Ayurvedic therapies
Panchakarma according to Ayurvedic principles
Pancha karma literally means "five actions" and allows for detoxification, relaxation, rejuvenation and revitalization.
Disruptions
Each Ayurvedic treatment aims distortions with respect to Vata , Pitta and Kapha to lift. An illness (physical and mental) is always the result of an imbalance between the three dosha 's, which may be caused by themselves toxins (ama) nested in the tissues. If one wants to cause disease than really addressing these toxins must be removed or neutralized.
Cleansing cure
At the physical level, the toxins will be eliminated physically. This may be through panchakarma, a cleansing treatment. The effect of a cleaning cycle is not only noticeable physically, but also psychologically. The patient sits after a (good) panchakarma significantly better 'in its skin. "
Ayurveda has basically two groups of treatments:
1. Brimhana, treatments that add substances that nourish, strengthen and enrich. The elements of a brimhana are: soil and water.
2. Langhana, treatments that remove, reduce materials. The elements are here: ether, air and fire. A langhana-treatment may shamana (resting) or shodana (cleaning) to be.
Five components
Panchakarma is in Ayurveda, the most common form of therapy for almost all diseases. It is a cleansing treatment which consists of five parts. The name Panchakarma literally means 'five actions'. The five actions that must undergo the patient according to the ancient teachings are: vomiting, purging, enemas, nasal therapy and phlebotomy. Rarely all five treatments are needed; usually the doctor / therapist chooses only one or two of these. Cupping is an element that is not common in our society and so there is not applied. This cleaning treatment can be used therapeutically, but also has preventive value. The three doshas are in fact brought into balance through panchakarma again and that is necessary for maintaining good health.
Panchakarma treatment
A panchakarma treatment consists of preparing for the spa (purva karma), the treatment itself (pradhana karma), and aftercare (Paschat karma). The preparation is needed to prepare the body for what is to come. This concerns in particular oil administration (external and internal) and heat (sweat). Without preparation could harm a panchakarma. After treatment requires special attention to diet and daily lifestyle .
The various components of the panchakarma in a row:
1. vamana (vomiting)
Therapeutic vomiting is a one-day treatment and is intended to reduce excess Kapha. After all kapha resides in the stomach (and lungs), and the shortest way to get rid is through surrender of abundant kapha (phlegm). This treatment is therefore used is increased in patients with Kapha dominance or who Kapha.
Season: The best season for this treatment is spring, when Kapha is already enhanced both by the heavy food in the winter and by the humid season.
Indications: Vomiting is in particular recommended for: asthma, bronchitis, infections of the respiratory system, diseases with copious mucus (allergies). Furthermore in: earliest stages of diabetes, skin diseases, edema, seizures, problems with the sinus cavities, tonsillitis, migraine, slow metabolism, loss of taste and poor appetite.
Contra - indications: Vata domination or Vata imbalance, children and elderly, menstruating or pregnant women, emaciated people, bleeding in the stomach and lungs, heart disease, obesity, ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen), dry cough, acute fever.
2. virecana (purging)
Purgative therapy is also a one-day treatment that is intended to remove excess Pitta. This treatment is given three days after the surrender therapy, or - surrender therapy is not needed - right the first main treatment. Purging is good for Pitta Pitta dominance and elevated. Kapha often plays a role in increased Pitta and in that case purging well. In the treatment, the excess Pitta from liver, gallbladder and spleen all eruggebracht to its original place, the small intestine. Through purging is now cleaned the small intestine. Sometimes sufficient purging, usually purge, needed a more powerful form of laxatives.
Season: The best season for this treatment is the summer, when the heat Pitta is already elevated.
Indications: purgation therapy is especially recommended for the following symptoms: chronic fever, skin disorders, allergic eczema, acne, acute diarrhea, liver problems, jaundice, inflammation, hematological problems, nose and mouth bleeding, hemorrhoids, worms, gout, vaginal symptoms, anal fistula, anemia, swollen glands and loss of appetite.
Contra - indications: Vata domination or Vata imbalance, children under 12 and people over 75, women who are menstruating, pregnant or just have a baby behind, subsidence, serious constipation, lung hemorrhage, intestinal and rectal complaints, gorges the anus, chronic diarrhea, emaciated people, weak digestion, acute fever.
