Page 28 - NAMAH-Jul-2019

Pañcakarma therapies — a detoxifying and rejuvenating technique

Dr. Gayatri Gandhe

Abstract
Pañcakarma refers to a unique therapeutic measure in AAyurveda which is useful for sick
as well as healthy individuals. These methods are useful in curing as well as preventing
diseases. It also helps in the rejuvenation of body tissues. Pañcakarma usually refers
to the five therapeutic procedures of vamana, virecana, nasya, vasti and raktamokssanna.
It also includes the associated processes of snehana and svedana. This article gives an
elaborate understanding of the basic processes in a lucid manner which can help a reader
unfamiliar with AAyurveda understand these concepts easily.

Various mechanisms are applied by Mother (vaata, pitta and kapha) are governing factors
Nature to safeguard the integrity of its of the body. Any type of movement in the
individuals. Vomiting and diarrhoea are two body, whether voluntary or involuntary is
such phenomena which restore equilibrium under the influence of vaata (4). Pitta brings
of the body through elimination of harmful about transformation of consumed things
things. It is a common observation that into products suitable to the body for
animals like cats and dogs consume some use (5). Kaphadossa uses assimilated food
herbs for throwing up. for restoration and building-up of body
tissues (6). Dhaatu are the seven body tissues
Practitioners of AAyurveda have brilliantly where functional units of body, i.e. dossa,
used this principle to rid the body of hazardous reside and carry out their functions (7,8).
things through Pañckarma therapies (1). Each dhaatu is attributed a specific function
Pañckarma is a unique concept of AAyurveda in the body. Mala are the waste metabolic
that can be used for prevention of diseases in products which are retained in the body
healthy individuals, restoration of health in for a specific period and then eliminated
sick persons and rejuvenation of body tissues as stool, urine, sweat, ear wax or nasal
(2). secretions (9). Dossa, dhaatu and mala work
in harmony to maintain equilibrium and
The body is made up of three fundamental achieve optimal functioning of the body
units — dossa, dhaatu and mala (3). The dossas (10).

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