What is panchakarma?
Panchakarma
Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or have been learning about it for a while, you may or may not have heard about Panchakarma (Sanskrit word). Pancha means five in Sanskrit, and Karma action or therapy. It’s a deeply cleansing, rejuvenating, and long-term effective process of ridding the body of ama, or toxins. It needs time, it’s not a quick fix and the integration process after the therapy is just as important as the cleansing itself. In fact, if the time after isn’t respected, it can cause more harm than good. Usually, therapy is done over 14-21 days in India.
I am able to draw a lot of parallels to my Panchakarma experience three years ago and the time I’m finding myself in now. Both were opportunities to peek inside, to slow down, to go offline, and to fully listen to what is waiting for my attention. Both times I reacted the same way at first - I had trouble getting off my phone, looking for distractions from what really was going on deep down. Both times I came to a turning point where I realized, what I was looking for can not be found on the outside. Only on the inside. It sounds cliche, but true in my experience.
Why do Panchakarma?
This is one of the most powerful cleansing protocols one can undergo. The process is systematic, personalized, and guided by Ayurvedic doctors that are trained in both western and ayurvedic medicine with many years of experience. Most symptoms and illnesses that we experience can be treated. In some cases if a person is to weak it isn’t appropriate to undergo this kind of cleanse. In this case, the doctor will work with you and prescribe a building and nourishing protocol instead. So what is this ama that we are getting rid of, and how does it get stuck in our body?
Ama
Ama (pronounced Aam) is a sticky, clogging physical substance that disrupts movement and flow in our body. It is created when we go against our body’s natural needs and take ourselves out of balance, often with actions we already know are harmful to us. This is called prajnaparadha (crimes against wisdom). It can for example be to overeat, to eat when we’re not hungry, to overstimulate our senses, and to have foods that we know we don’t digest well or that are low in nutrients and prana. Usually, when our digestion functions well, we can absorb the nutrients in the food we need, and discard the rest. However, if the pressure on the digestive system gets too high, ama gets created. Ayurveda is not lecturing or used in a way to make us feel bad about our choices. It’s simply a gentle nudge from nature and a reminder that when we don’t align with the reality of life, the laws of nature, we have consequences. Ama can be one of these consequences and since it’s sticky in its quality, it’s difficult to get rid of it once it’s created. There’s no space for ama in the digestive tract, so it is transported into the deeper tissues of the body. There it lodges itself and through the process of Panchakarma, it can be loosened up and expelled through vomiting and elimination.
The preparation phase (Poorva Karma)
The first phase of the therapy is focusing on preparing the body. Each practitioner does it a little differently but what is common between all, is that Abhyanga, Ayurvedic oil massages are used to loosen up the body and the tissues. Ghee either medicated with herbs for your constitution or pure, is ingested. The food that is served is slightly warm. The body needs to be warm for the channels to open up, for this reason, it’s recommended to do Panchakarma in a place where it’s at least 15’C or one needs to stay inside in a heated building the whole time. After 3-6 days of consuming the oils, the skin begins to glow. This is a sign that the body has taken in the ghee and that all parts of the body are well lubricated. It’s time for the next step, the five therapies. This shloka was posted on the wall in my Panchakarma treatment room in India:
“You are more powerful than you think.” Remembering that is crucial while going through an as deep process as panchakarma. There has to be faith in the practitioner, the treatment therapist, and a calm mind at peace and in trust with the process from the beginning to end.
The treatment phase (Pradhana karma)
Not everyone will have all therapies done. Depending on how much time you have available during and after the Panchakarma to rest, what imbalances you carry, and your current state of health, the practitioner or doctor will make a plan for you. Usually, the practices are done in the following order:
1. Vomana - Induced vomiting.
This is probably the deepest and most challenging practice since it can be so Vata-provoking. The place I underwent Panchakarma at would only do the Vomana procedure if the patient dedicated three weeks for only this practice and none of the other therapies. The patient would have to stay at least 17 days weeks in the clinic afterward to make sure recovery was going well and that no side effects were created. There are different ways to induce vomiting. It can be done with teas, herbs, and drinking large amounts of water. Vomana is mainly done to clear excess Kapha (mucus and excess water and flem in the body) so not everyone will benefit.
