“Good health is a prerequisite for achieving the supreme ends of life consisting of righteousness, wealth, artistic values and spiritual freedom.”
- Commentary on the Ayurveda
Ayurveda: The Science of Life
Ayurveda, ‘the science of life’ is believed to date back to before the four great books of ancient India, the Vedas were written. Some 5,000 years ago, the first assembly of the ancient masters is regarded to have been held in north-western India. The core principle of Ayurvedic therapy is the maintenance and promotion of health, the prevention of disease – as well as its cure. It works for both the healthy and the not-so-sprightly. When the body balance gets disturbed, ‘doshas’ with morbid matter appear and they need to be removed; this is done in a combination of various therapies that include herbal tonics, massages and dietary regimens. Pampering and rejuvenation with add-ons like yoga, hydrotherapy, meditation, aromatherapy and reflexology make this an invigorating and relaxing experience. De-stressing may be done with ‘Shirodhara’ where medicated oils and decoctions are poured over the forehead in a steady stream. There are skin treatments with flower and plant essences – or you can opt for a head massage while you relax on a water bed.
Panchkarma Therapy
‘Panchkarma’ is considered to be among the most effective remedial processes in this treatment. The word ‘Panchkarma’ means ‘five therapies’. This is a treatment for the healthy as well as the unhealthy. It forms a curative line of management for all diseases, which cannot be treated with palliatives. The pathogenesis of almost all diseases follow a general pattern either from Amashaya (the stomach) or Pakwashya (the large intestines) - the sites of digestion and digested food. Panchkarma, in a series of therapies, selected by a qualified panchkarma specialist, causes these vitiated doshas to be expelled from the body. The body gets purified and becomes free from circulating toxins. The five therapies or procedures for elimination of vitiated doshas from the body are the modes of purification of doshas and channels.
*1st therapy. Vamana. Expels Kapha through stomach, chest and mouth and relieves congestion and mucus .
*2nd therapy. Virechana. Expels Pitta through bowels and intestines.
*3rd therapy. Vasti. Enemas expel Vata through the lower bowels
*4th therapy. Nasaya. Expels Kapha through the nose and sinuses.
*5th therapy. Rakta Mokshan. Expels impure blood and Pitta through the veins and skin.
Well-being and Good Health
These five therapies, ‘Panchkarma’ always begin with a pre-procedural treatment and eliminative measures such as Snehana (oleation) and Swedna (sudation) . The purpose of the pre-procedures is to prepare the person for the main five therapies. After the Panchkarma therapies, the Sansarjana Karma , the post operative procedure is followed to get a complete cure by achieving the well stimulated ‘agni’ (digestive fire ), and to enhance the body resistance of the person.
Sources
- Panchkarma and Ayurveda, Dept of Ayurveda, Government of Himachal Pradesh
raaja bhasin - Raaja Bhasin
Join the Conversation