The word Panchakarma comes from classical Ayurvedic texts and means literally "five actions". Subtly harmonising purification procedures dissolve metabolic waste products and environmental toxins from the body's tissues in a gentle and effective way and eliminate them from the physiology. These extremely pleasant relaxing treatments enliven the bodies own self-healing powers bringing about a profound and lasting rejuvenation.

Panchakarma can be taken for as few as three consecutive days to a more common five-day treatment and as many as thirty days.

Below we examine the sequence and how it works.

HOME PREPARATION

Impurities typically are stored in fat cells where they can remain for decades. To flush them out panchakarma begins with a form of internal oleation therapy, called snehana, which usually takes 3-5 days. During this time the individual reduces consumption of oil and fats especially. Then first thing every morning on an empty stomach he drinks melted Ghee, the amount being specified by the physician. On the fourth day, a virechana procedure is followed, a laxative (usually castor oil) is ingested which leads to purgation over the next 12 hours. Snehana and virechana are done at home, usually within a few days or a week of beginning panchakarma treatment in the clinic.

Main treatments in the clinic:

Abhyanga

A gentle synchronised full body massage with individually selected herbalised oils. This is a warm-oil massage given by two specially trained technicians who work in tandem on both sides of the body. Abhyanga normally uses sesame oil, which penetrates the pores of the skin loosening impurities and toxins. The oils are concentrated with herbs and are metabolised by the whole body. Abhyanga is a favourite with our guests, it is carried out in silence, which helps to harmonise the body's functions. Silence and rest are important components in the process of activating the body's own self-healing mechanisms. We offer a variety of other massage sequences:

Urdvartana

This massage with a paste made with ground grains and herbal powders cleanses the skin, increases circulation and promotes weight loss.

Garshan

Massage with raw silk gloves creating friction on the surface of the skin and increasing circulation in the body. It promotes weight loss and clears away clogging impurities that might cause problems such as cellulite. Garshan is followed by oil massage.

Vishesh

Vishesh is full body massage with extra pressure. It serves to relax the muscles profoundly and powerfully stimulates the circulation in the tissues.

Nasya

This is a special massage for the head, neck, shoulders and sinuses. Nasya also involves installation of various herbal drops to cleanse the nasal passages. During nasya treatment herbal steam is inhaled through the nose helping to clear excess mucus from the nasal passages and lungs. The base of the brain is right behind the nasal cavity thus nasya is said to stimulate the base of the brain through its effect on the olfactory nerve endings bringing greater clarity and balance to the mind, brain and senses. Nasya is said to be helpful in the treatment of all disorders above the clavicle, including those involving the thyroid gland, sinuses and the brain and senses. It is often prescribed for headaches.

Shirodhara

In this treatment a stream of warm oil is poured evenly over the forehead lasting for some time. Shirodhara is done in absolute silence. It is a cooling treatment that settles the mind and profoundly relaxes the central nervous system. Men and women alike experience it as a high point of panchakarma therapy.

Netra tarpana

In today's world saturated with optical stimuli our eyes are often strained and overtired. This has an adverse effect on our vision and activity. Netra tarpana treatment has a relaxing effect on the eyes and surrounding tissue, it is carried out in conjunction with face massage. This treatment helps remove impurities from the eyes and includes ghee eyebaths.

Pizzichilli

Is a special form of treatment combining oil massage and heat treatment. In this 'royal treatment' a gentle synchronised massage is carried out under a constant flow of warm oil. The oil goes deep into the tissues and is especially helpful for problems of the musculo-skeletal system i.e. joints and muscle tension.

Swedana

In this treatment, following the oil massage one's body is enclosed in a wooden cabinet and surrounded by herbalised steam (the head is not enclosed and is cooled and protected from the heat throughout the treatment). The vapours dilate and soften the channels of the body allowing the impurities to move out.

Pinda Swedana

Small linen bags filled with specially prepared mixture of herbs, grains and medicated oils are applied locally to relieve musculo-skeletal pain.

Elimination therapies (BASTI)

At the end of the treatment each day, after impurities from different parts of the body have been loosened and drawn into the intestinal tract the patient receives a basti. These gentle internal cleansing treatments use either warm herbalised oil or water based herbal decoctions to eliminate impurities from the intestinal tract. This is one of the most important aspects of treatment; ayurvedic texts say that by basti alone 50% of illness can be reduced.

There are two basic kinds of bastis:

• Lubricating, balancing, nourishing, strengthening, pacifying
• Eliminating and reducing

Maintaining results at home

After one has had panchakarma, this morning routine is a way of consolidating and extending the benefits of the therapy - doing something to remove impurities at the beginning of every day. Ayurveda recommends a daily abhyanga (oil massage) taken each morning at home and followed by a warm bath. This self-massage has a similar effect (though on a smaller scale) as the abhyanga during panchakarma because it loosens the impurities and clears the channels of the body. Abhyanga also settles the nerves through the sense of touch. The warm bath or shower that follows allows the shrotas (arteries, veins, lymphatic channels) to dilate and the impurities to flow out, as do the heating treatments of panchakarma (e.g. swedana).

This simple home routine is an effective way to assist he body in removing waste and impurities and thus to maintain, or even increase, the benefits of panchakarma. (Go to: Maharishi Ayurveda Products for specialised herbal massage oils.)