Panchakarma
Panchakarma and Ayurvedic cleanses therapy, treatment instructions, triphala powder and castor oil to eliminate toxins.
Panchakarma (five actions) is a cleansing and rejuvenating program for the body, mind and consciousness. It is known for its beneficial effects on overall health, wellness and self-healing.
Panchakarma can help by reversing negative effects of daily living. It can restore your natural state of health and wellness by cleansing your body of toxins, bringing balance into your system and improving bodily function. It can also help you sustain this process by making positive changes in lifestyle.
Benefits
- Eliminate toxins and toxic conditions from your body and mind.
- Restore your constitutional balance improving health and wellness.
- Strengthen your immune system and become more resistant to illness.
- Reverse the negative effects of stress on your body and mind thereby slowing the aging process.
- Enhance your self-reliance, strength, energy, vitality and mental clarity.
- Bring about deep relaxation and sense of well-being.
Pre Panchakarma treatments (Purvakarma)
Preparation is vital for a successful Panchakarma cleanse. You have to follow a special diet for 10 days prior to starting the Panchakarma cleanse.
Before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to prepare the body in prescribed methods to encourage the body to let go of the toxins. The two procedures are Snehana and Swedana.
Daily treatments of sweating and massage are a must in preparation of the intense cleansing.
Snehana (Abhyangam) is the oil massage. Oil is applied to the entire body with a particular type of massage which helps the toxins to move towards the gastro-intestinal tract. Oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple, thus helping to remove stress and to nourish the nervous system. Snehana is given daily for three to seven days, as indicated.
Swedana is sudation or sweating and is given every day immediately following the Snehana. An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the individual. Swedana liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins into the gastro-intestinal tract.
Most so called Panchakarma retreats only do the preparation, which is the nice part, but does not much for the actual cleansing.
Other miscellaneous therapies of Panchakarma
Shirodhara: It is recommended in anxiety, depression, hypertension, insomnia etc.
Kati Basti: Useful in different backaches.
Janu Basti: Useful in arthritis of knee joint.
Nadi Sweda: Useful in pain disorders of different sites.
Pinda Sweda: Useful in neurological ailments and in the management of different pains.
Shashti-Shali Pindasweda: Useful in neurological ailments.
Tarpanam: Useful in the ailments of eyes.
Shirobasti: Useful in hair fall and other diseases of skull.
Uttara Basti: Useful in genitourinary diseases and infertility of female.
Udvartana: It is a medicated Ubtan to be applied over the skin for fair and glowing skin.
Panchakarma treatments (Pradhanakarma)
You have to be very strong to do the whole Panchakarma cleanse. Therefore it is important that you find an experienced Panchakarma therapist who can adjust the cleanse according to your strength and bodytype.
Vamana
Vamana: Emesis Therapy a day of therapeutic vomiting (4-8hrs)
When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting, Vamana, to eliminate the Kapha causing the excess mucus
.Virechana
Virechana: Purgation Therapy taking a herbal purgative at night.
Expect action within 4-8 hrs. Successful elimination of 20 times is the goal. When excess bile, Pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative.
Nasya
Nasya: Nasal Administration
The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.
Basti
Basti: Enema Therapy
Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic Basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of Vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints.
Many other Vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Basti. Basti therapy is divided in two main types, i.e. Anuvasana Basti or medicated oil enemas and Niruha Basti or medicated enema of decoctions and medicated oils.
Raktamoksha
Raktamoksha: Bloodletting
Detoxification of the blood by means of leeches or donating blood. Extracting a small amount of blood from a vein relieves the tension created by the pittagenic toxins in the blood. Bloodletting also stimulates the spleen to produce antitoxic substances which helps to stimulate the immune system. Toxins are neutralized enabling radical cures in many blood born disorders.
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Castor Oil Cleanse
Done at every change of season.
Take 1 teaspoon every night with warm water for 6 nights. On the 7th night take 2 Tablespoons. Buy Organic Castor Oil
Expect to go a few times to the toilet in the morning. Have an enema that day if you can.
Triphala
Made from the 3 fruits Bibitaki, Haritaki and Amalaki.
A long term cleanser, best taken for at least 3 month. Very high in Vitamin C and antioxidants.
