Panchakarma is one of the most well-known treatment procedures in Ayurveda. There are a lot of misconceptions about both Ayurveda & Panchakarma. So many people ask Vaidya (Ayurvedic practitioner), can I take Panchakarma treatment? Everywhere, we could see many centers offering ayurvedic detoxification, Kerala panchakarma, etc. What is Panchakarma? What should you give attention to while doing it? Let’s dive in-depth.
In Ayurveda, treatment procedures are broadly categorized as Shodana (Cleansing) & Shamanam (alleviate).
In Shodhana Chikitsa, with the help of medication, the aggravated Dosha ( Vata, Pitta & Kapha) gets expelled from the body. The following treatments come under Shodhana Chikitsa
These treatments together are known as Pancha Karma (Pancha Means 5).
In Shamana Chikitsa, with the help of medication, “thri-doshas” (Vata, Pitta & Kabha) are brought to normalcy, but without expelling the aggravated doshas from the body. This includes medicines to increase the digestive fire, medications that help proper digestion, Upavasam (fasting), exercise, etc.
As we discussed already, Panchakarma involves five main procedures. Before undergoing each of these treatments, one has to follow and do certain things before and after. These help us get the desired result for that karma. All these treatments can’t be done in any season; similarly, they can’t be exercised on all kinds of people. These indications and contraindication are discussed in detail in Ayurveda.
Let’s see a few contraindications.
Vamana(Emesis) should not be exercised on pregnant women, children, people with heart disease, weak, very lean, or overweight.
Virechana(Purgation) should not be exercised on people having newly originated fever, diarrhea, less digestive fire, or any bleeding disorder.
Similarly, certain conditions are there for each treatment in the Panchakarma process. Considering nature, health condition of the person, stage of the disease, climate, and detailed observation, the vaidya (practitioner) decides which treatments have to be done.
Snehanam and Swedanam are two preparatory treatments done before starting the Panchakarma.
Vamanam: In this process, with the aid of medicines, impurities are removed from the body through vomiting. This is important for managing increased Kapha.
Virechanam: In this treatment, with the aid of medicine, impurities are escalated from the body through stools. This is important for increased Pitta, and other conditions arise due to imbalanced Pitta.
Vasti: In Vasti, special medicated decoction or medicated oil and ghee in a specific ratio is taken, and enema is given with that for a specific time. All impurities come out along with medicines given after some time. This is important for excess Vata and related issues.
Nasyam/ Shiro Virechanam: Nostrils are the entry point to the head. For all diseases related to the head and above the shoulder, Nasyam is the main treatment procedure. Medicated oil, ghee, powder form of herbs, extracted juice of herbs will be used for Nasyam, and these will bring out the vitiated dosha through nostril. The medicine is directly poured into the nostrils. Broadly two types of treatment lines are there with Nasyam
Prathimarsham Nasyam: 1 or two drops applied in each nostril. It can be done every day to all age groups.
Marsha Nasyam: Medication is used in larger doses ( 4,8,16,32 drops) for a specific time period.
Rakta Mokshanam: Draining impure blood from our body. This is done in two ways. One way is using leeches to suck blood, and the other through draining at specific quantities through blood vessels using needles.
Once the whole treatment is over, the vital energy levels and digestive fire will be slow & low. So one has to be careful with the strict diet, physical exertion and should follow guidelines prescribed by vaidya after observing your condition. After a few days, you can resume normal daily life and routines.
The treatment is more personalized for each individual, depending on Prakriti and health conditions. Which and all treatments are to be done? When to do it? What medicines to use? Which food to take, all these are decided by the Vayida after keen observation. Improper treatment may bring more trouble to the patient than any benefit. So one must understand the treatment and take it seriously. Make sure you undertake it with proper guidance and with experienced practitioners.
Not just diseased, a healthy person could also take Panchakarma. Our improper daily routines and climate will bring imbalance to our body, and Panchakarma will help restore balance by properly eliminating impurities and keeping you healthy and immune to diseases.
In Ayurveda, food has classification based on its quality to affect tridoshas (Kabha, Vata, and Pita) and other vital body functions. Most of the time, properly evaluating your health condition as per Ayurveda and adjusting your food based on that can bring the cure.
Here are a few delicious chocolate recipes that are healthy and filled with wholesome ingredients, so you can indulge smarter when you have a sugar craving without loading up on refined sugar.
