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CLASSICAL PANCHKARMA THERAPY

INTRODUCTION -
The deep cleansing process, unique to Ayurveda, that enables the body to release excess
Dosas and toxins from its cells expel them is called Panchkarma.
The Panchkarma (Five measures) therapy in present time can be re-categorized
into two.
(a) Classical Panchkarma
(b) Keraliya Panchkarma
The former is complete internal bio - purificatory method while latter is basically
external bio-purification as practiced in Kerala which have rehabilitative and
physiotherapeutic effect.

Classical Panchkarma-
(A) Purva Karma (B) Pradhan Karma (C) Paschat Karma
(Preparatory Procedures) (Main Procedures) (Post therapy Procedures)
(1) Deepan and Pachan (1) Vaman Sansarjan Karma
(Promotion of digestion) (Therapeutic Emesis) (Dietic Regimen)
(2) Senhan karma (2) Virechan
(Oleation therapy) (Therapeutic purgation)
(a) External (3) Asthapan Vasti
(b) Internal (Decoction based Enema)
(3) Swedan karma (4) Anuvasana Vasti
(Hot Medicated Fomentation) (Oil based medicated Enema)
(5) Nasya karma.
(Pouring Medicine through Nose)
Keraliya Panchkarma-
1. Dhara karma - Pouring medicated liquid stream on forehead.
2. Kayasaka - Oil bath therapy.
3. Pinda sweda - Fomentation & massage by medicated bolus.
4. Anna lepa - Application of medicated pastes over body.
5. Sirolepa - Application of medicated pastes over head.
Classical Ayurvedic Panchkarma therapy -
The Classical Panchkarma therapy has got three major stages-
A. Purvakarma (Preparatory Procedures) -
1. Snehan Karma (Oleation Therapy) - Literally ‘Sneha means oleate or to make
smooth. The process which produces Snehana (Unctuousness), Vishyandana (Fluidity),
Mrudutwa (Softness) and Kledana (Smoothness) in the body is known as ‘Snehana
Karma’. It is of two kinds -
1. Abhayantara (Internal administration of fat substances)
2. Vahya (External application of fat substances)
Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Massage) - It means the applicat ion of plain or medicated
oil to the body. The o il should be according to ones Const itution, age, season, part icular
disease and at mosphere; to skin.
Ayurvedic massage is unique in the sense, that it is based on the principles o f
primordial elements, bio logical humors or Tridosas and concepts of Agni and Pitta, as
well as the formation o f toxins or Ama.
Benefits of Abhyanga- At Arogya,
Arogya Abhyanga is found beneficial as it is –
1. Beneficial to eyes.
2. Nourishes the body.
3. Promotes longevity.
4. Induces proper sleep.
5. Makes skin soft and silky.
6. Makes the skin firm.
7. Increases immunity of the skin.
8. Removes fatigue.
2. Swedan Karma (Fomentation Therapy) - The process which relieves stiffness,
heaviness, coldness and which induces sweating is known as Swedan Karma. Due to
Swedan (sudation), vitiated dosas can be brought back to the Kostha and can be
eliminated by means of elimination therapy like Vaman and Virechan etc.
Classification -
A. According to Agni Bheda -
1. Saagni Sweda (Thermal Sudation).
1. Prastar Sweda 2. Sankar Sweda
3. Nadi Sweda 4. Parishek Sweda
5. Avagaha Sweda 6. Jentaka Sweda
7. Asmaghana Sweda 8. Karsu Sweda
9. Kuti Sweda 10. Bhu Sweda
11. Kumbhi Sweda 12. Kupa Sweda
13. Holaka Sweda
2. Niragni Sweda (Non Thermal Sudation).
1. Vyayam (Exercise) 2. Ushna Sadan (Warm room)
3. Guru Pravarana (Heavy slotibing) 4. Kshudha (Hunger)
5. Bahupana (Excessive drinking) 6. Bhaya (Fear)
7. Krodha (Anger) 8. Upanaha (Plasters)
9. Avaha (War) 10. Atapa (Sun bath)
B. According to Sthana Bheda -
1. Ekanga Sweda (Local Sudation).
2. Sarvanga Sweda (General Sudation).
C. According to Guna Bheda -
1. Ruksha Sweda (Dry Sudation).
2. Snigdha Sweda (Moist Sudation).

