Panchkarma
The Sanskrit term Panchkarma translates five therapeutic treatments.
“Pancha” refers to the number five and the “Karma” refers to the therapy that brings about homeostasis by way of evacuation of accumulated morbid dosha.
These panchkarma procedures are carried out in three sequential steps. These steps are named as Poorva Karma- Preliminary procedures, Pradhaan Karma – Primary Procedure and Paashchat Karma – Follow up Procedure.
To set an ideal stage for shodhana the client is subjected to certain therapies. These preliminary procedures are Dipana-Pachana, Snehana and Svedana.
Following the poorvakarama the client is then subjected to actual shodhana or evacuation procedure that are also the primary procedures which includes Vamanam(emesis), Virechanam(purgation), Basti(medicated enema), Nasya and Raktmokshnam. These five evacuation procedures are referred as Pradhaan Karmas.
Shodhana procedures which come under the domain of the aptarpan chikitsa are likely to cause debility in clients. And even there occurs inspired functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Hence following the pradhan karma, it is required to restore the physical as well optimum functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This is achieved by specific dietetic regimen like samsarjana karma or tarpandai karma. Even complete rest is advised for several days following shodhana karma. These follow ups of the client in regard to dietry or behavioral regimen is considered as pashchat karma.