Take 1/2 teaspoon morning and night in little warm water (on empty stomach if possible, should you experience nausea have it after food).
If you also suffer from constipation increase the dose to 1 tsp in the morning and 2 tsp at night.
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Jala Neti
This SINGLE technique will keep the sniffing, wheezing and sneezing at bay… I guarantee it.
The amazing yoga cleansing technique is called ‘jalaneti’ or simply ‘neti’. Popularly called saline nasal irrigation, it NOT only keeps the sinuses primed up but also keeps the mind fit and calm – a little known aspect of its phenomenal benefits.
A real scary thing about colds, throat infections and allergies is that you can feel them approaching but feel helpless to do anything about it. Drugs - at best - only suppress the symptoms adding their own unique ones in the bargain.
Neti changes all that. Not only is it the ONLY preventive, but even if the symptoms do strike you, you can hold them from exploding into a full blown suffering.
How it is done?
A Neti pot (container with a spout) is filled with luke warm water with one teaspoon of salt.
Squatting on the ground bend the head to the left and insert the spout of the container in the right nostril, to allow the warm water to trickle into the right nostril and then out of the left nostril. This is repeated with the other nostril. Care must be taken to keep the mouth wide open during this exercise and breathing must be done though the mouth.The water drains out flushing the nasal passages and the linings thoroughly.
After these the nostrils are dried out through the following techniques:
After the water has run through stand with the feed together with the body bent at the waist at 90 degrees and do Bhastrika (breathing in and out forcefully through the nose) with the head turned to the right than to the left, upwards and then downwards. This will eliminate any remaining water.
The way in which Jala Neti rinses out the dirt and bacteria filled mucous lining would be obvious to most people as the warm water loosens and dissolves any internal build ups and takes them outwards. But what may not be so obvious is that, due to gravity and a venturi-effect, the sinus passages are also drained by the vacuum pressure flow of the water. Whereas it would normally be impossible to drain a “dead end” cavity like the sinuses, Jala Neti achieves this ingeniously and simply.
As the water flows past the nasal passages it “sucks” out the virus-infested mucus from the sinus cavities flushing them clean with the saline water.
Why is this technique little known?
Well, can you imagine the loss of revenue for the entire colds and nasal allergy drug market if this ‘humble’ natural technique was to become popular? Think about it and you’ll know why the drug lobbies will never oblige. Heck… I wouldn’t be too surprised if you’ll even have them preach to you “side effects” of this 100% natural, chemical-free method.
Talking of side effects, the only ones are the “up-side” effects. Let’s see what neti does AND has been doing for centuries….
- At the immediate level, neti is a great tool for any respiratory disorder – sinusitis, allergy, asthma, hay fever to name a few. People invariably notice an immediate relief which drugs fail to achieve.
- It is of great benefit to problems associated with the eyes and ears such as certain types of deafness, tinitis and myopia.
- As one learns the advanced stages of neti, it works wonders for throat infections. It helps to re-program the body’s natural mechanisms against respiratory complaints including sore throats and coughs.
- Neti has a cooling and soothing effect for the brain and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, depression, mental tensions and even epilepsy, hysteria and temper tantrums.
- From the yogic perspective, it stimulates the olfactory bulb and the psychic center called the Ajna Chakra. What this means is that it stimulates better powers of visualization and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.
But the INSTANT benefits are what it does to the sinuses. You don’t have to look far to see how HUGE the benefits are for sinus infections and symptoms. We have euphoric users writing in to us every SINGLE day.
“I am a RN/Paramedic who has allergies and asthma. I have had two sinus operations and depend on the use of Claritin D and Flonase every day. My nasal breathing (now) is just amazing!! The neti pot is so easy to use.I have cut my dose of Flonase in half. I will be a neti pot user for life. I plan on introducing patients and family members to this practice.”
- Dean B. Meyer, Indianapolis, IA
True to our tradition of working with beginners, we have worked to make neti an easy and delightful practice through the right neti pot and the instructional video cdrom. This has not only helped beginners overcome the initial fear but also helped them move up to the advanced neti stages quite easily and gain the fullest benefits.
Almost ALL of us have suffered from colds, its effects as well as nasal allergies at some time or the other. Now is the opportunity to put such suffering behind us… permanently and naturally.
