Published on 05/27/2006

There are several ancient treatment procedures. Some of them are briefly explained.

Some important Ayurveda procedures

PANCHAKARMA

Importance of Panchakarma in health science

To potentate health
To cure the diseases
Periodical administration of Panchakarma is advised to potentate the health

STEPS OF PANCHAKARMA

Panchakarma Chikitsa should be conducted in three steps. They are

1. Pre operative procedure.

2. Operative procedure and

3. Post operative procedures.

Pre operative procedure includes

§???????? Selection of the patients

§???????? Collection of required medicines and equipments

§???????? Preparation of the medicines

§???????? Preparation of the patient and posting the patient for Panchakarma theater

Operative procedure includes the administration of the procedure

Post operative procedure includes

Advising the do’s and don’ts to the patient
And the time of next visit to the hospital for further treatment

Vamana, Virechana, Anuvasana basthi, Niruha basthi and Nasyakarma are the five purificatory procedures. These modes are called as Panchakarma therapies.

Vamanakarma (Therapeutic Emeses)

?Expulsion of the vitiated body humor (Kapha dosha) from the body through the oral route is called as Vamanakarma. (Or) it is a process in which the medicine will be administred through the oral route and removing the vitiated doshas from the oral route is called as Vamanakaram.

This Vamanakarma is indicated in these diseases; Allergic Rhinitis, Skin disorders, Cough and Cold, Breathing problems, Goiter, Diabetes mellitus, Indigestion, Nausea & Vomiting, Epilepsy, Insanity, Disorders of Lactation, Inflammation, Obesity and other Kapha disorders.

Pre operative procedures of Vamanakarma

Patient who can sustain the emesis should be selected for the Vamanakarma
Administration of medicated ghee for three to seven days in increasing dose order
One day full body massage by medicated oil and steam bath, next day post the patient for Vamanakarma

Some important Ayurveda procedures part 2

Operative procedure

Whole body massage, steam bath then hot water bath at the morning on the day of Vamanakarma
Milk to be given (Full stomach)
Give Madanaphala Pippali churna with honey and saindhava lavana (Medicine to induce Vamanakarma)
Give Yashtimadhu Phanta (to enhance the property of medicine)
Wait for vomiting process
After complete vomiting patient feels empty stomach

Post operative procedure

Inhalation of fumes of herbal drugs
Gargling with salt water
Check Blood pressure and pulse rate and other general condition
Advice the patient take rice gruel and light diet

Virechana karma (Inducing Purgation)

Expulsion of vitiated body humor (Pitta dosha) form the body through the anal route is called as Virechana karma.

This purgation therapy is indicated in Fever, Skin diseases, Bleding disorders, Piles and Fistula, Spleen enlargement, Cancer, Food poison, Micturition problem, Herpis, Worm infestation, Anemia, Distention of abdomen, Jaundice and Bronchial asthama.

The steps are same as in Vamanakarma

Pre operative procedure:

Administration of medicated ghee as explained in Vamanakarma
Rest for two days during which full body massage and steam bath to be given
Next day purgation. Trivritta lehyam is the best and safest purgative medicine.
Decide the dose according to the strength of the patient

Operative procedure:

Administer the purgative medicine as decided earlier
Wait for the purgation
During which check Blood pressure, Pulse rate, Signs of de hydration and general condition
Advice to drink hot or lukewarm water
8 to 10 times purgation may be seen

Post operative procedure:

Advice the patient to take rice gruel

Basthi Karma (Rectal administration)

Administration of medicine through anal route and expulsion of vitiated Vata from anal route is called as Basti Karma.

?It is indicated in Backache, Joints pain, Arthritis, Shoulder pain, Paralysis, General debility, Kidney stones etc.

Some important Ayurveda procedures part 3

Nasya Karma

?Administration of oils through nasal route is called as Nasyakarma. It is indicated in ear, nose, throat, scalp and other nervous system disorders, headache, heaviness of the head, eye disorders, skin disorders of the scalp, epilepsy, Voice disorders, Nasal disorders, Speech defects etc.

Pre operative procedure:

Face massage by medicated oils
Hot fomentation by cloth dipped in hot water

Operative procedure:

Six drops of luke warm medicated oil should be poured in each nostrils
Ask the patient to inhale and spit out from the mouth

Post operative procedure:

Gargling with salt water
Inhalation of fumes burn out with herbs

Katibasti

It is a local procedure. Application of medicated oils over the back region is called as Kati Basti. Retaining of medicated oil for a prescribed time is called as Kati Basti.

