Unforgettable oil-based cares all over the body. 😄
What is panchakarma?
This is an ayurvedic detox.
Ayurveda is traditional Indian medicine, whose foundations go back over 6000 years.
The aims of panchakarma are to :
- Restore balance to the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
- Eliminate toxins.
- Promote self-healing and health.
- Harmonize the energetic body.
- Calm the mind.
Treatments
Panchakarma is originally based on 5 main treatments:
- Vamana: vomiting.
- Virechana: intestinal purging.
- Nasya: nasal oil administration.
- Raktamokshana: blood purification.
- Basti: introduction of medicinal oil into the rectum.
However, treatment is adapted according to the initial diagnosis. For example, if I’m overweight, I’ll receive more purges.
Here are some other ayurvedic treatments that can be given:
- Abhyanga: warm oil massage.
- Shirodhara: dripping oil on the forehead.
- Karnapoorana: oils in the ears.
- Pizhichil: pouring hot oil all over the body.
- Swedana: steam sweating therapy.
- Mukha abhyanga: facial massage with oil.
- Kati basti: application of oil to the lumbar region.
- Pada abhyanga: leg massage.
Contraindications
An ayurvedic cure is not harmless. It has a shock effect, tires the body and is not suitable for everyone.
Contraindications :
- Pregnancy (except in a specialized center).
- Cancer.
- Under 18 years of age.
- Over 70.
- Menstruation during treatment.
- General weakness.
- Colitis.
- Infection.
Practical advice
Beforehand, I need to obtain the agreement of my attending doctor. The ayurvedic doctor at the selected center needs to be duly informed of my state of health and pathologies.
If I’m going to India, I can apply for a medical e-Visa.
In preparation, it’s a good idea to perform a gentle liver detox about 1 month before my departure. This will facilitate waste elimination on site.
A complete immersion program (including local accommodation and adapted food) is recommended, for added peace of mind.
The ideal duration is between 2 and 3 weeks.
Of course, we always hear amazing healing stories. However, it’s best not to have too many expectations. If I expect to be cured of an illness in a few days, I’m likely to be disappointed. Panchakarmas have profound effects, which are not always visible.
Regular supervision by an ayurveda doctor is essential during the treatments. Clinics usually have doctors on call at night, in case of complications.
After an ayurvedic retreat in India, it’s common to return home immediately. However, 2 or 3 days’ rest are necessary to allow my body to slowly recover.
Benefits
Even if I go through ups and downs, the powerful millenary treatments are a source of medium-term benefits.
Physical benefits
Panchakarma is mainly a detoxification of the whole organism. It frees the body from accumulated toxins.
Many diseases can benefit from a balancing of the doshas, in particular:
- Digestive disorders.
- Stress.
- Chronic inflammation.
- Circulatory disorders.
- Overweight.
- Chronic tiredness.
- Insomnia.
You don’t need to be ill to start a cure: panchakarma is excellent for prevention, every 3 years.
Energetic benefits
Traditional medicines understand the importance of energy. Most treatments benefit both the physical and energetic bodies.
Balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) is an energetic action.
Some treatments, such as shirodhara (pouring warm oil over the 3rd eye) are almost purely energetic.
Many clients emphasize:
- The tiredness felt during the therapy.
- Renewed vitality in the following weeks.
Emotional benefits
A panchakarma is not specifically designed for emotional well-being.
However, the rebalancing of the system may bring up unresolved emotional wounds.
During my ayurvedic treatment, the introduction of oil into my ear (karnapoorana) caused an ear infection. I was awakened in the middle of the night by intense pain. In such cases, it’s easy to blame the ayurvedic hospital. However, I prefer to consider that this therapy brought to light certain emotional wounds, which manifested themselves in the form of illness. I then used emotional acceptance.
Most ayurvedic resorts do not offer emotional and psychic support. This would be a great help for customers who are overwhelmed by emotions.
Conclusion
What are the benefits of the ayurvedic panchakarma treatment?
They are mainly physical and energetic.
The treatments can be surprising, but their effect is undeniable.
I had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks at Matt India, in Kerala (southern India). I can’t recommend the establishment highly enough, for the excellence of its treatments and the authenticity of the experience. It is not far from Amma’s ashram.
