One of the five essential “pradhanas” in Panchakarma, it’s most useful to treat Kapha-related disorders and involves vomiting in controlled conditions. We are all aware that throwing up from the throat is one of the ways by which the body relieves itself of ama as also unwanted and indigestible things. The Vamana Karma is best attempted in the Spring season when Kapha-related disorders start to manifest themselves.Just visit us for Panchakarma in Pune to get it cured.
One of the most natural ways by which the body expels toxins and waste is by way of passing stool. Done right, it removes most if not all of the toxins and impurities in our bodies. But given our lives today, even such a natural activity is found difficult to accomplish. Hence we accumulate plenty of toxins which show their signs elsewhere.
What is that which signifies health the most? A HEALTHY GUT! If the intestines and the region around them remain unclean and uncared for, sooner than later, problems are bound to arise. In our daily lives, due to change in weather as also the times which includes more disposable income and easy availability of “tasty foods” which have surprisingly low nutrition and a lifestyle which hardly has any physical exertion, most of us give an open invitation to diseases, some of which can be life threatening.
Breathing is one of the most basic necessities of life. If air does not enter our body, it shall cease to function in the normal way and may lead to death. One of the most important organs of the body thus is our nostrils which control and enhance our breathing. For this reason, any treatment done through the nostrils has a deep impact on our bodies.
Blood, “Rakta” in Sanskrit is not only a carrier of nutrients and oxygen, it’s possibly the best and most authentic indicator of a person’s health. In Ayurvedic terms, blood or rakta is affected by all the “doshas” and in turn is also one of the causes of vitiation of these “Doshas”. Of the 3 “Doshas”, Rakta is most affected by the “Pitta Dosha.”
Kapha dosha is heaviest early in the morning. This is the best time to attempt Vamana Karma and should be done with an empty stomach. To get the best results, foods that are heavy in Kapha dosha are administered to the person, the night before Vamana Karma. That includes black gram soup, warm tea and yogurt. In fact, preparations for Vamana karma start at least 5 to 7 days before the intended morning with foods heavy in Kapha-dosha elements being given at regular intervals to stimulate oleation and sweating. As a result, the skin starts to get a layer of oil and even the urine and faecal matter show signs of it.
On the morning, when Vamana Karma is to be accomplished, an ayurvedic preparation to induce faecal purging is given
Vamana is an effective treatment for chronic colds, bronchial asthma, hormonal disorders like PCOD and Thyroid disorders.
Benefits of Vamana Karma:
It induces a healthy appetite while reducing presence of cholesterol
It helps reduce weight by taking care of hormonal disorders such as thyroid and PCOD.
It enhances immunity against diseases including colds, flu and asthma
Skin gets to feel supple as opposed to the natural state of dryness, psoriasis and dandruff.
Under Virechana Karma, medication is administered so as to enhance purging which besides others, removes Pitta dosha. It also purifies blood and other bodily essential mediums. With most toxins accumulating in the organs like the liver, the gall-bladder, the intestines etc, the primary aim of Virechana is to remove toxins from such places. Given its importance and the fact that faecal removal is one of the most natural ways, it is also the most effective.
Advantages of Virechana:
What is that which signifies health the most? A HEALTHY GUT! If the intestines and the region around them remain unclean and uncared for, sooner than later, problems are bound to arise. In our daily lives, due to change in weather and also the availability of more disposable income we consume the easy available so called “tasty food” that have surprisingly low nutrition. With a lifestyle which hardly has any physical exertion, most of us give an open invitation to diseases, some of which can be life threatening.
In Ayurveda, our entire physical being is a continuous play between the five “doshas” which on a daily basis create “ama” or toxins which need to be removed at regular intervals if we want to remain healthy. Of all the elements, Vata Dosha needs special attention and care given that this element causes most problems for our health.
Unlike western medicines and applications which need minimum pre and post care, for effective Basti Karma, one needs to do the following:
Purvakarma: “Abhyanga” or a massage in the abdominal region using herbal oils and concoctions followed by controlled sweating called “Swedana”. Foods rich in oils are avoided when one plans for Basti Karma.
Pradhanakarma: At the time of administering the medication, one needs to lie on their left with the head resting on the hand. The right leg which faces upwards, should be folded from the knee and pulled towards the chest and placed to the left. In doing so, the colon and rectum region lie exposed for easy administration of the medication. Once Basti is administered, one needs to straighten the leg to its original position and lie on the back. A gentle massage is given to the abdomen to facilitate the movement of the administered oils.
Paschatkarma: Under paschatkarma which is the activity after administering Basti, the main focus is to remove the Basti-related medication which was administered into the body by way of purgation
Basti has immense benefits including:
Ayurveda has always recognized this fact and has developed ways of treatment called “Nasya” where medications of various kinds are given through the nose/ nostrils. It is said to be most beneficial in pacifying the “doshas” besides removing accumulated toxins and clearing passages. This eases breathing and the passage of blood, body fluids, and nutrients. Problems including migraine, sinusitis, issues of the ear, throat, and eyes (organs above the neck) are best treated using “Nasya”. Another condition for which Nasya could be the perfect cure is “Epistaxis” i.e when the nose-bleeds. Our nostrils contain tiny blood vessels that lie close to the surface and get easily ruptured due to “Vata” conditions. This causes dryness in the air or nose-picking or even an accident/ trauma to the nose. Nasya provides just the right moisture and lubrication which keeps the nasal skin intact.
Besides treating purely physical issues described before, Nasya is very effective in the treatment of consciousness & thought-related issues like psychiatry, neurology and even stresses of certain kinds.
Benefits derived by administering Nasya:
Ayurveda is very unlike our present form of medication where you pop in a pill, sip water and get going. Ayurveda demands that the person undergoing treatment MUST do certain acts before, during and after the treatment. The same applies to Nasya which has three steps:
Poorvakarma: As the name suggests, the person undergoing Nasya must undergo certain pre-treatment steps like an application of steam and/ or medicated oils to the region above the neck including the neck itself, nose, eyes, ears, forehead and the mouth. By doing this, doshas which have existed for a long time in the body start to melt and flow out leaving the path open for medicines to flow easily.
Pradhanakarma: The main activity under Nasya includes placing medication (herbal oils, powders, etc) in the nostrils using the right instruments which could be a simple plastic dropper of good quality, a standard glass dropper or even a special metal nasya spoon. After giving the medicine, the areas of the forehead, nose, face, and neck are massaged lightly so as to aid in the absorption of the medicines.
Paschatkarma: Any medication given thru the nose is sure to enter the mouth. To bring back the taste of the mouth which may get affected, a glass-full of warm water is given to the person for gargling. Medicated smoke is next given needs which are to be inhaled while breathing.
The reason why Nasya is effective!
Nasya has two elements. The first i.e., steam inhalation and slight massage helps unclog “kapha” or mucous which itself is a great thing which enhances breathing.
Next, the main medication goes directly into the brain and its essential organs and relieves it of all its problems. Being herb-based, no harm comes to the brain or its organs
Under Shastra Visravana where sharp instruments are used, Raktamokshan is administered in the following ways:
Raktamoksha under Anushastra Visravana has the following forms:
Like with other Panchakarma elements, Raktamokshan too has three steps namely the Purvakarma, Pradhanakarma, and the Paschatkarma. Which will be taken care in right manner when you undertake Panchakarma in Pune at our premises.
Under Purvakarma: The exact area from where blood is to be extracted is first identified. It is then demarcated, cleared and sterilised using particular ointments and cotton & gauze.
Under Pradhanakarma: Depending upon the form of Raktamoksha being performed, Pradhanakarma can include: