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Panchakarma Chikitsa (Panchakarma treatments)

  

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Ayuskama Panchakarma spa’s are located at Ranthambhore, (the land of tigers and indian wild life ) and Mcleodganj, Dharamshala (a misty cold hill station, and the residence of Tibetan leader H.H.Dalai Lama) offers an extensive menu of over 100 therapies, integrating traditional Indian royal therapies with the more contemporary Ayurveda wellness approach. This extensive menu also includes rare Tibetan spa therapies.
Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means "five actions" or "five treatments". This is a process used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease and poor nutrition and also has different therapeutic roles in number of disease. Normally the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials, including the vitiated doshas. However due to one's repeated dietary indiscretions, poor exercise patterns, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition the digestive enzymes, metabolic co-factors, hormones, and agnis which regulate the body's internal homeostasis become disorganized. This can lead to the accumulation and spread of toxins throughout the physiology resulting in disease. This waste matter is called ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a foul-smelling, sticky, harmful substance that needs to be completely evacuated from the body.
Panchakarma will remove the excess doshas and correct imbalances in them as well as eliminate the harmful ama out of your system through the body's own organs and channels of elimination (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, etc). Panchakarma purifies the tissues at a very deep level. It involves daily massages and oil baths and is a very pleasurable experience. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance.
Panchakarma is a five-fold therapy; it is highly individualized based on the needs of the individual depending on the Ayurvedic constitutional type, doshic imbalances, age, digestive strength, immune status, and many other factors. Depending on each individual's needs all or only one of the five therapies are utilized. These procedures must be administered by specially trained therapists in a definite sequence for a specified period of time. In addition, although Panchakarma is for the most part a delightful and comfortable therapy, there can be periods of discomfort associated with the profound release of toxins which does occur. It is therefore essential that the therapy be supervised by a knowledgeable expert who can recognize the signs of properly and improperly administered Panchakarma. Fortunately these signs were meticulously recorded by the ancient vaidyas.
Like all medical procedures, Panchakarma Therapy always must begin with an initial consultation by a qualified Ayurvedic doctor who can determine the individual's prakriti (constitutional type), the nature of the health problem (if any), and the appropriate degree of intensity of the prescribed therapies. There are certain special circumstances in which panchakarma should be administered only with strict medical supervision: recovering drug addiction, alcoholism, hypertension, diabetes, Asthma, Arthritis and eating disorders are the most common.
The Panchakarma Process
Panchakarma treatments are divided into three phases of detoxifications:

1. Purvakarma is a preparation for cleansing
2. Pradhankarma or Main course of Panchakarma consists of five cleansing procedures
3. Pashchatkarma, or after care, are therapies applied after cleansing

A. Purvakarma:
Consists of the following steps:

1. Snehan (oleation therapy):
Internal snehan: medicated oils and ghee (clarified butter) are used. These help eliminate impurities so that elimination becomes easier.
External snehan: consists of different kinds of massage using medicated oils.
2. Swedan (sweating): Sweating is done shortly after the massage. This is normally done in a sweat box.

The purvakarma procedures are often under appreciated in the grand scheme of proper administration of Panchakarma.The general purpose of the Poorvakarma Therapies is to begin to loosen, liquefy, and move the vitiated doshas from their abnormal sites in peripheral tissues to the appropriate central site within the alimentary canal.
B.Pradhan karma
The main course consist of five process as follows:

1. Vamana (use of emetics): Artificial vomiting is induced using herbs. It is usually indicated for people with ‘Kapha’ (phlegm) disorders.
2. Virechan (use of laxatives): Different purgatives are used depending upon a person’s constitution and disease. It is normally used to eliminate excessive Pitta (fire) from its site in the small intestines.
3. Basti: A colon irrigation procedure to first cleanse the colon (Niruh Basti), and then restore (Asthapan) the function of colon with medicated enemas.
4. Nasya (Nasal administration): Medicinal oils or herbal mixtures are inhaled or used as drops (mixed with oils or ghee) to clear the congestion in the sinuses. It is also good for balancing the prana (air) in vata.
5. Rakta Mokshana (bloodletting): We recommend blood donations. Researchers at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City have found that non-smoking men who donated blood had a 30% reduced risk for cardiovascular events such as heart attack, bypass, and stroke than non-donors. (The British Medical Journal, March 15, 1997 Volume 314, 793-794).

Therapeutic Vomiting (Vamana)
This treatment is used when there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, cough, cold or asthma. The objective of the therapy is to induce vomiting to get rid of the mucus causing excess kapha. On the morning of the vamana., kapha aggravating foods such as basmati rice and yogurt with salt is given to further aggravate the kapha. The application of the heat to the chest and back will help liquefy kapha. A drink consisting of madanaphalam,licorice and honey, is given to the patient. (Other substances used include salt and cardamom) Vomiting will either occur spontaneously or is induced by rubbing on the tongue. 4-8 vomiting is the target. After vomiting the patient will feel very comfortable; most of the congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will disappear along with the clearing of the sinus.
Therapeutic vomiting is used for cough, cold, symptoms of asthma, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning, skin diseases, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic indigestion, edema (swelling), epilepsy (between attacks), chronic sinus problems and for repeated attacks of tonsillitis.