What an ordinary person can do when we live in a world where the greed of the human race is eating up every inch of forest, several plants and animal species go extinct every day. We have traditional knowledge of so many plants, their miracle uses, and medicinal preparations. What if those plants go extinct? That knowledge which got passed on from generation to generation becomes useless…
Let’s Meet Mr. K G Ramesh, sitting in the tree shades at ‘Lakshmi’s Atoll‘, a forest that hosts more than 1500 species of medicinal plants that he and his family raised in the land adjoining their home.
Q – How did you get introduced to Ayurveda?
A – When I was 33 years old, I got arthritis. It was severe, and in the first two years, I followed allopathic medication, took steroids. All those gave me only temporary relief. After a while, the disease will come back more severely. I eventually started looking for other alternatives. Later I started getting treated under a traditional Ayurvedic doctor from Kayamkulam (A town in Kerala) for 3-4 months; there was no change in the severity of the disease. I was almost bedridden. Because of joint swelling and stiffness, I can’t even move. Then eventually, it started to get easier. With punctuality in taking medication and strictly following diet restrictions and other recommendations, I was completely free from disease in a year. Not just that till now, I never had any traces of arthritis, and I can do everything more joyfully than ever. Along with this, I should emphasize the support of my family. Even when my condition was worse, they trusted the Vaidya and the medication, and they are aware that it will take a while to get a complete cure.
Q – What made you collect and grow ayurvedic plants
A – During My treatment days, all the Ayurvedic decoctions have to be made at my home only. We have to buy plants or medicines and then confirm with the doctor that it is a good and right one. Then we realized it is hard to get these medicinal plants. Hence we started planting from those we bought for making medicine in the house compound.
Q – Today, you have more than 1500 species in your garden. What were the challenges you faced?
A – It was years of hard work that I collected these many plants and trees. I traveled to every corner of Kerala, looking for plants, and interacted with so many botanists and professors to figure out the right plants. Also, I got so many plants through friends who are in India and abroad. It is a challenge to confirm the plant is a suitable variety. I plant these sapling/seeds first and take care. Once they grow, I try to identify the plant with the help of people who have the proper knowledge.
Q – Have you used to sell saplings?
A – I am not doing this with a commercial motive. And My experience is different. I love doing this. So many Ayurvedic doctors and children used to visit this place. In the initial days, I gave saplings for free to friends and visitors when they asked. I learned through experience that when people get something for free, they don’t value it much. After lots of travel and struggle, I collect seeds, and it’s hard to make them sprout. Lucky if we get one or two saplings from it. Once I gave such a rare plant to one of my friends at his request. After a few weeks, I visited his place and found that the sapling was kept as it is, in the same packet and was carelessly kept on the corner without any care, and the scene broke my heart. After this incident, I decided I won’t give plants to anyone for free. To those who genuinely need it, I collect a nominal fee.
Q- Today, people seldom know about medicinal plants. In this circumstance, what plants should one try to grow in a home?
A – Here are a few you could quickly grow without any or little effort. Water plants properly and, like in vegetable cultivation, use organic manure as fertilizers.
| Wild Basil | Kattu Thulasi/Naai Thulasi |
| Holy Basil | Krishna Thulasi |
| Coleus aromaticus | Pani koorka / Karpoora Valli |
| Ayapana Triplinervis | Ayappana / Ayappani |
| Aloe Vera | Kattarvazha / Sothu kathazhai |
| Fragrant Pavonia | Iruveli / Peramutti |
| Gin berry | Pannal / Amutam |
| Castor | Avanakku / Amanakku |
| Chinese chaste tree | Karinochi / Indrani |
| Guava | Perakka / Koyyapazham |
| Mistletoe | Yeshenku / Sankukuppi / Essanku |
| Appa grass, Goat weed | Appa / Kumminnipacha |
| Stone breaker / Niruri | Keezhanelli / Nela Nelli |
| Green Pennywort | Muthil / Kudavan / Vallarai |
Q – What is the plan for this space?
A – Have to collect more and more medicinal plants. For school children and ordinary people, I used to take introductory sessions about medicinal plants. Here we have more than 750 Medicinal plants, and right now, we are on a mission to label all these so that visitors could know. My daughter Lakshmi is a mentally disabled child. It is in her name that this garden is known. “Lakshmis Atall” , As long as this garden, plants, and trees here exist, She and Her memories will be live.
Lakshmi’s Atoll is in Alleppey District in Kerala. You could reach Mr. Ramesh on 8304994712
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
Gandhi
Great article Informative Insights into the root cause and remedy
Congratulations
Very much informative. Thank You
Great…Thank You for Sharing
Thank you for such a valuable information mam…it is very helpful for us …
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