Ayurvedah Amrutanam || ref. Charaka Samhita
Ayurveda said as the ambrosia of the gods that bestows immortality.
Ayurveda is more than a mere healing system, it is a science and an art of appropriate living that helps to achieve longevity. It can guide every individual in the proper choice of diet, living habits and exercise to restore balance in the body mind and consciousness.
Ayurveda describes three elemental doshas as
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
And Seven Bodily tissues as
- Rasa
- Rakta
- Mamsa
- Meda
- Asthi
- Majja
- Shukra
Panchakarma
Ayurveda deals with Preventative and healing therapies. Panchakarma is one of them. Panchakarma – Five therapies are told as Shodhan (Eliminative ), Shaman (Pacificative)
THE BASIC AYURVEDIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND PANCHAKARMA
According to Ayurveda due to the effect of atmosphere weather, improper diet and life style habits etc., The toxins in the body accumulated these toxins in Ayurveda term is called as “Aam “. To reword the term toxins Ayurveda uses the word tridosha. They are Vata, Pitta, Kapha. When they are normal they support the body maintain the health, but when they grow abnormal they cause diseases. To bring the doshas into normal levels we use ayurvedic medications and Panchakarma procedure.
WHAT IS PANCHAKARMA ?
Purvakarma { Pre – Purification Procedure }
Pradhana Karma { Purification }
Paschat Karma { Post Purification Procedure }
PURVA KARMA
Abhayanga
Ayurvedic oil massage has good effect over all the body systems. Rather than just a local effect on skin for thievery reason in many diseases (in case of arthritis). In fact even during ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment massage is used as a part of preparation of the patient.
- Rejuvenating
- Anti ageing
- Scar tissue relieving
- Anti oxidant activities etc
Shiro Abhayanga
Is a procedure which is included in the category of murdhini tail.
(Various methods of applying oil over the head. Shiro abhayanga is also a part of dinacharya. Daily regimen)
If time permits is shall be practiced on a daily basis.
- Vata related disorders.
- Disorders affecting the head.
- For control and prevention of many psycho somatic disorders.
- Darunaka ( Dandraff)
- Shiro kandu ( Itching in the scalp)
- Anidra(Sleeplessness)etc.
Shirodhara
Shir means head, dhara meaning pouring in stream or sprinkling, thus shirodhara means pouring the liquid medicines in stram over the head of the patient (or healthy person)
Indication:-
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Anidra(Sleeplesness)
- Darunaka(Dandruff)
- Hair related problems
- Shiroshula(Headache) etc.
Udavartana
The term Udavartanam can be split as Urdhwa means Upward and Vartanam means to move. To move something in an upward movement.
It is a special type of abhayanga in which herbal powders are use for massaging (oils also may be used). It is an Ultimate remedy for many metabolic and lifestyle disorders.
- It destroys morbid Kapha, vata
- Liquefies fat and Adipose tissue
- Rejuvenates skin and brings freshness etc.
Swedana
Swedana is usually given after oleation- Abhayanga therapy.
Swedana is praised for its relaxing and detoxifying effects.
Indications
- Vata related disorders( Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular condition)
- Katistambha(lumber stiffness)
- Gridhrasi (sciatica)
- Manyastambha(cervical spondylosis)etc
Pinda sweda
Pinda means bolus in Pinda sweda a bolus or paste and used as source of heat to induce sweating.
Indications
- Vata related disorders( Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular condition)
- Katistambha(lumber stiffness)
- Gridhrasi (sciatica)
- Manyastambha(cervical spondylosis)etc
Concept of season in Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda nature shows different seasons . these seasons do show impact on human body and mind. Panchakarma plays an important role in healthy person’s life.
Panchakarma Seasons
- Vamana – Vasant ( March – April) chaitra – vaishakh
- Virechana – Sharad ( Sept – Oct) Ashwin – Kartik
- Basti – Varsha (July – Aug) Shravan- Bhadrapad)
- Nasya – All seasons ( Various types of Nasya are done)
- Raktamokshana – Sharad ( Sept – Oct) Ashwin – Kartik
PRADHAN KARMA
VAMANA
This refers to removing the toxins accumulated[ kapha doshas] by means of vomiting. The person is made to vomit by giving many medicines. Vomiting continuous for a short while. Vamana treatment is given after preparation procedure called purva karma after the end of the procedure a diet plan and living habits is advised to follow for 4-7 days. Vamana treatment is usually given kapha dosha imbalance .
INDICATION :-
- Chronic common cold
- Kapha skin disease
- Asthma
- Low digestion
- Indigestion
- Thyroid disorder etc.
VIRECHANA
Purgative treatment this refers to removing the toxins by means of purgation.
The person is made to have loose motion for a short while, by administering medicines, virechana treatment is given after preparation procedure called poorva karma. After the end of procedure a diet plan & living habits advised to follow for 1-7 days time virechana treatment is usually given pitta imbalance diseases.
