Traditional medicine has a holistic approach i.e., viewing man in his totality within a wide ecological spectrum and of emphasizing the viewpoint thatill-health or disease is brought about not only by the causative agent and of pathogenic evolution, but also by an imbalance or disequilibrium of man in his total ecological system.
Ayurveda, the basic science of life is the knowledge that describes or indicates the four stages of life, the appropriate and inappropriate, happy and sorrowful conditions along with what is good and bad for longevity as well as measurement of life itself.
Ayurveda is completely based on the ‘Theory of Pancha mahabuta’ and aim for equilibrium between the influences of the five elements on the five senses of body.
Panchakarma is a special offshoot of Ayurveda that deals with healing. In this system of medicine, to maintain positive health and to be free from any disease, the special line of treatment adopted right from good olden days, dates back to 5000 B.C., is Panchakarma therapy. It is designed to achieve the greater efficiency in treating a disease as well as of medicines and diet.
Panchakarmas are the therapeutic means of eliminating toxins from the body. It is a series of five therapies or steps that help in removing deep rooted impurities from the physiology while balancing the doshas- those humors or forces that govern all the biological function. These five basic cleansing procedures are named as “Shodhana chikitsa”. They go as:
A medicated emesis therapy, cleanses Kapha collected in the body and decongests the respiratory tract. Effective in Kapha predominant diseases, like bronchitis, asthma, severe skin diseases (psoriasis, urticaria, eczema etc.), allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, various psychological disorders etc.
A medicated purgation therapy, removes toxins from the body that are accumulated in the gastro-intestinal tract. Effective in treating chronic fever, diabetes, asthma, skin disorders, paraplegia, hemiplegia, joint disorders, digestive disorders, constipation, hyperacidity, psoriasis, headache, elephantiasis and gynecological disorders.
Cleanses the accumulated toxins from all over the body. Basti is also highly beneficial in rejuvenating treatment; especially in convalescence. Vasti is tridoshahara in nature and can produce both samsodhana or samana effects. It is effective in vata conditions like neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders, rheumatic diseases, digestive ailments, sexual debility, infertility and other associated conditions. Vasti is of three types – Kashayavasti, Snehavasti and Uttaravasti.
‘Uttara Vasti’ is an exclusive type of basti upa-krama, can be defined as a therapeutic administration of a specific medicinal oil, ghrita or decoction through urethral route in males and urethral or genital route in females. Uttara vasti has been highly successful treatment for the management of most of the uro-genital, fertility and gynecological disorders.
Cleanses accumulated Kapha dosha from the head and neck region. Effective in treating urdhwajatrugata rogas (ENT & Eye disorders), trigeminal neuralgia, facial palsy, paralysis, insomnia, pre-mature graying of hair, headache of various origin, frozen shoulder, stiffness of the neck, neurological dysfunctions, sinusitis and also improves memory & eye sight.
The process of taking out impure blood from the body. Effective in haemopathological conditions, allergies, skin disorders, tonsillitis, sciatica etc