The word panchakarma and its concept are so unique and beautiful that when it is implied in the authentic and performed in the classical way it paves the way to miraculous results. The irony of today’s world is that it is brought down to the level of spa and massage centers by malicious and unqualified persons.
What is panchakarma?
According to Acharya Charaka, Panchakarma is
- Vamana
- Virechana
- Nasya
- Anuvasana basti
- Niruha basti
According to Acharya Sushruta .. it is often termed as panchashodhana and includes
- Vamana
- Virechana
- Nasya
- Basti
- Raktamokshana
Importance
In Charaka samhita sutra stana chapter 16 it is opined that panchakarma removes the vitiated doshas from root and hence the disease for all and at once
Who is eligible?
- In healthy persons – as a part of Dinacharya and Ritucharya
- The persons with highly vitiated doshas
- Before administering vajeekarana and rasyana medicines
- As a part of rutucharya
- The person having good strength etc
Benefits
- Alleivates diseases
- Clears srotas(channels of circulation)
- Clarity of manas
- Clarity of sense organs
- Maintains equillibrium of doshas
- Increases the acting potential of vajeekarana and rasayana drugs
- Digestive power increases
- Ageing decreases
Panchakarma procedures
- Purva karma – it includes snehana and svedaana after proper deepana pachana in case of amaavastha
- Pradhana karma – that includes the panchakarma
- Pashchat karma -it includes samsarj
