Panchakarma - The detoxification therapy in Ayurveda part-2
Panchakarma- The detoxification therapy in
Ayurveda
(part-2)
As said in the earlier issue Panchakarma involves 5 types of detoxification methods. They are - vamana, Virechana, Anuvasana basthi, Niruha basthi, Nasya karma
Vamana
Vamana means expelling doshas through oral route . It is emesis
therapy. Before inducing vamana the toxins and vitiated doshas are
brought to amashaya or stomach with various preparatory methods like
snehana and swedana. The emesis should never be induced in empty
stomach. Vamana therapy is conducted in early hours of day, when
kapha dosha is dominant. Vitiated doshas and accumulated toxins are
expelled through methodically induced emesis. Patient is required to
be relaxed calm and devoid of any mental
stress
through out the therapy. After emesis therapy, patient is gradually
rehabilitated to regular diet and lifestyle.
Detoxification through vamana is suggested in diseases which mainly
involve kapha dosha. The disorders like cough, asthama,
indigestion, poisoning, repeated
attacks of tonsillitis, nasal discharge, tuberculosis, etc are
treated with vamana therapy. Children and elderly are not to be
subjected to this therapy. The same holds good for
obese and
weak persons. After vamana the loud speech, overeating, continued
sitting, too much
walking, anger, anxiety, coitus, retention of natural urges have
to be avoided.
Virechana:
Virechana is expelling the vitiated doshas and toxins through
purgation. This therapy can be conducted as an individual
detoxification therapy or as a follow up therapy next to vamana to
ensure complete detoxification. Virechana is a non painful and
easiest procedure. Complications are usually very rare in this
therapy. This detoxification method
helps to expel toxins and vitiated doshas from
blood,
liver and intestines. Usual panchakarma preparatory methods like
snehana and swedana are completed before inducing purgation .
Virechana is induced by administering herbal purgatives in morning
between 8 am to 9 am, when pitta dosha is dominant. Patient is made
to drink warm water
repeatedly as he passes stools. Patient is later rehabilitated to
his regular diet and lifestyle.
This therapy is suggested for disorders in which pitta is prominent
dosha. Skin diseases, jaundice,
constipation,
headache, fistula,
hemorrhoids,
intestinal parasites, herpes, anemia, edema are few of many diseases
in which Virechana is the chosen as detoxifying therapy.
Contraindications for virechana therapy are ulcerated rectum,
pregnancy,
obesity, diarrhea, cardiac ailments, tuberculosis, children and
elderly
Basthi Karma :
Basthi karma is expelling body toxins and vitiated doshas by
introduce medicated liquids or oils through anus, urethra or vaginal
canal. Basthi means urinary bladder. In ancient times the enema
apparatus used to be made up of urinary bladder of animals. Hence
this detoxification process is called Basthi karma.
Basthi karma is mainly used in vata dominant diseases. Basthi karma
is usually performed after the first two detoxification process
namely vamana and virechana or only after virechana. After
completing preparatory procedures (snehana, swedana), patient is
allowed to lie on his left side and medicated oil or herbal
decoction is administered under hygienic conditions. Patient has to
lie on his back for 10-15 minutes after basthi is given.
There are two types of Basthi Anuvasana basthi
and Niruha basthi.
Anuvasana basthi : In anuvasana basthi
medicated oil is introduced through anus, immediately after the
consumption of food. There will be no harm even if medicated oil
remains inside colon for a long time. This type of basthi nourishes
and strengthens the body.
Niruha basthi: In this type of basthi
(also known as asthapana basthi) an enema of herbal decoction is
given. Niruha basthi is administered in empty stomach. The
administered decoction has to come out from body within 45 minutes.
The expelled herbal decoction brings out toxins and vitiated doshas
along with it. Anuvasana basthi and Niruhabasthi are given
alternatively . Patient is advised to take
bath after herbal decoction is
expelled. Unlike vamana and virechana , strict diet and lifestyle
rehabilitation is not required after basthi karma, as basthi do not
cause irritation in digestive system. But it is necessary to take
light and nourishing food .
Introducing medicated liquids and oils through urethra in men or
through vagina in women, is called uttara basthi.
Basthi karma is usually recommended in
1. Diseases involving joints like
arthritis,
gout etc,
2. Neuro muscular problems
3. Osteoporosis
4. paralysis
5. Low back pain
6.
Obesity
7. Disorders of intestines
8. Menstrual problems of women
Benefits of basthi: Basthi improves
vision,
decreases weight in obese people, increases weight and nourishes
emaciated persons, slows down ageing process and boosts health.
Nasya karma:
Nasya karma means administering drops of herbal liquid preparations
or medicated oils through nose. This detoxification method is also
known as Shirovirechana. Vitiated doshas and toxins which are
accumulated in head and neck are expelled through nose and mouth
along with nasal and oral secretions. As a preparatory procedure the
head and face of patient is massaged with medicated oil
(Administering medicated oil before nasya karma is not advised) and
steam bath is given only to head and neck region. Patient is made to
sleep on
his back with foot end elevated and head reclined. The medicated
liquid or oil is administered in drops to both nostrils
consecutively. Patient is advised to inhale the medicine slowly.
After nasya karma the patient must avoid talking loudly, getting
angry and laughing.
According to the type of medicine used, the nasya karma is divided
into four types . They are
Navana Nasya : In this type drops of
medicated oil is used.
Avapidana Nasya: Here squeezed juice of
herbs is used.
Dhmapana or pradhamana nasya : Fine
powder of herbs are made to inhale through an apparatus called “nadi
yantra” ( a tube like apparatus)
Dhuma nasya : Fumes of medicinal herbs
are inhaled in this type of nasya.
Nasya Karma is indicated in tonsillitis, stiff neck, stiff jaw,
headache, sinusitis, stammering, hoarseness of voice etc. Nasya
Karma should not be performed when patient has indigestion, consumed
alcohol, taken head bath, and tiered, pregnancy.
All panchakarma or detoxification therapies have to be conducted
strictly under the supervision of well experienced qualified
ayurvedic doctors.
This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com/a>
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