Indications:
Backache, Sciatica, Muscular spasm in the back region etc.

Procedure:

Select oils depending upon the condition. Mahanarayana Taila, Nirgundi taila, Murivenna, Dhanvantara taila can be selected. Identify the point of tenderness. Prepare paste of flour of black gram. Construct a tank over the point of tenderness (As shown in figure). Take luke warm oil and fill in the tank. Keep changing the oil when it becomes cool. Maintain the standard level of temperature. Do the procedure up to fifty three minutes. After Katibasti procedure do local oil massage and hot fomentation then send the patient for hot water bath.? The procedure should be done for seven consecutive days.

Precautions:
Oil should be filled in the tank from the sides of the wall. Avoid pouring the oil directly on the skin.

Contraindications: Fracture, Inflammatory conditions, Infectious conditions.

Janu Basti

It is also a local procedure to be performed on knee joints. Janu means Knee joint. Janu Basti is treatment to be done over Knee joints. Construct the wall by the paste of black gram at the knee joint. Select the medicated oil. Mahanarayana taila, Nirgundi taila or Murivenna etc according to the condition. Fill the selected medicated oil into the tank after luke warming. Maintain the same temperature through out the procedure should be done for 53 minutes and for seven consecutive days. After the treatment slight oil massage and steam should be given then advice the patient to take hot water bath.

Some important Ayurveda procedures part 4

Shirodhara

Pouring of medicated oils on the fore head is called as Shirodhara. It is one among the four types of Murdhni taila procedures. Moordnitaila means application of medicated oils over the head in different forms.

Indications:
This Shirodhara is indicated in the diseases like, Anxiety Neurosis, other psychological illness, sleeplessness, hypertension, paralysis, pre mature graying of hair and pre mature baldness, stress related conditions.

Procedure:

Prepare the vessel required for the procedure of dhara, it is called as Dharapatra. Ask the patient to lie down on supine position. Close the eyes with the bandage cloth. Take the medicated oils like Hiamasagara taila, Ksheerabala taila or Brihat masha taila etc in side the vessel. Start pouring the oil from 4 inch height. The same temperature and same force should be maintained throughout the procedure. It should be conducted up to 53 min for 7 consecutive days.

Shirobasti

Keeping the medicated oil over the head for a specific time is called as shirobasti. Shirobasti is indicated in neurological disorders like, Paralysis, Loss of sensation, Bells palsy and Insomnia.

PROCEDURE:

Take leather sheet or Rexin sheet with the measurement of 2 ft length and 1 ft height. Prepare the paste of flour of black gram. Take 2 strips of cloth of 2 meter length and 3 inch width. Smear the paste to the 2 edges of sheet and for 2 stripes of cloth. Fix the sheet over the head like a cap. Fill the gap with dough. Pour the luke warm oil in to the cap. Do the procedure for 53 min and for 7 consecutive days.

Udvarthana

It is a type of dry massage. Doing the massage with medicinal powers is called as Udwarthana. This is indicated in Kapha and Vata disorders. And also it gives the complexion to the skin. It is one of the cosmetic therapies. It is indicated in the diseases like Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, and Vericocoty etc.

Ask the patient to lie down in supine position over the massage table. Take the udvarthana powder and heat it gently. Start doing the massage with gentle pressure. The same pressure should be maintained through out the procedure. Do the procedure for 30 minutes in both positions. Then give the steam bath and send the patient for hot water bath. Care should be taken to avoid abrasions which are common while doing the Udvarthana. One course includes 7 days.

Bhashpa Sweda

It is procedure of hot fomentation to whole body. A steam bath chamber (as shown in figure) is required for the purpose. This hot fomentation is indicated in all sorts of diseases caused by Vata. E.g.: Body pains (bodyacahe), paralysis, skin disorders, for the relaxation of the muscles, and for rejuvenation.

The Kashaya prepared with Dashamoola drugs to be kept inside the steam producing unit. The steam outlet will be connected to the steam bath chamber. The patient or individual after oliation made to lie down in steam chamber keeping head out. The cardiac area and genital are to be protected with water soaked gauge or lotus petal. The patient should be there in steam chamber till he gets sweating. The procedure may be repeated depending on the requirement.