Ayurveda is an age-old science that uses body intelligence, seasonal wisdom, and nature’s cure by way of Panchakarma to balance and detoxify the body. It is designed to restore the degenerative process of the human body, holding within it the potential of long-lasting wellness. Ayurveda and panchakarma focuses on correcting the lifestyle so that the problems do not reoccur. Apart from correcting lifestyle, Ayurveda has a wide range of medications for all major types of ailments. The treatments are discussed in length in ancient Ayurvedic treatise such as Charaka Samhita.
Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that literally means “five actions” or “five treatments”. It is a means of flushing ama or toxins out of the body, thereby cleansing and rejuvenating the body and mind. It uses five methods or therapies that are guaranteed to detoxify the body.
Panchakarma consists of -
These therapies are known as Pradhan Karma, meaning main procedures. Snehana (oleation/massage) and Swedana (steam) are associated procedures which should be done before pradhana karmas and are so called Purva karma. Purva karma is a preparatory stage for the main procedures, it brings the aggravated doshas in koshtha for their elimination.
Udwarthanam
Udwarthanam means to elevate or to promote. Is a special therapeutic deep tissue massage using herbal powders. This massage involves upward stroking, where the powder is rubbed forcibly on the body. The body is coated with warm medicated oil and then a herbal powder mix is massaged into the body to break up stagnation & stimulate lymphatic flow.
After this treatment, a herbalised steam is given at a specific temperature that helps to open the channels and flush the toxins from the body.
Shirodhara
Shirodhara is a classical and a well-established ayurvedic procedure of slowly and steadily dripping medicated oil or other liquids on the forehead. This procedure induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a dynamic psycho-somatic balance.
Ella Kizhi
An ancient Ayurvedic sudation therapy using numerous medicinal leaves (herbs). It induces perspiration within the affected area, which prompts the skin to eliminate wastes. Fresh leaves (Ela) having vata pacifying properties make the herbal kizhis (bundles). These kizhis, dipped into warm Ayurvedic oils, will be used for massaging the body.
Podi Kizhi
One of the most common and effective Ayurvedic therapy involving full body massage (or the affected part) using kizhis (cotton boluses) with a mixture of 12 herbs, dipped in medicated oils. It is effective in treating neuro-muscular diseases, binging back the natural body balance.
Nyavara Kizhi
A distinct Ayurvedic massage using Njavara (Shashtika Shali) or cooked rice mixed with milk and herbal extract of Kurumthotti (Sida Rhombifolia) tied in cotton boluses called as kizhis. The kizhis dipped in medicated Ayurvedic oils will be applied all over the body or a specific part of the body to induce sudation (perspiration).
Shirobasti
Shiro Basti treatment is warm oil poured onto the head, and then allowed to remain there for a certain period of time and then followed by shiro abhyanga (head massage). Beneficial for the treatment of depression, headaches, insomnia and psychological disorders.
Katibasti
Kati Basti (Vasti) is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment used for lower backache and disorders of lumbosacral region, including slip disc, lumbar spondylosis, sciatica, spinal problems etc. Kati Vasti is a part of external oleation (Snehana) therapy in Ayurveda. It is very safe, non-invasive and green category procedure
Janubasti
The knee joint is called Janu Sandhi in Sanskrit; hence the name Janu Basti is given to the procedure done on knee joints. In this the knee joint is bathed with warm medicated oil or freshly prepared herbal decoction. Depending on the condition it can be practiced over both the knee joints or on one knee joint.
Netra Tarpan
A special Ayurvedic treatment for the eyes. Freshly made dough rings filled with fragrant oils are placed around the eyes, sterilized cows’ ghee (a clear butter-like liquid) is gently poured onto the eyes while they are kept open. It is very effective at treating eye diseases and poor or blurred vision.
Karnapurana
Karna Purana is an Ayurvedic therapy wherein the ears are filled with Herbo-mineral oils that lubricate the delicate filaments of the ear canal, remove impurities, and improve hearing capacity. Karna means “ear” and Purana denotes “filling” or “pouring”.
Pizicchil
Pizhichil is a very excellent detox therapy. It involves applying of warm medicated Ayurvedic oils over the whole body, followed with a gentle, nourishing and rejuvenating massage. The massage induces profound perspiration, eliminating toxins from the body.
Benefits of Panchakarma
- Panchakarma is one of the best natural Ayurvedic therapies for Detoxification that expels body toxins through different therapies.
- Eliminates AMA (toxins) and strengthens tissue functions.
- Ayurveda considers the imbalance of the doshas to be the root cause of all diseases. The treatment aims to address this imbalance.
- Helps to implement a healthy diet and lifestyle.
- It improves the sensory faculties to pens up skin pore and improves skin texture, colour and lustre. It clears all the channels of the body
- Reduces stress, improves relaxation & tolerance.
- Slows the ageing process.
- A strong preventive effect and boosted the body’s immunity and energy levels.
- Improves sleep pattern and eating habits
