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Pre-purification Measures

Before the actual purification begins, it is necessary to prepare the body in order to encourage it to let go of the toxins. The two main procedures are snehan and swedan. Snehan means oiling, internal and external. Externally, snehan is the oil massage. Warm oil is applied to the entire body with a particular massage which helps the toxins to move towards the gastro-intestinal tract. Oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple, thus helping to remove stress and to nourish the nervous system. Internally, snehan involves taking medicated ghee or oils to help lubricate the body from the inside and bring toxins toward the digestive system to be eliminated. Swedan is sudation or sweating and is simple as working up a sweat with exercise, sitting in a sauna or lying on a steam bed every morning immediately following the snehan. An herbal or aromatherapy concoction may be added to the steam to further pacify detoxify and replenish the body.

After the prescribed periods of snehan and swedan are complete, a particular panchakarma method is given according to the individual's constitution and disorder. Pancha karma translates as ' five activities'. In the context of ayurveda it means the five essential activities that are required to create a balance of vata, pitta and kapha. Panchakarma therapy deals with the cleansing of the body and balancing of the doshas. This therapy is commonly recommended to normalize the physical constitution and to balance the bio-energies. Early reference to the Practice of Panchakarma occurs in texts of Caraka, Susruta, Vagbhata and others. For a long time this practice was restricted to South Indian state of Kerala and with larger acceptance from seekers it is now practiced all over. Panchakarma treatment & research centres exist in ayurvedic hospitals, spas, institutes and universities.

Pancha karma therapy consists of five different forms of cleansing that eliminate the accumulated toxins and waste products from the body.

1) Vaman: therapeutic vomiting or emesis

2) Virechan: purgation

3) Vasti: enema

4) Nasya: elimination of toxins through the nose

5) Rakta moksha: detoxification of the blood

Vaman: Emesis Therapy

When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting, vaman, 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 vaman 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.

Virechan: Purgation 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. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative. Purgatives help relieve the excess pitta causing the bile disturbance in the body. In fact, purgatives can completely cure the problem of excess pitta. When purgatives are used, the patient should not eat foods that will aggravate the predominant humor or cause the three humors to become unbalanced.

Vasti: Enema Therapy

Vata’s predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic vasti (enema) involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Vasti is the most effective treatment for vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints.

Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti. Vata is a very active principle in pathogenesis (disease). If we can control vata through the use of vasti, we have gone a long way in going to the root cause of the vast majority of diseases. Vata is the main etiological (causal) factor in the manifestation of diseases. It is the motive force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta. Vata is mainly located in the large intestine, but bone tissue (asthi dhatu) is also a site for vata. Hence the medication administered rectally effects asthi dhatu. The mucus membrane of the colon is related to the outer covering of the bones (periosteum), which nourishes the bones. Therefore, any medication given rectally goes into the deeper tissues, like bones, and corrects vata disorders.

Nasya: Nasal Administration

The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose. Prana, life force as nerve energy, enters the body through the breath taken in through the nose. Prana is in the brain and maintains sensory and motor functions. Prana also governs mental activities, memory, concentration and intellectual activities. Deranged prana creates defective functioning of all these activities and produces headaches, convulsions, loss of memory and reduced sensory perception. Thus, nasal administration or nasya is indicated for prana disorders, sinus congestion, migraine headaches, convulsions and certain eye and ear problems. Breathing also can be improved through nasal massage.

For this treatment, herbal oils are sniffed into the nose after steam inhalation and hot compresses. Also, the little finger can be dipped into ghee and inserted into the nose. The inner walls of the nose are slowly massaged, going as deeply as possible. This treatment will help to open the emotions. (Nose tissue is tender and for this application the fingernail must be kept short to avoid injuring the delicate mucus membranes.) Since most people have a deviated nasal septum, one side of the nose will be easier to penetrate and massage than the other. The finger should not be inserted forcibly. The massage should proceed by slow penetration, the finger moving first in a clockwise and then counter-clockwise direction. By this means, the emotions that are blocked in the respiratory tract will be released. One may use this treatment each morning and evening. In this way, breathing patterns will change as the emotions are released and the eyesight also will improve.

Raktamoksha: Traditional Ayurvedic Method for Purification and Cleansing of the Blood

Toxins present in the gastro-intestinal tract are absorbed into the blood and circulated throughout the body. This condition is called toxemia, which is the basic cause of repeated infections, hypertension and certain other circulatory conditions. This includes repeated attacks of skin disorders such as urticaria, rashes, herpes, eczema, acne, scabies, leukoderma, chronic itching or hives. In such conditions, along with internal medication, elimination of the toxins and purification of the blood is necessary. Raktamoksha is also indicated for cases of enlarged liver, spleen and gout.

Pitta is produced from the disintegrated red blood cells in the liver. So pitta and blood have a very close relationship. An increase in pitta may go into the blood causing toxicity, and thus many pittagenic disorders. There are many blood-purifying practices involving herbs, gem therapy, color water therapy, etc.

During any step of panchakarma therapy traditional Ayurveda recommends certain lifestyle and diet guidelines. It is advised to get plenty of rest during the panchakarma experience and to avoid strenuous exercise, sexual activity, late nights, loud music, television and other such stimulating experiences. It is also advised to take particular care to keep warm and away from the wind and to observe one's thoughts and experiences during this time.

A mono-diet of kitchari and ghee is recommended, as well as essential restrictions on cold drinks, cold food, caffeine, white sugar, recreational drugs or alcohol and dairy products--all substances which should not be resumed (if at all) until some time after panchakarma is completed. The reason for this diet is that during the cleansing process the digestive fire (agni) takes a rest. Also, as toxins move back into the gastrointestinal tract the power of digestion is further slowed. Kitchari will provide adequate nourishment, nourishes all the tissues of the body, is very easy to digest, is excellent for de-aging of cells and assists in the detoxification and cleansing process. Kitchari is a seasoned mixture of rice and mung dal, and is basic to the Ayurvedic way of life. Basmati rice and mung dal both have the qualities of being sweet and cooling with a sweet aftertaste. Together they create a balanced food that is an excellent protein combination and is tridoshic.

If you have any further questions or if you would like to book your cleanse please contact the Spa

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