What is Panchakarma?
Pancha in Sanskrit stands for Five and Karma are the therapeutic measures, therefore Panchakarma means five types of therapeutic measures. These are undertaken for the purification of the body and Ayurveda considers it necessary before the start of any other therapy.
The Panchakarma therapy of Ayurveda is comprised of five basic types of advanced treatment for the evacuation of vitiated Dosha (toxic materials) from the body. One can consider this as a body de-tox program. These practices are extremely helpful in relieving deep seated diseases as well as being beneficial for maintaining and improving physical and mental health
Panchakarma is a unique experience that leaves the mind and body feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Many illnesses result from the build-up of toxins in the body that can impair the functioning of its natural defenses, such as the lymph, circulatory, and immune systems.
Panchakarma promotes healing and restoration by eliminating these toxins from the body. Panchakarma is a gentle process that achieves deep cleansing without discomfort, allowing the rejuvenating energies of the body to flow freely.
Subtypes of Panchakarma therapy:
Abhyanga Massage :
Abhyanga massage is given to help the body expel toxins from the body as quickly as possible. This is a full body massage with medicated oils to balance specific conditions. The oils used contain herbs and ingredients that pacify the unbalanced Vata, Pitta, and Kapha energies
Ayurvedic Head Massage :
This is an ancient technique to relax and relieve mental fatigue and confusion. It helps to create more clarity and regenerate the mind and brain activity for better functioning. The oils used for this massage contain herbs that are calming to the mind, and stimulant to the brain, nerves and sensory organs.
Full Body Steam :
This is a treatment that generally follows the full body massage. Excluding the head and neck areas which contain delicate organs and centers, steam containing vapors of detoxifying and balancing herbs is given to the whole body. This helps the toxic impurities to easily leave the body. Thus their elimination from the body becomes easier. It also moisturizes and rehydrates the skin making it soft and smooth, adding to the benefits of massage.
Shirodhara :
A mixture of cooling and balancing herbal oils and medicated ghee is trickled over the forehead in a continuous warm stream in a quiet, soothing atmosphere. This is a special Ayurvedic treatment that gives total relaxation to mind and body, and is the best way to pamper yourself after a hard stressful day.
Basti: Enema Therapy :
Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic Basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of Vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints.
Virechana: Purgation Therapy When excess bile, Pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative.
Nasya Nasal Administration: The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Ayurveda for Allergies
Allergies are definitely an adverse reaction to something external, however the fact that they occur originates from an imbalance of the doshas or bio-energetic principles that govern the functioning of our mind-body. As with all Ayurvedic treatment, treating the origin as opposed to the result is the key to achieving long term benefits and relief.
"Allergies" become a health problem when an excessive and unwanted allergic response occurs to particles that are part of our normal environment and are not actually dangerous to the body.
Some individuals are born with allergies, and have a genetic susceptibility to them. However, most allergies are acquired after birth. While inborn allergies can often be helped by the measures discussed in this article, acquired allergies are generally more responsive to such behavioral approaches.
The Main Cause of Allergies :1.Although pollen, dust, dander, trees and other allergens are the trigger for allergies in susceptible people, they are not the underlying cause. Many people are exposed to these substances every day without developing allergic reactions. Rather, it is the inner condition of the body that determines whether an allergic response results from exposure to an allergen.
2.Allergies result when the body has accumulated excess wastes, toxins and impurities.
3.According to Ayurvedic theory, improperly digested foods (called ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system. When additional allergens such as pollen or dust arrive on the scene, the already irritated immune system goes into "high gear", creating the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Remedies:
1. Practice Jalneti : Its a traditionally performed with a small pot called a Neti pot that looks like a miniature teapot with a particularly long spout.
Fill the Neti pot with about 1 cup of lukewarm water. Add 5 to 7 drops of an herbal essential oil or other concentrate that brings out toxins and relieves congestion.Place the spout at the right nostril (but do not insert into the nostril), keeping your mouth open to allow for free breathing, and tip the pot to send the water into your right nostril.
2. Then follow with some pranayama techniques for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Follow with Nasya: Ayurvedic nasal therapy. Insert a few drops of oil into each nostril after washing your face with lukewarm water. Choose an Ayurvedic oil that that has been prepared to help alleviate allergies
Recommended Diet for Allergies :The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.
1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, when your digestion is strongest. Ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.
2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. . Eat a warm, freshly cooked vegetarian evening meal without fried foods, desserts, cheese, yogurt or other curdled products, since these are heavy for digestion and cause more blockage, congestion and mucous.
3. Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh warm food, freshly prepared. Avoid micro-waving, which has been shown to destroy over 90% of the protective antioxidants in the food. Also, avoid cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods.
4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.
5. Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods are irritating to the body and promote inflammation, according to Ayurveda.
6. Do include detoxifying spices in your daily diet
"Allergies" become a health problem when an excessive and unwanted allergic response occurs to particles that are part of our normal environment and are not actually dangerous to the body.
Some individuals are born with allergies, and have a genetic susceptibility to them. However, most allergies are acquired after birth. While inborn allergies can often be helped by the measures discussed in this article, acquired allergies are generally more responsive to such behavioral approaches.
The Main Cause of Allergies :1.Although pollen, dust, dander, trees and other allergens are the trigger for allergies in susceptible people, they are not the underlying cause. Many people are exposed to these substances every day without developing allergic reactions. Rather, it is the inner condition of the body that determines whether an allergic response results from exposure to an allergen.
2.Allergies result when the body has accumulated excess wastes, toxins and impurities.
3.According to Ayurvedic theory, improperly digested foods (called ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system. When additional allergens such as pollen or dust arrive on the scene, the already irritated immune system goes into "high gear", creating the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Remedies:
1. Practice Jalneti : Its a traditionally performed with a small pot called a Neti pot that looks like a miniature teapot with a particularly long spout.
Fill the Neti pot with about 1 cup of lukewarm water. Add 5 to 7 drops of an herbal essential oil or other concentrate that brings out toxins and relieves congestion.Place the spout at the right nostril (but do not insert into the nostril), keeping your mouth open to allow for free breathing, and tip the pot to send the water into your right nostril.
2. Then follow with some pranayama techniques for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Follow with Nasya: Ayurvedic nasal therapy. Insert a few drops of oil into each nostril after washing your face with lukewarm water. Choose an Ayurvedic oil that that has been prepared to help alleviate allergies
Recommended Diet for Allergies :The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.
1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, when your digestion is strongest. Ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.
2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. . Eat a warm, freshly cooked vegetarian evening meal without fried foods, desserts, cheese, yogurt or other curdled products, since these are heavy for digestion and cause more blockage, congestion and mucous.
3. Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh warm food, freshly prepared. Avoid micro-waving, which has been shown to destroy over 90% of the protective antioxidants in the food. Also, avoid cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods.
4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.
5. Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods are irritating to the body and promote inflammation, according to Ayurveda.
6. Do include detoxifying spices in your daily diet
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