Deepana and Pachana

According to Ayurveda most of the diseases are caused by the accumulation of Ama(undigested particles correlated with free radicals) in the body. The major reason for its formation is the decrease in the Agni (the digestive fire at the level of stomach) and the dhatvagni ( at the level of various dhatus in the body). Diseases are caused by the vitiation of Agni and once the agni is balanced health is regained. To carry out various panchakarma procedures firstly the agni has to be revived and the Ama condition has to be corrected.

Dipana and pachana are to done before going for panchakarma therapies. Dipana drugs increase the agni but do not digest the Ama whereas the Pachana drugs digest the ama but do not increase the agni. Deepana drugs are Agnimahabhoot pradhana and pachana drugs are Agni and Vayu mahabhoot pradhana.

Snehana(Internal and External Oleation)

Snehana

The Snehana is of two types

1. Bahya Sneha

When the Sneha is done on the external body which includes abhayangam, kati basti, janu basti, uro basti, karnapurna, akshitarpana etc

2. Abhyantar Sneha

When the sneha is administered internally

It is of three types

1. Shodhana Sneha

When the Sneha is administered after the previous night’s meal is digested. This is given to expel the aggravated doshas from the body. This is given in increasing doses till the samyaka snigdha lakshanas are obtained.

1. Shamana Sneha

In this the sneha is administered at the time when the urge for food is there. Food is not consumed.

1. Brimhana Sneha

This sneha is given to produce brimhana karma. It is administered with meals and soup.

Swedana(Sudation)

Swedana therapy is used to reduce the stiffness, heaviness and coldness. In this ruksha swedana is done and snigdha swedana is done.

Potli Swedana/Pinda Swedana: 

Swedana is a fomentation therapy that is given to induce sweating which helps in balancing the aggravated doshas. Pinda means bolus. Pinda swedana is fomentation performed by bolus. It is of two types’ ruksha and snigdha types. Ruksha Pinda swedana include baluka Sweda, ruksha churna pinda sweda and lavana pinda swedana. Snigdha Sweda include Patra pinda sweda, Jambeera pinda Sweda, Churna pinda sweda, Sashtishalika pinda Sweda and Kukkutanda pinda Sweda.  In Potli Swedana the material used for swedana is tied inside a cloth and then heated and applied over the body.

• Patra Pinda Sweda

Various leaves are used as a bolus and tied in cloth and used for fomenting the body. It is used for Vata Kapha disorders like Katishula(back pain), Gridhrasi(Sciatica), Amavata(rheumatoid arthritis),Pakshaghat(paralysis), Avascular necrosis

• Shashtikshalik Pinda Sweda

In this shastikshalik( known as navara rice) is used as bolus and is used to induce Sweda. In this the pottali is rubbed over the body.

Used in Neurological disorders, neuropathy, emanciation, vata disorders

• Jambeera Pinda Sweda

The bolus is prepared from Jambeera(lemon) and used for swedana.

Used for purely vata disorders, avbahuka.

• Kukkutanda Sweda

The bolus is prepared from kukkutanda(egg) and used to prepare bolus.

Used in Ardita(facial Palsy) and other vata conditions.

• Baluka Sweda

In this baluka(sand) is used to make potli and swedana is done.

This is used in Ama conditions, and in stiffness.

Pradhana Karma

Vamana

In vamana the doshas are expelled through the mouth. In this process the kapha and apakva pitta are forcibly expelled through the oral route.

Vamana is the main procedure to remove the excess kapha from the body. In this various preoperative procedures are done to bring the kapha and Pitta into the Amashaya from where they are expelled by Vamana.

Nasyam

In nasyam the medicine is administered through nose. It is useful in the disorders of head and neck and shoulder region. It is said that Nasa Hi Shirsodwaram, nose is the gateway to the brain. The medicines are given in the form of ghrita, fumes, taila, milk, swarasa etc.

Raktmokshana

Rakta is blood and Mokshana is to let out so Raktamokshana is a procedure of blodd letting. It is done by shastra(using instruments) and ashastra(using leech). This helps to remove the vitiated rakta from the body.

Basti

Basti is the most important procedure in Panchakarma. In this procedure herbal medicines in the form of decoction and oils is administered through anal route. Basti is the main modality in the pacification of vata dosha.

Paschat Karma

The procedures to be followed after doing the panchakarma procedures.

It consist of

Samsarjanam karma: it is followed post panchakarma where graduated diet plan is advised. This is usually advised after vamana and virechana. After which the digestive fire decreases and taking heavy diet would again lead to formation of ama which will lead to clogging of the channels again. So gradually the diet is increased from liquid to semisolid and solid food.

Rasayandi karma : Rasayana is the herbal preprations that are advised after the cleansing process. The help in rejuvenation of the body and provides strength to the dhaatus after going through the cleansing process.

Samana Karma: After the body is cleansed after the panchakarma the alleviated doshas that are left in the body are managed by samana chikitsa which are given in the form of internal medicines.