Purgation Therapy (Virechana, Laxative Therapy)
Virechana is the cleansing of the pitta and the purification of the blood toxins. Generally, it is administered three days after the Vamana treatment but this may vary. If Vamana therapy is not needed, Virechana can be administered directly after purvakarma. Virechan cleanses the sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver and spleen. A number of effective and safe herbs can be used as a laxative. This includes senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow's milk, salt, castor oil, raisins and mango juice. When taking these laxatives, it is important to adhere to restricted diet. Virechana is used for treatment of skin diseases, chronic fever, piles, abdominal tumors, worms, gout, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Enema (Basti)
Medicated enemas are used for various specific reasons. In general, this treatment is used topromote elimination of the loosened Vata dosha out through the rectum. There are many specific enemas listed in Ayurveda.
Basti involves introducing medicinal substances such as herbalized oils and other herbal decoctions in a liquid medium into the rectum. Basti is especially good for vata disorders. It alleviates constipation, distention, chronic fever, the common cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, vomiting, backache, neck pain and hyperacidity. Such vata disorders as sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, neurodegenerative conditions, and gout can also be treated by Basti. There are about 80 vata-related disorders in Ayurveda. About 80 percent of them can be treated with medicated enemas.
Since vata is mainly located in the colon and bones, the medication is administered rectally.

Types of Enemas:
1. Nirhua Basti (Decoction Enema) - mainly herbal decoction and small amounts of oil
2. Anuvasana Basti (Oil Enema) - mainly warm oils with small amounts of herbal decoction
Nasya (Nasal administration; Errhine Therapy)
This treatment involves the administation of herbalized oils and liquids into the nostrils. It is useful for treatment of kapha-oriented problems, of ear, eyes, nose and throat disorders such as migraine, sinusitis, catarrh, and bronchitis. The nose is the gateway to the brain and to consciousness. Prana or vital energy enters the body through breath taken in through the nose. Nasal administration of medication helps to correct the disorders of prana affecting the higher cerebral, sensory and motor functions. Nasya is indicated for dryness of the nose, sinus congestion, hoarseness, migraine headache, neurodegenerative conditions (i.e. multiple sclerosis), convulsions and certain eye and ear problems.
Blood Letting (Rakta Moksha)
Blood letting is used to eliminate toxins that are absorbed into the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract. This process purifies the blood. It is used for disorders such as repeated attacks of skin disorders such as urticaria, rash, eczema, acne, scabies, leucoderma, chronic itching and hives. It is also often effective for enlarged liver and spleen, hemochromatosis, and for gout.
Blood letting, which should only be administered by a qualified physician, is useful to relieve several pitta disorders such as acne and rash. If administered properly, it stimulates the antitoxic substances in the blood stream, thus developing the immune mechanism in the blood system. Do not administer blood letting in cases of anemia, edema, weakness or to very old and very young persons.
Other Miscellaneous Therapies of Panchkarma :
Abhyanga- This is a special type of oil massage in which hand strokes are made according to the disease. It enhances blood flow and is usually given as pre-procedure to many therapies as well as a separate therapy in itself.
Indication: Obesity, rheumatism, blood pressure, spondylitis, weakness, stress and strain, rejuvenations, relaxation, vigour & vitality.
Pizhichil- Slow stream of warm medicated oil applied/poured all over the body along with gentle massage. The time duration is generally 45-60 minutes per session.
Indications: Rheumatic disease, arthritis, spondylitis, paralysis, hemiplegia, paraplegia, sexual weakness, nervous weakness & other diseases.
Shirodhara (Types: Thaila/Thakra/Kseer/Kashay)- In this procedure, herbal oils, medicated buttermilk or milk or decoction etc are poured slowly on the forehead. The time duration is 20-45 minutes.
Indication: Insomnia, mental tension, headache, migraine, sinusitis, certain skin diseases, stress & strain, depression, hair care etc.
Navarkizhi (shashtik pinda swedan)- In this process, the whole body or any specific part there of, is made to perspire by the external application of certain medicated milk puddings tied up in the form of boluses. The time duration is 45-60min
Indication: Emaciation of limbs, skin diseases, rheumatic complaints etc.
Udvartan- This is a typical massage with herbal powders useful for burning fat under the skin. It helps to lose weight, exfoliates dead skin. The time duration is 30-50min.
Indication: Obesity, Hemiplegia, Paralysis, Skin Ailments, Impaired Blood Circulation.
Shirobasti - Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head and stagnated for a prescribed time according to patient’s condition. The time duration is 30-45minutes.
Indication: Facial Paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth & throat, severe headaches, burning sensation of head & other Vata-borne Diseases, Hairfall, Thinning and greying of Hair etc.
Kati Vasti - For this, specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the lower back within herbal paste boundary. The time duration is 20-30min per session
Indication: All types of back pain & spinal pain, slip disc, sciatica, spondylitis etc.
Thala Dharan - Special powder mixed with oil is applied on top of the head. The time duration is 30min per session
Indication: Migraine, facial paralysis, heat stroke, high B.P. etc.
Karnapoorana - This therapy consumes 15-20 minutes. It involves filling the ears with medicated oil to drain, wash the ear.
Indications: Dry nose/ears, earache, ear wax, tinnitus, tingling sensation in the ears etc.
Akshitarpan/Netratarpan- It is a cleansing process for the eyes, which gives a cooling effect to the eyes, prevents eye diseases and strengthens optic nerve, also improves eyesight. This procedure takes 15-25 minutes.
Indications: Eyestrain due to TV, computer, pollution, tired eyes, watering of eyes, dimness of vision at night. It helps in preventing early formations of cataract.
Mukhalepam - In this procedure, herbal paste is applied to the face for the treatment of wrinkles, dry or oily skin, blemishes, acne etc.
Hrid Basti/Uro basti- It is a unique treatment for heart and chest diseases. In this medicated oil, ghrit or decoction of herbs is placed into the rim of urad flour.
Indication: Useful for strengthening of heart, angina, asthma and other respiratory problems.
Janu Basti - In this treatment, medicated oils, ghrit is placed into the rim of urad flour made at the knee joint.
Indications: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout etc.