Kunjala
This exercise is best done early morning (and after clearing the bowel) and can be done every 2nd day for 2 weeks.
Sitting in a squatting pose sip clean warm salty water till you can take no more (1-3litre) or till you feel like vomiting it out.
Now stand with the feet together, bending forward at the waist at 90 degrees. Place your left hand on the stomach. With the fingers of the right hand tickle the uvulva to induce vomiting. Remove the fingers as soon as water emerges from the mouth. This is to be repeated to bring the entire amount of water consumed. If the water tastes sour or bitter, the exercise must be repeated.
This helps with constipation, skin problems and chest problems.
Vamana
What is Vamana?
Vamana is the first major procedure in the Panchakarma therapy. It is mostly used to reduce the vitiated Kapha Dosha in the body, but it relieves excess Kapha and Pitta conditions as it cleanses the stomach and lung region). It is excellent in congestion, phlegm, cough, colds, Mand agni, lymphatic obstructions, epilepsy, skin disease, chronic indigestion and problems with the blood sugar levels.
It also purifies the mind and heart and brings clarity.
It is very important to prepare adequately for Vamana. Preparations include 3 days of abyhanga and 3 days of abyhanga and fomentation. Every client needs to be checked for strength, diseases (contra indicated in heart disease, malignant tumors, wasting disease, extreme weakness or obesity, certain inflammations). Vamana is a reducing and eliminating therapy and reduces the Agni temporarily and it is important that the client is familiar with basic cleanses, meditation, pranayama and other yoga therapies before attempting Vamana or any other Panchakarma therapies.
I have seen great benefits for people with Kapha aggravations or Kapha body types. Most of them look younger and clearer in the face.
Virechana
What is Virechana?
Virechana (purgation) is the second major procedure in the Panchakarma therapy.
Even though it is specific for Pitta, it does expel the excessive vitiated Pitta and Kapha doshas out through the anal passage.
It is excellent for a large range of Problems including Jwara (fever), obstinate skin disease, rakta pitta, piles, some tumors, poisoning, anemia, headache, chest pain, constipation, anorexia, jaundice, asthma, epilepsy, gout, male sexual disorders, G.I disorders, edema, abscess, burns and injuries, eye inflammations etc.
Preparation for Virechana includes a reduced Kapha diet (if Kapha is excessive the Virechana drugs may actually produce Vamana). It is beneficial to do regular abyhanga before. Client need to be checked for strength, diseases (contra indicated in Constipation, excessive dryness, anal injury, weak, agni, alcoholism, after surgery/injuries, excessive sex, diarrhea, hunger, after fasting and emotional upsets and fright), pulse, Malas etc. In case of pregnancy a very light laxative can be given. After Virechana the client has to rest for 3 days.
Why Panchakarma Cleanses?
Due to various conditions in our upbringing we start accumulating toxins from early childhood. These toxins are not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual (psychic). The only way to get rid of the physical toxins is to cleanse our body with various Panchakarma cleanses. Once these physical toxins are released from our body we can enjoy not only greater health, strength, energy and flexibility; but also feel better emotionally and mentally.
We can heal our emotional toxins by reconciling our past with the appropriate people either through counselling or meditation. Regular Meditation and a living master will help us to cleanse ourselves spiritually.
Long Term Effect of a Sattwig Life
A sattwig life is living in harmony with the creator.
Being in harmony with ourselves is the first step to a sattwig life. To do this it is important to meditate and/or pray daily and to make the connection with the light and sound as a bridge to God.
Daily meditation helps to calm the mind and see the positive aspects of life rather than the negative. It also gives us an understanding of karmic and past life influences to help us manage our daily life.
Sattwig living is an important aspect of Ayurveda, whose goal is ultimate happiness/spiritual upliftment beyond this world and therefore presses the importance of the spiritual side of life as part of a total health care program.
Eating sattwig foods (karma free as much as possible eg. no flesh, eggs, alcohol etc) help to lead a healthy life. Regular cleansing is of vital importance so we can aim to have a body that is as healthy and beautiful as that of God (like all the deities e.g. Krishna etc. who where so beautiful and healthy with glowing skin).
The long term effects of a sattwig life are happiness and health as long as we want to live.