Panchakarma

Panchakarma is an important classical therapy of Ayurveda which mainly focuses on the purification and cleansing of vitiated body doshas (body toxins). Its primary objective is to clean and purify the body and so it’s very beneficial in eradicating the deep seated diseases and also in maintaining and promoting physical and mental health.
As its name suggests, it comprises of five main therapeutic measures. i.e
1. Vaman (emesis through herbs)
2. Virechan (purgation through herbs)
3. Nasya (administration of medicines through nostrils)
4 .Asthapan Basti and
5. Anubasan Basti (medicated enemas).
Beside these five main treatments, there are purva karmas (pre purification methods) and paschat karmas (post purification methods). Purva karmas include dipan/pachana, snehan(oleation) and swedan (sudation). Paschat karmas include restricted dietary regimen that should be followed after the main five treatments. These methods hold a special importance in making panchakarma more effective and more beneficial.
Other therapies that also come under the heading of Panchakarma are listed below:
1. Shirodhara: It is recommended in anxiety, depression, hypertension, insomnia etc.
2. Shiroabhyanga: Useful in headache,insomnia etc.
3. Shirobasti: Useful in hair loss and the falling hair and Bell’s palsy.
4. Netrabasti: Useful in poor eye vision, diabetic retinopathy.
5. Kati Basti: Useful in different backaches.
6. Janu Basti: Useful in arthritis of the knee joint.
7. Nadi Sweda: Useful in pain disorders of different sites.
8. Pinda Sweda: Useful in neurological ailments and in the management of different pains.
9. Uttara Basti: Useful in genitourinary diseases and infertility of female.
10. Udvartana: It is a medicated Ubtan to be applied over the skin for fair and glowing skin and it’s also useful in reducing weight.