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joannawebber9
Aug 315 min read

Want to lighten the load with Ayurvedic panchakarma?


Why the need?


Proper digestive health (agni) is at the heart of Ayurvedic treatment and most of us have some undigested matter (āma) in our bodies. This is the root of many sign of physical and mental imbalance. Common signs of āma include a heavy coating on the tongue that can’t be scraped off and feelings of lethargy or heaviness. Ayurveda recommends lightening the load to help eliminate āma and then dosha imbalances that naturally build up. Classical Ayurvedic lightening techniques are called Panchakarma (Five actions) as it consists of five cleansing practices. The aim of these is to first purify the body of deep-seated toxins and then pacify aggravated doshas. Panchakarma is a powerful tool used to treat serious chronic and acute health problems but it is also used to prevent ill-health. This protocol returns a person to their natural state, free from āma, with balanced dosha, a peaceful mind, good organ function and waste elimination.


Panchakarma techniques:

Panchakarma aims to draw deep-seated āma and aggravated doshas from the tissues and returning them to the digestive system so they can be eliminated by the following methods:


  1. Vamana (medicated emesis or vomiting therapy) is used to remove excess dosha in the body and the respiratory tract. Emetic herbs such as haritaki or rock salt are given with strong decoctions of liquorice to clear kapha and pitta from the stomach and lungs. Useful with Bronchial asthma, chronic allergies, hay fever, hyperacidity, chronic indigestion nasal congestion, oedema, obesity, psychological disorders, and skin disorders.

  2. Virechana (medicated purgation therapy) removes excess pitta and kapha from sites such as the small intestine, liver, gallbladder and the gastro-intestinal tract using laxative herbs such as haritaki and castor oil. Useful with chronic fever, diabetes, asthma, all skin disorders, digestive disorders, constipation, hyperacidity and headaches.

  3. Basti (medicated enema) is viewed as the most impactful as it mainly works on Vata, the most powerful dosha, so benefits many Vata related problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, convalescence, IBS, chronic constipation, backache, sciatica, sexual debility/infertility. The first type is using oils and ghee for pure vata diseases where there is good digestion (anuvasana basti). The second is using herbal decoctions to reduce vata (e.g.: ‘ten roots’ formula or dashamoola) where digestion is weak (niruha basti). Both types are markedly different from more modern colonic irrigation which uses a much greater quantity of just warm water to flush the bowel which can be very depleting and aggravating for vata dosha. 

  4. Nasya (Nasal Cleaning) is the administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse accumulated Kapha from the head and neck region. It treats diseases of the head and neck including migraine, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, Bell’s palsy as well as problems with memory, visions and sleep. The head is steamed and medicated oil, such as anu taila or shadbindu taila, is applied, along with facial massage to support in this.

  5. Raktamokshana (Blood letting) is used for extreme Pitta aggravation in conditions such as gout, skin problems and blood disorders. Most Ayurveda Centres in the West do not offer Raktamokshana due to the high risk of infection involved in blood cleansing. However, leeches are traditionally used in many parts of the world.

However, the body must be prepared for the above cleansing practices, using intake of ghee, massage, steam therapy and ama reducing herbs. This isn't a process that can be rushed and takes at least 3 weeks, ideally more. You may see shorter 'one week panchakarma' programmes advertised which likely use some of the techniques but are not authentic panchakarma and may well do more harm than good.


A strictly controlled diet is also essential (but can also be very tasty, as pictured at Vaidyagrama) where a tiffin is brought to your room every day for you to enjoy in peace and quiet. Traditional buttermilk is also churned every morning and served after lunch each day to support digestion.



Ayurveda does not just leave a clean system but nurtures it back to full strength

After panchakarma, various rejuvenating and immune boosting therapies are used to increase strength, resistance and overall vitality on physical, mental and emotional levels, so that patients can experience and enjoy health, well-being and longevity


Because it is such a deep process, a full panchakarma treatment is not suitable for everyone. As well as physical cleansing, Panchakarma may release suppressed emotions held in the physical tissue or on more subtle levels. It is very important to go to an establishment with qualified and experienced doctors with a good reputation for patient care (such as the amazing team at Vaidyagrama, pictured right). Panchakarma is now offered across the world and I will be leading groups to experience authentic panchakarma in India. Get in touch to find out more.


Panchakarma has been shown to:


  • Decrease cholesterol by lowering toxic lipid peroxide levels

  • Decrease the rate of platelet clumping and thus lymphatic congestion

  • Decrease 14 major toxic and cancer causing chemicals from body tissues such as heavy metals, pesticides and other hazardous environmental chemicals.

  • Significantly raised good HDL cholesterol

  • Lowered diastolic blood pressure

  • Reduce free radicals, the leading cause of disease, cancer and death

  • Reduce bodily complaints, irritability, bodily strain and provide emotional stability.

  • Decrease anxiety, aging and doctor visits by 80%

Source: Maharishi Ayurveda PanchaKarma therapy, North delhi (www.maharishiayurvedaindia.org)


A study published in the Sept./Oct. 2002 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that panchakarma offered in the US reduced fat-soluble toxicants such as DDE (a by-product of DDT) and PCBs by about 50 percent. Such toxins tend to remain in the body for a very long time (up to 40 years). To date there is no other proven means of eliminating this class of disruptive chemicals from the physiology. These chemicals have been linked to many chronic disorders, including hormone disruption, immune system suppression, reproductive disorders, several types of cancer and allergies. Without this detoxification program, the expected drop in chemical levels over two months would be only a fraction of one percent. We definitely need more research on panchakarma with randomised clinical trials, but these are very expensive.


You can adapt certain elements of Panchakarma for a home-style detoxification that rest the digestive system and cleanses the body, especially beneficial as the seasons change:


  1. Take a few days off work or plan this over a long weekend

  2. Get plenty of rest and take each activity and treatment slowly.

  3. Minimise sensory distraction such as TV, music and reading

  4. Follow a light, cleansing diet of kitchari or mung bean soup, rice and lots of green vegetables for 3-7 days. Keep the body hydrated with lots of fresh ginger tea, warm water and herbal teas. Cut out tea, coffee and other stimulants.

  5. Give yourself a daily oil massage, followed by a long soak in a hot bath

  6. Take long, gentle walks but stay out of the sun and wind

  7. Practice gentle yoga each day, and meditate.


For recommendations, here are some favourite Ayurveda and Panchakarma venues in India:

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