Panchakarma - Itoozhi Ayurveda

Ayurveda prescribes Panchakarma Therapy as the best remedy for almost all ailments as it purifies the body from toxic waste that have settled in the body due to wrong life styles prevailing in the modern world. Panchkarma comprises five distinct therapeutic procedures. Each procedure has an importance in our body. That is why utmost care is exercised at Itoozhi Nursing Home while performing Panchakarma on patients. Patients leave our nursing home after Panchakarma with an improved vigour and resume their normal activities with total confidence.

The five different procedures in Panchakarma treatment are:

In this procedure patients are induced to vomit. This stage is for purifying your chest and stomach. This treatment is a cure for chronic respiratory problems and allergic skin disorders.

It is purgation process, which concentrates on purifying your entire body along with vascular system. This method also helps us to get rid of various skin related problems.

Kashayavasthi – During this procedure patients are subjected to medicated enema using time tested Ayurvedic preparations. The aim of this process is to solve any rheumatic and neurological problems in the body. Obesity is another problem which vasthi has proved to be the remedy.

Snehavasthi – Medicated oil is used for enema,very effective for back pain due to variety of reasons.

In this medicated oils and are poured into nostrils. This is used in treating headaches including migraine, cervical spondylosis, facial palsy etc. The patients gets wonderful relief from all the above problems after practicing Nasyam by pouring medicated Ayurvedic oils or other prescribed medicines into the nasal cavity.

It is the best remedy for all ailments caused by impure blood. During this procedure, thrust is given on treatments developed for purifying the blood in the body. Obviously, this process is the best cure for skin eruptions and psoriasis amongst others. Jalaukavacharanam is one of the most popular methods in is class ( Jalauka refers to the leech) Accomplishing the Rakthamokshana by allowing the leech to suck the blood from the site of lesion is known as Jalaukavacharanam. For this purpose non-poisonous leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) are used.

Panchakarma being a complex process in itself, to get best out of this treatment, Ayurveda prescribes few preparatory treatments. Snehapanam and Swedana m are two such preparatory treatments. While Snehapanam is an internal treatment by taking medicated oils and ghee. Swedam is the external massage of the body by hot cloth bundles, medicated warm oil bath, steam bath, medicated hot water bath etc. this also treats peptic duodenal ulcers, skin problems and degenerative diseases. Abhyangam is another effective method which involves a combination of specially prepared Ayurvedic herbal oils and applied all over the body. This prevents early aging and relieves muscular aches and pain.

The Concept of Kizhi in Panchakarma

In this treatment the whole body is made to perspire by the external application of medicated packs in the form of boluses tied in cloth bags. The packs are made up of rice ( Njavarakizhi ) or herbal powder ( Choorna Kizhi ) or herbal leaves ( Elakizhi ) the treatment is useful in musculo-skeletal disorders, degenerative conditions and neurological problems.

Fomentation done with a bundle of medicinal powder tied in cotton cloth.

In Elakizhi instead of herbal powders, herbal leaves is used and procedure is similar to Podikizhi

Navara rice is boiled and cooked in the mixture of milk and a decoction. This is then packed in cloth and tied into bundle .The patient has to lie on the table on his back after oil application on his head and body. Navarakizhi is heated in the same liquid mixture and taken in a vessel and are applied on patients body after checking the temperature. The therapy is done until the cloth bundle becomes empty.

Dhara in Panchakarma

The two principal methods are Shirodhara and Thakaradhara. In Shirodhara treatment, medicated fluids-oils, milk or buttermilk are poured on the forehead in a special way. The most common method is used with medicated oils. The treatments start with oil application on head and body. In Thakradhara, medicated buttermilk is poured on the forehead. The treatments start with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth piece is tied around the patients’ forehead to protect oil from dripping to the eyes.

Snehapaana in Panchakrama

Snehapaana means drinking the sneha or the unctuous material like ghee (clarified butter), sesame oil or marrow. However ghee (clarified butter) is most commonly used. This is the first step in the preparation of the person for an intensive cleansing of the system by vamana (inducing vomiting) or virechana (inducing purgation) procedures an dhelps in destabilizing the doshas (causative factors for diseases) pathologically accumulated.

The concept of Pichu in Panchakarma

Pichu is an external oil application, superior to abhyanga in potency. Pichu is done only to the affected parts, like head, low back etc. It is done as a major treatment and a simplified version of it is done along with other oil treatments like abhyanga.

Pizhichil (Kayasekam) in Panchakarma

During this treatment, the patient is laid in a tub specially made form the wood of trees known for its medicinal values. Slow stream of warm medicated oil is applied all over the body along with ayurvedic massages. Pizhichil is known to be one of the best treatments for rheumatic and neurological ailments.

Sirovasti in Panchakarma

The treatment consists of keeping the prescribed medicated oil at a bearable temperature in a leather cap fitted around the head of the patient. The oil is filled in the cap up to a level of one finger above the crown of the head.