Panchakarma is the treatment form, which involves removing accumulation of toxins in the body. It is a series of five karmas or actions, which eliminate excess accumulation of doshas. It not only eliminates toxins (excessive of anything in the body), but also rejuvenates the body tissues. The methods and benefits are given briefly below.



Not all the five karmas of Panchakarma are suggested to everyone. Depending on the health, physical conditions and mental conditions, a physician will suggest the appropriate types of karmas. They are Nasya (nasal therapy), Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purging), Vasti (enema) and Rakthamoksha (bloodletting).

There is purva karma (pre-treatment) and paschat karma (post-treatment), before and after the main treatment. Snehan (oil therapy), swedan (sudation) are purva-karma. Diet, rest, and medicines intake are included in paschat karma. Anyone taking Panchakarma treatment must go through all the three stages. Then, the treatment will give results.

The purva karma prepares the body for the main treatment. It includes oil treatment and sudation. Oil treatment is both internal and external. It releases the toxins accumulated at different parts of the body. Sudation or making the body to sweat opens the minute pores in the body, to facilitate expulsion of the toxins released from different parts of the body.

The actual treatment includes aggressive expulsion of the excess doshas (toxins) from the body through the five different karmas.

After the main karma, the physique will become weak. However, the body will also be in a better condition to receive medicines. Paschat Karma involves diet control, taking rest and eating special medicated food items. These will lead to rejuvenation of the tissues in the body. The body is receptive to the medicines.

Ayurvedic physicians suggest Panchakarma as a means of physical treatment. However, this treatment is advantageous to mental power too. The toxins of various types are accumulated within the fine blood vessels and in the nervous tissues. Expelling such toxins (ama in ayurvedic terms), can facilitate better thinking process, better decision making capabilities, and more.

Panchakarma is for the whole body and for the mind. It just prepares the body and mind for healthier living.

However, if you do choose to get Panchakarma treatment, make sure you get the treatment from a qualified, recognized practitioner of Ayurveda. Also, the blood letting procedure (rakthamoksha) is not recognized in some countries like the United States.

Not everyone needs all the five forms of Panchakarma. Not everyone has the physical or mental capacity to go through the stages. If you are visiting Kerala, you can find some good ayurvedic hospitals and treatment centers, where you can find these treatments under the guidance of qualified & recognized professionals.