Virechana Panchakarma Treatment: Types, Procedure, and Benefits

Virechana is one of these five cleansing processes of Panchakarma. Also known as the purgation process, the Virechana treatment focuses on the torso region of our body. Virechana helps our body eliminate toxic doshas with laxative oils and drugs. Virechana is used to treat diseases arising out of pitta doshas, like diabetes, chronic skin disease, migraine, and colitis.

Like any other Ayurvedic treatment, the Virechana treatment begins only after a disease is accurately determined. Read till the end to know everything about Vierchana in Panchakarma.

Virechana treatment is broadly classified into the following two types:

1. Snigdha Virechana

Snigdha means 'oil'. As evident from the name, castor oil is used during this treatment. The castor oil is used all by itself or with Haritaki fruit powder. Snigdha Virechana helps reduce ailments associated with both Pitta and Vatta doshas.

2. Rooksha Virechana

This treatment is of great help when Kapha dosha, along with Pitta dosha, is diagnosed. During Rooksha Virechana, practitioners use a medicine extracted from the Trivrit herb.

Growing stress and rapidly changing lifestyle bring dosha imbalances in our bodies. This imbalance leads to diseases growing in the body. One must get rid of these toxins or doshas for a healthy and fruitful life. Ayurveda practitioners recommend a Panchakarma treatment to eliminate these toxins.

Virechana karma is one of the five cleansing techniques of Panchkarma. The other four therapies are- Vamana, Vasti, Rakta Mokshana and Nasya. These treatments help balance doshas in your body. 

While detoxifying your body, Virechana helps build up immunity and improve metabolism. In addition, people with several skin problems can opt for Virechana treatment for clean blood circulation that nourishes the skin.

Virechana Panchakarma treatment focuses on cleansing the intestines, liver and gall bladder. These are prime Pitta-dominated organs of the body. Virechana karma eliminates harmful metabolic wastes like toxic bile residues, helping to cure various conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Virechana is an important Ayurvedic treatment for people suffering from the following:

• Skin problems like seborrheic dermatitis, blisters, freckles, discoloured patches on the face
• Ulcers
• Gastritis
• Frequent disgestive problems
• Jaundice
• Enlargement of  Spleen
• Abdominal tumours
• Piles
• Swelling or joint tenderness
• Anaemia
• Infertility related issues
• Eliminate the complications in the spleen, kidneys, liver and gall bladder
• Effective for piles and jaundice treatment
• Aids with treating gynaecological disorders
• Eliminates accumulated toxins from GI tracts
• Helps with weight loss
• Clears impure blood, thus improving skin conditions
• Flushes out excess mucus and toxins from intestines
• Improves bowel movements
• Improves sexual health
• Has no side effects

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.

As Virechana therapy ends, the patient has to lie in a room inaccessible to the wind. After that, the Ayurveda practitioner will ask them to avoid the following things for a day after the Virechana treatment ends.

• Food that leads to indigestion
• Emotional stress like anger and grief
• Exposure to a sunny or windy day
• Lack of sleep at night or sleeping during the day
• Staying awake till late hours of night
• Long walks or travelling
• Overeating
• Suppressing natural urges

If performed correctly, Virechana will not induce signs of diarrhoea in the patient. Instead of feeling weak and dehydrated, patients will feel lighter and energetic.

Individuals who have undergone the Virechana treatment can face the following side effects if the treatment is not done properly:

• Patient will start spitting frequently.
• Increase in Kapha and Pitta levels.
• Constant feeling of nausea.
• Discomfort in chest and lack of vision clarity.
• Individuals will find themselves bloating.
• They might feel stiffness and itching in hip and thigh region.

Virechana Panchakarma is a gift of Ayurveda to humanity. It helps in improving your metabolism without the use of any harmful chemicals or pills. Eliminating all forms of toxic doshas, Virechana treatment clears your blood and uproots the disease. You must maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow the prescribed diet plan for its effects to last. 

Anyone from 18 to 88 years of age can opt for Virechana therapy. However, a person should avoid a Panchakarma treatment if these conditions exist:

• Menstruation
• HIV AIDS
• Extreme obesity
• Lymphosarcoma
• Pregnancy