama condition  These herbs stimulate the metabolism, activate digestive enzymes, increase peristalsis, improve circulation and enhance mental concentration

19.  Many of the herbs are anti-parasitic or antibacterial in activity; some enhancethe immune system  These herbs are - Trikatu, Triphala,Turmeric, Chitrak, Pippali, Black pepper, Fennel

20.  During Snehana Therapy patients are oleated externally and internally  Ghee or flaxseed oil are ingested, gradually increasing the quantity over a period of 3-7days, according to an individual’s digestivepower  Simultaneously, oil is applied to the skin using a variety of Ayurvedic massage techniques.  Oleation therapy liquefies the imbalanced or aggravated doshas and allows the body to maintain healthy tissues, loosens deep rooted toxins withinthe system, and flushes them out through the skin pores.

21. Indications  Persons who suffer from the following may undergo Pancha Karma: Vata disorders, arthritis, nervous problems, physical strain, psychological problems - anxiety, emotional stress, coryza, cough, asthma, hiccough, earache, headache, facial palsy, hemiplegia, sciatica, joint disorders, constipation, spasmodicpains. Contraindications  Kapha predominance, adipose or fat tissue, pregnant women, menstruation, ascites, indigestion, anorexia, nausea, during basti, nasya therapy.

22.  Applies heat through various methods including the use of hot poultice, steam baths, hot showers/baths, sauna, heating stones, covering the body with thick woolen clothes etc.  Swedana allows the body to remove endo-toxins(Ama) through opened skin pores  Swedana relieves stiffness, soreness, heaviness, coldness in the body

23. Indications  Chronic coryza, asthma, cough, hiccough, headache, pharyngitis, paraplegia, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, arthritis, sciatica, backache, joint disorders, oedema, constipation, urinary obstruction, spasmodic pains, etc. Contraindications  Alcoholics, pregnant women, during menstruation, malnourished persons, diabetics, liver disorders, cataract, glaucoma, very old people

24. PRADHANA KARMA  Vamana - Induced vomiting  Virechana - Induced purgation  Basti - Medicated enema  Kashaya basti - herbal decoctionenema  Taila basti (matra) - herbal oilenema  Nasya - Nasal medication

25. VAMANA- Emesis  During Vamana, person is advised to drink milk, sugar water, licorice tea, and buttermilk, after which the emetic fruit Randia dumetorum seed (Madanphala) with calamus (Vacha) and licorice (Yastimadhu) is administered to induce vomiting.  Vamana purges excess Kapha (mucus) and Pitta from the stomach and all over the body, and purifies the body fluids.

26. REGIMEN FAVOR Sipping hot water throughout theday  Self oil massage (Abhyanga)  Early to bed and early to wake  Gentle yoga  Pranayama  Meditation  Chanting, singing  Gentle movements  Walking 

27. AVOID or REDUCE Climate:  Exposure to cold, moist, dry wind, sunlight, rain, snow Exercise:  Vigorous physical exercise, stress, mental exhaustion, sexual intercourse, loud talking, sleeping during the day, traveling, laughing excessively, standing for a long time, sitting constantly in one place Habits:  Smoking cigarettes, recreational drugs, suppression of natural urges - flatus, feces, urine, sneeze, thirst, hunger, sleep, cough, breathing on exertion, yawn, tears, vomiting and semen

28. Emotions:  Repressing feelings, denying one's creative self, engaging in frustrating activities, sadness, boredom, anger, sorrow, pity Eating habits:  Munching between meals; eating when emotionally upset, while angry, while watching television, reading, talking, standing, or driving; eating too much or too little food, eating at irregular times, overeating, eating without hunger, drinking too much water or ice cold water during, before or after a meal, eating excessively fatty foods and oils, eating a heavy meal at night, drinking milk with a meal