See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/299424353

Essentials of Practical Panchakarma Therapy (A Complete Practice Guide on

Classical and Keraliya Panchakarma)

Book · January 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4765.6081

CITATIONS READS

0 8,366

1 author:

Vaidya Vasant Patil

Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya HUBLI
60 PUBLICATIONS   72 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Ayurveda Treatment Guidelines View project

Clinical study View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Vaidya Vasant Patil on 25 March 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Essentials of Practical Panchakarma Therapy
Intended Audience
A complete practical guide for health professionals, beginners, ayurveda learners, Ayurveda
practitioners, CAM practitioners and students: Undergraduates, advanced Under graduates,
academicians, massage therapists, naturopaths, herbalists, Spa consultatnts, allied health markets.
General readers interested in CAM and Suitable for all CAM courses.
Outstanding Features
 A quick practical guide which can be used in everyday practice. This book will help
complementary health practitioners in understanding the principles & practices of
Panchakarma therapy. All the procedures are explained vividly in easily perceivable
manner with scientific reasoning.
 First time the author has tried to describe the fundamentals of Panchakarma and bio-
purification distinctly in separate chapters, which is the unique contribution.
 In the chapter entitled “Fundamental principles of Bio-purification therapy”, the author
has tried to explain the need, importance, utility, fundamentals, Basic considerations
before bio-purification and practical considerations in vivid and beautiful manner.
 Basic considerations before Panchakarma and before Vamana etc karma are the unique
feature of this book.
 Practical considerations of emesis etc. therapies are the highlighting feature of this book.
 Experiences of the practicing eminent physicians & my past 8 years experiences also
included.
 Illustrative diagrams, table, photos of procedure are included wherever necessary.

CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Fundamental principles of panchakarma
3. Guidelines for establishing new panchakarma centre
4. Good clinical practice (gcp) guidelines
5. Diet and regimen
6. Poorvakarma (pre-purification procedures)
7. Snehana karma (oleation therapy)
8. Svedana karma (sudation therapy)
9. Fundamental principles of bio-purification therapy
10. Vamana karma (emesis therapy)
11. Virechana karma (purgation therapy)
12. Basti karma (enema therapy)
13. Nasya karma (errhine therapy)
14. Raktamokshana (bloodletting therapy)
15. Dhumapana (medicated smoking)
16. Therapeutic panchakarma based on the current practices
17. Panchakarma practice in resorts & spa
18. Panchakarma education & research
Bibliography
Appendix
Appendix I: Glossary of Ayurvedic Technical Terms
Appendix II: Measurement Units
Appendix III: Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics
 Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO PANCHAKARMA
Ayurveda deals with the preventive and curative aspects of health. It comes under the
classification of Traditional Medicine (TM) as per the specifications of W.H.O and is in the
process of acquiring international recognition. Globalization has brought opportunities for
exploitation of the global market for traditional medicine and its practitioners. Traditional
Medicines have an annual share of millions of dollars in the world market. Ayurveda can
definitely claim a good share of it, if it meets international standards.
Ayurveda is broadly divided into 8 branches, namely
1. Kayachikitsa –Medicine
2. Balachikitsa or Koumarabhritya – Pediatrics
3. Bhootavidya or Grahavidya - Diagnosis & Treatment of diseases caused by evil
spirits or supernatural forces
4. Shalakya Tantra–Diagnosis & Treatment of ENT, head and neck
5. Shalya Tantra– Surgery
6. Agadatantra -Toxicology
7. Rasayana Tantra - Rejuvenation Therapy
8. Vajikarana Tantra- Aphrodisiac Therapy

