Pancha-Karma of Ayurveda

 

Just sharing small notes, from Charak Samhita (चरक संहिता) - a treatise on Ayurveda, on Panch Karma (पञ्च कर्म) in Ayurveda are represented by

 

त्र्यहावरं सप्त्दिनं परं तु स्निग्धो नरः स्वेदयितव्य उक्तः,

नातः परं स्नेहनमादिशान्ति सात्म्यीभवेत् सप्त्दिनात् परं तु।। चरक संहिता – प्रथमोध्याय/६

 

One should perform snehan for minimum 3 days or maximum 7 days. Because after seven days sneahn does not work.

 

स्नेहो अनिलं हन्ति मुदूकरोति देहं मलानां विनिहन्ति सङ्गम ॥ चरक संहिता – प्रथमोध्याय /७

 

Sneh is used to destroy Vaat, brings softness in body, it clears the obstruction of various mal and doshas.

 

स्निगग्धस्य सूक्षमेष्वयनेषु लीनं स्वेदस्तु दोषं नयति द्रवत्वम ॥ चरक संहिता – प्रथमोध्याय /८

 

After snehan (स्नेहन), perform swedan, then it liquefies all things sticking to subtle causal points in our body.

 

वमन/ Vaman: (Vomiting, for removing toxins from chest and stomach. To cure asthma, bronchitis, allergies, sinusitis, skin conditions like acne, some obesity too),

 

श्लेष्मोत्तरश्छर्दयति ह्यदुःख विरिच्यते मन्दकफस्तु सम्यक्,

अधः कफेऽल्पे वमनं विरेचयेद विरेचनं वृद्ध कफे तथोर्ध्वम्॥ चरक संहिता – प्रथमोध्याय /९

 

One whose kaph is aggravated, vomits without any effort, one whose kaph is less he easily performs virechan. When kaph is less then the liquid given for vaman or omit goes down without causing vomiting, when kaph is more then virechan liquid comes out in Vaman or vomit.

 

 

स्निग्धाय देयं वमनं यथोक्तं वान्तस्य पेयारनुक्रमश्च,

स्निगधस्य सुस्विन्नतनोर्यथावद्विरेचनं योग्यतमं प्रयोज्म। चरक संहिता – प्रथमोध्याय /१०

 

For a patient perform both inner and outer snehan, on the vaman too he should be made snigdh. After that with madankalpokt (मण्डलकल्पोक्त) procedure perform Vaman.

 

विरेचन/ Virechan: (therapeutic purgation, for removal of excessive Pitt dosha from liver, gall bladder and intestines. Used to cure metabolic and digestive conditions and skin problems like eczema, acne, acidity, IBS, gastritis, obesity, diabetes, migraine etc.). medicated ghee/ snehan and medicated steam/ swedan (स्वेदन) is used highly recommended during sharad ritu (शरद ऋतु) when Pitt (पित्त) is generally aggravated).

 

निरुह्य/ Niruhya: (‘Water based’ therapeutic cleansing decoction enema, kshaya basti.Detoxifies body, balances Vaat dosha, treats joint pains, low appetite, removes Ama or toxins, cures constipation, Usually done on 10^th day after Virechan. Niruhya is sometime alternated by Anuvasan Basti (अनुवासन बस्ती). Usually given on fixed times only. Used comprises of Honey, Saindhav salt, Ghee, Kalk or herbal paste and Kwath or herbal decoction).

 

अनुवासन/ Anuvasan:  (It’s a medicated ‘oil based’ enema for curing Vaat disorders in a patient. Oil is retained in the lower intestines. It nourishes, lubricates and strengthens the system in patient, provides nourishment and its effect remains for some time. Cures chronic constipation, pain in anal area and dryness which is cause of more diseases. Joint pains, Sciatica, back aches, bloating, gas problem, neurological problems like paralysis and Parkinson’s disease. Can be given daily. It comprises of oil massage or snehan and swedan or sweating. Improves immunity and ojas and calmness in a person. Uses medicated oils, ghee and other fats. Common oil base is Seasame oil (तिल तेल) with rock salt).

 

and

 

नस्य/ Nasya: (Nasal drops, oils or powder for snuffing for nasal congestion, headache, migraine or stress, prevents hair loss, enhances mental clarity.). Generally face massage given and then 3-5 drops of sesame oil is introduced in the nasals. Acts above clavicals and balances tridosh. It can be done with herbal ghee/ oil, medicated poweders and fumes of certain herbs or certain juices).

 

Hope, above will provide general information about pancha karma and other tridosh facts to the readers to prepare them for detailed study if interested. …………… Shaktanand.