Ayurveda is an ancient medical practice that originated in India. It is based on the principles of maintaining harmony and balance within the mind, body and spirit through the right habits, food, herbs and breathing techniques, these Ayurvedic practices still find relevance in the modern world. Panchakarma treatment is an ancient practice of healing and rejuvenation which takes an individual through the journey of discovery, cleansing and awakening of one’s healing energies and senses. The methods of Panchakarma treatment have been recorded in the thousands of years old Vedic texts along with other ancient medical teachings practised traditionally in India.
What is Panchakarma Treatment? It is an Ayurvedic way to achieve a balanced mind, body and spirit. Panchakarma meaning is derived from two Sanskrit words – “Pancha” which means five, and “Karma”, which means actions. The Panchakarma procedure is a five-step process that detoxifies the human body and draws out the toxins accumulated over time due to poor habits, food choices, illness and environmental pollution. The methods employed in Panchakarma restore an individual’s natural healing capacity and improve the quality of life. When these healing procedures are practised in conjunction with meditation and yoga, one can heal the body and soul from within and achieve complete good health.
The process of Panchakarma treatment
works on the principle that the body is inherently capable of healing itself and removing the toxins from the system on its own. However, this ability wears out due to several factors, like poor diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and spending long hours at work. Some diseases and genetic pre-conditions may also lead to the body’s inability to maintain the right bodily functions.
Ayurveda is a science of appropriate living that helps to achieve longevity of life. Like other medications and treatment procedures, Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies. It uses various methods of purification and rejuvenation of the body which ensures that the body will not only heal but also will be off to a healthy start.
Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment involves elaborated methods of purification to release stress. Releasing stress from the muscles prepares the body tissues to accept the maximum benefits of food, nutrition and exercise. Panchakarma treatment is a three-stage process – Purva (pre-operative), Pradhana (operative) and Paschat (post-operative) measures.
Any kind of illness is said to occur due to imbalances of the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurveda advises practising Purvakarma to cure these deep-rooted imbalances in the body. It helps to flush out the toxins from the body. Accumulation of ama is the primary reason for almost all diseases.
It is important to prepare the body for the rigorous process of Panchakarma, the purification therapy. It encourages the body to let go of the toxins. Treatments like Abhyangam, Shirodhara and Elakizhi are included in the Panchakarma steps to soften the tissues where the oil is applied to the entire body with a particular type of massage. All the toxins are massaged and moved towards the gastrointestinal tract. Therapies like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and Raktamokshan are further used as per the body constitution Vata, Pitta and Kapha to complete the detoxifying process.
Therefore, taking Panchakarma treatment becomes essential as it sets down the first step of your journey towards better health and a cleansed body that is free of toxins and imbalances. In the Ayurvedic method of rebuilding and rejuvenating the body, Panchakarma has a major role to play, and it does that through five essential steps.
Panchakarma therapy is a holistic treatment approach that has profound impacts on the mind, emotional balance and the body. Right from the sessions, where one is prepared for the Panchakarma treatments, one can discover many distresses within themselves as their self-awareness increases. By the end of the treatment, they can be more in sync with their body and form a strong connection with the mind and spirit.
Some Panchakarma treatments may initially feel slightly uncomfortable, and you may come across hidden resentments or anxieties from the past leading to emotional upheaval. But that is completely normal. It is the body’s response to being purged of all the negativities and bodily toxins that have been accumulated over all the years. It is also recommended to talk about these emotions to your therapists so that they can suggest.
