Panchakarma Explained: Ayurvedic Detox Steps, Diet, and Health Benefits

The human body is a wonder, capable of continuously rebuilding. However, this natural ability of the body is inhibited when an imbalance and impaired digestive capacity enable poisonous pollutants to develop. A powerful Ayurvedic treatment, panchakarma balances the doshas (the body and mind’s energy principles), increases metabolic rate and digestive fire, and removes accumulated toxins from the body.

Major steps of detoxification

Rookshanam: A series of anti-inflammatory therapies to prepare the body for other therapies. There is no use of oil in these procedures.
Snehanam: To melt the toxins in the adipose tissue, a certain amount of medically processed ghee is consumed for a few days along with a controlled diet.
Swedanam: Steam treatment is then used to direct the melted poisons into the intestines.

Shodhanam: Depending on the state of the body at the time, these doshas are either ejected orally or anally after entering the gut.
Panchakarma, which translates to “five actions,” is an Ayurvedic purification and rejuvenation technique. It is a thorough, physician-supervised therapy that gets rid of deep-seated toxins (Ama) and brings the body back to its natural balance, unlike contemporary spa detoxes.

Panchakarma done in three steps,
Purva Karma (Preparation Phase): The body is prepared for the detox by means of therapeutic massages, herbal remedies, and dietary changes.
Oleation, or Snehana: Toxins can be released by external oil massages (Abhyanga) and internal ingestion of medicated ghee.

Swedana (Sudation): Herbal steam treatment promotes the elimination of toxins by opening channels.
Pradhana Karma (Main Detox Phase)
This is the core cleansing stage, where one or more of the five Panchakarma therapies are administered based on individual needs.
The following are the five main Panchakarma treatments:
• Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation): Using herbal purgation to cleanse the intestines and liver.

• Vasti (Therapeutic Enema): Herbal decoctions or medicinal oils used to cleanse the intestines.

Herbal oils and extracts used to cleanse the sinuses and upper respiratory tract are known as Nasya (Nasal Administration).
Rakthamokshana (bloodletting)- taking the vitiated doshas from the blood with different methods.
Paschat Karma (Phase of Rejuvenation)
The body needs time to regain its strength after detox. Rasayana (rejuvenative formulations) to boost immunity and vigour are part of this phase.

A regulated diet and way of living to maintain the advantages. Meditation, yoga, and pranayama help preserve overall health. Processed foods, stress, pollution, and chemicals are just a few of the many toxins that we are exposed to in the contemporary lifestyle and which build up in our bodies. Regular Panchakarma treatments in Ayurveda help offset these consequences.

Ayurveda Detox Diet: Before Ayurveda, During, and after panchakarma

Proper food will always help to maintain the agni, and thus promote the health of an individual. Panchakarma, is a detoxification therapy which cleans the body by removing the toxins or aggravated dosha ( vata,pitta,kapha) and rejuvenate. Diet plays an important role in panchakarma, if we are eating foods accordingly it helps to improve the digestion and gives the better effects.

Diet – Before Panchakarma
• Those food which are light, easy to digest.
• Foods which improves the digestion, and which stimulate the digestion. Such as ginger tea, jeera water, and use of spices.
• Soup, which are easy to digest, moong dal soup, rice gruel.
• Avoid those are heavy, Madhura (sweet), alcohol, beverages such as tea, caffeine.
• Avoid consumption of meat and dairy products.

Diet – During Panchakarma
• During panchakarma therapy strict diet is advised to the patients, if they have not followed, can affect the treatment.
• Sattvik diet is being advised. Vegetarian diet must be followed by an individual
• Always consume those food which are warm, easy to digest and fresh.
• Avoid those which are spicy, refrigerated, fried food, baked food items.
• Consume those seasonal and organic foods.
• Some preparation advised are
o Peya- 1 part of rice and 4 parts of water, like a porridge.
o Kichadi- where the rice is cooked with moong dal and ghee.
o Herbal drink- Refreshening drink, herbal tea, such as hibiscus drink, ginger tea, triphala.

Diet -after panchakarma
After the procedure, the digestive tract becomes extremely vulnerable. Therefore, a very slight diet is required. The Post Panchakarma diet plan calls for a gradual transition from light to typical heavier foods.
Following Panchakarma (Recuperation Stage)
The post-treatment diet aids in the recovery of your digestive system:
Begin with light meals: Start with thin lentil soup (Yusha) and rice gruel (Peya), then work yourself up to thicker gruel (Vilepi).
Include healthy, prepared foods: Add well-balanced meals with rice, ghee, and cooked veggies gradually.
Refrain from combining foods that are incompatible, such as milk and sour foods.
First, the patient is assessed and monitored to determine the extent of detoxification that occurred (Diet after Panchakarma Treatment). The next step is a meticulously planned nutritional regimen that starts with a liquid diet consisting of rice gruel and soups. Once a semi-solid diet is maintained, a seamless transition to a substantial diet is made.
Benefits
• eliminates toxins: aids in internal body cleansing.
• restores equilibrium: brings your body, mind, and soul into balance.
• Boosts immunity: Improves your health and increases your resistance to illness