How Many Types Of Panchakarma Are There?

There’s a saying that goes, healing is unique to everyone. It is a conscious decision governed by the laws of nature. While modern science relies on biomedical models to understand the implications of health, Ayurveda analyses the parameters of Doshas for the same.

Panchakarma, a practice regarded by Indian Ayurveda, views healing as individualistic and unique to everyone. Its holistic approach to restorative healing breaks away from the norms of one-size-that-fits-all conventional Western treatment.

To understand the role of Panchakarma in wellness, let’s take a look at the concept of Panchakarma, the types of Panchakarma and what kind of benefits you can experience from time to time.

What is Panchakarma?

If you are new to Panchakarma treatment, here’s a simple way to understand it:” Pancha” in Sanskrit means five, and “karma” is action, where action directly means treatment-based initiatives.

As Panchakarma in Ayurveda lives by the name, it is inclusive of five main therapeutic procedures aimed at cleansing your body for its optimal balance. Mainly it includes

Basti
Nasya
Vamana
Virechana
Raktamokshana

Different Types Of Panchakarma Treatments

People often ask if Panchakarma is body detoxification. The answer is yes, Panchakarma is a treatment involving the active process of detoxification, cleansing the body of Ama or toxins to restore the body’s natural balance.

To catch a grip on the benefits of Panchakarma, here is an overview of the different types of Panchakarma treatment

Basti

The Basti therapy in Panchakarma uses medicated herbal oils or ghee to prepare the body for full nourishment. It’s considered the best mechanism for deep cleansing, which clears the toxins out of the gut and improves the digestive health of the individuals. After the patient is given a soothing Abhyanga or oil massage, they are positioned with the legs extended and folded so that the fluid is absorbed into the intestines. This is an intensive form of therapy that targets conditions like arthritis, constipation, and various digestive disorders. The post care for people who took up Basti should strictly adhere to requirements of hydration, dietary recommendations and follow up with gradual exercises.

Nasya

According to Ayurveda, the nostrils are the pathways to curing diseases. If you’re someone who is constantly going through troubles like nose blockages, sinusitis and migraines, the Nasya panchakarma therapy can be beneficial for you. Not only does it calm those nerves, but the Nasya treatment can regulate your breathing patterns by cleaning out the nasal passage. It starts with Purvakarma, which is a gentle massage around the head and neck, after which warm medication is contained within the nostrils and finally a lukewarm warm water is gargled or herbal smoking is performed to ensure no residue stays.

Vamana

Excess Kapha dosha and toxins within the gastrointestinal tract are a sign of danger. Therefore the Vamana Pachakarma therapy can be considered as the best Ayurvedic preventative measure against serious respiratory diseases, allergies and major digestive issues. Also known as therapeutic Vomiting, this type of Panchakarma in Ayurveda promotes a dominant diet and indulges in herbal baths and herbal medication to activate the vomiting reflux of the body. With proper post-treatment care and an effective diet, Vamana is generally safe as long as it is conducted under the guidance of an expert Ayurvedic professional.

Virechana

We know that the human body functions based on cleansing away toxins and absorbing the right nutrients. Due to the nature of diet and foods available in the current market, constipation is a common occurrence among common people. Virechana Panchakarma therapy helps heal constipation. It deals with removing the metabolic rectum waste through procedures including, Snehana, Swedana or sweat therapy, fasting and inducing vomiting with herbal purgatives such as Trivrit, Aragvadha, or Haritak. The patients generally experience release of these toxins through stools and they are advised to eat lighter liquid meals during the recovery phase.

Rakthamokshana

Rakthamokshana, derived from the words “Rakta” and “Mokshana”, meaning liberation of blood, aims to relieve specific health conditions through the purification of blood. The blood-letting process may vary according to the disorders or the variations of the dosha. For eg, Jaloukavacharana is suitable for pitta-related disorders whereas skin disorders can benefit from Shastra Visravana. After bloodletting through venipuncture or leech, herbal medicines are applied to the affected areas. Remember, Raktamokshana is a highly intensive panchakarma procedure to be done with complete care and precision. Do not perform Raktamokashana without safety precautions and it should be followed by trained professionals.

The core of ayurvedic healing lies in safe detoxification, consumption and recovery. The several treatments in various types of Panchakarma is an open book for people looking to make safe and sustainable choices. But remember, the effects are personalised and consulting the best ayurvedic centre for treatments is an important step.

What to Expect During Panchakarma Treatments?

There’s no doubt that Panchakarma is a powerful medium for promoting safe detoxification, rejuvenation, and disease prevention. With different types of Panchakarma treatments available, there are various types of benefits associated with it. Therefore the process of Panchakarma and its benefits starts from two phases:

Pre-purification process (Purvakarma) and post-treatment care:

Pre-Purification Process (Purvakarma)

Keeping the physique refreshed and ready before intensive treatment is an unavoidable step. Therefore Purvakarma, Also known as the preparatory stage, Purvakarma begins with Snehana and Swedana (fomentation), to avoid bodily stiffness with herbal oiling and steam therapy to open the pores to eliminate toxins. Also, the pre-purification process can last up to 3-7 days based on individual requirements.

Post-Treatment Care (Paschat Karma)

The post-treatment care in Panchakarma includes following specific dietary patterns and lifestyle changes to maintain its benefits even in the long run. Following high-fibre diets is important for regular bowel movements and it ensures a smoother recovery phase. Also, regularly following yogic exercises or mindful breathing exercises from meditation can support the physical and mental aspects of your well-being.

Conclusion

In the current era, everybody is familiar with the concept of holistic healing. Even though times have changed in modern science, the concept of Panchakarma in Ayurveda still stands to be advantageous as a distinct and reliable form of practice.

Especially, when it comes to Panchakarma, its benefits are prolonged and sustainable. With a strong foundation of knowledge on the different types of Panchakarma treatment and its benefits, you can make informed decisions towards holistic healing with complete confidence.

Are you unsure about how to get started on your Panchakarma treatment journey? Welcome to Svaztha, dedicated to bringing out the best of the healing powers of nature and Ayurveda. With Svaztha, you can engage in the best panchakarma treatment in Kerala. The treatment plan of panchakarma in Svaztha is designed to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit by the best means of herbal procedures.

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