What is Panchakarma Detoxification?

[SHADANGA AYURVEDA]

Summary: Panchakarma is as ancient and effective as Yoga. Derived from a Sanskrit word, Panchakarma means “five treatments.” The process of Panchakarma helps to eliminate the impurities from the body that are often left behind due to health ailments, pollutions or poor lifestyle.

Article Body

The human body has the ability to remove the waste effectively, but due to poor lifestyle, exercise and dietary patterns, the agnis that regulate the digestive enzymes of the body get disorganized. This thus leads to the spread of toxins, leading to disease. Such toxic waste matter is known as ama as per ayurveda. Ama is sticky, smells bad and is very harmful and needs to be removed from the body immediately.

Panchakarma & detoxification is the process that helps individuals get rid of the harmful toxins from the body, preventing their accumulation. The ama is eliminated in a natural way through organs like sweat glands, intestines, colon, etc. Panchakarma also helps to purify the tissues from the root level.

Panchakarma detoxification is an effective treatment that is always tailored to meet the health needs of an individual. The process involves,

• Abhyanga – Massage using warm oil
• Swedana – Stream therapy using herbs
• Lymphatic massage
• Herbal enemas - Basti
• Nasya - Administration of ayurvedic oil via the nasal route

The process also uses various other treatments, details of which are mentioned below.

Ayurvedic clinic in Gurgaon suggests Panchakarma therapy to maintain the balance of doshas and their physical and mental wellbeing.

The Process

Panchakarma, natural five-fold therapy is individualized based on the health condition of an individual. The Ayurvedic doctor in Gurgaon considers the dosha imbalances, the immunity, the digestive strength, and medical history of the individual before suggesting a treatment plan. Depending on the needs, the doctor might suggest a few or all of the panchakarma therapies.

The procedures are administered only by trained and experienced therapists in a sequence for a certain time. Though panchakarma provides a delightful experience, individuals can witness signs of discomfort as the toxins get released from the body. This is what makes it important to undergo panchakarma under the supervision of an expert who can analyze the sings and act accordingly. Most of the signs are already recorded in the ancient ayurvedic vaidyas and are not harmful.

Like other medical treatments, Panchakarma too begins with a consultation with an expert, followed by a diagnosis to understand the prakriti of the individual, the disease if any, and the dosha imbalance.

Studies have shown that panchakarma treatments show brain wave coherence that lower metabolic activity in the body. The therapies relax the body and mind, providing peacefulness. Once the body gets relaxed, the toxins can be cleared from the body, deep from the tissues as well. 

Detoxification of body and mind

For an individual to maintain optimal health, it is important to maintain their digestive fire and get rid of the toxins from their body. Panchakarma is a proven treatment for complete body detoxification that helps to restore the balance of the body.

As per ayurveda, our body needs to metabolize various aspects of our life, need to assimilate the ones needed for its nourishment and eliminate the rest. When the body cannot digest the food taken, or emotions, or experiences, some toxins get accumulated in our body. This creates imbalance and leads to diseases.

Panchakarma is an elegant process that helps restore the healing ability of the human body.

When the digestive energies in the body called as Agni are active, the waste gets eliminated well, producing an essence known as Ojas. Ojas is needed for our well-being as they provide physical strength and improve immunity. When the Agni is weak, the individual suffers from digestive issues. The toxic residue is left behind, and this is known as Ama.

Lays the foundation for overall well-being

When there is an accumulation of ama in our body, the energy flow, and nourishment of the body are blocked. Ayurvedic experts consider this accumulation of toxins to be the main cause of diseases. When these saturated fats are not metabolized by the body, they can lead to the blocking of the arteries and the blood vessels, leading to heart attacks.

While one can easily difference Agni and ama when it comes to food, one needs to understand that our mind and our heart digests information and energy from time to time. Panchakarma therapies work not only on our body but help relax our mind as well, providing much needed clarity.

Restores the Natural Balance of the Body

When the emotional fire (Agni) of a person is very strong, he/she is able to extract what is positive and eliminates the toxic thoughts. The inability of a person to metabolize his/her emotions is dangerous and leads to toxic residue like food and shows adverse effects on one’s health. Panchakarma detoxification helps a person get rid of sadness, anger or guilt, helping them deal with emotional imbalance as well.

Various Panchakarma treatments are performed during the detoxification process to provide benefit to the individual. In most cases, two or three therapies are combined during the treatment.

The treatments offered as a part of Panchakarma detoxification are,

Abhyanga - This is when a person is given an herbal oil massage that penetrates the skin, helping to break up the impurities. This procedure is helpful in getting rid of waste and also improves blood circulation in the body.

Shirodhara – This is a procedure where warm, medicated oil is poured over the forehead of a person in a very gentle manner. This helps to calm the body and the mind.

Garshana – This is a process where the skin is gently brushed using wool or soft soil gloves. This helps improve blood circulation in the body. This is often done before an oil massage as it helps with deep penetration.

Swedana – Swedana is an herbal steam bath given to the individual after the oil massage. The steam penetrates the body and aids in deep cleansing.

Some of the other therapies are,

Udvartana - An herbal paste lymphatic massage.

Basti - A final step of a panchakarma treatment where the person is given a herbal enema to get rid of body waste.

Nasya - Individuals get to inhale the steam of herbal oils via the nose to clear mucus.

Shiro-Abhyanga-Nasya - A combination of complete body massage using herbal oils, followed by inhaling of herbal steam.

Getting rid of toxins from our body is your very first step towards leading a happy and healthy life. So, do not wait, opt for a panchakarma detoxification program today!

Author Bio

Shadanga, an ayurvedic wellness resort, offers exclusive panchakarma detoxification programs that heal the body, mind, and spirit of a person. Visit today for authentic ayurvedic treatments, all of which are performed as per guest requirements and under expert supervision.