Panchkarma is a buzzword we all have come across.

Everyone we know seems to either have done it, or is about to do it. They have also been raving about how they feel after it.

All the glowing reviews, the clearer skins and more calm mindsets of people are prompting us to evaluate the option. But, do you really know enough about panchkarma and is panchkarma really for you?

Let’s find out.

The Basics

What is Panchkarma

‍Panchkarma is a series of individualised bio cleansing rejuvenation  therapeutic programs that clear ama (toxins) and excess doshas (subtle energies) from the deep tissues of the body. According to ayurvedic texts, panchakarma can both prevent and cure disease, and it is particularly successful with chronic illnesses that the more popular western medicine regimens haven't conquered, such as allergies, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraines.

On a deeper level, panchakarma can increase an individual’s sense of clarity and inner peace.

Panchakarma has also been known to aid in the effective  removal of free radicals, in the balancing of cholesterol and triglycerides, regulation of blood pressure, and in the  introduction of antioxidant enzymes into the body. Because of this, panchakarma is also known to be very effective at preventing heart attacks, stroke paralysis, and cancer.

Panchakarma can also slow the aging process and enhance vitality and mental clarity. It’s a cleansing and rejuvenating program for the body, mind, and consciousness.

‍Who is Panchkarma For?

‍In our fast paced lives, there are a lot of underlying conditions that we tend to ignore or postpone and that only harms us.

‍Let’s take a look at some of the silent and deadly giveaways that you’ve been ignoring. You’re always tired.

‍Panchakarma offers profound emotional, physical and psychological effects increasing mental and physical efficiency and balancing the nervous system. This lethargy can also be linked to digestive ailments.

Panchakarma can help to de-stress the body, get rid of fatigue and cure digestive problems.

‍You’re restless, unable to focus and anxious

‍Your mind and body are connected to one another. A negative effect on one is bound to affect the other. Panchakarma provides for deep relaxation as well as introspection, removal of accumulated toxins and negative thoughts and fill your mind, body and spirit with renewed, positive energy.‍

You have digestive issues

‍You do not eliminate regularly and are constantly constipated? This indicates that the bodily doshas are not in a state of balance. It is important to expel stools at least once in a day. Or is it that you are suffering from an irritable bowel condition which leads you to rush to the bathroom before and after every meal?

‍You’re suffering from regular skin ailments

‍According to Ayurveda medicine, whatever is happening inside your body will only be reflected outside on your skin. Common skin ailments include acne and rashes for which Panchakarma can offer long term relief by detoxifying you internally and externally, and nourishing you with healthy food support.

‍You’re allergic to specific foods

‍You might be allergic to specific types of food or lactose intolerant. These indicate weakened Agni and doshic imbalances within the body.

Panchakarma can bring back that Agni, proving a permanent solution to the ailment and strengthening your whole body system.

The above mentioned five symptoms indicates that something is not right with your body and mind.

Various ayurveda centers provide authentic and invidualised Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments to suit your doshic imbalances, ailment and body type.So it’s not just people with known diseases that should take advantage of the panchkarma regimen.

Many ayurvedic experts believe that even healthy people need regular panchakarma treatments today because our environment is so polluted. Extensive researches have postulated that up to 100,000 synthetic chemical are used in modern industrial and agricultural processes.

Traces of these chemicals pervade our food, water, air, and even our own bodies, and some are associated with allergies, reproductive disorders, certain types of cancer, and other diseases. Scientific research suggests that many environmental toxicants are fat soluble and become lodged in the lipid layers of our cells.

Panchakarma has been known to  lighten the body’s toxic load by lowering the level of several fat-soluble pesticide compounds, including beta-HCH and certain PCBs, by an average of approximately 50 percent compared to controls, significantly.

‍Here’s what to expect on Panchkarma, the timelines and the process

‍Panchakarma is a three-stage process that typically lasts for three to ten days in Western ayurvedic clinics. The preparatory phase begins with internal oleation, during which you will drink increasing amounts of ghee (clarified butter) in the early morning and afternoon to lubricate the body’s subtle channels, or srotas.

Next, your ayurvedic practitioner will ask you to go on a “sensory diet,” avoiding TV, loud music, drastic weather conditions, strenuous exercise, travel, and sexual activity for the length of your treatment.

You’ll also be asked to avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, and to eat light, warm, cleansing dishes like khichdi (basmati rice and moong dal cooked with  recommended healing herbs,spices and medicated ghee).

The next step is external oleation.

Each day, you receive a deep ayurvedic massage that softens and saturates your body with nourishing herbalized oils tailored to your needs.

A daily therapeutic sweat treatment (often in the form of a steam bath) further loosens impurities and dilates the srotas, so the ama and excess doshas can move toward the gastrointestinal tract.

Within three to seven days, your ayurvedic practitioner will sense that your excess doshas and ama have become “ripened” and are ready to be released via your main panchakarma treatments.

This sounds great, but it is really something you can commit to, especially since we all lead such stressed out lives with crazy schedules where we don't even know how to cook on time, stay hydrated or even, order the right kind of food to nourish us?

Can we do it at home? Do we really need a practitioner to guide us?

Can’t we just YouTube it or read from a book and do it?

No.

Panchakarma is a very specific individualized medical treatment and must always be done under a qualified practitioner.

If your body isn’t properly prepared for cleansing, or if your treatments are incorrectly administered, you can overwhelm your nervous system or dislodge more toxins than your body can handle. So take the time off, plan your work schedule around this carefully and meet with a qualified ayurvedic practitioner and figure out your treatment process according to the 5 doshas.

This is a me- time that you must invest in so that your body is rebooted and ready to fight off future diseases.

‍How often can I go for Panchakarma treatments?

‍It is recommended that you make a quarterly appointment but if your symptoms are improving, you can definitely go on a bi annual basis. Helps you with planning your work and vacations as well. Your health is your top most priority.

Don't ignore the signs and start working on a health regimen, today!

Eat clean, eat well and detox your mind and body regularly. If you want more information, please don't hesitate to sign up for a personalized appointment with me here

Cheers,

Lovneet.