D. According to Rogi Bala and Roga Bala -

1. Mridu Sweda (Gentle Sudation).
2. Madhyam Sweda (Medium Sudation).
3. Maha Sweda (Maximum Sudation).
B. Pradhan Karma (Operative Procedures) -
1. Vaman Karma (Medicated emasis) -
Expulsion of Vitiated Doshas through mouth can be termed as Vaman. It removes
excess Kapha from the body. Emesis should be conducted when -
1. Kapha is vitiated.
2. Pitta occupies the place of Kapha.
3. Vata predominant Kapha State.

Following emetic drugs are used for Vamana Karma -

1. Madana Phala (Randia dumatorum)
2. Jeemutaka (Luffa echinata)
3. Ikshwaku (Lagenarea leucantha)
4. Dhamargava (Luffa aegyptioca)
5. Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysentrica)
6. Krita Vedhana (Luffa acutangula)
At Arogya,
Arogya Vamana Karma is found very effective in disorders like -
1. Nasal discharge 2. Skin diseases 3. Tuberculosis
4. Cough 5. Asthma 6. Filariasis
7. Stiff neck 8. Goitre 9. Diabetes
10. Dyspepsia 11. Indigestion 12. Gastroenteritis
13. Poisoning 14. Chemical burn 15. Intestinal obstruction
16. Salivation 17. Piles 18. Anal & Urethrovaginal hemorrhage.
19. Nausea 20. Anorexia 21. Cervical adenitis
22. Lymphadenitis 23. Epilepsy 24. Insanity
25. Diarrhea 26. Inflammation 27. Anemia
28. Stomatitis 29. Tumors 30. Lactation disorders
31. Obesity 32. Confusion 33. Erysipelas
34. Abscess 35. Epiglotitis 36. Uvulitis
37. Tonsillitis 38. Bronchitis 39. Pharyngitis.

2. Virechan Karma (Therapeutic purgation) - Elimination of vitiated Doshas through

rectum is called Virechan. It is used to clear excess Pitta from the body. Compared to
emesis, without much exertion vitiated Doshas can be expelled in Purgation therapy. Due
to Ushna, Tikshana, Sukshma, Vyavayi, Vikasi Etc. Guna of drug vitiated Doshas are
brought in to Kostha, From there they are expelled through rectum.
At Arogya,
Arogya Virechan karma is mainly in following conditions and found very effective -
1. Jaundice 2. Skin Diseases 3. Hemorrhoids
4. Fistula-in-ano 5. Spleen disorder 6. Tumors, Goiters
7. Abdominal swelling 8. Lymphadenitis 9. Poisoning
10. Cholera 11. Retention of Urine 12. Erysipelas
13. Worm infestation 14. Anemia 15. Head ache
16. Asthma, Cough 17. Constipation 18. Fever
19. Heart diseases 20. Blue pigmentation 21. Anorexia
22. Lacrimation 23. Rhinorrhoea 24. Epilepsy
25. Cervical adenitis 26. Insanity 27. Gout
28. Leprosy 29. Male sexual disorders 30. Cataract
31. Ascitis 32. Vomiting 33. Gastro-intestinal disorders
34. Blisters 35. Septic wound 36. Burning urethra
37. Anasarca 38. Elephantiasis etc.
3. Vasti Karma (Medicated enema) - Vata is the prime factor responsible for the
manifestation of different types of diseases and also causes all the Primary metabolic
functions in the body. To mitigate Vata, Vasti is the best line of treatment.
The term ‘Vasti’ is given due to the administration of Medicated drugs into the
rectum by means of urinary Bladder of various animals to eject excess Vata from the
body.

