Panchakarma

 Panchakarma is the ancient system of Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapies designed to facilitate the removal of deep-rooted stresses and impurities in the physiology.

 Panchakarma is a unique experience that leaves the mind and body feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

 Process Of Panchakarma

 Panchakarma consist of three stages known as :

1.         Poorvakarma – Preparation Phase

2.         Paschat - karma – Treatment Phase

3.         Pradana – karma – Maintenance Phase

   Poorva-Karma:

 This preparatory phase helps to clear the channels (srotas) of the toxic overload, and move the imbalanced bio-energy to its sites for elimination.

 Poorva-Karma is designed to prepare the body for elimination of imbalances. It is in two parts ‘Snehana’ or oleation and ‘Swedana’ heat treatment that is also used as an Ayurvedic massage treatment.

Snehana: In Snehana, a generous application of different kinds of herbal oils is used to cover the entire body, after which massage is performed.
Swedana: This is herbalised steam therapy. The heat of the steam helps to relives tension and allows toxins that have been loosened beneath the skin to be “sweated out.” Cloth poultices packed with herbs, powders and oils cooked in milk are freshly packed and are steaming hot, when massaged on your body.

 . Paschat-Karma: This is main Ayurvedic treatment method. It consists of:

Vireka (Laxatives with ayurvedic oral preparations): The regular intake of laxatives at certain intervals, helps to revitalize digestion and metabolic processes.

Vamana (Emesis therapy): Is the therapy, where carefully controlled vomiting is induced. It helps to clear chronic congestion from various parts of the body, particularly from the chest and abdomen.

Nasya (Inhalations with ayurvedic medical preparations): This process is used to cleanse all blocked sinuses and clear airways for proper breathing.

Pradana-Karma: This is the health maintenance programme. It includes herbo-mineral preparations, nutritional and life-style (stress relieving) advice, as well as advice on yoga and meditation.

Ayurvedic massage Ayurvedic massage is a total approach to preserve and maintain health through the self-healing mechanism of the body, involves the movement of energies in the body. It helps to maintain the vital energies in the body and hence, to bring agility, flexibility and suppleness. It harmonises the body functions, prevents sickness, improves blood circulation and is the most effective method to cure some of the most chronic diseases like Paralysis, Asthama, Back pain, Nervous weakness, Arthritis, Spondilosis, Disc problems, Rheumatic ailments etc.

  Abhyanga Massage

Abhyanga massage is given to help the body expel toxins from the body as quickly as possible. This is a full body massage with medicated oils to balance specific conditions.

General Massage (Abhyanaga) has been found very effective for vigour and vitality, cure of rheumatism, good eyesight, longevity, sound sleep and glowing skin. This massage is also a preventive medicine, and in short it rejuvenates the body and maintains the physique.

  Ayurvedic Head Massage

This is an ancient technique to relax and relieve mental fatigue and confusion. It helps to create more clarity and regenerates the mind and brain activity for better functioning. The oil used for this massage contains herbs that are calming to mind, and stimulate to the brain, nerves and sensory organs.

Vasthi Vasti is the most important of the therapies in panchakarma. It involves the introduction of herbal oils and decoctions into the colon through the rectum. This therapy is effective in curing arthritis, paralysis, haemiplegia, numbness, gastric complaints and constipation. Vasti is not recommended for paitents suffering from diarrhora, asthama, piles or diabetes.

  Dhara

This is one of the most popular therapies. It includes Thailadhara, Thakradhara and Ksheeradhara.

  Ksheeradhara:

A mixture of cooling and balancing herbal oils and medicated ghee is trickled over the forehead in a continuous warm stream in a quite, soothing atmosphere. A non-stop, continuous stream of the medicated oil, herbal decoction, milk or other materials is made to drop gently on the forehead from a particular height through a specially made apparatus.

This is profoundly relaxing as it works to calm and pacify the central nervous system, stilling the mind and senses. This is special Ayurvedic treatment that gives total relaxation to mind and body and is the best way to pamper yourself after a hard and stressful day.

  Ksheeradhara treatment is used to heal chronic neuro-muscular disorders and problems like hypertension, insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches and restlessness, among others. This treatment has a powerful effect on the mental and emotional well being of the individual.

  Thakradhara

It is a calming therapy done by pouring medicated buttermilk on the forehead. The therapy is an effective cure for insomnia, depression, burning sensation in the head and psoriasis etc.

Kadidhara It is a sedation therapy performed by pouring warm, fermented grains cooked in water over the body with a nozzled pitcher. The treatment is effective in all types of rheumatic complaints, especially in Rheumatoid arthritis.

Nasyam  This procedure requires massaging of the upper body, from shoulders upward till sweating takes place. The medicine in exact dose is measures and poured into the nostrils. This treatment is very effective in ailments like sinusitis, migraine, chronic cold and chest congestion.

  Pizhichill

Pizhichill means squeezing. This is a luxurious treatment in which two therapists pour herbal medicated oil over the body, while performing a gently soothing massage. Pieces of linen dipped in warm medicated oil are squeezed on to the person’s body, while massaging the body with the hand all the time. The massage is very slow and light without exerting much pressure. Apart of being a lavish treatment, it also protects from illness by building immunity for a healthy life. And that’s not all; Pizhichil is also a panacea for rheumatic diseases, blood pressure, pain in the joints and diabetes. This is a rejuvenation therapy that is known to prevent ageing, scales wrinkles and is widely used to cure arthritis and many spastic muscular disorders.

This treatment is profoundly relaxing and deeply purifying. It can be done once a year as rejuvenation therapy for improving health and general well-being especially during old age and in nervous diseases like arthritis, paralysis hemiplegia, paralysis-agitanus, nervous weaknesses and nervous disorders.

  Uzhichill

This is a type of massage with different kinds of herbal oils, practiced specially in Kerala.

  Kizhi

There are two types of kizhi: Elakizhi and Choornakizhi

  Elakizhi: In this treatment the body is massaged with cloth bags filled with fried medicinal leaves. It is herbal treatment for stiffness, body pain, etc., especially in the Arthritis and paralysis. Herbal poultices (boundless) are prepared with various herbs like horsegram, blackgram, sesame seeds and curative ingredients are powdered and are tied into poultices which are then warmed into medicated oils and the whole body is massaged with the same on the neck, shoulders, hands and back, while shifting the person from side to side.

This massage can promote better circulation within the effected area, thereby promoting increased perspiration, which helps the skin to execute wastes. It also helps to improve the skin tone and can be superbly relaxing.

Choornakizhi: In this procedure, the whole body is made to sweat by a massage with herbal powders, which are tied into boluses with a cloth. This treatment is indicated for nerological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, etc.