In this Panchakarma cleansing process, excess toxins are eliminated through the rectum. Before practitioners start with any Panchakarma treatments, a Purvakarma treatment (initial treatment) is done. This initial process helps your body buck up for 'Pradhankarma' or main treatment. The procedure of Virechana Panchakarma follows a similar ritual as well.
Step 1: Purvakarma (Initial Stage)
The Virechana procedure begins with a week-long Purvakarma therapy. In this initial stage, patients need to undergo Vamana or vomiting process. They have to follow a specific diet regime or Samsarjana. Practitioners use medicated ghee or oil on patients to induce vomit and sweat. Purvakarma helps to analyse the digestive capacity of a patient.
It is beneficial for patients to sleep well the night before the Pradhankarma.
Step 2: Pradhankarma (Virechana)
As Purvakarma ends, your body will be prepared for the main therapy. Before the therapy begins, patients undergo a check-up to confirm their readiness. If these results say that the previous night's food is still undigested, he/she has to fast before Virechana begins. Usually, Virechana therapy begins early in the morning.
Ayurvedic practitioners induce Virechana by administration of drugs based on the disease. A Triphala prepared from Haritaki, Amlaki and Vibhitaki is fed to patients during Virechana therapy. Herbs like Trivrit, Jayapala, Avipathi Churna, and Aragwadha are also used during the Virechana procedure. After almost two hours of consumption of these drugs, the effect sets in.
Herbs like Trivrit are given to patients suffering from hard bowel movements. However, patients with soft intestines are given milk to induce purgation. Conditions like jaundice, anaemia, skin disease and trauma receive mild treatment of oleation and Snehana.
Before the purgation process begins, patients must drink lukewarm water to let the process go smoothly.
Step 3: Pashchatakarma (Final Treatment)
This process is also called samasarjanakarma. In this last step of Virechena Panchakarma, patients follow a strict diet plan for 3-7days. Practitioners monitor patients' bowel movements throughout the therapy.