PANCHAKARMA-THE FIVE FOLD TREATMENT PROCEDURES OF
AYURVEDA
Definition of Ayurveda: The term Ayurveda consists of two words, Ayu and
Veda.Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge and the whole term Ayurveda
translates into “Knowledge of life”.
The knowledge of
what is good, and what is bad for our health is provided by Ayurveda. It gives
equal importance to both preventive as well as curative aspects. Thus Ayurveda
provides solutions to a person who wishes to maintain his health (Swasthya) as well as another who wishes
to rid himself of diseases (Roga). In Ayurveda, Panchakarma is one of the
important methods used to bring back health as well as prevent diseases. This
article tries to throw some light on these very important procedures used in
the treatment in Ayurveda.
First cleansing followed by healing with medicines: Ayurveda has a dual approach towards treatment of all diseases.
The first one is Shodhana and the second one is Shamana.
Shodhana is
defined as the treatment process by which the aggravated doshas are thrown out
or expelled from the body. Shodhana or cleansing of the body is done using the fivefold
procedure which is referred to as Panchakarma. Panchakarma is a radical
treatment and if done properly leads to complete eradication of the disease causing
doshas.
In clinical
practice of Ayurveda, Shodhana or Panchakarma is resorted to when the
aggravation of doshas is very severe and also when the disease is not
responding to routine Shamana
treatment. The chances of the disease recurring lessens with the adoption of shodhana procedures. To give an example:
In the treatment of Jaundice due to hepatitis, Ayurveda adopts the procedure of Virechana or therapeutic purgation(Inducing loose motions to the
patient).This leads to throwing out of the excess bile secretions and reduction
in the bile presence in the blood. Later the physician will prescribe medicines
which rectify liver malfunction such as patolakturohinyadi
or Bhunimbhadi kadha.
Shamana is
defined as the treatment process by which the aggravated doshas are brought
back to normal, inside the body itself. E.g. - by using decoction of different
herbs, selected based on their specific actions.
Shodhana is also referred to as Panchakarma literally meaning the five procedures. Below is the list of Panchakarma procedures and also a brief description of each one of them:
1. Vamana
2. Virechana
3. Anuvasana
Vasthi
4. Nirooha
Vasthi
5. Nasya.
Vamana: It is the process of inducing therapeutic vomiting in
the patient by using emetic herbal medicines. It is an elaborate procedure
involving preparation, administration and post emesis management. It takes a
maximum of thirteen days and a minimum of nine days for the whole Vamana
process to be completed, the duration being decided by the condition of the
disease and the assessment of the treating doctor. The process of emesis is
conducted on a single day but the process is preceded by preparation of the
patient using snehapana(Intake of medicated ghee)and followed by 3-4 days of
dietary and lifestyle discipline.
Vamana
is the main treatment procedure for treating Kapha Dosha related
disorders.
• All kapha diseases
• Upper respiratory and lower
respiratory tract infections
• Sinusitis, bronchitis
• Asthma
• Diabetes
Virechana: It is the process of inducing therapeutic purgation or
loose motions in the patient by using purgative herbal or herbomineral medicines.
It is also an elaborate procedure, which takes up around 15 days and a minimum
of eleven to be completed. The process of purgation is conducted on a single
day but the process is preceded by preparation of the patient using snehapana
(Intake of medicated ghee) and followed by 3-4 days of dietary and lifestyle
discipline.Virechana is the main treatment for Pitha dosha related
diseases such as:
• All Pitha
related diseases
• Skin diseases with rash, oozing, redness or
inflammation
• Phemphigus or Bullous eruptions
• Pimples
• Asthma
• Migraine headache
• Hyperacidity
• Gastritis
• Jaundice
• Anemia
Anuvasana Vasthi
& Nirooha Vasthi: Vasthi, also known as medicated enema is the process of administering
medicines through the anal route. The number of vasthis or enemas to be given
is determined by the treating Physician based on the disease and its severity. Vasthi is the main treatment procedure
for diseases caused by imbalance of Vatha
dosha such as:
·
Paralysis
·
Alzheimer’s
disease
·
Parkinson’s disease
·
Osteoarthritis
·
Lumbar
Spondylitis
·
Cervical
Spondylitis
·
Sciatica
·
Brachial
Neuralgia
·
Poliomyelitis
Anuvasana Basthi is administered
using medicated oils such as Dhanvantharam,
Ksheerabala etc., Nirooha Basthi is administered using a
combination of herbal decoction and medicated oils. Among the Panchakarma procedures of Ayurveda, Vasthi has got a special place since it has
the ability to control Vatha doshas, which is considered to be the
controller of all the other Doshas, Dhathus and Malas.
Nasya: It is the process of administering medicines through
the nasal route and used mainly to treat the head & shoulder related
problems such as:
• Sinusitis
• Chronic headache
• Epilepsy
• Cervical spondylitis
• Eye and ear diseases
• Facial paralysis
Ideally the
relevant panchakarma procedure should precede Shamana treatment and if done accordingly, the chances of
recurrence of the disease are minimal unless the patient continues to indulge
in the causative factors of the disease.
Panchakarma
packs a real punch in the treatment of diseases in Ayurveda. Once punched the disease has to come to its heels. Our
ancestors have blessed us with a science which is so beautiful and elaborate
that we should be grateful to them forever. Panchakarma
forms a major part of Ayurveda
treatment and has been practiced by Ayurveda
Physicians since centuries giving excellent results and relief to patients
suffering from very chronic diseases.
Author’s profile:
Dr.K.Jayakrishna B.A.M.S,P.G.Dip.in Yoga,
Ayurvedic Physician,
Agasthya Ayurvedic Clinic,
Anandbagh Crossroads,Safilguda, Hyderabad
Ph:9849195413