
Panchakarma Treatment in Kerala

Ayurveda, the 5000-year-old science of natural healing, focuses on two types of therapies – Eliminatory and Pacificatory. Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that literally translates to ‘five actions’ or ‘five treatments’and falls under the eliminatory therapy. It is a group of procedures that aims to flush out the toxins (ama) from the body, resulting in the cleansing and rejuvenationof the body and mind. The name Panchakarma/five procedures relies upon five distinctive basic activities that control the body. They are Vamanam (emesis), Virechanam (purgation), Niruhavasthi (decoction enema) Nasyam (nasal instillation) and Rakthamoksha (bloodletting therapy).
Sanjeevanam ayurvedic hospital is well-known as a center for authentic Panchakarma treatment in Kerala – ayurveda that’s practiced and perfected in the original ways as per the teachings of the ancient sages. And just like any other ayurvedic procedure, Panchakarma (cleansing phase)is initiated with the Poorvakarma (preparatory phase) and ends with Paschat karma (after care or recovery phase). In-between these is the Pradhana karma (cleansing phase) which methodically leads the body through the 5 treatments.
The Gains of Panchakarma Therapy

It helps to purify the body by eliminating the adhered toxins

Reduces body weight

Increases the digestive fire and speeds up metabolism

Opens up the blocked channels

Relaxes mind and body

Rejuvenation, stress relief and boosts immunity
Who should get Panchakarma?
Panchakarma treatment can be done in both healthy and diseased persons. It is usually contraindicated in children below the age of 12 and seniors above the age of 70 years. Also,individuals who are very emaciated, pregnant, mentally unstable etc. are usually not allowed to undergoPanchakarma. So, depending upon the patient’s condition as decided by a qualified physician, an appropriate Panchakarma therapy can be selected and administered.
Procedure-Preparation and After care
Every Panchakarma should be started with Preparatory therapy and ended with After care as the body needs special preparations to withstand the main procedures. After the Panchakarma is over, the body needs special protection and regulated diet. This helps the body to return back to normal.
Poorvakarma is the stage when oleation therapy and induced sweating is carried out to help loosen the excess doshas and toxins accumulated in the body.
Pradhana karma is one among the Panchakarmas which is administered to expel impurities and revitalise the system. The five procedures are Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasya and Raktamoksha.
Paschat karma consists of a rehabilitation plan with diet, rest and lifestyle modifications – which are usually done to prevent the recurrence of disease. This is to bring back our body to normal stage as far as digestion and health are concerned.
Poorvakarma
(Preparatory Procedures)
This is a mandatory preparatory stage in which the body is prepared for loosening the toxins and excess doshas. The undigested toxins which are adhered to body fat and spread out in different parts of the body are set free through the Poorvakarma procedure for easy removal.
Pachana and Rookshana
Pachana is the first stage of Poorvakarma where undigested toxins/ama is digested and eliminated with the help of herbal medicines and external treatments.
Snehana/Oleation therapy
It involves internal and external use of medicated oils, ghee and other fat preparations suitable to the nature of the body and disease. This therapy is carried out for a minimum of 3 days to a maximum of 7 days to attain a saturation level. Its basic purpose is to loosen amam/toxins in the body, thereby facilitating their expulsion in the Pradhana karma stage.
The Oleation (Snehana) is of 2 types:Abhyantarasnehana (internal oleation) and Bahyasnehana (external oleation). Bahyasnehana is when medicated oil massages are administered all over the body, specifically to the affected parts of the body. In Abhyantarasnehana, patient is given medicated oil/ghee preparation to drink (with or without food) for internal oleation of body for a thorough cleansing.
Swedana
Swedana or sudation therapy is a treatment aimed at inducing sweat to loosen the toxins accumulated internally in the fat medium. It is an important treatment and can sometimes be administered independent of other procedures, for the sole purpose of relieving pain and other diseases. There are many kinds of Swedanatherapies based on the nature of disease, medicine used, purpose, etc.
Some of these are, Pinda sweda (using herbal powder bundles), Ushmasweda (dry fomentation), Baspasweda (Steam Bath), Avagahasweda (Tub Bath), Nadisweda (Heat directed with a pipe), Upanahasweda (Bandages), Pathrapindasweda (Leaves bundle), Dharasweda (Pouring from a height) are some of the types.
Pradhana karma
Pradhana karma, or the actual treatment procedure, is the stage after Poorvakarma during which the toxins are purged and the body is healed. This procedure is usually done when the time is right to extract the toxins and vitiated doshas. The treatment is always scheduled in concurrence with inner doshas and environmental factors.
The five basic
Panchakarmas are
Vamana
(Therapeutic Emesis)

