What is Panchakarma Treatment: Steps & Benefits Explained

Ayurvedic practices are one of India’s precious gifts to the world. It is an ancient Indian system of holistic healing. The central concept of Ayurveda is that an individual’s health and wellness depend on the balance between his/her body, mind, and soul. Ayurveda focuses on promoting good health and healthy lifestyles. Panchakarma, which literally translates to ‘five actions’, is a major branch of Ayurveda.  

This blog enumerates crucial details related to Panchakarma treatment. Read on. 

Panchakarma happens to be a major pillar of Ayurveda. This Ayurvedic technique focuses on five karmas or activities that control the human body- Purgation, Niruham, Anuvaasan, Nasyam and Expulsion. In many ways, the technique of Panchakarma therapy is the foundation upon which the majority of Ayurvedic techniques stand. 

Ayurvedic practitioners specialising in Panchakarma use the technique with medicated oils to eliminate impurities from an individual’s body. A typical Panchakarma treatment uses a combination of saunas, steams, massages, as well as certain diets that help to achieve this.  

Given below are the essential steps of Panchakarma treatment: 

Step 1: Poorva Karma

This is the preparatory procedure that is necessary before the Pradhan Karma. Poorva Karma comprises Snehan or oleation and Swedan or fomentation. These procedures remove toxins from the body and prepare it for the main process. 

Enumerated below are the two main processes of Poorva Karma: 

• Snehan or Oleation

Here, the practitioners apply and massage an individual’s body with oil or oily substances. If one minutely studies Ayurveda, one will find the recipes of many oils. One can prepare these medicated oils from home-grown and mineral ingredients. The oil or oily substance removes the toxins that are stuck in the cells. 

• Swedan or Fomentation

Fomentation treatment follows the oleation treatment. This treatment makes the patient sweat. The formation therapy allows tissues which became delicate from the earlier treatment to strengthen. Moreover, the toxins released by oleation therapy will melt away after the patient undergoes this therapy. It also helps to flush away additional toxins.

Step 2: Pradhan Karma

After Poorva Karma, the Panchakarma practitioner prepares for the main procedure. If it’s a case of an increased level of toxins in the upper respiratory tract, he/she will choose Vamana for this step. Similarly, the practitioner will choose Virechanam if there is an accumulation of toxins in the lower gastrointestinal tract. 

The following are the various therapies for detoxification: 

• Vamana- This is the Panchakarma treatment for vomiting.
• Virechana- This refers to induced purgation. It clears up the lower gastro.
• Nasya- This procedure maintains the health of the eyes, ears and nose.
• Vasti -This is the procedure that treats male and female urinary disorders.
• Rakthamokshana- This treatment focuses on removing toxins from the bloodstream.

Step 3: Paschat Karma

This procedure refers to the diet the patient needs to follow after the Panchakarma procedures. It helps in restoring his or her digestive and absorptive capacity.

Listed below are the health benefits of Panchakarma: 

• Relaxation of the mind and body
• Improves immunity
• Removal of toxins
• Reduces one’s weight
• Strengthens one’s digestive system
• Opening up blocked pores
• Helps to purify one’s body

Here are some of the reasons to consider taking Panchakarma therapy:

• In the twenty-first century, people experience many health issues caused by stress, lifestyle problems and pollution. This Ayurvedic therapy reduces such health problems. 
• Panchakarma therapy makes use of massages, home-grown saunas, nutritious food, strategic fasting and colon treatment to remove toxins from the body. 
• First, the Panchakarma practitioner would assess the patient and then prescribe a course of treatment. As the therapy advances, the patient will need to consume a prescribed Ayurvedic diet consisting of select medicinal plants and basic oils. This is immensely beneficial for the improvement of general well-being. 
• If one undertakes to follow Panchakarma therapy, his or her liver and stomach will be cleansed of toxins and other impurities.

Listed below are important types of therapies of Panchakarma:

• Abhyanga- This is a therapeutic body massage that energises the body and mind.

• Abhyanga Patrapotli- It’s a deep tissue strengthening and healing massage that utilises hot herbal potlis.

• Shirodhara- Shirodhara therapy involves the pouring of warm oil on one's forehead. It offers benefits of hair growth, anti-ageing and skin nourishment.

• Abhyanga Navarakizhi- This is a rejuvenating massage that is beneficial for skin health.

• Takradhara- It includes pouring buttermilk on the forehead. It has anti-ageing benefits and provides deep relaxation.

• Nasya Therapy- This involves the cleansing of nasal passageways with Ayurvedic oils. It also improves hair texture and skin complexion.

• Pizhichil Therapy- It is an Ayurvedic oil bath that nourishes the body, removes toxins, and slows ageing. Here, warm herbal oil is poured all over an individual’s body.

• Netra Tarpan Therapy- This Ayurvedic eye bath reduces eye strain and rejuvenates the eye.

• Udvartan Therapy- This Dry herbal powder massage removes excess fat and facilitates weight reduction.

• Nadi Swedan Ekang- It’s a localized steam therapy for the removal of toxins. It nurtures, smoothens and detoxifies the skin and joints.

• Nadi Swedan Sarvang- This is a full body steam therapy that improves blood circulation and immunity and reduces obesity.

• Baluka Swedan- It’s an Ayurvedic hot sand therapy where the practitioner heats and presses sand-filled boluses on hurting muscles and joints. It helps in smoothing the skin. 

• Basti: This is medicated enema treatment where practitioners utilise herbal mixtures, medicated oils and milk. This helps to remove toxins from one's digestive tract. The Basti therapy enables the reduction of acne and blemishes and promotes general well-being.

This blog has enumerated the crucial details related to Panchakarma treatment. This therapy is a major Ayurvedic wonder. If one chooses to undergo this therapy, he will receive major and long-lasting benefits.