In Ayurveda, several remedies have been suggested to keep the mind and body fit. Of these, Panchkarma is very important. How the use of Panchkarma can reduce the problems of body and mind to a great extent.
Ayurveda says that the 5 elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Sky and Air) of a human body are made of those elements, the universe is also made of those elements. When there is a disturbance in the ratio of these 5 elements in the body, problems arise. Ayurveda brings these elements back to normalcy and in this way, diseases are diagnosed. Panchakarma is performed for arthritis, paralysis, stomach diseases, sinus, migraine, cervical spondylitis, sciatica, BP, diabetes, liver disorders, joint pain, eye and intestinal diseases etc.
Panchakarma is considered a special medical method of Ayurveda. It is used for detoxification and rejuvenation of the body. By this medical method, all three physical defects: Arthritis, Bile and Cough are brought to a normal state and are removed from the body. Different types of processes are used to remove various chemical and toxic substances from various body parts and contaminating the blood. There are five karmas in these processes. That's why this particular method is called 'Panchkarma'.
The 5 main Pradhan Karmas that come under Panchakarma:
1. Vamana:
This is one of the major treatment procedures of panchakarma. It is medical emesis with the help of certain herbs mainly for kaphaja disorders. Vamana is not done only in patients, but may also be done in normal persons for keeping them healthy, especially in Vasant Ritu. It is one of the most effective ways of eliminating toxins from the body. In diseased conditioned, it is beneficial in loss of appetite, the heaviness of the body, laziness, lack of interest in work, dullness, cold, coryza etc. It is also indicated in chronic asthma etc.
2. Virechana:
The above procedure focusses on cleansing the toxins which have accumulated in the liver and gall bladder. Gastro-intestinal cleansing is also achieved through this karma. On a general note, Virechana is usually performed after Vamana and its duration is variable depending on the disease/type of patient. Certain medications are used in order to direct toxins out of the body through the rectum.
3. Asthapana Basti:
This procedure is similar to anuvasana basti, but the medicine is given in the form of decoction and the dose of the medicine is also higher than anuvasana basti. This basti is useful in abdominal pain, distension, tumors, gout, obstructed semen, gas, or feces, enlarged scrotum, urinary stones, amenorrhea, or severe Vata disorders, pain and swelling of joints. It provides health to the healthy and gives strength to the tissues that are weak.
4. Anuvasana Basti:
This is the administering of oil-based medicines through the anal route. It is one of the major detoxifying procedures of Ayurveda. It is mainly used in vata disorders which are not associated with ama. It helps in eradicating toxins from the body thus cleansing it. It is also indicated in Paralysis, Arthritis, Backache, Constipation, Irritable bowel syndrome, Atrophic conditions of the muscles, neurological conditions, flatulence and bloating etc. It bestows Lightness of the body, oleation of the body, Improvement in the activities of the nervous system, ease of movements of the joints and reduction in pains and aches.
5. Nasyam:
Nasyam involves the administration of medicines via the nose. According to Ayurveda, the nose is the gateway leading to the head region. Thus all the medicines that are given through the nose have a direct effect on the head and the senses. Nasyam is widely used for problems of the head, eye or nervous system. A careful doctor's hand is very necessary for this process as the medicines are directly inserted into the nose. The experienced doctors at the Shreenivas Ayurvedic Centre give a wonderful nasyam treatment to patients.