Before delving into the Panchakarma treatments, it’s important to understand the pre-Panchakarma processes first. These are of two types.
Pre-Panchakarma processes
Oleation – This process involves the application of specially formulated oil/s to the body, which is decided based on the prescribed internal and external treatment. These oils help carry the medicinal properties into the body, thereby releasing the toxins present inside the tissues.
Fomentation – In this process, you’re made to sweat and release deep-rooted, severe toxins which are softened during the election process.
Types of Panchakarma treatments
Vamana
This Panchakarma treatment involves external and internal oleation and fomentation therapies, which continue for a few days until the toxins in your body get liquefied and gather up in upper layers.
Thereafter, you are administered an emetic medicine to induce vomiting, to clear out those toxins from the body.
Virechana
This therapy is to do with excretion process wherein you eliminate toxins through bowels. Herein too you’re treated with oleation and fomentation processes and are administered herbal laxative which cleanses your bowels of all the toxins.
Nasya
Nasya therapy is meant for clearing up the head region of the body. You’re prepared for this treatment with a light massage and then fomentation in the shoulder and head areas.
Thereafter, nasal drops are given which clear up the entire head area, and provide relief from health issues like a migraine, headaches and hair problems. These drops are actually medicated oil which cleanses the toxins present in the neck and head area.
Basti
This treatment is unique to the Ayurveda system and involves administration of medicated substances like ghee, herbal decoctions, milk or oils into the rectum, for cleaning up the colon.
Raktamochana
Rakt is Sanskrit for blood. Hence this therapy is essentially about blood cleaning. It helps in the treatment of diseases caused by impure blood. Raktamochana can be done on any specific area of the body, or the entire body itself. It works particularly well in the treatment of skin diseases like pigmentation and eczema.
While you could opt for Panchakarma treatment in Kerala or other parts of India/world, please know there are several good Panchakarma treatment centres in Mysore as well. And AyurYoga Eco-Ashram is counted amongst the best of them. You can find details of our Panchakarma therapies and their cost here.