Panchakarma stands for five therapeutic procedures used in the treatment of the diseases.

Panchakarma procedure is in great demand in the treatment of chronic and autoimmune

diseases. In terms of definition, Panchakarma may be defined as purification procedures
targeted at detoxification of the human body. If fundamental aspects of Ayurvedic treatment are
studied, it can be observed, two types of therapies exists.

Palliation therapy

Purification therapy

The palliation therapy is targeted at to have stimulation action on the digestive fire (Agni) in
order to burn the toxins, so called ama of Ayurveda. The main function of purification therapy,
known as Shodhana in Ayurveda, is eliminating vitiated humours.

Parts of Panchkarma

Entire Panchkarma process is divided into two parts

Purva karma (Preliminary practices)

Paschat karma (After practices)

Preliminary practices

Preliminary practices are called as Purva Karma in Ayurveda. Preliminary practices are aimed at
preliminary-detoxification, resulting in neutralisation of toxins. Purva Karma is carried out before
the principal procedure of Panchakarma. Snehana and Svedana are integral part of the
preliminary practices.

Snehana is known as oleation therapy. Several methods of oleation have been described in
Ayurvedic texts. The main aim of the oleation therapy is to lubricate the human body so as to
make procedure of Panchakarma easy. It may involve use of vegetable ghee or medicated oils.
Kativasti, Griavasti and Januvasti have been invented for external means of oletation in lumbar,
cervical and knee regions respectively. Speciality procedures (Shirodhara and Pizzichal) also
aimed at oleation.

Svedana is known as Fomentation therapy. It can be dry or moist, depending upon the condition.
Several methods of fomentation have been described in Ayurvedic texts.
Panchakarma procedure’s

The procedure of Panchakarma is divided in to five steps

Vamana (emesis)

Virechana (laxation or purgation)

Vasti (enema)

Nasya (administration of drugs through the nose)

Rakta mokshana (bloodletting)

Vamana

Vamana is known as therapeutic emesis and is the first panchakarma procedure. It should be
differentiated from vomiting. Vamana is best for option for pacifying the aggravated Kapha. The
use of therapeutic emesis is not confined to Kapha but it can be used where Kapha is in
conjunction with Pitta and Vata. Madanphala is used in the process of therapeutic emesis.

Vamana is indicated in following diseases:

Acute bronchitis

Anorexia nervosa

Asthmatic bronchitis

Bronchial asthma

Chronic bronchitis

COPD

Dyspnoea

Epilepsy

Expectoration

Goitre

Hypersomnia

Indigestion
Obesity

Salivation

Sweet taste in mouth

Virechana

Virechana is known as therapeutic purgation. It is employed for diseases caused by vitiation of

The therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic purgation is dependent on digestion pattern. Trivrit is the
drug of choice for therapeutic purgation.

Virechana is indicated in following diseases:

Acid dyspepsia

Acne

Acute gastritis

Anaemia

Anal fissure

Arthritis

Atonic dyspepsia

Atopic dermatitis

bleeding-diathesis

burning in the eyes

Burning sensation over body

Burning sensation

Chlorosis

Chronic gastritis

Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Constipation
Contact dermatitis

Dysphagia

Enlarged spleen

Excess of perspiration

Fistula in ano

Furunculosis

Gastric ulcer

Haemorrhage

Haemorrhoids

Hematemesis

Hepatomegaly

Hyperaccifity

Hyperhidrosis

Intestinal disorders

Jaundice

Leucoderma

Lichen planus

Nummular eczema

Pemphigus

Polydipsia

Polyphagia

Prurigo nodularis

Prurigo vulgaris

Psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis
Rectal prolapsed

Scleroderma

Seminal-diseases

Skin-diseases

Worm infestation.

Vasti

Vasti is known as medicated enema. It is best for option for pacifying the aggravated vata. In this
process, anus, urinary-tract and are used as medium for injecting the medicine. Injecting oil-
based medicines is called Aasthpana Vasti. Herbal decoctions may be employed and it is known
as Niruh vasti. Vasti is administered in

Abdominal distension

Anal prolapse

Anuria

Aphasia

Arm pain

Arthritis

Ataxia

Atrophy of the arm

Blurred vision

Calf spasms

Cervical-spondylosis

Constipation

Contraction of the chest Contraction of the eyebrow

Convulsion

Cracking of the lips

Debility

Depression

Desire for warmth

Diaphragm spasm

Diarrhoea

Dislocation of the knee

Disorientation

Distension of the bladder

Dizziness

Dwarfism

Ear pain

Emaciation

Emaciation

Enlarged spleen

Eye pain

Facial paralysis

Facial paralysis

Flatulence

Gout

Headache

Headache

Heart palpitations

Hemiplagia

Hemiplegia

Lockjaw
Lumbago

Lumbar-spondylosis

Mental confusion

Neurasthenia

Numbness of the feet

Ologiuria

Pain in the sole

Pain in the thigh

Pain of the chest Pain of the forehead

Sciatica

Spasm

Swelling of the hip

Swelling of the knee

Temporal pain

Tetanus

Tinnitus

Torticollis

Tympanites

Upward contraction of the testicle

Urinary retention

Nasya

Nasya is known as nasal administration of the drug. It is used for diseases confined above the
neck region, described as Urdhvajatrugat roga. Nasya is very effective in the treatment of upper
respiratory catarrh, allergic-rhinitis, atopic rhinitis, Dipta roga, vasomotor rhinorrhoea, migraine,
frontal-sinusitis, epilepsy and viral catarrh. Anu Taila and Shada bindu Taila are formulations
mentioned in Ayurvedic texts for nasya therapy.
Rakta mokshana

Rakta mokshana is known as Therapeutic bloodletting. It is utilised in curing diseases caused by

vitiation of blood. Blood is significant connective tissue of the human body. In Unani system of
medicine, it is considered to be fourth humour. Rakta mokshana, although less practised but is
highly efficacious procedure. Medicinal leeches are best employed for this procedure. This sums
up the entire Panchkarma procedure.

Clinical Research

Depression:

A comparative clinical trial reported the efficacy of Panchakarma therapy and Unmada
Gajankusha Rasa in the treatment of major depressive diseases.

Sciatica:

As per report of Central Council of Research in Ayurveda Sciences, clinical research involving The
Panchakarma (Oleation, fomentation and medicated enema) and concomitant use of
formulations the effect of the procedure was encouraging. 75-100% patients studied in different
studies, showed significant improvement in confirmed cases of sciatica.