Panchakarma

Our body accumulates toxins because of bad diet, poor exercise and lifestyle choices and needs to detoxify from time to time to keep healthy. Panchakarma, an age-old unique healing method is the best way to detoxify.

Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies along with various methods of purification and rejuvenation. Ayurveda is more than a mere healing system; it is a science and an art of appropriate living that helps to achieve longevity.

Panchakarmas are five therapeutic procedures which helps to eliminate the toxins accumulated in the body. These five procedures are carried out in three sequential steps named as Purva Karma, Pradhan Karma and Pashchat Karma (meaning preliminary procedures, primary procedures and follow up procedures).


Benefits of Panchakarma

Our body accumulates toxins because of bad diet, poor exercise and lifestyle choices and needs to detoxify from time to time to keep healthy. Panchakarma, an age-old unique healing method is the best way to detoxify.


  • Panchkarma Helps restore metabolic power .
  • Eliminates toxins and strengthens tissue function.
  • Helps balance all three doshas [ Vata, Pitta , Kapha ]
  • Improves mental clarity , awareness , and forgiveness
  • Helps implement healthy diet and lifestyle
  • Reduces stress , improve relaxation and tolerance
  • Slows the aging process and increases the lifespan
  • Increases skin glows ,luster and immunity
  • Boosts body immunity and energy level.
  • Improve strengths ,endurance ,energy and vitality.
  • Reduce dependence on alcohol ,tobacco ,and drugs.
  • It helps in Infertility [ improve egg quality, and endometrium ]

Panchakarma is one of the best natural Ayurvedic therapies for Detoxification that expels body toxins through different therapies. Human body is like a machine and the way a machine needs cleaning and lubrication from time to time to improve the efficiency and quality, our body also needs cleansing from time to time. With the modern life being full of tensions and turmoil, there is limited scope for relaxation. Further lack of physical activity, consumption of unhealthy foods, and habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol are responsible for increasing toxin levels in the body. This build-up of toxins is a precursor to several chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart diseases, and even cancer. To prevent the risk of these illnesses we need to regularly eliminate toxins from the body which can be easily achieved through regular Panchakarma treatment.

History and Origin of Panchakarma Therapy

According to experts Panchakarma is known since the Vedic period. Some of the classic Ayurvedic texts like Charaka samhita, Susruta samhita and Ashtanga Hrdayam have extensively described Panchakarma procedure & other treatments.

In today’s life, Ayurveda & Panchakarma treatments, yoga and meditation offer several benefits compared to modern medicine & even other traditional forms of medicine. The treatments are beneficial not only for treating ailments but also for maintaining a healthy life.

Who Should Undergo Panchakarma?

Our body has a specific way of notifying that the level of toxins has gone to an undesirable level. Constant tiredness, fatigue, headache, Acne breakouts, skin problems or even problems related to fertility indicates that you need to undergo body Detoxification. So, anyone who notices such symptoms can take Panchakarma therapy.

Where Should You Take Panchakarma?

Panchakarma works best when it is undertaken at a professional Ayurvedic clinic that has skilled experienced therapist and have sufficient knowledge of the techniques. Panchakarma includes therapies that induce vomiting or purgation and hence need to be performed in hygienic rooms.

What is the Cost of Panchakarma Treatment?

The cost for Panchakarma Treatment varies for each person as the treatment needs to be customized as per health needs. The therapy duration and cost for Panchakarma can be obtained during your doctor consultation.

Purva Karma

Snehan / Oleation-

Oleation is applying oil to your body. It is the process of applying oil of various formulas that suit the needs of your treatment internally and externally to help carry the medicinal properties into your body and loosen up the toxins present in the tissues. Oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple, thus helping to remove stress and nourish the nervous system .

The purpose of Panchkarma treatment to expel imbalanced Dosha out of the body.Oleation helps to mobilize the Doshas from the disease’s places in the body. Hence it is considered as the preparation step for Panchakarma .For Internal 0leation purpose Medicated cow ghee is preferred .Ghee has the power to assimilate effectively the properties of other substance .Ghee is very light and digest. Prior to Vaman and virechan,detoxification for3-7 days large doses of ghee or any fat is given during this time the patient is to take limited Diet that too after the fat has been digested. This can called fat diet –Fasting .The dose of medicated ghee gradually increases every day upto 5-6 days .it gives early in the morning empty stomach . after consuming ghee ,the patient is administered with hot water.it helps in digestion and clears the mouth coating.

How to know that the Fat [Ghee] completely digested ?
Purification ,clear belching, feeling lightness in the body and desire of the Food these three symptoms suggest that the fat is completely digest. Warm liquid food which are not very oily ,should be consumed in limited quantity .food should not have too many ingredients . afteroleation therapy one should always use hot water for drinking, washing, bathing etc. observe Brahmacharya. one should consume food only when hungry and should not sleep during a day time.one should suppers Urges for motion , urination ,flatus etc.Avoid physical exercise, loud speech, anger, anxiety, cold and sunlight, travelling on vehicle, walking long distance .

Swedan/ Fomentation

Fomentation makes you sweat it out. The toxins which are made soft in the oleation process become thinner here. The oleation process softens severe and deep-rooted toxins, which are liquefied by fomentation to flush out of the body through sweat eventually. it is given every day immediately following the snehan. An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the individual. Svedana liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins into the gastrointestinal tract.

Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda refers to five therapeutic measures (Karmas) to be undertaken for complete Detoxification of body. The Panchakarma treatment includes five Ayurvedic therapies:
Vaman (Medicated Emesis)

It is scientific emesis process in which waste products (vitiated doshas) are eliminated through the upper channels i.e. through the mouth by the process of Vomiting.

  • Procedure : Vaman is a treatment that starts with oral intake of medicated ghee in ascending doses for a period of 5 to 7 days and includes a full body Abhyangam massage followed by full body swedana ( Steam ) . This continues for a few days and ends with therapeutic vomiting.
  • Benefits Of Vaman : Ayurvedic Vaman treatment is beneficial in Kapha predominant disorders e.g. asthma, cough and Psoriasis.
  • How It Works :Aggravated Doshas from shakha (body) are channelised into the koshtha (abdomen) which are flushed out from the body through induced vomiting.
  • Not Recommended ( contraindicated) In Case Of :Young children and those above 70 years of age.
    Vaman is used in management of Gastric Problems such as hyperacidity, heartburn and constipation. Skin problems such as Psoriasis that occur due to Kapha dosha can be treated with Ayurvedic Vaman therapy.
Virechan (Purgation)

Virechana therapy is one of important Panchakarma Procedure. It is scientific purgation procedure Here, person is made to undergo controlled purgation for a specific amount of time. It is designed to flush out body toxins. Some of the modern popular therapies such as liver detox and colon detox procedures are the derivatives of Virechana Ayurveda therapy.

  • Procedure : Virechanam starts with oral intake of medicated ghee in ascending doses for a period of 5 to 7 days and includes a full body Abhyangam massage & full body Swedana ( Steam ) . This continues for a few days and ends with therapeutic purgation (excretion).
  • Benefits of Virechanam : It is extremely beneficial in Pitta disorders such as dermatitis, chronic fever, heartburn, jaundice, etc.
  • How it works : Aggravated Doshas from shakha (body) are channelised into the koshtha (abdomen) which are flushed out from the body through induced purgation (excretion).
  • Not recommended (contraindicated) in case of : Patients with ano-rectal canal diseases and patients above 70 years of age.
  • Virechanam Is Used In De-Toxification : Virechanam helps in removal of toxins through induced purgation (excretion).
  • Gastric Problems : Virechanam Ayurvedic Therapy is beneficial in management of Gastric Problems such as constipation and heartburn.
  • Skin Care :Virechanam Ayurvedic Therapy is extremely beneficial in pitta disorders such as dermatitis.
Nasyam (Nasal Instillation)

Nasyam refers to a procedure where the medicated drugs or oils are administrated through the nostrils. Nasal medication is especially described for the treatment of diseases of the parts above the shoulders.

  • Procedure : In Nasyam, herbal juices, medicated oils, herbal powder etc. are passed through the nasal cavity according to the underlying condition being treated.
  • Benefits Of Nasyam : Nasyam Ayurvedic treatment provides remedy for nasal congestion, allergies, sinusitis, headaches, migraine, cervical spondylosis, hair fall, premature greying of hair, rhinitis , thyroid and other nasal infections. It cleanses, purifies and strengthens the nasal passages, allowing you to breathe fully and easily again.
  • Procedure : The medicaments ( Oil , Milk etc ) administered through the nostrils pervade into the nervous (Brain) and venous system (Blood circulation) present in and around the nostrils. Then they evacuate the morbidity present or distributed in nearby area. Thus it relieves the blockage of the channels and the diseases are cured effectively. Medicated oils / juices / powders stimulate the vital centers of brain to overcome specific diseases.
  • Not Recommended (Contraindicated) In Case Of :After heavy meals or Shirodhara.
Sneha Vasti (Enema)

Sneha Vasti refers to medicated oil enema. It is one of the important five classical Detoxification programme (Panchakarma).