Panchakarma a specialty of Kayachikitsa (Medicine) presents a unique approach of

Ayurveda with specially designed five procedures of internal purification of the body through the
nearest possible route. Such purification allows the biological system to return to homeostasis
and to rejuvenate rapidly and also facilitates the desired pharmacokinetic effect of medicines
administered thereafter. Panchakarma provides a comprehensive therapy role as a promotive,
preventive, curative & rehabilitative procedure.
Revival of interest in Ayurveda has provided drift to medical tourism in the country.
There has been a phenomenal increase in the demand for specialized therapies of Ayurveda,
particularly Panchakarma, not only for treatment of diseases but also for preventive & promotive
health care. As a result, many health centers and tourist resorts providing Panchakarma therapy
have come up in the country.
 Panchakarma is not merely bio-purificatory therapy as it is understood, but also has
wider range of therapeutics such as replenishing, depleting, rejuvenating therapies etc.
Besides their application in the treatment of the disease, they are also used as preparatory
measures before institution of surgery and also before administration of rejuvenation therapy,
virility therapy, and palliative medicines. But Panchakarma, the purification therapy expounded
in Ayurveda is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the Ayurveda practices. Due to ignorance,
it is often perceived as just another system of oil massage.
Panchakarma is always performed in three stages preparatory/pre-operative procedure,
main/operative procedure and post-operative procedure. The patient who opts for any one of the
five therapies has to invariably undergo all the three stages.
The order of therapy according to their priority is: Pachana, Snehana & Svedana, which
can be termed as pre-operative procedures. Main/Primary procedures include: emesis therapy,
purgation therapy, enema therapy, errhine therapy and blood letting therapy. Post-operative
procedures include: dietatic regimen, rejuvination etc therapy, & administration of palliative
medicine.
Panchakarma does not just eliminate disease-causing toxins but also revitalizes the
tissues. Hence it is called as rejuvenation therapy.
In today's world more and more people are falling victim to the adverse effects of stress
and anxiety, which is leading to diseases like improper digestion, lack of sleep, allergies, heart
diseases, diabetes, chronic fatigue, cancer, osteoporosis etc. These diseases are caused mainly
due to deeply seated toxins. Panchakarma eliminates these toxins from the body, allowing
permanent healing of tissues, channels, digestion, and mental functions.
Panchakarma is not only good for alleviating disease but is also a useful therapy in
maintaining excellent health. Ayurveda advises to undergo Panchakarma during seasonal
changes to purify the body, improve the digestion and to improve the metabolic processes.
If the Dosha (bio-humors) are vitiated beyond a particular level, they give rise to various
endotoxins, which have a tendency to be accumulated in the minute channels. These are beyond
the level of pacification and hence need to be eliminated or removed from the body. In such
cases the bio-purificatory therapy is indicated.
DEFINITION:
Pancha means ‘five’ and Karma means ‘action’, so Panchakarma means "five actions"
PREPARATORY/PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES (POORVAKARMA)
Before the administration of actual bio-purificatory therapy, there is a need to prepare the body
in prescribed methods to encourage the body to let go of the toxins. Preparatory procedures
which includes:
1. Deepana (Kindling of digestive fire)
2. Pachana (Digestion)
3. Snehana (Oleation)
4. Svedana (Sudation)
Deepana & Pachana does kindling of fire and digestion of metabolic toxins respectively. Ghee
or oil is given daily for three to seven days. Snehana lossens the toxins & helps in separation of
toxins from tissues. Also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple. Svedana is
sudation or sweating and is given for 1 to 3 days after massage. Svedana liquefies the toxins and
helps in the movement of toxins into the gastro-intestinal tract. After three to seven days of
Snehana, massage and sudation the Dosha (bio-humors) are liquefied and brought to GIT. Then
specific Panchakarma therapy is administered according to the involvement of bio-humor.
PANCHAKARMA (FIVE MAJOR BIO-PURIFICATION THERAPIES)
1) Vamana (Therapeutic vomiting or emesis)
2) Virechana (Purgation)
3) Basti (Therapeutic Enema)
4) Nasya (Elimination of toxins through the nose/errhine therapy)
5) Raktamokshana (Blood letting)
Vamana (Emesis Therapy):
When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or
asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting, to eliminate the Kapha. Therapeutic
vomiting is mainly indicated in chronic asthma, chronic sinusitis, skin diseases involving upper
part of body, diabetes, chronic cold, lymphatic congestion, chronic indigestion, and edema.
Virecana (Purgation Therapy):
When excess Pitta is accumulated in the gall bladder, liver, and small intestine, it tends to result
in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic recurrent fever, biliary vomiting, nausea, and
jaundice. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic
purgation.
Basti (Therapeutic Enema):
Vata is a main factor involved in pathogenesis (disease). If one can control Vata through the use
of Basti, then it is easier to treat the root cause of the vast majority of diseases. Vata is the motive
force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta. Vata is mainly
located in the large intestine, but bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) is also a site for Vata. Hence the
medication administered rectally effects Asthi Dhatu. The mucus membrane of the colon is
related to the bone tissue. Therefore, any medication given rectally goes into the deeper tissues,
like bones, and pacifies Vata disorders.
Ayurvedic Basti involves the introduction of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal
preparations in a liquid medium into the rectum. Basti is the most effective treatment in Vata
disorders. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones,
heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other Vata disorders such as
arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Basti.
Nasya (Errhine therapy):
The nose is the gateway to the brain. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An
excess of bio-humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose, or head areas is eliminated through
the nose.
Prana, life force as nerve energy, enters the body through the breath taken in through the nose.
Prana is in the brain and maintains sensory and motor functions. Prana also governs mental
activities, memory, concentration and intellectual activities. Deranged Prana creates defective
functioning of all these activities and produces headaches, convulsions, loss of memory and
reduced sensory perception. Thus nasal administration, Nasya is indicated for nervous system
disorders, sinus congestion, migraine headaches, convulsions and certain eye and ear problems.
Raktamokshana (Blood letting therapy):
Toxins present in the gastro-intestinal tract are absorbed into the blood and circulated throughout
the body. The metabolic waste products are not eliminated properly & the free radicals produced
by them are the basic cause of repeated infections, hypertension and certain other circulatory
conditions. This includes repeated attacks of skin disorders such as urticaria, rashes, herpes,
eczema, acne, leukoderma, chronic itching or hives. In these conditions, along with internal
medication, elimination of the toxins and purification of the blood is necessary. Raktamokshana
is also indicated for cases of enlarged liver, spleen and gout.
Removing a small amount of blood from vein purifies the Pitta bio-humor. Bloodletting also
stimulates the spleen & liver which in turn stimulates immune system. Toxins are neutralized
enabling radical cures in many blood born disorders.
POST-OPERATIVE PROCEDURES:
After bio-purification, digestive fire/Bio-fire (Agni) & strength of body becomes weak. So to
restore the strength of digestive fire & body special dietetic regimen is advised.
Also some restrictions related to food & behavior are advised to the person who undergone
Panchakarma.
PANCHAKARMA
POORVA KARMA PRADHANA KARMA PASHCHAT KARMA
 Pachana  Vamana  Samsarjana Krama
 Snehana  Virechana  Rasayana etc.
 Sveda  Basti  Shamana
 Nasya
 Raktamokshana
CLASSIFICATION OF PANCHAKARMA
CLASSIFICATION I:
Preventive, Promotive and Curative
A) Preventive and Promotive Panchakarma are again subdivided into 6 types viz. Regular,
Complete, Purificatory, Rejuvenation, Relaxation & Immune booster
a) Regular: therapies such as oil massage, medicated smoking, oil pulling etc. used daily
b) Complete: administration of Vamana etc. 5 therapies
c) Purificatory: administration of Vamana & Virechana
d) Rejuvenation: Administration of Vamana, Virechana and then Rasayan Basti course for
30 days
e) Relaxation: Massage, Shirodhara etc.
f) Immune enhancing: Administration of Vamana, Virechana and then Rasayan Basti
course for 30 days
B) Curative Panchakarma: Disease specific Panchakarma
CLASSIFICATION II:
Classical & traditional (Keraliya)
Keraliya Panchakarma therapies are the modified & sophisticated external Snehana & Svedana
therapies told in the classics. These therapies gained global recognition due to their high
therapeutic efficacy in healthy & diseased and also their use in resorts, spas and restaurant. All
the Keraliya Panchakarma therapies are described in detail in the chapters Snehana & Svedana.