2. Virechana - Cleansing of the colon
This is the most common therapy in Panchakarma, mainly used to clear pitta imbalances but also Kapha. On an empty stomach in the morning hours or after 10 am in Pitta time, a laxative is taken. Usually, a herbal paste and then a mixture of milk and castor oil is consumed. A few hours later the bowel movements start. It is common to have anything between 8-20 bowel movements and as the day goes on, they change in quality and color. It’s important to keep track of what time and consistency they have and report back to the physician so they understand where in the process you are. The patient is fasting during the day and will only have a very thin rice soup in the evening with no salt or spices to replenish the body. The day after is a day for rest and continues with very light food. To feel exhausted is actually a sign that the therapy was successful. If the patient isn’t exhausted, it can mean that the Dosha only has been provoked but not fully expelled, and it might cause problems later.
3. Nasya - cleansing of nose and sinuses
Nasya is a deeply clearing practice for the sinuses and area around the nose, throat, and ears, but can even go so deep as to affect the brain. It is also Vata aggravating so it is important to rest afterward and stay off screens as much as possible. Nasya is done with a face massage with special oils, to lubricate the area around the sinuses, and then oils are dropped into the nostrils in a specific pattern. It can feel quite intense since the nose is such a sensitive area. During the process, the patient breathes deeply in a specific pattern. To balance out the effect of the oils, dopa is used afterward. This is a practice where turmeric smoke is ingested. Nasya oil can be used daily at home in the morning to nourish the nose and sinuses. If you are looking for a nasya oil for home use, find more information about how to use it and purchase my favorite oil from Sacred Rasa here.
4. Basti - Oil enemas
Oil enemas are probably one of the most powerful practices in Panchakarma. In the west it is more common to do colon cleanses with water or coffee. They can be drying, heating, and aggravating and actually cause more dryness and further problems down the line. In the basti process medicated oils specific for the person undergoing treatment is used. The herbs are boiled into the oil, sometimes as many as up to a hundred different herbs for very specific conditions. The amount of oil, the timing, and how many days the basti is performed, is also individual. By lubricating the colon this way, deep nourishment can be provided to the body. It results in a calm and clear mind, a deep sense of peace, as well as easy elimination and digestion. The herbs are absorbed more quickly through the colon than taken orally and the effects can therefore be profound and instant.
5. Rakta moksha - Bloodletting
The fifth practice of bloodletting is traditionally performed by using leeches to purify the blood. This is not allowed in many western countries for ethical and hygienic reasons, and an alternative would be to cleanse the blood with medical instruments. Alternatively, herbs can be used, diet, and improving digestion can be helpful options too. The main effect purification of the blood provides is clear skin and ease from skin diseases.
The post-treatment phase (Paschat karma)
This phase is the most important of them all, supporting the body and mind in the integration of all the practices. If this time is overlooked, the body may not recover and actually be harmed by the treatments. Right after finishing the therapies the body and mind are clear and clean. The senses are heightened and stepping out into the world can be incredibly overwhelming. I remember entering the airport with its bright lights and sounds wearing sunglasses and still feeling overwhelmed. Just like any yoga class needs a final end relaxation posture, shavasana, so does every treatment need to end with a soothing phase of integration and nourishment. Often herbs are taken and grounding pastes known as rasayanas are consumed to support recovery. It’s recommended to keep food light for the following weeks, and to stay out of cold water, wind, and excess sun. If you do your panchakarma somewhere else and need to fly back, make sure you have a few days of recovery at the center or clinic before leaving. It’s also beneficial to fly during the day to not miss out on sleep, observe the same eating times as during the treatment and not go back to work right after. As you hear, panchakarma is an elaborate process that requires time. It’s a luxury to be able to carve out this much time in our modern society. An option available at home is the home panchakarma provided by Hale Pule. You find a link to more information about this here.
Where shall I do panchakarma then?
I get this question often. Later this week I will share an exciting opportunity for you to undergo this special treatment. Naina (The Ayurvedic Pharmacy) and I are planning a once-in-a-lifetime experience perfect for you if you have long-term health problems and want to finally heal, are planning a pregnancy, or need a reset for other reasons. Would you like to be notified when we share more information? Add your email below.