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Panchakarma – Ayurvedic Detoxification And Rejuvenation Therapy

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by Dr. P.R.Vishnu, BAMS,MD

Sivananda Panchakarma

Health can be defined as a state when the body, mind and spirit function in harmony with each other.

The ancient science of Ayurveda emphasizes preventative measures and curative therapies, which include regular purifying of the body – in order to maintain an ideal state of health. Ayurveda also recommends proper diet and lifestyle guidelines to live a balanced, healthy life. Panchakarma is a Sanskrit term which literally translated means “five actions”, that help purify the body. 

Sivananda Ayurvedic Diet

According to Ayurveda, every individual is a unique combination of the five universal elements (Pancha Mahabhoota) – represented in the mind-body system as the Doshas or the energetic principles. The three Doshas are:

Vata – Space (Akasa) & Air (Vayu)

Pitta – Fire (Agni) & Water (Jala)

Kapha – Water (Jala) & Earth (Prithvi)

A state of health exists when the digestive fire (Agni) is in a balanced condition; the Tridosha are in equilibrium, the three waste products (urine, faeces and sweat) are eliminated normally, the seven bodily tissues (rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja and shukra) are functioning normally, and the mind, senses and consciousness are working harmoniously together.

When this balance is disturbed, imbalance occurs, which is disorder. Health is order; disease is disorder. Disorder can be created quite easily by a number of factors – an improper diet, sleep cycle, exercise style, room temperature, emotional and stress handling or seasonal change – can all derange the Doshas and create imbalance.

Panchakarma purifies the body by eliminating accumulated toxins (Ama), consequently improving metabolic rate and restoring digestive fire (Agni), while balancing the Doshas. While being primarily preventative, Panchakarma is also curative to a large extent.

Some general benefits of Panchakarma:

✓ Increases strength and immunity

✓ Promotes detoxification

✓ Increases energy levels, revitalises

✓ Anti-aging, rejuvenating

✓ Prevents neuro-degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s

✓ Prevents bone-degenerative disease

✓ Increases metabolism

✓ Increases memory and concentration

✓ Promotes weight loss, treats obesity

✓ Regulates menstruation

✓ Reduces insomnia

✓ Enhances the mind; promotes mental clarity and well-being and on a deeper level, enhances consciousness.

The process of Panchakarma involves three broad, consecutive stages.

Sivananda Oil Massage

Stage 1

PURVAKARMA (Preparation Stage)

  • Breakdown and liquefy toxic blockages, clear body channels and move toxins to GIT through a – series of warm oil massages and other heat-applying therapies as well as oral herbal oil intake. 
  • The recommended duration for this stage is 7-10 days. It is done in the Ayurveda Clinic.
  • Ama is broken down by the following actions:
  • Abhyanga (oil massage)
  • Udwarthanam (powder massage)
  • Kizhi (hot bundles)
  • Bashpa Sweda (steam bath)
  • Snehapanam (oral oil intake)
  • Purvakarma stage goals:
  • Breakdown toxin blockages
  • Force toxins out of tissues and cells
  • Liquefy toxins through heat application
  • Lubricate body channels through internal and external oelation
  • Move toxins to GIT region
  • Alleviate body parts and muscles from any tensions or pain
  • Stimulate organs and their activity
  • De-stress and relax the mind

Stage 2

PRADHANAKARMA (Elimination Stage)

  • Remove toxins from the body and balance the Tridosha through five prescribed elimination and cleansing therapies.
  • The recommended duration for this stage is 5-10 days. It is done while in the Ayurveda Clinic.
  • The Five cleansing procedures used during elimination are:
    • Vamanam – medically induced vomiting. Targets throat, stomach, lungs. Balances Kapha.
    • Nasyam – medicated nasal drops/ powders. Targets head, sinuses, brain. Balances Kapha.
    • Virechanam – medicated purgation. Targets liver, spleen, colon, gallbladder, intestines. Balances Pitta.
    • Sneha Basti – medicated oil enema. Targets colon and intestines. Balances Vata.
    • Kashaya Basti – cleansing enema. Targets GIT (colon, intestines)
  • Pradhanakarma stage goals:
  • Eliminate toxins, foreign substances, and Ama from body
  • Eliminate excess dosha levels to establish equilibrium
  • Cleanse internal body organs
  • Reset digestive function
  • Clear respiratory channels from unwanted phlegm
  • Clear head region from liquids
  • Stimulate functioning of the brain
  • Improve cell absorption to nutrients
Sivananda Massage

Stage 3

PASCHATKARMA (Post Treatment Care)

  • Nourish exhausted body tissues through natural nutrients and a positive lifestyle and establish balanced metabolic and immune functions.
  • The recommended duration for this stage is 2-4 weeks. This stage can be at home or in the Ayurveda Centre.
  • Basic steps to follow during this stage
  • Proper nutrition (healthy, light diet)
  • Proper relaxation (7-8 hours of sleep every night)
  • Positive lifestyle (low stress, mild exercise, yoga & pranayama are recommended)
  • Certain Rasayanam (rejuvenating herbal preparations) and/or additional ayurvedic supplements may be prescribed.
  • Paschatkarma Stage goals:
  • Nourish and refresh body cells
  • Invigorate body tissues, organs, and functions
  • Establish balanced digestive and immune functions
  • Oxygenate body and cells

In essence, this ancient Ayurvedic treatment method has been practiced for hundreds of years for holistic rejuvenation across India. The popularity of Panchakarma is spreading across the world primarily as a method to boost immunity and for detoxification but also comes with many other benefits.

