Panchakarma: the royal road to holistic health

Panchakarma: In India, the Ayurvedic cleansing cure is carried out according to strict rules that have been laid down in detail in classical literature. And in Europe, too, the once exotic detox secret tip has matured into a scientifically based spa medicine that can prevent many diseases and alleviate numerous complaints. With a Panchakarma cure

• Experience feelings of lightness, clarity, flexibility, energy and resilience,
• you benefit from healthy digestion, free breathing and a strong immune system,
• prevent civilisation diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism and cardiovascular diseases and
• counteract external and internal signs of premature ageing.

The therapeutic effort of a Panchkarma cure is rewarded

Thousands of health-conscious people in Europe have already enjoyed the benefits of a Panchakarma treatment and repeat it every year. However, these health goals cannot be achieved so quickly without therapeutic effort - our often longstanding unsustainable lifestyle and overexploitation of our energy leaves physical and psychological traces. Panchakarma helps us to free ourselves from these in a targeted and sustainable way.

Talking and writing about panchakarma is one thing. Feeling Panchakarma on your body, senses and mind is something completely different. I was able to experience this myself 25 years ago in northern India and have since observed it in over 30,000 patients and spa guests in India and Germany.

What is Panchakarma?

Pancha means „five“ and karma means „actions“. This refers to five elimination processes that help us to rid our body of excess and harmful residues. These come from inadequate digestion, a weak metabolism, inadequate elimination and accumulations of mucus, fat, acids or air.

The idea behind this is based on a theory of the milieu and juices that permeates Ayurveda. If our five elements and their properties are in balance, health results. Illness is the result of an unbalanced environment: if the properties of the earth (heavy) and water (moist) elements increase, Kapha disorders such as obesity and mucus diseases develop. If the fire element (hot) rises above average, Pitta disorders such as skin diseases or inflammation of the mucous membranes are the result. If the air (dry) and space (light) elements dominate, Vata increases and causes pain or disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Panchakarma allows us to eliminate these excesses. In this way, we can correct our environment in the long term and remove the basis for diseases.

Panchakarma ayurvedically categorised

Holistic Ayurvedic medicine is divided into three levels of therapy:

• the physical, rational medicine;
• spiritual healing or Ayurvedic psychology;
• the subtle healing and spiritual dimension.

Body therapy is further subdivided into

• soothing measures (Shamana)
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Behavioural medicine
  • Herbal medicine
• Purifying measures (Shodhana)
  • Internal cleansing (purging procedure)
  • External cleansing (manual therapy and applications)
  • Surgical measures

Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic body therapy, which in the narrower sense belongs to the internal and external purifications. All three soothing measures are also used before, during and after the treatment.

However, the effects of this deep cleansing extend far beyond physical well-being to our mind. Panchakarma can therefore be defined as a somatopsychologically effective procedure for holistic prevention and therapy.

The double three-phase system of Panchakarma

Panchakarma has been practised for 2000 years in a sophisticated, double three-phase system:

1. In the pre-course digestion is regulated (Agnidipana), sticky residues are burnt off (Amapachana) and blocked channels are cleared (Srotoshodhana). This is done through dietary changes, lifestyle changes and the intake of Ayurvedic herbal products. Depending on the state of health, this phase lasts three to six weeks.
2. The main cure includes three separate phases:
   1. The Pre-treatment (Purvakarma) is used to soften and mobilise residues and transport them into the gastrointestinal tract. Internal and external oiling (Snehana) as well as heating, diaphoretic measures (Svedana) are used.
   2. The Main treatment (Pradhanakarma) is used to eliminate toxins via five routes: Excess Kapha is eliminated upwards via the stomach (Vamana), Pitta is eliminated downwards via the intestines (Virechana) and Vata is regulated from below in the intestines through enemas (Basti). Additional elimination methods include intranasal treatment to cleanse the head cavities (Shirovirechana) and blood purification (Raktamokshana) via bloodletting or leech therapy.
   3. The Aftercare (Pashchatkarma) includes the gradual build-up of the diet as well as regenerative measures in order to emerge stronger from the gruelling cleansing.
3. The post-cure prepares us for everyday life after the cure and ensures that the cleansed but still somewhat fragile state is transformed into a stable balance that can withstand high levels of stress.

