Panchakarma – The Five petal lotus from Ayurveda
A true blog based on Samhitas
A true blog based on Samhitas
Panchakarma is one of the most well-known treatment procedures in Ayurveda. There are a lot of misconceptions about both Ayurveda & Panchakarma. So many people ask Vaidya (Ayurvedic practitioner), can I take Panchakarma treatment? Everywhere, we could see many centers offering ayurvedic detoxification, Kerala panchakarma, etc. What is Panchakarma? What should you give attention to while doing it? Let’s dive in-depth.
In Ayurveda, treatment procedures are broadly categorized as Shodana (Cleansing) & Shamanam (alleviate).
In Shodhana Chikitsa, with the help of medication, the aggravated Dosha ( Vata, Pitta & Kapha) gets expelled from the body. The following treatments come under Shodhana Chikitsa
These treatments together are known as Pancha Karma (Pancha Means 5).
In Shamana Chikitsa, with the help of medication, “thri-doshas” (Vata, Pitta & Kabha) are brought to normalcy, but without expelling the aggravated doshas from the body. This includes medicines to increase the digestive fire, medications that help proper digestion, Upavasam (fasting), exercise, etc.
As we discussed already, Panchakarma involves five main procedures. Before undergoing each of these treatments, one has to follow and do certain things before and after. These help us get the desired result for that karma. All these treatments can’t be done in any season; similarly, they can’t be exercised on all kinds of people. These indications and contraindication are discussed in detail in Ayurveda.

Let’s see a few contraindications.
Vamana(Emesis) should not be exercised on pregnant women, children, people with heart disease, weak, very lean, or overweight.
Virechana(Purgation) should not be exercised on people having newly originated fever, diarrhea, less digestive fire, or any bleeding disorder.
Similarly, certain conditions are there for each treatment in the Panchakarma process. Considering nature, health condition of the person, stage of the disease, climate, and detailed observation, the vaidya (practitioner) decides which treatments have to be done.
Snehanam and Swedanam are two preparatory treatments done before starting the Panchakarma.
Snehanam: Depending on the health & diseased condition of the person, certain medicated oils, ghee, vasa, or bone marrow have to be decided and given orally every day for 3 to 7 days. The quantity consumed increases day by day, and continues still specific symptoms are observed. Strict dietary restrictions have to be followed while doing these along with enough rest, both mental and physical. During this period, you should not sleep during day time and should sleep at night, also use only warm water for all daily activities like washing your body, brushing, etc. You should not talk too much or get exposed to sunlight or heavy wind. Noncompliance to these will bring troubles and adverse effects from fatigue to fever. One should take food only once or twice a day that too easily digestible and warm. Continuous monitoring is essential to decide what to do and what not to do daily during the treatment.
Swedanam: After doing Snehanam for up to 3 days, medicated oil is applied to the body, and a steam bath is taken. These two procedures will help bring back the aggravated doshas to the koshta ( gastrointestinal tract) from the other body parts. In the course of Swedanam, specific food has to be taken based on what panchakarma treatments are decided to follow. Vaidya will fix this after observing the patient.
Snehanam & Swedanam will help the proper removal of impurities from the body. Now let’s look into the primary treatment procedures in Panchakarma which follow after this.

Vamanam: In this process, with the aid of medicines, impurities are removed from the body through vomiting. This is important for managing increased Kapha.
Virechanam: In this treatment, with the aid of medicine, impurities are escalated from the body through stools. This is important for increased Pitta, and other conditions arise due to imbalanced Pitta.
Vasti: In Vasti, special medicated decoction or medicated oil and ghee in a specific ratio is taken, and enema is given with that for a specific time. All impurities come out along with medicines given after some time. This is important for excess Vata and related issues.
