To bring about equilibrium in the body Ayurveda prescribes Panch Karma- a curative line of treatment that works in the principles of sodhana chikilsa (purification/cleasing procedure).Panch Karma is a part of the purification therapies of Ayurveda. "Panch" means five and "Karma" means action.
According to Ayurveda all diseses can be cured with Panch Karma . Treatment is very effective in diseases like hemiplegic, polio, rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases, epilepsy, insomnia, hypertension, cardiac problems, intestinal diseases, peptic and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis and asthma. Besides this, it produces immunity and increases youthfulness of our body.
The Panch Karma therapy of Ayurveda comprises of five types of advanced treatment for elimination of vitiated Dosha (toxic materials) from the body.
Before performing the actual Panch Karma some preparatory treatments are done. These are called the Purva Karma, Which contains “snehana” internal and external oilation of the body. “Swedan” medicated steam bath for opening pores of body and Nadi Swedan , And proper Diet and Proper phyisical activities
Vamana is the induced vomiting procedure after sneha sweda kriyas. Vamana dravya (drug) is given followed by large quantities of milk. It is indicated in kaphaja vikaras like asthma, skin ailments etc. VIRECHANA
Virechana is the induced purgation. After sneha sweda kriyas virechana dravya (drug) is given in the early morning. It is indicated in pitha vikaras like rheumatic complaints.
VASTHI The work vasthi is named because the urinary balder of animals is used to inject the contents of either unctuous drugs or eliminatory drugs into the rectum of the body to produce immediate effect. It has a very important role in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, gout, diseases of lower abdomen, constipation, obstruction and loss of seamen, amenorrhoea and eliminate worms of elementary tract. Vitamin B, increased after vasthi controls diseases of the eye, skin and give complexion to the skin.
Vasthi is of two types: - 1) Using unctuous oil (Anuvasana). 2) Using medicated oil (Nirooha). Nirooha vasthi is given using decoction of certain drugs. Anuvasana vasthi is done using mainly the medicated oil
NASYA KARMA (ERRHINE THERAPY) In Nasya therapy medicated thaila (oil) or choorna (powder) will be made to pass through the nostrils. Nasya is very useful in the diseases of the upper part of the neck. For the head the nose is the channel. The medicines applied through the nose will reach the head and it helps to clean the doshas from the head. Nasya therapy will prevent the diseases related to head, prevents premature greying of hair and enhances hair growth, give strength to veins, arteries, nerve, joints, ligaments and tendons of the head and the face of the individual will be cheerful and voice becomes sweet and stabilised.
RAKTHAMOKSHA (BLOOD LETTING THERAPY) Blood letting is considered to be one of the Panch Karmas by Sushrutha. The main and the best chikilsa of the pitha rogas is rakthamoksha. This can be done through different methods 1. By using the instruments 2. By prachana (by pricking or by making cuts with surgical blades) 3. By siravedha (by cutting the veins) Rakthamoksha also can be done using the leeches; application of cow’s horn etc. Sushrutha has advocated its use in the treatment of skin diseases, glandular enlargement and diseases produced due to vitiation of blood. When blood is purified the colour of the skin will be bright and the sense organs will act powerfully and quickly.
