
One of the most popular processes of detoxification that comes from the world of ayurveda, panchakarma is a special technique that would help one to restore their youth with the help of medicated oils. Prescribed in the ancient vedic scriptures, panchkarma is a special treatment of massaging herbal medicated oil which has been practised in the southern state of Kerala for many centuries. With its high levels of transformative detoxification, panchakarma is one of the leading therapies in the world of ayurveda. Let us take a deep dive into this article and learn about what Panchakarma Ayurveda treatment is, what are its 5 types and the benefits of this detoxifying ayurvedic oil treatment.
What is Panchkarma Ayurvedic Therapy?
Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘panch’ which translates to five and karma means actions, the term panchakarma means the 5 actions or methods of purification or elimination. This technique not just helps to provide an intense purification to your body but is also beneficial for balancing the three doshas known as vata, pitta and kaph. Panchakarma is a healing technique that is a pillar on which the majority of Ayurvedic techniques stand. This technique works the best with the utilisation of herbal medical oils by eliminating the impurities from the human body.
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The panchkarma technique is mainly divided into two categories termed as- Oleation and Fomentation.
Where oleation technique includes the use of various oil and oily substances on the body that are prepared with different home grown mineral ingredients. Where most of these oils and oily substances are limited to external use, oils and ghees are the ones that are especially utilized for internal use. As these fatty substances go into our body as a viable medium, they help in carrying out the medicinal ingredients to each and every call of the body and assists in loosening up the toxins stuck to those cells.
On the other hand, Fomentation is a heat treatment used to produce sweat. As oleation treatment makes the body tissues delicate, following this procedure by fomentation helps in providing them with some flexibility. As oleation loosens the toxins attached to the cells, the process of fomentation helps in flushing that out.
What are the 5 Types of Panchakarma Therapy?
As we have understood what the ancient ayurvedic treatment of panchakarma is and all about its two categories namely oelation and fomentation. Let us take a step ahead in understanding the process of this ayurvedic treatment and get to know about its five different types that are Vaman, Virechan, Basti, Nasya and Raktamoksha.
#1. Vaman
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Vaman includes therapies with some ayurvedic treatments that are given to a patient for a few days with inside and outside of the oleation and fomentation treatment. Vamsn is induced in order to eliminate the kapha which is responsible for producing excess mucus in a person’s body. This excess mucus results in congestion in the lungs that might cause repeated cough and cold along with bronchitis attacks. Vamana does not only traits issues and diseases related to the kapha but has also been proven to be a beneficial treatment for chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis.
#2. Virechan
A process in which disposal or purgation of toxins takes place by cleansing out the bowels. In this treatment a patient is given a natural purgative in order to encourage the gut cleaning process which further aids in clearing out the toxins from the body. Virechan is basically a process of elimination of toxins from the intestine which is effective in curing conditions like hemorrhoids and jaundice. This treatment is basically prescribed for the pitta dominant conditions.
#3. Basti
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A treatment that helps in combating the vata dominant diseases in the colon. This treatment requires the management of medicinal substances through the means of enma. It usually involves the introduction of herbal concoction into the rectum to cure diseases and conditions like kidney stones, sciatica, constipation, backache and other types of joint pains.
#4. Nasya
A treatment that has proven to be extremely effective in purging and cleaning the head area. Nasya includes a delicate massage and formation in the shoulder, and head area in the beginning of the treatment. It is then followed by nasal drops being regulated in both the nostrils. Nasya is a technique that helps in clearing the head area and provides relief from different medical conditions like headache, sinusitis, cerebral pain, chronic rhinitis and neurological disorders.
#5. Raktamokshan
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The word rakta translates to ‘blood’ and hence raktamokshan is a treatment that is used for cleaning the blood and the diseases caused due to impure blood. Raktamokshan is a treatment that can either be done in a perticular area or can be performed in the whole body. It is said to be helpful in treating various skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis.
What are the Benefits of Panchakarma Ayurvedic Therapy?
With handling out the purification of the body by eliminating the toxins, panchkarma is an ayurvedic treatment that not just detoxifies your body but also helps to cure several diseases and balance the vata, pitta and kaph levels. Here we have listed some of the benefits of panchakarma ayurvedic therapy.
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- Speeds up the metabolism
- Relaxes the mind and body
- Helps in weight loss
- Purifies the body completely
- Boosts immunity
- Rejuvenates the tissues
- Enhances the stress of digestive fire
- Helps to open up the blocked channels
Panchkarma ayurvedic treatment works in many ways by purifying a person’s body. It will help you to see changes at physical, mental and even an emotional level. As in order to maintain an optimal health it is important to maintain a strong digestive fire and the disposal of toxins from the body. Being a natural ayurvedic therapy, panchakarma detoxifies the body and restores the body’s inner balance and energy.