Vamana is a treatment particularly suggested for Kapha dominant conditions. This treatment is to be done after internal and external Oleation (snehapana) and Sudation (swedana). This therapy enables medicine-controlled vomiting and help in disposing off the toxins and excess vitiated Kapha from the body tissues.
Virechana
(Purgation)
Virechana or Purgation or disposal of toxins through anal canal by clearing of bowels specifically for elimination of excess Pitta. After snehapana and swedana, patient is to be given a natural purgative medicine for encouraging cleaning of guts that aids in purifying body toxins. With the effect of the medicines, water from the cells drag to the colon and loosen toxins atthe cellular level, which is thenwashed out through the anal canal.

Vasti
(Medicated enema)

This treatment is so powerful in Vatta dominated conditions like arthritis, piles, ulcerative colitis and many other diseases which have chronic pathology. According to the nature of the disease, decoctions, oils, ghee, milk, Cow’s urine, Meat soup etc. are administered through the rectum to stimulate the vagus nerve there. It corrects the Gut – Brain axis and increases the absorption/elimination capacity of the colon for the purpose of palliation of the Vatta. There are 2 types of enemas, namely-Niroohavasti and Anuvasanavasti. In Anuvasanavasti, enema is administered using medicated oils, and in Niroohavasti, enema administered consists of a mixture of Kashaya, honey,ghee, saindava and tailam.
Nasya
(Sinus Cleansing)
This treatment is effective in clearing and purging the skull through the nasal root. It involves instillation of medicines through the nostrils to help in the removal of kapha doshas that vitiate the head and neck region.It affects the clearing of the whole head area and diminishes different sorts of cerebral pains, headaches, Sinusitis, Chronic Rhinitis, Allergic Rhinitis, hair issues, respiratory difficulties, cervical pain, shoulder pathologies, etc.

Raktamokshana
(Purgation)
This treatment refers to the removal of vitiated blood and targets ailments caused by impure blood. It is very effective in majority of skin diseases like psoriasis, dermatitis, varicose veins, etc.

Paschat karma
(After care)

