Pradhan Karma

Vaman is one of the five therapies of panchakarma in Ayurveda. Vaman means therapeutic vomiting which is a medicated emesis. This treatment is done for the aggravated kapha dosha, which dislodges the toxins mainly from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. This therapy is done for preventive & curative purposes. Ayurveda believes that different seasons have a great influence in the aggravation of doshas, ex: Kapha in Hemant (spring season), Pitta in Sharada (winter) season and Vata in Greeshma (summers) season. Hence one can adopt Vaman therapy in spring i.e. Hemant season as a preventive therapy in order to prevent disorders related to kapha.

Virechana is the administration of purgative substances for the cleansing of pitta through the lower pathways. Give virechana 3 days after vamana. If vamana is not indicated for a particular individual, then give virechana. In either case, it is necessary to first do 3 days of internal oleation, and preferably both snehana (oleation) and svedana (sweating), which are purva karma. Virechana cleanses blood toxins, the sweat glands, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, spleen, and rakta vaha srotas.

Basti is often administered in two stages: an oil stage and a decoction stage. In the first stage, five ounces of warm sesame oil is introduced into the rectum and retained for ten minutes. Then, without expelling the oil, an emulsion of oil and an herbal tea is introduced and retained for thirty minutes. This mixture consists of five ounces of sesame oil together with sixteen ounces of a tea made from herbs steeped in hot water and then strained and cooled to body temperature or slightly warmer.

Nasya in panchakarma refers to administering oil through the nostrils. There are different types of nasya depending on the type of medicated oils used and the body constitution – vata, pitta or kapha or a combination of these doshas. Even the time for nasya depends on the dosha conditions. Ingredients used for Nasya can be oils, ghee, along with herbs like brahmi, henna, basil, and flowers like rose, jasmine etc. The nasya procedure is simple and is similar to the nasal drops usage to relieve congestion. The luke warm medicated oil as suggested by practitioner which is customized to each person as per the body type is administered through nostrils.

This is mainly used in the diseases resulting from aggravation of toxins in the blood. It is done with needles, leeches or suction cups. This treatment is very good for treating eczema, psoriasis, Infections gout, Sciatica and in cases of stagnant blood causing local inflammation etc.