Nasyam/ Shiro Virechanam: Nostrils are the entry point to the head. For all diseases related to the head and above the shoulder, Nasyam is the main treatment procedure. Medicated oil, ghee, powder form of herbs, extracted juice of herbs will be used for Nasyam, and these will bring out the vitiated dosha through nostril. The medicine is directly poured into the nostrils. Broadly two types of treatment lines are there with Nasyam
Prathimarsham Nasyam: 1 or two drops applied in each nostril. It can be done every day to all age groups.
Marsha Nasyam: Medication is used in larger doses ( 4,8,16,32 drops) for a specific time period.
Rakta Mokshanam: Draining impure blood from our body. This is done in two ways. One way is using leeches to suck blood, and the other through draining at specific quantities through blood vessels using needles.
Once the whole treatment is over, the vital energy levels and digestive fire will be slow & low. So one has to be careful with the strict diet, physical exertion and should follow guidelines prescribed by vaidya after observing your condition. After a few days, you can resume normal daily life and routines.
The treatment is more personalized for each individual, depending on Prakriti and health conditions. Which and all treatments are to be done? When to do it? What medicines to use? Which food to take, all these are decided by the Vayida after keen observation. Improper treatment may bring more trouble to the patient than any benefit. So one must understand the treatment and take it seriously. Make sure you undertake it with proper guidance and with experienced practitioners.
Not just diseased, a healthy person could also take Panchakarma. Our improper daily routines and climate will bring imbalance to our body, and Panchakarma will help restore balance by properly eliminating impurities and keeping you healthy and immune to diseases.
Truthful Words, Healthy Food, Selfless Actions
That is the key to your health
Proper exercise is a crucial element for curing PCOD. In people with PCOD, insulin resistance and decreased metabolic rate are commonly observed. Doing Regular Exercise will bring visible changes in you in no time. When we say exercise, it is not only physical but mental too. Here, we will help you get started with a few exercise patterns that benefit people suffering from PCOD.
Physical Exercises
When you have Active PCOD, you have to do exercise daily for a minimum of 30 min. HIIT needs to be done once or twice weekly. Rest of the days, you could do Cardio and Strength Training Exercises. Below is an effective and simple workout session schedule which spans 30 minutes.
| 5 Min | Warmup |
| 10 Min | Cardio/ HIIT |
| 5 Min | Cool Down |
| 5 Min | Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) |
| 5 Min | Meditation |
Make your workout sessions fun and enjoyable
Now let’s see in detail about HIIT Workout.
HIIT – High-Intensity Workout Followed By Moderate or Low-intensity Recovery. Where you perform a 60 second workout followed by a 60 second recovery, it is called 1-to-1. When you begin with a HIIT for the first time, you can start with a 1-to-3 work to recovery ratio. As your Fitness Level improves, you can increase the workout to recovery ratio and aim it to 1-to-1.
A 20 min HIIT session schedule below
| 5 Min | Warm up |
| 10 Min (15 sec workout followed by 45 sec rest * 10) | You could select 5 to 6 workout plans and repeat them. Each one will take 1 minute. Do 10 such workout plans. So it will take 10min |
| 5 Min | Relaxation |
It is better to work out early in the morning or late evening, on an empty stomach.
Mental Exercise are equally important as Physical Exercises
People with PCOD suffer from sleeplessness, depression, and anxiety. So Mental exercises are important. In your 10 Min schedule for mental exercise, do Pranayam (properly guided breathing exercise) for 5 minutes followed by Meditation for 5 min.
The above workout schedule session is perfect for a person with PCOD and also it is apt for Obesity. Once you are free from PCOD, you should continue doing exercise regularly to maintain your health. Do at least 2 to 3 days a week. Physical activities are as important as Food for healthy body and mind.
Note: During Menstrual days, one must avoid Physical Exercises.
In Ayurveda, food has classification based on its quality to affect tridoshas (Kabha, Vata, and Pita) and other vital body functions. Most of the time, properly evaluating your health condition as per Ayurveda and adjusting your food based on that can bring the cure.
Here are a few delicious chocolate recipes that are healthy and filled with wholesome ingredients, so you can indulge smarter when you have a sugar craving without loading up on refined sugar.
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