Ayurvedic Panchakarma Detox Therapies

The purpose of an Ayurvedic detox is to naturally and gently purify, rejuvenate and revitalise the body through the removal of toxins, impurities and metabolic waste/toxins (Ama).

Ama is undigested food and if this toxic residue is left in the body it interferes with the functioning of the tissues and leads to imbalance, illness and disease. This creates fatty deposits, water retention, excess weight, painful joints and cellulite.

The goal of an Ayurvedic detox is to systematically release, melt, loosen, mobilise and eliminate these impurities from the body before they build-up and create more serious complaints in the areas they have lodged.

A detox creates balance in the body whilst also nourishing and cleansing the intestinal tract. This results in more available energy for strengthening the immune system and maintaining the body in a state of relaxation, health and vitality.

During the various stages of a Panchakarma detox a variety of treatments will be given. They involve the application of warm, herbalised oil through the medium of massage. Many of the massage therapies last over an hour and are harmoniously administered .

The aromatic oils help loosen and dislodge toxins and impurities stored within the deeper tissues. Massage therapies may be followed by a second treatment; either svedana - an herbal steam therapy which dilates bodily channels and mobilises impurities trapped within them - or Shirodhara which relaxes the mind and pacifies the energy of vata dosha.

The primary oil used in the massage treatment is Sesame oil which has been shown to have powerful anti-carcinogenic, anti-melanoma and antioxidant effects. Its potency is increased by a special ‘curing’ process and by infusing the oil with a decoction of Ayurvedic herbs. The type of massage selected and the depth and speed of the massage depends on your Ayurvedic constitution (prakriti) or imbalance.

Panchakarma treatment however, is unique in its ability to effectively eliminate both water-based and oil-based toxins from the body and in doing so helps to rejuvenate and revitalise the whole body.

Once the tissues have been cleansed and digestive fire has been strengthened, the eaten food and herbs then capable of being effectively metabolised by the body. Improvement in health is then possible.

Beneficial Effects of Panchakarma Detox Therapy

The beneficial contribution of Panchakarma Detox Therapy is that it removes the toxic materials from the body and provides purification of the body at two levels:

(1) The gross level, where various organs and systems of the body are thoroughly cleansed (e.g., cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, chest, etc.); and

(2) The cellular level, where purification and cleansing of the body is produced at the level of cells, cell membranes, and molecules.

Panchakarma Detox Therapy helps bring the whole body to normalcy; starts rejuvenation and revitalization of all body tissues; potentates the pharmacological actions of various drugs.Medicines administered after Panchakarma Detox Therapy, removes waste products, unwanted materials, various toxins, and stagnant Doshas; and potentiates physiological functions of all the body systems (e.g., gut absorption improves considerably and metabolism is also corrected).

The prognosis of various diseases that are difficult to treat with simple administration of medicines becomes significantly improved (good prognosis) after administration of Panchakarma Detox Therapy.

Panchakarma Detox Therapy not only is a prerequisite for all the therapeutic procedures and medications but also has a full therapeutic role in promoting preventive, curative, and rehabilitative procedures.

If properly performed, Panchakarma Detox Therapy does not produce any serious complications. If any minor complications are produced, they are easily manageable. Specialized techniques of Panchakarma Detox Therapy are simple to perform and can be carried out at both the outdoor patient and indoor patient (OPD and IPD) levels.

In short the benefits of Panchakrma detox therapy are:

Cleanses the digestive tract
Increases energy and vitality
Balances the mind
Strengthens the immune system
Reduces stress and anxiety
Improves digestion, assimilation
Eliminates disease-causing free-radicals
Strengthens the endocrine system
Creates clarity of mind
Releases negative emotions
Reduces mental ‘chatter’
Increases muscle strength and tone
Strengthens and regenerates bone tissue
Balances the nervous system
Decreases cholesterol
Unblocks arteries
Balances high and low blood pressure
Eliminates toxins and metabolic waste
Detoxifies the liver and blood
Increases health and happiness
Improves complexion and skin tone

For a detox to be totally successful we must first rest the mind and the digestive system as these are our two most energy-demanding activities. This allows us to maximize the amount of potential energy available for cleansing, re-balancing and strengthening the body.

The next step is to gently move waste products and toxins (ama) from where they are lodged in the deeper structures of the body and to eliminate them either through the nose and mouth (through nasya & vamana therapy), the gastro-intestinal tract (through enema or basti therapy) or through the pores of the skin (through heating or sweating therapy - svedana).

Finally, we then need to nourish and strengthen the body. To safely and comfortably flush toxins and impurities from the body requires several important stages.

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