  • Procedure : Sneha Vasti involves enema using medicated oil.
  • Benefits Of Sneha Vasti : It is used to treat constipation, neurological ailments, paralysis, flatulence, lower backache, gout and rheumatism.
  • How It Works : Oil based enema helps in colonic de-toxification.
  • Not Recommended (Contraindicated) In Case Of :Patients with fistula-in-ano and patients above 70 years of age.
    Sneha Vasti is used in treatment of pain conditions such as lower backache, gout and rheumatism.
  • De-Toxification:The medicated oil enemas help to expel the toxins out from the body.
  • Gastric Problems :Gastric problems such as constipation and flatulence cab be treated effectively using Sneha Vasti.
  • Paralysis:Sneha Vasti is indicated for management of neurological ailments such as Paralysis.
Kashaya ( Kadha )Vasti

Kashaya means medicated decoction and Vasti refers to administration of medicines through rectum.

  • Procedure : Kashaya Vasti involves enema using medicated decoction.
  • How It Works : It helps in removal of gas that causes pain and also in removing toxins for purpose of body de-toxification.
  • Benefits: Kashaya Vasti is used to treat constipation, neurological ailments, paralysis, flatulence, lower backache, gout and rheumatism.
  • Not Recommended (Contraindicated) In Case Of :People who have enorectal canal diseases or those above 70 years of age are not recommended to undergo this therapy. Kashaya Vasti is used in management of pain conditions such as lower backache, gout and rheumatism.
  • De-Toxification:Decoction based enema helps in colonic de-toxification.
  • Gastric Problems :Gastric problems such as constipation and flatulence can be treated effectively using kashaya Vasti.
  • Paralysis:Ayurvedic kashaya Vasti treatment is indicated for management of neurological ailments such as Paralysis.
  • Weight Loss : After Ayurvedic Udvartanam treatment, kashaya Vasti helps to remove the melted fat out of body.
Raktamokshan [ Leech Therapy]

Raktamoskshana is blood cleaning. It cures diseases caused by impure blood. Raktamoskshana can be done in a particular area of the body or on the entire body. It works best to treat skin diseases such as eczema and pigmentation. Raktamoskshana must be tried only when necessary due to the risk of infection during the cleansing.

Toxins present in the gastrointestinal tract are absorbed into the blood and circulated throughout the body. This condition is called toxemia, which is the basic cause of repeated infections, hypertension and certain other circulatory conditions. This includes repeated attacks of skin disorders such as urticaria, rashes, herpes, eczema, acne, scabies, leukoderma, chronic itching or hives. In such conditions, along with internal medication, elimination of the toxins and purification of the blood is necessary. Raktamokshan is also indicated for cases of enlarged liver, spleen and gout.

Leeches have been used as an alternative to bloodletting. Bloodletting also stimulates the spleen to produce anti-toxic substances that help to stimulate the immune system

At Soukhyam Ayurveda Centre we follow two ways of Raktamoskshana i.e. Siravedh & Jalaukavacharana

A) Siravedh: - in this way we take out the venous blood from blood stream with the help of scalp vein set. We can take out 100 – 150ml of blood at a single sitting without having any side effects.

B) Jalaukavacharana: - in this procedure we apply a jalauka (Leech = a type of helpful organism which sucks impure blood). It sucks impure blood and also reestablishes a good blood supply in the area of application.

After – Procedure: - No major after procedure is involved in this type of Panchakarma. Only dressing is done.

Benefits of Raktamokshan are as follows:-

  • All types of Skin diseases could be treated with Raktamoskshana.
  • Psorias could be treated with the help of Raktamoskshana.
  • Liken planes; leukoderma could be treated with the help of Raktamoskshana.
  • Raktamoskshana helps in treatment of Hyperlipidemia.
  • Heart Disease, Hypertension could be treated with the help of Raktamoskshana.
  • Raktamokshana gives best results in the treatment of Acne.
  • Gout (high levels of uric acid in blood), could be treated with the help of raktamokshana.
  • Raktamokshana gives best results in the treatment of Obesity.
  • Raktamokshana helps in treatment of Hyperlipidemia vertigo,
  • Herpes Infections are treated with raktamokshana as well as post herpes neuralgia is also treated with the help of raktamokshana. October to December is a period (Sharad Rutu) in which raktamokshana advised for general detoxification.