EVOLUTION OF PANCHAKARMA
The history of Panchakarma goes back to Vedic periods. In Veda there are evidences of
bio-purification therapy (Shodhana Chikitsa), in the form of chanting (Mantra). For e.g., I will
remove your Dosha situated in head through nose, indicating the practice of Nasya Karma. But
there is no systematic and comprehensive description available in Veda, denoting that the
Panchakarma therapy is at its budding stage. The question arises how the human being might
have learnt these therapies. May be due to his thirst and intuition towards health, he learnt this
therapy from nature by his keen observation, for e.g., when the dog suffers from indigestion, it
eats some bitter grass, and induces vomiting to get rid off indigestion.
The first and foremost description of Panchakarma therapy in a comprehensive, systematic and
detailed manner is available in Charaka Samhita. It is evident that all the Acharyas are anxious
about the diseases, which are impediments (obstacles) to the young and healthy life.1 So when all
 the Acharyas in the quest for getting long, disease free life for the attainment of Purushartha
Chatushtaya (Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha) learnt Rasayana and Vajikarana therapy. Then
they came to know that without the purification of body and mind, one cannot get the benefits of
Rasayana etc. therapy. In the beginning, they might have observed some complications occurred
by Shodhana without the Snehana and Svedana, then they adopted the Snehana and Svedana as a
pre-requisite for Shodhana therapy. This is my opinion based on the contextual references in the
classics. So in this way the Panchakarma therapy evolved as a specialty branch of Kayachikitsa.

View publication stats