Panchakarma in India
Panchakarma is a purification therapy that is used to purify the body. Panchakarma is made of two words, 'Pancha' and 'Karma'. Pancha means five and 'Karma', means action, thus Panchakarma literally means five systemic ways to purify the body. Panchakarma is a purification therapy of Ayurveda, which is used to balance the five elements in the body and flush out the toxins.
Though the body keeps on flushing the various toxins that accumulate in the body, some of them even stick to the minute channels of the body, which are known as 'srotas'. When the quantity of toxins increases in the body over a period of time, they cause many diseases. At this time, Panchakarma proves to be useful in cleansing the body.
Panchakarma is generally used to cure deep-rooted ailments. So before applying Panchakarma, a preliminary detoxification is done, which is called Purvakarma.
Panchakarma or the five steps used to purify the body are Vamana, Virechan, Basti, Nasya and Rakta Mokshana. Vamana is basically artificial vomiting; Virechan is a technique that is used to eliminate high pitta (fire) from the body; Basti is used to eliminate high Vata (air) from the body; Nasya uses herbal mixtures and medicinal oils to de-congest the sinuses; and the Rakta Mokshana is blood letting, which is not much in use.
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