What is Panchkarma

As per Ayurveda, good health depends upon our capability to fully metabolize all aspects of life, assimilating that which nourishes and eliminating the rest. When we can’t completely digest our food, experiences, and emotions, toxins accumulate in our bodily tissues which creates diseases. Panchakarma is time tested process of removing these  stored toxins from the body and finally restores the body’s innate healing ability.

The word Panchkarma

The word Panchkarma

Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word which can be broken into two smaller words i.e “Paanch” and “Karma”. Paanch means “Five” and Karma means “Action or Treatment”. Hence Panchkarma means “five actions” or “five treatments”.  Simply translated, it’s a set of five processes or actions used for the purification of the body. These five processes or treatments are Vaman, Virechan, Raktmokshan, Nasya and Basti.

These five treatments helps the individual to achieve a balanced state of body, mind and consciousness through detoxification and rejuvenation. Hence Panchkarma therapies are also called as detoxification and rejuvenation therapies.

Panchakarma therapies removes harmful toxins (also called as Ama in Ayurveda) out of the body through various channels of evacuation (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, etc).

Panchkarma is done after Purvakarma  therapies and its followed by Paschaatkarma.

Why Panchkarma ?

As stated above, human body starts accumulating toxins from time to time. Body is just like any machine. Our body keeps working because of which its tear and wear is bound to happen. Like any working machine, our body also needs timely servicing. Panchkarma is like changing oil of the machine and tightening and replacing some screws so that machine can again run at full efficiency. Normally the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials or toxins. However due to one’s repeated wrong dietary habits, poor exercise patterns, lifestyle and genetic predisposition results in dis-organization of the digestive enzymes, metabolic co-factors and hormones of the body. This dis-organization leads to accumulation and spread of waste material and toxins inside the body resulting in various diseases. 

This waste matter is called Ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a foul-smelling, sticky, harmful substance that needs to be completely evacuated from the body. Panchakarma Therapies removes Ama from the body in an efficient manner without any hostile effects on body. Ama is evacuated from body via the nearest possible route of elimination.

Panchakarma treatment differs from person to person. It is tailor-made to the individual and varies according to dosha imbalances, age, strength, immunity levels, etc. At Sparsh Ayurveda, every treatment is individualized to meet the needs of each individual. We recommend Panchkarma on a seasonal basis as well as when an individual feels out of balance or is experiencing illness. Depending on each individual’s needs, all or only parts of the five therapies are recommended.

"Panchkarma" for long-life

"Panchkarma" for long-life

Ayurveda recommends Panchkarma therapies up to three times a year especially at the change of seasons in order to maintain well-being in healthy individuals or to restore balance in those experiencing illness. The purpose of Panchakarma is to extend the lifespan of the individual. By undergoing Panchakarma on a regular basis health of muscle tissues, bones, immune functions, digestive function, nervous tissues as well as teeth and hair can be maintained essentially adding years to ones life. Today even modern science estimates that longevity is determined 30% by one’s genetics and 70% by lifestyle choices.

The age old science of purifying the body is not only good for alleviating disease, but is also a useful tool in maintaining excellent health. Like all medical procedures, Panchakarma Therapy always must begin with an initial consultation by a qualified Ayurvedic Physician who can determine the individual’s prakriti (constitutional type), the nature of the health problem (if any), and the appropriate degree of intensity of the prescribed therapies. At Sparsh Ayurveda, we ensure that every individual is treated with utmost care and right therapy.