An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! But where can we find that ounce of potion for immortality?

Our goal in life is to be healthy, enjoy life and stay away from pain and suffering. However, in reality many of us are far away from that goal. A vast majority of people suffer from heart problems, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, skin problems such as Psoriasis and Eczema or some other chronic disorder. Our environment has much to do with these problems.

Effect of Toxins – Regardless of our lifestyle, profession, eating habits or geographic location, toxins accumulate in our body everyday because they are present everywhere in our environment.  Chemicals in our food and water worsen the problem. They build up over time, like a snowball rolling down a hill. While you cannot make a snowball from a single snowflake, accumulation of snowflakes becomes a snowball and it gets bigger and bigger with each additional snow flake. Same things happens with toxins in our body.

Many of these toxins or chemicals mimic hormones in our body and interfere with our endocrine system. Once absorbed by the body, they attack cells, distort the cell’s proper functioning, and refuse to get out of our system. Recently new methods have been developed to remove these toxins but they in-turn introduce other fat-soluble compounds into the system. Many times, these compounds themselves become toxic or cause serious adverse effects.

Ayurveda, a 5000-year-old practice of health has a rejuvenation procedure – Panchakarma, that subtly removes the toxins from the mind and body. These procedures are designed to function synergistically to maximize the removal of toxins while maintaining the harmony of natural body functions. The purifying and eliminating actions of Panchakarma first dislodge the toxins from the cells and then flush them out through the organs of elimination—the sweat glands, colon and urinary tract.

Panchakarma procedures are being used successfully around the world and even show promising results in clinical trials. Many studies show increase in energy, appetite, and mental tranquility and decrease in diastolic blood pressure, blood cholesterol as well as chronic pain and stress.

What is Panchakarma?

Panchakarma is the ultimate, personalized mind-body cleansing, detoxifiying and rejuvenative therapy. Regardless of your profession, lifestyle, or eating habits, many toxins are present everywhere in your environment. Chemicals in your food and water worsen the problem. Toxins build up in the body over time, like a snowball. Many of them mimic hormones in your body and interfere with your endocrine system. Once absorbed by the body, they attack cells, distort cell’s proper functioning, and refuse to get out of your system causing different diseases.

Ayurvedic Panchakarma subtly removes these toxins from your mind and body. Panchakarma procedures are designed to function synergistically to maximize the removal of toxins while maintaining the harmony of natural body functions. The purifying and eliminating actions of Panchakarma first dislodge the toxins from the cells and then flush them out of your body. Panchakarma also opens up all the subtle channels in the body, so life energy and nutrients can flow freely nourishing each and every cell. By restoring your circadian rhythm, all systems in the body start functioning at their peak performance and the immune system becomes strong. Mental clarity improves and the body becomes healthy and well.

People come to our clinic from all over the country, even from around the world (we recently had visitors from Russia, Tahiti and other countries) to get Panchakarma treatment from Dr. Jay – one of the most experienced Ayurvedic doctors in the country. Over last 30+ years she has given Panchakarma treatments to thousands of people. Please read some of the success stories for what people have to say about the Panchakarma treatment done by Dr. Jay. You will be surprised and amazed about the benefits.

Who should do Panchakarma?

Panchakarma is both a preventative maintenance program for your mind and body as well as a treatment for chronic health problems (see the attached table for some of the health conditions for which Dr. Jay has performed the Panchakarma). Each Panchakarma program is personalized according to each individual’s needs. Some of the therapies may be added, some dropped or extended as per the need (please see the details of various procedures included in Panchakarma). As a prevention program, once a year Panchakarma is recommended for every person – man or woman, young or old, healthy or sick.  As a treatment, Panchakarma is recommended for people who work in high stress environments, or have irregular eating habits or those suffering from various chronic illnesses on “as needed” basis.

How long is a Panchakarma treatment?

A typical Panchakarma is a 7-day program. Each day, a person undergoes 5 different therapies, which last for about three hours every day. However, depending on the need, Panchakarma can also be a 14 or 21-day program which is determined by the person’s health condition.

Some of the Benefits of Panchakarma

• Increased Energy, productivity and efficiency
• Improved digestion and elimination
• Sound sleep
• Peaceful, stress-free, calm mind
• Improved mental clarity and focus

Panchakarma – The Essential Process

Panchakarma literally means “five therapeutic procedures” to purify the Mind/Body. It is a series of steps performed tyipically for 7 days, tailored to your unique body constitution. It involves three stages – Purva Karma, Pradhan Karma and Paschat Karma.

Stage 1 – Purva Karma: Toxins are loosened from various tissues and mobilized towards the digestive system. Purva Karma begins with Abhyanga, an oil massage performed by two technicians simultaneously with synchronizing movements. During this procedure, the whole body, from head to toe, is massaged with herbal oil. Oil is also taken internally. The massage oil and oral oil help to loosen all toxins within the seven layers of tissue.

ABHYANGA – A full body oil massage 

• Oil penetrates the tissues, increases circulation and loosens toxins.
• Lubricates and protects tissues from damage.
• Calms the nerves and sooths the skin.
• Opens the pores and relieves pain and tension in the muscles and ligaments.
• Removes blockage in subtle energy channels.

 

SHIRODHARA – Warm sesame oil streamed across the forehead – profoundly calming.

• Balances the nervous system
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Mind becomes peaceful
• Improves hearing and vision
• Life becomes peaceful and more enjoyable

 

NASYA – Herbal oil nasal drops proceeded by and followed with a facial massage. An important step in removing toxins from the tissues above the neck.

• Sharpens sense organs
• Prevents diseases above the neck e.g. sinus problems, migraines, TMJ,
• Prevents headaches, neck stiffness
• Strengthens joints of the scalp and face
• Improves skin texture and prevent wrinkles
• Prevents early graying, balding, hair falling, improves clarity of voice

 

SWEDANA – A therapeutic application of heat to different parts of the body.

• It opens the pores and helps to move the toxins out of the body through’ sweat.
• It dilates the body’s energy channels, and removes blockage.
• Reduces coldness, stiffness, and pain in the tissues.
• Loosens toxins

 

 

BASTI – Nourishing oil and cleansing herbal tea enemas. Used alternately every day, and produce 50-80% of the benefits of Panchakarma therapy.

• Loosen the toxins
• Cleans colon and strengthens colon muscles
• Improves absorption of food
• Balances root energies in the body
• Prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, chronic pain, fatigue,
• Rejuvenate body

These 5 therapies are repeated for 6 days. (During the program, clients are put on a special diet. For breakfast they eat cereal and for lunch and dinner they eat “Khichadi” – Rice cooked with Mung beans and some spices. Khichadi provides enough nourishment and is very easy on the digestive system).

 

Stage 2 – Pradhan Karma: The main phase, consists of the five purification procedures, in Panchakarma, literally meaning five purification procedures.

1. Vamana – Medicated Emesis
2. Virechana – Medicated Purgation
3. Basti – Medicated Enemas
4. Nasya – Medicated Nasal Drops
5. Rakta moksha – Blood Letting

Here in the U.S., Vamana and Raktamoksha is not performed. Virechana is performed with herbs and/or castor oil, Nasya with herb powders, oils or ghee, and Basti by herbal decoctions and sesame oil. These procedures flush all toxins out of the body and detoxify it.

 

Stage 3 – Paschat Karma: It involves restoration of strong digestive enzymes and rejuvenation of tissues. This stage is designed to nourish, strengthen, and balance the newly detoxified tissues. The aim is to establish increased energy levels, strengthen the immune system and increase longevity. This is accomplished by taking strengthening herbs for a month.