For more information on this, you can contact Dr. Vishnu

Dr. P.R. Vishnu, BAMS, MD is director of the Sivananda Institute of Health at the Sivananda Dhanwantari Ashram, Kerala, South India

To contact please e-mail: dr.vishnu101@gmail.com

Disclaimer: All visitors to this site are advised to please check with your doctor and/or healthcare professional before starting any yoga asana technique, meditation, kriya, diet, exercise, or trying information provided by the Ayurvedic or Holistic Healthcare professionals or yoga teachers. The information provided in this website is intended to be used for information purposes only and/or, where applicable, under guided instructions from a certified professional at your own risk. Nothing contained in this site is a substitute for medical care and attention. We do not make any claims, promises, or guarantees about the individual or group outcome of any technique, process, diet, exercise or related services.  

Ayurveda – Agni for proper digestion and better immunity

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by Dr. P.R. Vishnu, BAMS, MD

Dr.Vishnu-Ayurveda

In my thinking, Agni is the action of acids like HCl, NaCl and KCl plus the enzymes that break down the macromolecules into single, simple units. This is in the context of  ‘agnipravarthana (action of fire) ‘ in gastrointestinal tract. In the intracellular context Agni can be the enzymes that break down the molecule itself into smaller and smaller molecules. This breaking down can be for transforming one molecule into another form for physiological purposes or for storage purpose or for generating energy.

Digestive related Agni:

Agni is pitha .So it is protons or positively charged ions like H+,  Ca+ ,Na+ ,K+ etc. In the bucal cavity itself this agni is present in the form of enzymes.

In the stomach there are acids like HCl, NaCl,and KCl which are present. These acids are needed for many purposes. HCl is needed for the conversion of pepsinogen into pepsin which is essential for breaking down peptic bond in protein chains. For example, if HCl is low, some of the unbroken peptides reach the duodenum. Since the first phase of the digestion is not taken place properly, the rest of conversion also does not take place correctly and thus the macromolecules reaches the colon. This will cause the gut bacteria to continue with the rest of digestion and this bacterial digestion triggers gas formation.

Lipids also need acids for forming micells. Then only it can be absorbed by enterocytes. This acid is provided by the gall bladder from the liver.

So in essence, if stomach acids or bile acids are less, protein digestion and lipid digestion will be in trouble. This stage can be considered ‘mandagni’ or dull digestive stage will not be able to digest even smaller portions of food.

Acids are needed for the activation and propulsion of peristaltic movement. If acids are less peristaltic movement will be slow.

Note, this is a stage pitta low and Kapha high. We need to use pitta increasing and Kapha reducing food and medicine for example, ginger, pepper, cumin, etc

Theekshagni:

Excessive acids in the stomach can liquefy the mucus and make ulcerations in the stomach wall. If bile acids are high, the same thing can happen in small intestine as well. More over peristaltic movement will be faster and can lead to acid optic disorder and bleeding from stomach or intestines.

Note, this is a stage where pitta is high and Kapha is low. The use of bitter, sweet food and medicine will reduce Pitta and increase Kapha for example milk, licorice, dry grapes, sweats take bitter taste

Vishamagni:

This is stage Agni is influenced by Vata so the Agni production will be irregular. In vishamagni ,agni can be dull  at times and sharp  at other times this is the basic problem is mandagni. There will be less acids or excessive production of pitta. So the  body pushes proteins and lipids to  the colon, and the bacteria present in the colon will act on this Protein and lipids to cause gas. If the gas is not released through downwards, and it gets obstructed, the gas  will move upward and reach stomach. In this upward  movement even bile can reach the stomach. This will cause  acidity or amlapitha. Ayurveda think this is a stage of tikshna Agni but actually this is a stage of vishamagani and has to balance the Agni instead of treating for excessive fire.

Samagni: 

It is a stage of normal limit of the acids, alkali and neutral elements of the koshta.

Proper digestion and proper metabolism means good immunity! 

Dr P.R. Vishnu, BAMS, MD is director of the Sivananda Institute of Health at the Sivananda Dhanwantari Ashram, Kerala, south India

e-mail: dr.vishnu101@gmail.com

Disclaimer: All visitors to this site are advised to please check with your doctor and/or healthcare professional before starting any yoga asana technique, meditation, kriya, diet, exercise, or trying information provided by the Ayurvedic or Holistic Healthcare professionals or yoga teachers. The information provided in this website is intended to be used for information purposes only and/or, where applicable, under guided instructions from a certified professional at your own risk. Nothing contained in this site is a substitute for medical care and attention. We do not make any claims, promises, or guarantees about the individual or group outcome of any technique, process, diet, exercise or related services.