In the Ayurvedic classics like Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Vagbhata’s Ashtangahridya as well as Ashtang Sangraha several diseases have been described along with their diagnosis and treatment. In these work certain chapters have been devoted to describe the selection of a particular therapy for diseases in general.
For the treatment of the diseases, medicines have no doubt been described in the form of powders decoctions, linctus, medicated oil, alcoholic preparations etc.
Apart from the above a careful scrutiny of the line of the treatment of the diseases related to all eight divisions of Ayurveda reveals the purificatory procedures that have to be applied. So far as the healthy persons are concerned “Samshodhana” has been advised for them in different seasons.
“Samshodhana” is a term used for various eliminating procedures. Accoding to Ayurveda there are five such procedures viz. Vamana (Emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Niruhana Basti (Evacuation Enema), Anuvasana Basti (Unctuous Enema), Nasya (Errhine therapy)
All these 5 purificatory regimen or procedures are very well-known as Panchkarma.
Before subjecting a patient to Panchkarma two treatments namely Snehan and Swedan are also essential. These have been explained in greater detail below. Snehan & Swedan have also been used as a curative method in certain diseases and also for prolongation of vitality and life.
A. Pre-operative Procedures (Poorva Karma)
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Oleation therapy (Snehan Karma)
It is defined as a thing which causes unctuousness, fluidity, softness and moisture. The property of unctuous substance (Sneha) is such, which binds the minutest and atomic particles of the body together.
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Sudation therapy (Swedan Karma)
This therapy induces sweating / perspiration. This therapy is used for curing stiffness, heaviness and coldness in the body. It is otherwise called as “Fomentation Therapy”
B.
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Emesis therapy (Vamana)
It is a process by which the contents of the stomach including Kapha and Pitta will be thrown out of the body through the mouth. The general meaning of vamana is vomiting of the stomach contents. It is useful in all Kapha Dosha diseases like Bronchial Asthma, Skin Diseases (psoriasis) and others.
- Purgation therapy (Virechana)
Virechan is a process by which the Dosha are made to pass through the Adhomarga i.e. Guda
It is a specific treatment for Pitta Dosha diseases
- Enema therapy (Vasti Karma)
This involves injection of Medicinal Drugs in Decoction form or in Oil form into the rectum to produce desired effect. In Ayurveda, Panchkarma and especially Basti has greater significance as it proves to be an effective therapy to treat many disorders.
 This procedure is undertaken for Vata Dosha diseases like Obesity, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, paralysis, Chronic Constipation, Ulcerative Colitis etc.
Basti has been classified into two types depending upon Drug form used. When decoction is used for enema it is called Niruha Basti. However, if Oil is used than the same is termed as Anuvasan Basti.
- Errhire therapy (Nasya Karma)
Nasya is a method by which either medicated oil or churna (Powder) will be made to pass through the nasya marg (nostrils). Nasya is very useful in the diseases of the upper part of the neck.
- Raktamokshan (Blood Letting Therapy)
Raktamokshan is to let out the impure blood from the body. It is useful in various diseases like psoriasis, skin diseases, inflammation.
Apart from the above Panchkarma also has a special treatment known as Shirodhara. This is a procedure which involves a continuous stream of decoction or oil dropping over the forehead. This is very useful in stress management, high blood pressure, Insomnia (Sleep Disturbances) etc.
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