Panchakarama is the sacred mantra of rejuvenation. Panchakarma in Ayurveda literally means five therapeutic ways of treatment to eliminate toxins from the body and to replenish the tissues of the patient.

PROCEDURES:
Panchakarma, a five-fold therapeutic procedure is performed in three different stages.

• Poorvakarma - Preparatory procedure that prepares the body for discarding toxins
• Pradhanakarma - Main Panchakarma Procedure
• Paschatkarma - Post-treatment care

Poorvakarma helps to liquefy the vitiated doshas and brings the same to koshtas  (alimentary canal) from where the toxins are removed by panchakarma processes.
               
Panchakarma procedures include:
1. VAMANAM (Emesis)
2. VIRECHANAM (Purgation)
3. SNEHAVASTHI (Medicated oil enema)
4. KASHAYAVASTHI (Enema with Herbal decoction, oils, honey etc)
5. NASYAM (Instillation of medicines through nose)

The person who requires Ayurvedic treatment is assessed for his/her physical and mental requirements and treatment is prescribed for various purposes like curative treatments, disease prevention, rejuvenation and revitalization. Some of the general types of treatments are as given below:

ABHYANGAM

• Application of medicated oil over the whole body in a rhythmic way followed by gentle massage in seven different body postures for 45 to 60 minutes.
• Different types of medicated oils are used in different disease conditions and rejuvenation of body.
• Promotes blood circulation.
• Improves vigor and vitality. 
• Increases musculature tone.
• Increases good sleep and reduces nervous weakness
• Softens skin and gives complexion
• Tones up Dhathus – basic principles of the body.
• Reduces mental tension and increases strength and functional efficiency of musculature.
• Abhyangam can be done for a single day for rejuvenation and can be continued up to 7 to 14 days.
  

UDHWARTHANAM

• Application of medicated fine powder over the whole body in just the opposite direction of Abhyangam so as to induce perspiration in seven different body postures, for 45 minutes.
• Reduces obesity and eliminates bad body odour.
• Increases skin complexion.
• Restores normal mobility of body joints.
• Increases ability of upper & lower limbs.
• Increases lightness of the Body.
• Udhwarthanam can be done for reducing the excess body weight. This treatment can be done from 7 to 21 days to attain the desired result.
• It is highly beneficial where the oils are contra indicated in some diseases and in some oil allergic conditions.

PODIKIZHI/ ELAKIZHI

Process by which perspiration is produced by the external application of linen bag filled with medicated powder / processed herbal leaves.

Medicinal leaves or herbal powder are fried in appropriate medicated oils and made wrapped into one or two bundles. These bundles should be heated in medicated oil and applied all over the body till the desired perspiration is attained. The treatment is done for 45 to 60 minutes.

• Used very effectively in all rheumatic disorders.
• Effective in building musculature.
• Prevents muscle stiffness and muscular sprain.
• Promotes oleation and perspiration at the same time.
• Very effective in arthritic conditions, spondylosis and paralytic conditions.

NJAVARAKIZHI

• Process by which perspiration is produced by  external application by a linen bag filled with a bolus of njavara rice cooked in milk and medicated decoction. The bags are dipped and boiled in milk and decoction and applied on the body continuously for 45 to 60 mts. This treatments can be done for 7, 14 or 21 days depending upon the condition of disease or rejuvenation attained.
• This unique treatment increases the tone and shape of muscles particularly in cases of muscular wasting.
• Effective in degenerative changes in muscular- skeletal complications.
• Enhances strength, vitality and complexion of the body.
• Prevents complications due to old-age debility.

SWEDANAM

• A process by which perspiration is produced by applying medicated steam to the patient’s body except the head region, in a specially made steam chamber for 10 to 20 mts.
• The process initiates to dilate the body channels for the easy removal of toxins, which are transported to the bowel.
• Effective in muscular stiffness and numbness.
• Enhances the circulation of blood. 

THAKRADHARA

• Pouring of medicated butter milk over the forehead and scalp continuously in a oscillating way for 45 to 60 mts., for a period of 7 to14 days.
• Rejuvenates brain cells and improves memory.
• Effective in sleeplessness and mental tension.
• Can be used for all types of headaches.
• Very effective in premature greying and hair falling.
• Shows immense response in skin diseases like psoriasis. 

THAILA DHARA

• Process by which Medicated lukewarm oil is poured over the forehead and scalp continuously for 45 to 60 mts., for a period of 7 to 14 days.
• Maintains equilibrium of body and mind and enhances strength.
• Increases the memory and clears the voice tone.
• Proven effective in relieving all types of stress and strain.
• Energizes the body from restlessness.

KSHEERADHARA

• Process by which perspiration is produced by pouring medicated lukewarm milk over the whole body in a rhythmic way for 45 to 60 mts. for a period of 7 to14 days.
• Proven effective in treating paralysis and body weakness.
• Restores muscle and nervous strength.
• Increases complexion and softness of skin.

VASTHI

• Process by which vitiated doshas and toxins are eliminated through anus by applying medicated enema.
• In Ayurveda, vasthi is considered as the most important treatment among Panchakarma, because the cleaning up of alimentary canal is the basic method of eliminating doshas, which is the main cause for all diseases.
• In Ayurveda, enema can be done in two ways: One by applying only processed oil and another by a mixture of medicated oil, decoction of herbs, honey, medicated paste etc.
• Proven effective in hemiplegia and other paralytic conditions.
• Effective in all neurological discomforts.

SIROVASTHI

• Process by which medicated lukewarm oil is kept over the shaven scalp in a leather cap, which is tied over the head for 45 to 60 mts.
• Rejuvenates nervous system and thereby controls all systems of the body.
• Very effective in Insomnia, Speech problem, Parkinson’s diseases etc.
• Very effective in treating the disorders affecting sense organs.

NASYAM

• Application of either medicated oil or Ghee or Milk, or Herbal Powder through nostrils, The process is done after applying oil and steam on the face.
• Highly effective in diseases related to head and neck.
• In Ayurveda, nostrils are considered as the pathway to brain. So the purification and rejuvenation of brain cells can be done easily through nostrils.
• As the medicines applied becomes directly in contact with brain cells, it improves brain functions also.