3. vasti or basti (enemas or enemas)
Enemas are used primarily to reduce excess vata, all constitutions. Vata is mainly located in the colon and in the bones. The lining of the colon is in direct contact with the periosteum of the bones in that area and a rectally administered medicinal substance is so fast in the bone contact and can cure there Vata stoornisssen. Given that it is Vata, which spreads disease through the body and Vata is involved in all chronic conditions, it is not surprising that the enema is considered the most effective treatment in Ayurveda.
Besides excess Vitta are indeed ama, mala and increased discharged Pitta. An enema can, like purging, a standalone treatment or as part of a panchakarma. If it follows a previous treatment, there must be three days among them. Here, too, there is a one-day treatment, which is repeated a number of times, however, during a panchakarma.
Season: The best season for an enema treatment is autumn, when Vata through many storms is already elevated.
Indications: A Vitta-imbalance manifests itself in three areas:
a neurological symptoms such as headache, and nerve symptoms;.
b. complaints about bones and joints such as rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis, low back pain and gout;
c. mental symptoms such as anxiety attacks.
In these areas, an enema may therefore be beneficial. It is also indicated for chronic constipation, chronic fever, kidney problems and sexual disorders.
Contra - indications: General: children under 12 and people over 75 years, emaciation, ulcerative colitis, acute fever, anemia, asthma, vomiting.
Oil Enema: diabetes, obesity, poor digestion, enlarged spleen, unconsciousness. Enema with a decoction: debilitated people, hiccups, hemorrhoids, anal inflammation, diarrhea, pregnancy, liver complaints ascites, diabetes.
Preparation: Preparation is simple: massage, sweating and at least 6 hours after a meal.
Treatment: There are different types of enemas.
The two main groups are:
a. anavasana oil or enemas, which are especially nourishing. The content consists mainly of sesame oil, which warm water is added and sometimes some salt and spices. This enema is taken in the evening, the content is at night and kept inside or not excreted in the morning. The body can ingest the nutrients from the rectum. The content may range from 60-300 ml. The oil enema works, in particular, in at apana Vayu (a subdosha of Vata), and that means that mala, semen, menstrual will decrease, and abdominal discomfort.
b. astapana or enemas with decoctions of herbs (originally eight herbs) that are calming and cleansing. The composition of such an enema can vary a lot. A typical composition is about 200 cc of sesame oil and 250 cc of a herbal extract with, for example dasmula (Ayurvedic herbal composition of 10 / roots), calamus, fennel, ginger, and a little salt. It is early morning or late administered through the rectum and into held for 15-50 minutes. Thereafter, it is excreted. The cleaning is done so thoroughly that they are losing any dhatus cause why this type of enema is not suitable for weak people. That lowers an oil enema agni, it is always mixed with a cleaning and so Agni-enhancing herbal decoction enema. The first and last of the series is always an oil enema because it calms Vata best.
Effect: After an enema the patient feels relieved and lucid, digestion will be better, he will produce less gas and will spread a healthy appetite on display. However, he must put the first days quietly, both in food and in terms of lifestyle.
4. Nasya Karma (therapy through the nose)
Nasal therapy is usually recommended for complaints about the head (ear, nose, throat, teeth, hair and features of the brains and central nervous system). It may be a self-treatment and can be part of the panchakarma. In the latter case, use is made of the nasya only allow 1 or 2 days after the previous treatment. The nasya is done for seven days, and can be repeated after a rest period of a few days.
Ayurvedic saying: the nose is the door to the content of the head indicates how important the nose is thinking in ayurvedic. Not only body but also mental and spiritual functions can be influenced through the nose. Prana or life energy, after all, comes with air inhaled through the nose inward. In a nasya is medicated oil, or powder inserted through the nose. Again, one can again distinguish between nourishing and cleansing Nasya's. Feeding contain ghee, oil and salt, and are used in Vata-imbalance. Cleansing contain hot milk and spices (such as Centella asiatica and aloe vera).
The preparation and after-care: Face, throat and neck are treated before and after the nasya with oil and, if possible, brought to slightly sweating.
Treatment: The best time to Nasya during the day, especially after 9 pm. Daily Nasya can best be given in the afternoon, never on an empty stomach and not just after a meal.
