In this era of medical sciences, mankind has conquered milestones beyond imagination but the quest for stress-free holistic health, peace and wellness is diverting the modern society and individuals towards ancient system of medical sciences (Ayurveda). The most important aspect of Ayurvedic medical sciences is the focus towards physical as well as psychological and spiritual level of health. Further the use of herbs which has been described as ally of human body system: being natural and efficient. Ayurveda is a holistic medical science that lays a holistic and natural approach to health and life.

Panchkarma is a branch of Ayurveda, which can efficiently help the individual to enjoy the best of their health. It is an ancient cleansing and rejuvenation method in Ayurveda which clears the toxins form cellular to systemic level from human body. According to Ayurveda, Panchkarma is a combination term of five different therapies and these therapies clear the AMA (toxins) and vitiated Doshas from deep tissues. It is a gentle and subtle method of detoxification at cellular level which is done in three different stages.

Pre-procedures of Panchkarma (Pooravkarma):

• First, the vitiated Doshas are identified by the physician after examination of the individual. The person is assessed with different ayurvedic health assessment tools.
• Internal and external oleation is done with oral administration of medicated ghee and herbal massage with medicated oils based on the prakriti (Individual’s characteristics). This procedure has the capability of liquification of all vitiated doshas and impurities from different organs and parts of the body and diverts them towards the gastrointestinal tract.

Main procedure, Panchkarma (Five therapies):

• Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting): It is a herb induced vomiting
• Virechana (Therapeutic purgation): It is herb induced purgation or medicated purgation
• Anuvasana vasti: (Medicated enema with oil)
• Niruha Enema: (Medicated enema with herbal decoction)
• Nasya (Nasal therapy): poring of medicated ghee/oil into nasal cavity.

The five therapies are customized process and are designed to meet the individual needs. It may not be necessary to include all the procedures. This selection of procedures is always based on the health assessment by Ayurvedic Health Practitioner who determine the prakriti of an individual and the nature of vitiated doshas (Impurities). These procedures can only be done under supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic health practitioner. After this procedure, the body is free from all toxins and can be nourished accordingly.

Post-procedure (Paschatkarma): The procedure includes dietary regimen, rejuvenation therapy and rasayana treatment. A special diet is followed by an individual for three, five or seven days depending on the level of purification by Panchkarma therapy. The digestive fire becomes very weak after the procedures so the advised diet mainly aims to boost the digestive fire (digestion).

Benefits of Panchkarma: Due to purification of the body, the capacity of digestive fire (AGNI) is increased, the vitiated and aggravated doshas are pacified/removed.After panchkarma therapy, the sense organs of the body start working with vigour, body immunity and strength starts building up. The therapies also help in minimizing the age-related symptoms and chronic diseased get cured. In ayurvedic literatures, it is said that the best treatment for vatta imbalance is Vasti (Medicated Enema), pitta imbalance is Virechana (Herbs induced Purgation) and Kapha is Vamana (Herbs induced Vomiting).