Panchakarma therapy is the core of Ayurveda’s healing therapies. Panchakarma is beneficial to both, the healthy and the unhealthy, and is considered to be the most effective therapy for preventing and curing diseases, as well as for revitalizing the entire human organism.
The term Panchakarma refers to the five principal practices used to cleanse the body of its excess bodily humours, called doshas. The main treatments are administered in a sequence:
- Vamana : Vomiting induced to clear respiratory tract, and also treats skin diseases
- Virechana : Purgative therapy to clear abdomen and intestines
- Basti : Unctuous enema to cleanse out large intestine
- Nasya :Introduction of medicated oils or herbal powders through nose to eradicate upper respiratory tract diseases
- Raktamokshana — Bloodletting to rid the body of impure blood
The timing and number of applications vary, depending on the specific condition of the individual. The principal treatments are administered according to the needs of the individual, and may include all, or a combination of the treatments.