What is Panchkarma?

Panchakarma is the Ayurvedic method of detoxification and rejuvenation. Pancha in Sanskrit means “five,” and karma means “action,” so panchakarma means “five actions” to detoxify and rejuvenate. Panchakarma practice should only be done by, or under the supervision of, an Ayurvedic practitioner or Ayurvedic doctor. Panchakarma helps restore digestive fire, eliminate toxins, and restore the balance of all three doshas. Normally it is performed from five days to a maximum of 21 days, depending on the type of problems the patient or person receiving the treatment is facing. Research has shown that people who undergo panchakarma therapy have a significant decrease in chronic inflammation and a huge improvement in their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. As I mentioned, panchakarma is a combination of five procedures, which focus on purification and removing deeprooted imbalances in the body through vamana (emesis), virechana (purgation), nirooha vasti (decoction enema), nasya (instillation of medicine through the nostrils), and anuvasanavasti (oil enema).

You might ask, Are detoxification and rejuvenation necessary?

We live in a hectic, stressful, and toxic world. Due to the fast lifestyle and chemicals, from inorganic farming practices to cleaning products in our environment, the water and air quality are deteriorating, and so is the quality of our life. Due to this, our minds and bodies accumulate toxins, which results in imbalances in our minds and bodies as well as the deterioration of our health. This opens the door for chronic inflammation, resulting in degenerative and lifestyle-related diseases, ultimately damaging an individual’s health and wellness. Panchakarma helps to reverse these effects and brings harmony to your mind and body. It restores your natural state of health and wellness by eliminating toxins from your body and improving bodily functions. The focus is on the prevention of disease instead of cure by removing toxins and preventing further production of toxins by changing one’s lifestyle and diet. Once the panchakarma is completed, over several days, Ayurveda strongly recommends changing lifestyle habits, diet, and incorporating exercise into your daily routine so you can stop further damage. It is not a quick fix, but it is the beginning of a lifestyle change. If you are not committed to changing your lifestyle, you will find yourself in the same situation a couple of years down the road.

Here are some of the benefits of Panchkarma:

• Eliminates toxins from your body and mind.

• Facilitates healing of lifestyle-related illnesses.

• Restores, repairs, relaxes and rejuvenates at a cellular level

• Restores balance to your dosha (mind-body constitution) to improve overall health and well-being.

• Strengthens your immune system.

• Slows down the aging process by reversing the adverse effects of stress on your body and mind.

• Enhances the sense of well-being.

• Improves flexibility, resilience, strength, energy, vitality, and mental clarity.

To learn more about how to incorporate an Ayurvedic lifestyle into your daily routine, schedule your consultation.