PANCHAKARMA THERAPIES

Vamana

This is one among the Panchakarma therapy mainly advised for kapha disorders and should be done with utmost care and only under medicinal supervision.
Procedure : (After Snehana & Swedanam) : 
This procedure should be conducted in morning before 10 am. Suitable oil should be applied over chest and back and then subjected to swedana. Then he is allowed to drink milk/decoction up to his stomach full. Then an emetic drug with honey and rock salt should be administrated orally. When the patient has the sensation of vomiting, he is permitted to vomit. If vomiting does not occur within an hour, mechanical induction is done by touching his palate with his finger. While vomiting his chest and back should be massaged gently in the upward direction. 
Indication : In toxicity, indigestion, skin diseases, mental disorders etc.
Contra Indication : In piles, constipation, hypertension, cardiac complaints etc.

Nasyam

This is usually done in the morning before 9.30 am and in the evening before sunset. The patient is asked to sit in a stool and prescribed oil is applied over scalp, neck and shoulder. Sudation must do with warm water. Then he is made to lie down in supine position on the table. Pillow is used in such a way to make the nostrils almost upward position. The required quantity of medicine is made warm with indirect heat and poured into the pranate (gokarna). By closing the left nostril, with the left hand, medicine is slowly poured into the right nostril and vice versa. The patient is asked to inhale vigorously so that the medicine sets in easily. Gentle massage should be given to palm, foot, face and shoulder and advised to spit.
Period : for 7 days
Indication : In fits running nose, cervical spondylosis, Facial palsy, Sinusitis.
Contra Indication : In cough, swasa, early stage of running nose.

Virechana

This therapy is also a purifactory process and is one among the Panchakarma.
Procedure : The patient is first subjected to oil application and sudation, purgative drug should be given orally along with decoction, milk or warm water. The dose of drug should be decided according to dosha, disease and age. He is advised to take warm water frequently. After getting sufficient defecation, he is allowed to take rest. Light and easily digestible food as per peyadi krama (order) shoul be given.
Contra Indication : Indigestion, heart diseases, tuberculosis.

Vasthykarma

This is one among panchakarma techniques and has a high clinical value and is a method of administering medicines through rectal route. Basically Vasthy are of three types Anuvasana Vasthy, Asthapana Vasthy, Uthara Vasthy.

1) Anuvasanam (Snehavasthy)

This is usually done before Kashayavasthy. For this oil is used and is administrated after the intake of food.
Procedure : At noon, after intake of food, patient should lie on left lateral position with right leg flexed. 60 ml (2 oz.) of prescribed oil should be filled in vasthiyanthra and tied properly. Oil is applied at tip of vasthi nethra. Then insert the vasthi nethra in to the rectum and squeeze the content slowly and steadily by the physician. After the administration, the patient should lie on his back. The buttocks are patted by the palms and allow to flex both legs simultaneously with the angles touching the buttocks for 3-5 times. Maximum time for oil to come out is 9 hours.
Indication : In Arthritis, Hemiplegia, Low back pain, Constipation.
Contra Indication : In indigestion, diabetes.

2) Asthapana Vasthy (Kashaya Vasthy)

This is one among the panckhakarma therapy
Procedure : This therapy is given in empty stomach. Before administrating Kashaya Vasthy abdomen and low back area should be applied with oil and subjected to swedana. Salt, honey, oil, kalka, decoction are mixed, churned well and warmed over hot water. Oil is applied at tip of Vasthinethra and insert vasthinethra in to the rectum and squeeze the content slowly and steadily by the physician. After administration of vasthy, the patient should lie on his back. The maximum time for the material to come out is 45 minutes. If it does not come, another Kashayavasthy should be given and sudate properly. After kashayavasthi bath in warm water should be given and allow to take light food.
Indication : In low back pain, hemiplegia, constipation.
Contra Indication : General weakness, indigestion, heamorrhoids, diabetis.

Rakthamoksham

This therapy is applied to let out impure blood from the body. Jalookavacharanam and prachana are more prevalent among them.

a) Prachana 

This therapy is used to remove blood from a localized area.
Procedure : The part of the body where prachana has to be performed is cleaned and tied with a thread just above to that area. With a sharp pointed surgical blade, pricking is conducted in a regular pattern downward moving to upward making easy flow of blood. Then thread is removed and clean the area and apply antiseptic oil or ghee.
Indication : Skin Diseases, gambheera stage of vatharaktha.
Contra Indication : Indigestion, Vomiting, Cough, Anaemia,. Diarrhoea.

b) Jalookavacharanam

Procedure : With a sharp blade, the affected area is slightly punched and two or three jalookas are made to adhere there. When jalooka starts sucking impure blood, it is covered with wet cotton and its size gradually increases and finally fall off by itself or it is made to detach from the wound by applying turmeric powder. Then immerse it in water mixed with turmeric powder it will vomit impure blood and after that they kept in fresh water for later use. The affected area is then cleaned and pasted with antiseptic oil.
Indication : Skin diseases
Contra Indication : Asthma, Cough, Anaemia, Indigestion.