Panchakarma is a rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda. The Pancha (Five) Karma (Action) approach to disease prevention is a combination of five treatment techniques that revitalises patients by restoring their physical and mental equilibrium.

Panchakarma's value lies in the herbal and organic medicines used, which exempts it from the risks of side effects, common to many modern-day drugs. Panchakarma treatment is unique since it ensures both short-term and long-term well-being of the individual.

The Panchakarma treatment includes two processes: Shodhana and Shamana.

Shodhana deals with detoxification of the body and containment of the spread of amam.

Shamana is the healing treatment that sets the body on track for rejuvenation and revitalization.

Thus, Panchakarma removes unwanted materials from the body first and then renews the bodily functions of the patient.

As per Ayurveda, five steps of Panchakarma are :

This is vomiting treatment especially for kapha related illness like asthma, coughs, colds, psoriasis, acne, arthritis, diabetes and other disorders. This is painless, drug induced emetic process. It is aimed to eliminate excess Kapha Dosha in the body which can otherwise trigger a series of ailments like acne, asthma, arthritis, chronic cold and diabetes.

When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting, vamana, to eliminate the kapha causing the excess mucus. Often times this also releases repressed emotions that have been held in the kapha areas of the lungs and stomach along with the accumulated dosha. Once the mucus is released, the patient will feel instantly relieved. It is likely that congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will disappear and that the sinuses will become clear. Therapeutic vomiting is also indicated in chronic asthma, diabetes, chronic cold, lymphatic congestion, chronic indigestion and edema. After vamana, resting, fasting, smoking certain herbal cigarettes, and not suppressing natural urges (i.e., urination, defecation, gas, sneezing, coughing) is recommended. If vamana is administered properly, the person should feel relaxation in the lungs, will be able to breathe freely, will have lightness in the chest, clear thinking, a clear voice, a good appetite, and all symptoms of congestion disappear

VirechanaChikitsa, or Purgation therapy, is the elimination of toxins from the body using herbal laxatives. The resulting bowel movement rids the system of harmful Pitta-related impurities. Organs in the lower torso - small intestine, kidney, colon, liver, and spleen - are cleansed during this therapy.When excess bile, pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice.Purgatives help relieve the excess pitta causing the bile disturbance in the body.

This is recommended for the treatment of diabetes, colitis, jaundice, spleen enlargement, arthritis, dysuria, asthma, haemorrhoids (piles), glaucoma and gout.

As Vata is a dosha that controls a majority of our bodily functions, Vata imbalances caused by food or environmental factors trigger malfunction. Vasti (Enema) treatments are extremely effective in removing Vata-based toxins from the system.

Vasti treatment accounts for being the most effective Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment. It helps in alleviating constipation, distention, chronic fever, sexual disorders, kidney stones, common cold, neck pain, backache, vomiting and acidity. There are more than 80 disorders which are related to Vata, many of which are treated with Vasti therapy. These may include sciatica, rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

Nasya refers to nasal administration of therapeutic oil. Nasya is a part of the Panchakarma treatment where the central nervous system is cleansed through administering beneficial oils through the nostrils. The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called nasya.

Nasya is an excellent remedy for headaches, migraines,Stress,Memory loss,Insomnia,Tinnitus clearing the sinuses and clearing the nasal passage to enhance breathing Stress.

Raktamokshana (Blood-letting) as one of the five Panchakarma procedures. Rakta means blood and mokshana is letting, is used for removing or displacement of impure blood from the diseased area /body.

There are seven Dhatus (bodily tissues) and rakta is the second of them. Rakta in its healthy state improves one’s complexion and nourishes the muscle other tissues. It also has Jeevana (life) as its important function. When this rakta is vitiated, it results in several diseases.

Factors that vitiate or cause toxins in blood are :

Consumption of alcohol, excessive intake of salt, sour, pungent, unctuous and heavy food items, consuming stale food, over eating, sleeping immediately after food, exposure to too much of heat/ sun and stress. Apart from these, rakta is also vitiated naturally in the Sharad (autumn) ritu.

The diseases that are caused due to impure Rakta are many. Among them are mukhapaka (oral ulcers), akshiraga (redness of eyes), asyagandhika(foul odour from mouth), gulma (Tumor), visarpa (herpes zoster), raktapitta (epistaxis), vatashonita (Gouty arthritis), vaivarnya (discoloration of skin), daha (burning sensation), kampa (Tremors), atinidra (excessive sleep), kandu (itching), kushta (skin diseases) and many more.

Raktamokshana is one such treatment in which the vitiated blood is let out of the body and this helps to cure the disease.