To get the full benefits of Panchakarma, certain precautions are specifically followed after completion of Pradhana karma. It includes samsarjana karma (gradual administration of food) and Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy).
After the Pradhana karma, patients usually lose some body weight and the digestive power becomes feeble. In such cases, the patient is advised samsarjana karma, which includes a specialized diet plan and restrictions in certain activities. This in turn brings back the digestive power and strength by starting from a bland diet and gradually moving towards a heavier diet (starch, carbohydrate, protein and fats, one by one).
Rasayana refers to rejuvenation therapy which follows Pradhanakarma to maintain the results of panchakarma therapy. Rasayana therapy can be done without Panchakarma too. But when used alone, itbringsabout lower quality results.
Once panchakarma therapy is completed, the imbalanced Doshas will attain equilibrium and stabilize the tissues further, leading to the body achieving a healthier condition too.
How long does Panchakarma Treatment take?
Panchakarma is the ultimate detox or purification therapy administered through a set of 5 specialized ayurvedic therapies. The treatment begins with the mandatory preparatory phase known as Poorvakarma and ends with the Paschat karma or recovery phase. In-between these two stages is the actual treatment process which is the cleansing phase and is called the Pradhana karma. This cleansing phase is in multiple steps and the ayurvedic doctor will set you through the paces according to your body’s ability to go through each purification step.
It is designed for the ultimate purification of the mind and body and treatment is primarily focused on balancing the vitiated doshas of the individual. It should be noted here that every Panchakarma therapy is designed specifically according to the patient’s needs, age and health condition. So, since there is no universal Panchakarma package available as a ‘one-size-fits-all’, treatments can vary from anywhere between 7 days to an upper limit of 21 days, depending on the individual’s needs.
Benefits of Panchakarma Treatment
The significance of the positive effects of Ayurveda are tremendous on the current artificial way of life. Lifestyles are becoming deeply entrenched in stress, sedentary habits and highly-processed diets. This is where Panchakarma plays an eminent role in rejuvenation and purification of the body and soul. Panchakarma utilizes medicated oils for balancing the vitiated doshas and eliminating all impurities from the body.
Some of the outstanding benefits of Panchakarma include:
Weight reduction,Immunity booster,Rejuvenation of tissues,Removal of toxins,Speeding up metabolism,Opening up blocked channels,Complete purification of the body, Completely relaxing the body and mind
Aside from this, Panchakarma benefits for skin are outstanding as the natural purification process makes the individual look younger than their actual age!
Best Panchakarma Centre in Kerala
There is no two ways about it, the world is changing at a rapid rate, and along with it, technologies, lifestyles and dietary habits. The current sedentary lifestyles paired up with ill-timed unhealthy, highly processed foods are leading to numerous health problems. These include obesity, back pains, slipped discs, stress, etc. To prevent yourself from getting caught into the vicious cycle of medications, surgeries and back again to more medications, ayurveda offers you a more natural and holistic treatment in the form of Panchakarma. Come experience the best panchakarma treatments in Kerala, a land known for its beautiful beaches, wholesome food and friendly people.
Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment in Kerala is dependent on five natural therapies that target complete cleansing of the body in the most natural way possible. This therapy helps nurture a balance between the mind, body and consciousness through a gentle detoxification process that leaves the person feeling fully energized and rejuvenated. God’s own Country, Kerala, is famous for its authentic ayurveda practices and for those on the lookout for Panchakarma packages in Kerala, do check out the wholesome and effective deals offered by Sanjeevanam ayurvedic hospital in Cochin, Kerala.
And the best part is that Panchakarma treatment costs in Kerala won’t cost you an arm or a leg either! Since Panchakarma is a natural, non-invasive treatment, it is very decently priced too. Come, experience the healing powers of an authentic Kerala Panchakarma massage at Sanjeevanam, and you will keep coming back for more!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Panchakarma in ayurveda?
Panchakarma refers to a major purification treatment process from the world of ancient ayurvedic practices. In Sanskrit, Panchakarma means ‘five’ (pancha) and ‘actions’ (karma), literally meaning ‘five actions’ or ‘five treatments’. It involves five different cleansing methods of the body to help get rid of toxins (ama) from the body. Panchakarma therapy involves the following treatments:
- Vamana (therapeutic emesis)
- Virechana (purgation therapy)
- Vasthi (medicated enema)
- Nasya (nasal cleansing)
- Raktamokshana (bloodletting therapy)
Some of the benefits of panchakarma include weight reduction, toxin removal, rejuvenation of tissues, immunity booster, speeding up the metabolism fires and complete relaxation and purification of the mind and body.
What is 12-day Panchakarma?
The panchakarma therapy has its roots in the ancient science of ayurveda. This alternative form of treatment consists of five different therapies includingVamana (emesis or vomiting therapy), Virechana (purgation therapy), Vasthi (medicated enema), Nasya (nasal elimination of toxins) and Raktamokshana (bloodletting therapy to detoxify the blood).
The therapy is designed as the patients’ unique requirements. It can be carried out over 7, 12, 14, or 21 days and aims to cleanse out all the systems of the body using natural means, including a simple vegetarian diet.
What happens in Panchakarma?
Modern lifestyles are becoming increasingly toxic and stressful to the human body and soul. Panchakarma, an ancient ayurvedic science of natural healing, utilizes five different forms of treatments to detox the body and rejuvenate the mind. It is aimed at eliminating the toxins (ama) through the natural pathways and increases the digestive fire (agni) in the body.
- It cleanses the colon with ayurvedic enemas and herbal oils and decoctions
- It cleanses the digestive system by medically-induced vomiting
- It cleanses the five sense organs through nasal irrigation
- It cleanses the digestive system with medically-induced purging.
- It cleanses the blood through bloodletting
How does Panchakarma Slow the Aging Process?
Our environment is becoming increasingly more polluted everyday and this takes its toll on our body, mind and skin. Periodic treatments for detoxification, rejuvenation and purification therapies like Panchakarma help keep the body clean and fresh, from inside out. It nourishes the deeper tissues while defying age-related damages to the skin.
In Panchakarma, the anti-aging concept is known as ‘Rasayana’ and it works through a highly-effective combination of natural herbs, nourishing diet and wholesome activities. Rasayana refers to the clearing of channels for smooth flow of matter and energy, and forms an essential part of the panchakarma treatment.
What are the 5 Treatments of Panchakarma?
Panchakarma forms a basic part of ayurvedic treatment for rejuvenation, purification and detoxification of the human body. For the uninitiated, the panchakarma treatment is made up of five different cleansing procedures that are aimed at eliminating toxins and increasing the digestive fire.
The five Panchakarma therapies are Vamana (medicated emesis), Nasya (nasal irrigation), Virechana (therapeutic purgation), Basti (Medicated oil/herbal decoction enema) and Raktamokshana (bloodletting). The treatment uses natural essential oils, masks/wraps, special vegetarian diet, healthy fats and lifestyle changes. It is suggested that Panchakarma should be done around three times a year, in tune with the changing seasons.
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