Classification of Vasti -
1. According to types of drug - Vasti is of two kinds -
1. Niruha or Asthapan Vasti (Decoction based)
2. Anuvasana Vasti (Oil based enema) -
It is further divided in to three types.
1. Sneha Vasti.
2. Anuvasana Vasti.
3. Matra Vasti.
2. According to the route of administration - It is of four kinds -
1. Pakwasaya Gata (Large intestine).
2. Mutrasaya Gata (Urinary bladder).
3. Garbhasaya Gata (Uterus).
4. Vrana Gata (Wound).
3. According to the mode of action -
1. Sodhana Vasti. 2. Snehana Vasti.
3. Utkleshana Vasti. 4. Rasayana Vasti.
5. Lekhana Vasti. 6. Brimhana Vasti.
7. Samana Vasti. 8. Vajeekarana Vasti.
4. According to the number -
1. Karma Vasti.
2. Kala Vasti.
3. Yoga Vasti.
Drugs Used In Vasti - Basically fo llowing materials are used for Vasti.
1. Kalka (Medicated Paste)
2. Tail (Oil)
3. Madhu (Honey)
4. Lavana (Salt)
Arogya,
Arogya, successfuly treating the fo llowing diseases by the use of Vasti Karma -
1. Systemic diseases 2. Localized diseases 3. Abdominal diseases
4. Retention of flatus 5. Retention of urine 6. Retention of stool
7. Retention of semen 8. Loss of strength 9. Muscle atrophy
10. Seminal loss 11. Constipation 12. Atonia
13. Helminthiasis 14. Reverse peristalsis 15. Diarrhea
16. Chest pain 17. Fever 18. Splenic diseases
19. Abdominal swelling 20. Heart diseases 21. Fistula-in-ano
22. Psychosis 23. Back ache 24. Lumbago
25. Tremors 26. Convulsion 27. Tuberculosis
28. Pain in knee joint 29. Painful ankle 30. Uterine pain
31. Stiffness 32. Neurological disorders 33. Cataract
34. Glaucoma 35. Paralysis 36. Facial paralysis
37. Lithiasis 38. Gout 39. Leprosy
40. Veneral diseases 41. Neck rigidity 42. Lock jaw
43. Dysuria 44. Malpresented fetus 45. Emaciation
4. Nasya Karma (Nasal drops or snuffs) -
All the drugs and measures that can be administered through the nasal passage are
called Nasya. Nasya also means beneficial to nose. The Nasya Karma is considered the
best and the most specific procedure for diseases of the head. Because the nasal passage
is considered as the portals of the head and accordingly all drugs and measures
introduced through the nose spread throughout the head and its constituent parts and may
accordingly influence all the toxins and the diseases situated in these parts.

Nasya Karma is mainly classified as follows -

1. Navana -
a. Snehana
b. Shodhana
2. Avapida -
a. Shodhana
b. Stambhana
3. Dhumapana -
4. Dhuma Nasya -
a. Prayogika
b. Virechaniya
c. Snehaniya
5. Pratimarsa - Snehana
Nasya Karma is indicated in the following conditions -
1. Stiff head 2. Stiff neck 3. Stiff jaw
4. Chronic corrhyza 5. Uvulitis 6. Tonsillitis
7. Seminal disorders 8. Cataract 9. Disease of eye lid
10. Pigmentation of face 11. Hemicrania 12. Diseases of neck
13. Diseases of shoulder 14. Ear ache 15. Painful nose
16. Headache 17. Facial palsy 18. Hysteria
19. Tetanus 20. Goiter 21. Toothache
22. Tumor 23. Hoarseness of voice 24. Aphonia
25. Stammering 26. Alteration of voice.
5. Raktamokshana (Bloodletting) -
Raktamokshana in Panchkarma schedule has been considered by Sushruta. The
other Panchkarma measures are designed to eliminate vitiated Dosas but Raktamokshana
aims to eliminate vitiated Rakta as a therapeutic measure. It is used in case of blood
dissorders.

Classification -
1. Blood letting with metalic instruments (Shastra Vishrawana) -
a. Pracchana (Incision)
b. Shiravyadha (Veinpuncture)
2. Blood letting without metalic instrument (Anushastra Vishrawana) -
a. Shringa (Application of horn of animals for blood letting)
b. Jalouka (Application of leech)
c. Alabu (Application of Alabu for cupping)
d. Ghanti Yantra (Cupping by glass application)
At Arogya, following diseases are treated successfully by Raktamokshana -
1. Skin Diseases 2. Erysipelas 3. Boils and Carbuncles
4. Uterine bleeding 5. Stomatitis 6. Hemorrhagic diseases
7. Anorectal inflammation 8. Penile inflammation 9. Splenomegaly
10. Abscesses 11. Abdominal swelling 12. Blue pigmentation
13. Dermatitis 14. Alopecia etc.
C. Paschat Karma (Post-operative Procedures) -
SAMSARJANA KRAMA (Post Procedural Dietaic Regiman) -
For restoration of Agni i.e. Bio-fire (digestive functions) by means of advocating
specific dietic regimen is Known is Samsarjana Krama. It includes Depana and Pachana
that is crucial follow-up therapies include diet, medication and lifestyle. The objective of
Samsarjan Krama is to restore digestive power through specific dietary schedule. After
Samsarjan Krama not only Appetite increases but also absorptive and assimilatory
functions of G.I. tract is improved.