Ayurveda is a well-established ancient science of holistic healing. Rather than providing medications for every ailment, it focuses on correcting the lifestyle so that the problems do not reoccur. Apart from correcting lifestyle, Ayurveda has a wide range of medications for all major types of ailments. The treatments are discussed in length in ancient Ayurvedic treatise such as Charaka Samhita.

One such popular treatment is Panchakarma that is followed by Ayurvedic panchakarma centers worldwide. It employs a 5 step approach to detoxify both body and mind, hence the name. The focus of the procedure is to balance the doshas in the body and restore immunity to lead a healthy lifestyle. The five pradhana karma's or major panchakarma types are:

• Vamana (Therapeutic vomiting): The process is a must for people with Kapha doshas. The patient has to ingest medicines as part of the snehapana process for specific days. The medications accumulate the toxins in the upper part of the body. After the doctor is satisfied with the cleansing progress, removing the toxins happens using herbal decoction for emesis.
• Veerechana (Purgation): The process is a must for people with Pitta doshas. The patient has to ingest medicines as part of the snehapana for specific days. The medications accumulate the toxins in the lower part of the body. After the doctor is satisfied with the cleansing progress, the toxin removal happens by clearing the bowel.
• Basti (Herbalized oil enemas): For patients with Vata doshas, Basti plays a useful role in cleaning the same. Injecting herbal decoctions into the rectum helps in quick absorption and removal of toxins from the colon.
• Nasya helps in balancing the hormones. It is the process of administration of medicated drugs through the Nasal cavity. Doing so will detoxify the upper respiratory tract. Nasya is said to play a vital role in balancing the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha prakriti's in the body.
• Raktamokshan is the process of cleaning impurities from the blood to avoid diseases like ulcers, herpes, tumors, skin disorders, foul odors, and more. The two popular methods commonly used in Raktamokshana rea jaloukavacharana (leech therapy) and siravyadha (venous puncture) are simple to use and perform.

Symptoms indicating the need for Panchakarma:

Panchakarma is needed when your body starts accumulating ama (Toxins). It happens with changes in lifestyle, climate, and food. Here we have jotted down a few pointers to help you realize if you need the panchakarma chikitsa.

• Tiredness and laziness throughout the day
• Unexplained body pain
• Unclear mind
• Bad breath
• Thick layer coating on the tongue
• Frequent diarrhea or vomiting
• Uncontrollable food craving
• Improper sleep-wake and food cycles

The ayurvedic treatise mentions, Panchakarma should be done yearly once, so that your body and soul can sustain and nurture itself.

Five Major Benefits of Panchakarma Treatment

Panchakarma plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy. The five significant benefits of Panchakarma are as follows:

1. Detoxing the body and rejuvenating the mind: Since the process focuses on the purification of the body at various levels in stages, it eliminates the toxins (ama) and increases digestive fire (Agni). It restores the body's natural healing abilities. It enables the body to function better so that we can lead a healthy life. A healthy body automatically sows in healthy thoughts, thus filling both body and soul with positivity.
2. Balance the body's Prakriti: A well functioning body is a place where all the three prakritis - Vata, Pittha, and Kapha are in balance. Panchakarma treatment fine-tunes this balance, thus preventing diseases from occurring due to an increase in at least one of the prakritis at bay.
3. Improves sleep pattern and eating habits: The course of the treatment defines a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It involves consuming a balanced diet, performing yoga and meditation, sleeping on time, and correcting wrong food habits. Implementing the same in our daily routine is an excellent way of saying thanks to the body.
4. Eliminates Stress: Stress is a health-killer. The fast-paced life accumulates tress even faster. During the treatment, one has to stay away from technology and social media. The fact itself can be a significant stress reliever. Thus, the panchakarma chikitsa ensures clearing blocked channels to enable the natural flow of energy in the body, eliminating stress and promoting health.
5. Helps in Weight loss: One of the proven and effective ways of weight loss is to undergo panchakarma therapy. The accumulated toxins prevent the body from exfoliating the dead cells, thus aiding in weight gain. So removal of ama implies the loss of the toxic weight and restoring the body's natural ability to maintain the ideal weight.

Besides the above mentioned, Ayurveda's Panchakarma also helps to

• slow down the aging process
• enhance the digestive strength of digestive juices
• restore the vitality of the body and improves mental clarity
• strengthen the immune system
• promote a sense of health and well-being

Find ayurvedic panchakarma centers near you, and find the best practitioners today to restore your health. There are specialized panchakarma clinics and physicians who will talk to you and find the best course of treatment, enabling you to lead a healthy life.