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Poorva
Karma (Preparatory measures)
Poorva Karma includes two therapies, viz, oleation therapy( snehana)
and fomentation therapy (swedana) which are the preparatory therapies
for Panchakarma.
| Oleation
therapy |
or
oil therapy can be administered through different kinds of foods
or
through enema and massage.
The therapy may take three to seven days depending on the individual's
strength and response.
Massage with oily substances and medicated herbs improves circulation
and by stimulating the system, speeds up the elimination of
waste products. |
| Fomentation
therapy |
 Fomentaton
or sweating therapy follows oil therapy and should be given
in a place free from exposure to excessive wind and at a time
when the person's last meal has been well digested. In one type
of fomentation therapy, external heat is required while the
other includes physical exercise, covering oneself with thick
blankets, hunger and walking in the sun.
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Pradhana
Karma
This
is the main treatment and includes emesis(vamana); purgation
(virecana); enema (vasti); nasal drops or snuffs(nasya); and
bloodletting( raktamokshana).
| Emesis
therapy |
In
this process, the doshas are eliminated through the mouth
by vomiting. This is the best way to eliminate kapha dosha.
Emesis therapy is administered with drugs suitable to
the particular disease and condition of the patient. A
feeling of cleanliness of the chest and stomach, lightness
of the body, and timely passing of urine and stools are
the signs of well-administered emesis therapy. |
| Purgation
therapy |
This
therapy aims at eliminating the doshas that cannot be
removed by emesis or through other channels. This process
of elimination is primarily from the anal region. Purgation
therapy is indicated for many conditions like fever, skin
diseases, bleeding from upper channels of the body gout,
vaginal diseases etc. |
| Enema
therapy |
Enema
is an important part of panchakarma therapy. Properly
administered, enema helps to rejuvenate the body and provides
strength and long life. Oily enema therapy uses preparations
containing oils or fats and is indicated when vata is
aggravated. Decoction enema therapy uses decoction of
drugs and is recommended for various nervous disorders,
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of strength,
muscular weakness, loss of appetite, urinary calculus
etc.
Enema is also given through the male urethra or through
the vagina in women. This therapy is recommended for men's
genitourinary disorders and for women's menstrual disorders.
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| Bloodletting
|
Panchakarma
is the fifth karma of panchakarma. In this therapy blood
is eliminated from the patient's body in order to tackle
diseases caused by rakta and pitta. Bloodletting is done
either with metal instruments or by using other methods
such as leeches or vegetable gourds. This therapy is indicated
in diseases such as skin diseases, tumors of certain types,
gout, excessive sleepiness and hallucinations. |
| Nasal
Drops |
Medicines taken through the nostrils are known as nasya
therapy. Medicated oils,  powders
or
drugs are used for the treatment of head diseases. Nasya
therapy is recommended for diseases occurring above the
collar bones- problems related to ear, nose, and throat,
loss of hair or premature graying. |
Paschata
Karma (after care)
Paschata
Karma means the rehabilitative measures after the main treatment.
Aftercare is a very important stage of Panchakarma. After
the removal of doshas and internal cleansing, the digestive
capacity of the individual must be restored. This is achieved
through a properly planned diet and changes in lifestyle.
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e
five systems of treatment); dietary regime; and the regulation of lifestyle.
Panchakarma is the Sanskrit word for the five purificatory therapies.
Panchakarma has three main stages:-