There are different kinds of Nasya, including:
a.dhmapana or virecana Nasya Nasya - This is a cleansing Nasya removing head out excess Kapha. In this dry seasoning powders are blown through a tube of approximately 15 cm in the nose. Ingredients may include kola nut, brahmi, ginger, sage, sweet flag, white pepper, dried ginger, salt, piper longum, Centella asiatica and embelia ribes. Indications: headache, common cold, watery eyes, sinusitis, Parkinson's, chronic rhinitis, skin diseases, flu, hoarseness, tinnitus, worms, insect bites, poisoning, epilepsy and mental disorders (including greed, excessive attachment to things, etc.)
b. brmhana Nasya - This Nasya is used ghee or sesame oil enriched with herbs (ashwaghanda, shatavari, tulsi). He is advised by a Vatadisbalans in the head. Indications: migraine, dry nose, nervousness, dizziness, emptiness, feelings of negativity, bursitis, stiff neck, spinal inflammation, dry sinus cavities, loss of smell, anxiety and excitement.
c. samana nasya - A mixture of oil and herb decoction can reduce in the main a Pitta-imbalance. Also, juice of aloe vera, hot milk and juice of asparagus root is used for this purpose. Indications: conjunctivitis, tinnitus and hair loss.
d. marsa nasya - A large quantity (8-32 drops) of a strong cleansing medicinal substance is introduced into the nose.
e.avapida Nasya - The main effect of this Nasya is cleansing the sinuses. This may be necessary eg bleeding in the head, insomnia, poisoning, epilepsy, headaches and anxiety attacks.
f. navana nasya -This nasya, with a herb decoction that cleans and feeds, is intended for Vata-Pitta-Kapha-Pitta-complaints and complaints, particularly in the neck, shoulders and chest, and it also strengthens the eye function. Indications: loose teeth, neuralgia, ear pain, hair loss, frozen shoulder, nose diseases, cataracts, dry skin, sweating and struggling to early wrinkles.
g. dhuma Nasya - Inhaling the smoke of burnt herbs (such as incense) or smoking herbal cigarettes can have a stimulating and medicinal effect. This is, among other things nasya common after therapy delivery device. If herbs are used to: cloves, cinnamon, calamus and laurierbes.
h. pratimarsa nasya - A nasal treatment that would have to do each daily: one with the little finger massaging two drops of sesame oil, ghee, or in each nostril. This nose massage promotes relaxation of the deeper tissues, blocked emotions is free and can be done at any time to reduce any stress.
Contra - indications: The nose treatment is not appropriate in acute fever, indigestion, loss of consciousness, thirst, hunger or pain and should not be used in children under 7 years of age, elderly people over 80 years old and pregnant and menstruating women. Moreover, not after sex, bathing, eating or alcohol.
5. raktamoksana (phlebotomy)
This treatment was first mentioned by Susruta. He put in his work a strong emphasis on pure blood and looked Rakta (Rakta = blood plasma), even if the fourth dosha. The importance of bloodletting in classical Ayurveda is shown by the fact that images of Dhanvantari show that he has a leech in one of his four hands! There is a close relationship between Rakta and Pitta, Pitta as the product of broken blood (of Rakta so). The aim of phlebotomy is that the blood is stripped of its impurities, which are caused by excessive and Rakta pitta. Moreover bloodletting stimulates anti toxic substances in the blood, causing the immune system is strengthened. In menstruating woman is by nature ensured that blood (toxins) is deposited and that the body is stimulated to create to new blood. Men (and women), it is possible to renew the blood from voluntary blood donation. is bloodletting in the US always replace the use of blood purifying herbs. It is said that tea burdock (arcticum lappa) is the best blood purifying agent.
Paschat karma (post-treatment)
After an intensive cleaning of the patient care should be taken back to his normal life. Often should changes be made to lifestyle and diet to have at first as much benefit from the treatment, but secondly also to prevent disease in the future. Optionally, the patient after treatment can still rasayanatherapie (rejuvenation) and / or Vajikarana therapy; do (virility-enhancing therapy specifically for men) to further optimize its condition.
Each of the five treatments has its own aftercare. All spa treatments that regard eating, start with only very light soup / broth (to stimulate the weakened agni again) and that returns to a normal diet after a few days through ever thickening rice soup. The panchakarma is usually done under medical supervision in a clinic, but if there is no serious diseases, this treatment can also apply themselves in simple form with the relevant self-care products.