Visit The Ayurveda Health Retreat & Spa
Sign up for our Ayurveda Weekly email.
Each week we will have information Ayurveda, how to cook the Ayurveda way, Ayurvedic recipes, learn to make teas, learn about rejuvenating treatments. We will never give or sell your email address to anyone.
|
Panchakarma Treatment
By Richard A Masla
The practices of panchakarma are extremely gentle, effective, and nurturing. The process starts with first discovering your constitutional nature, called Prakruti, and the current balance of the doshas, called Vikruti. This is done through a comprehensive exam that is simple and fun.
The next step is implementing a cleansing diet of simple, easily digested foods along with spices that serve to enkindle the digestive fire and increase metabolism.
Then you will ingest an herbalized ghee for a period of days to loosen accumulated ama. Ghee is clarified butter. All of the milk solids, lactose, and most of the saturated fats have been removed, leaving a clean oil that helps to loosen accumulations in the tissues and in the channels of the body (arteries, etc.).
The ghee also serves to pacify vata through its unctuousness (vata is dry), pitta through its cooling action (pitta is hot), and kapha by carrying the properties of the herbs that are decocted into it directly to the cells. Ama is said to be fat soluble rather than water soluble, that's why ghee and oil work to loosen ama in the channels and tissues where water has no effect. The herbs generally used in the herbalized ghee are bitter alternatives (for blood cleansing) and pungent digestive stimulants. A common formula we use includes ginger, licorice, turmeric, cumin, chitrak (increases digestive power), and kutki (bitter tonic).
The ghee is taken in increasing amounts over a period of 3 or 6 days followed by a virechena (purge of the small intestine with herbs or castor oil*). This step is usually done at home before the person comes for the bulk of the treatments, or is done simultaneously with the other treatments.
The main preparatory practices called purva karma are oleation and fomentation. The oleation was started with the ghee, and continues now with daily warm oil massage. The oil is penetrating the tissue layers from the outside whereas the ghee was penetrating from the inside outward. Then the body is heated up to further open the channels and soften the accumulated ama. This is accomplished either through using a steam tent or through the use of a hot towel fomentation daily. The oils help to loosen and liquefy the ama and doshas in the skin, lymph system, and blood. They eventually drain into the gastrointestinal tract, where they are eliminated through the main pancha karma practices; purgation, enemas, nasal cleansing, and if appropriate, emesis.
Other treatments employed during the week are shirodhara, which is a deeply relaxing treatment where warm oil is poured continuously over the forehead for a half an hour or longer. This treatment is specific for deeply relaxing the central nervous system, balancing both hemispheres of the brain, and allowing the release of stored emotions.
Each person has individual needs which are taken into consideration before and during the panchakarma process.
Panchakarma works to detoxify the seven tissue layers in the body (dhatus).
The seven layers are:
*Rasa--plasma and lymph, immune system; joy, faith
*Rakta--blood; passion, invigoration
*Mamsa--skin, muscle; discernment, uprightness
*Medas--fat; ability to love and be loved
*Asthi--bone; confidence, intention
*Majja--nervous system, bone marrow; clarity of mind
*Shukra--reproductive tissues & fluids; creativity
As you see, each of the dhatus has connected with it an emotional or mental component as well. As you detox you may feel extra tired or emotionally vulnerable. This is a natural cleansing reaction. Nurture yourself. Allow these feelings to rise up and out. Know that we are here for you if you need support.
During a panchakarma treatment:
-Sleep as you need to. It's not unusual to sleep several hours a day during pancha karma.
-Be gentle with yourself. You should have a totally stress free time.
-Stay warm (or cool) enough.
-Go for walks.
-Meditate.
-Stretch your body gently with simple yoga postures.
-Spend time basking on the beach and in the water, but don't overheat or chill yourself.
*Note about our Ayurvedic oils: All of our organic oils are made according to ancient recipes. We order them either from an Ayurvedic Pharmacy in India or a US based Ayurvedic Company that uses the highest standards for the sacred manufacturing of the oils. The process includes making an infusion of many kinds of herbs that are added to oil and slowly boiled until all the water evaporates. Different herbs added to oils determine their use (vata-pitta or kapha).
By Richard A Masla, owner of
The Ayurveda Health Retreat & Spa in Alachua, Florida.
 |
The Ayurveda Health Retreat is a group of dedicated health professionals who have created a authentic Ayurvedic retreat offering traditional Kerala Ayurvedic therapies. |
Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner: 1-800-411-6997,
352-870-7645 internationally.
Take the Personal Dosha Test
This is a simple test to give you a general idea what your dosha is ... kapha, vata, or pitta. For a more accurate reading, always consult an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Visit The Ayurveda Health Retreat & Spa
Wake every morning and start your day with herbal tea or fresh juice, and an energizing yoga session. As you move effortlessly from massages to pancha karma treatments to relaxing free time, you'll be enveloped in a gentle sense of peace and serenity that is integral to healing.
|