INDICATIONS:-
- Pitta skin disorders
- Fistula
- Piles
- Anaemia
- Jaundice
- Gout
- Conjunctivitis
- Vaginal disorder etc.
BASTI
The ayurvedic enema is quite different form the regular enema. Basti is known as Ardha chikitsa in Ayurveda which means basti treatment is adopted in wide range of diseases predominantly of vata imbalance. There are two types of basti
- Basti with oil
- Basti with medicated decoction
INDICATIONS:-
- Disorders caused in entire body or part of body.
- Obstruction of faeces, urine fart & semen
- Hemiplegia, facial paralysis, joint pain & arthritis.
- Pain in hip, knee, calf etc.,
NASYAM
Instillation of powders or ayurvedic liquids through nose is called nasya treatment. It is usually prescribed for diseases of Ear, Nose, Throat, headache, migraine, shoulders hairfall, acne [ pimples ] , cervical spondylysis etc.,
RAKTAMOKSHANA:-
Raktamokshan is an effective bllod purification therapy in which carefully controlled removal of small quantities of blood is conducted to neutralize accumulated pitta & other toxins of blood borne diseases. This is because raktamokshan pacifies the quantum of enhanced pitta dosha and thus the diseases caused by pitta are also relieved.
INDICATIONS:-
- Hemorrhoids
- Skin diseases
- Headache
- Gout
- Eye diseases
- Pain& inflammatory conditions.
JALUAKAVACHARAN
It is the method of removing impure blood from thr body using medicines leech saliva contains numerous bio-active constituent which possess, anti- inflammatory pain reliever, anti –oxidant, anti- coagulant & blood circulation enhancing properties.
INDICATIONS:-
- Chronic eczema
- Psoriasis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Sciatica
- Varicose veins
- Complicated wound
- Thrombosis
- Alopecia
- Skin diseases.
AGNI KARMA:- [ actual cauterization ]
The agni karma word made it is a para-surgical with combination of two words agni & karma. [ fire & procedure ]. In short using a metal rod for treating diseases. Agni karma is one of the important procedure described in Ayurveda. In this fast lifestyle patients need instant results on all pain.
SUPERIORITY OF AGNI KARMA :-
What the drug will not cure, the knife will cure
What the knife will not cure the cautery will cure
What the cautery will not cure, must be considered incurable.
INDICATIONS:-
- Ankylosing spondylisis
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Haemorrrhoids
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sciatica
- Gynacomastia
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- Corn etc.
KAYACHIKITSA :
The word kaya [ body ] not only refers to the gross body of a person but to the subtle body as well. This natural alternative medicine recognizes that the body of a person is the product of the constant psychosomatic interactions. Kayachikitsa applies several physical and mental disciplinary methods with special medicinal preparations, to rebuild the body cells & tissues after the initial process of detoxification through Panchakarma.
SHALYA CHIKITSA
The ancient india, surgery was principally pioneered by Ayurveda. Shalya chikitsa is a significant branch of ayurvedic science. The name of the sage physician sushruta is synonymous with surgery. According to sushruta, shalya tantra is best when the problem is beyond just medicinal repair.
RASAYANA:-
The word rasayana is a combination of two separate words rasa and ayan. The word rasa in this context means the first liquid tissue which nourishes all the tissues in the body & ayana is circulation. Rasayana also means the purification of all tissues from rasa to shukra.it also aims to giving strength to senses & mind.intellect.it is also called as body revitalizing and anti- ageing therapy.
SHALAKYA TANTRA:-
Shalakya tantra is the branch which deals with the health and diseases of head and neck portions of this speciality was nimi [ king of videha ] He learned this science from lordsum.
Netra chikitsa
Karna chikitsa
Mukharoga chikitsa
Shiroroga chikitsa
KAUMARABHRITYA:-
Kaumarabhritya is a branch of Ayurveda which deals with the child care both preventive & curative.bala chikitsa or kaumarabhritya focuses on childcare right from the foetal age to adolescence. The kapha dosa directly affects the growth & development in childhood & disturbance in kapha dosha is the cause of most childhood diseases.
PRASUTI TANTRA & STRI ROGA:-
Prasuti tantra & striroga is a significant branch of Ayurveda mainly dealing with child birth/parturition [ prasuti tantra ]/obstetrics & gynecological [ striroga disorders ]. In this ayurvedic medications & Panchakarma plays very important role.
GRAHA CHIKITSA:-
Graha chikitsa is mainly concerned with the diseases acquired or inherited from apparently unknown causes. The concept of Ayurveda also believes in the part karma or deeds as a causative factor of certain disease. Bhuta vaidya/graham chikitsa mentions the use of various disinfectant plants under this treatment. In addition diet, use of mantras & yogic therapies. Like meditation & pranayama.