Pre-cure and post-cure programmes are carried out at home under supervision and in parallel with everyday life. The main cure with its three phases takes place in an inpatient cure centre or - in a milder form - also on an outpatient basis.

If all five detoxification procedures are prepared, carried out and followed up in accordance with all classically defined guidelines, a minimum period of 30 days is required. In India, the homeland of Panchakarma, cures lasting up to 3 months are not uncommon.

In Europe, on the other hand, shorter cures, usually lasting 14 days, have proven to be more gentle. These allow more people to enjoy the benefits and to repeat the treatment regularly. Most spa guests feel the same way as pop singer Klaus Baumgart, who recently raved about his annual Panchakarma treatment on Dr Wimmer Talk - there is no way around this appointment!

For whom? Indications and contraindications

Panchakarma is a reducing procedure that requires a certain level of physical and mental stability. It is suitable for people between the ages of 16 and 70 who either want to strengthen their health as a preventative measure or free themselves from a state of fullness as a cure.

It is therefore essential that you visit an Ayurvedic practice before booking your spa treatment, which will analyse your current state of health and confirm your suitability for a spa treatment. The therapist, who is experienced in spa medicine, will put together a personalised treatment plan for you, select a suitable facility together with you and prepare you professionally for your inpatient stay. At the end of the cure, he will support you in stabilising your acquired balance in everyday life.

Common indications are

• Digestive complaints such as constipation, hyperacidity, dyspepsia
• Respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis and hay fever
• Overweight, lipometabolic disorders, incipient diabetes mellitus
• Skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea or mycoses
• Inflammatory and degenerative rheumatism
• Immunological disorders such as susceptibility to infections, allergies or autoimmune diseases

The contraindications include

• Inflammation, bleeding or constrictions in the gastrointestinal tract
• Advanced cardiovascular diseases
• Acute tumour diseases and infections
• Underweight and morbid obesity
• Pregnancy
• Severe mental illness

Panchakarma initially takes strength - and then gives you all the more energy. An optimal „return on investment“ for your health!

Reset - a new start to a healthier life

Many of the spa guests I have had the honour of looking after over the past 25 years used their first Panchakarma treatment as the start of a new phase in their lives. They often decided to do so during a life crisis, after a stroke of fate or after overcoming a serious illness.

The physical cleansing, combined with a regular daily schedule and an inspiring supporting programme, helps you to realign your life after the cure. Many people then change their rhythm of life, eat more healthily, exercise daily and practise meditation.

Everyday life often catches up with us after a few months and we fall back into old patterns. Looking back on the last cure and looking forward to the next one helps us to get back on track with a healthy lifestyle.

First the cleaning - then the finishing!

Panchakarma prepares our body and mind for the refinement that Ayurveda calls Rasayana and can be translated as regeneration, revitalisation, rejuvenation and immune strengthening. Rasa means essence and Ayana the path, the circulation, the journey.

Rasayana is part of the post-cure and can also be carried out as an independent cure procedure on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Rasayana procedures include

• specific nutritional recommendations,
• individually composed plant formulations,
• chronobiologically adapted lifestyle,
• ethical behaviour and
• Targeted sensory and mental training.

Panchakarma and Rasayana are inextricably linked! Without prior cleansing, Rasayana measures are either ineffective or even harmful - without subsequent Rasayana, our body is thoroughly cleansed after Panchakarma, but not yet sufficiently strengthened.

Panchakarma treatment: inpatient or outpatient?

A frequently asked question relates to the realisation of a Panchakarma cure. In addition to inpatient facilities, numerous practices also offer Ayurvedic cures on an outpatient basis.

Here, a) the state of health and b) the planned intensity of the elimination procedures should be the two decisive decision-making criteria.

Patients with chronic or serious illnesses require optional 24-hour medical care, which only inpatient providers can offer. However, spa guests without pre-existing conditions can take advantage of outpatient treatments, stay overnight in the neighbourhood and cater for themselves according to therapeutic instructions.

A typical day at Panchakarma

A typical spa day could look like this:

When, how often and where?

Choosing the right time of year is crucial for the success of the cure. Spring between the end of March and the end of June is ideal for reducing excess Kapha. High Pitta is best eliminated in late summer and early autumn between September and mid-November. Vata can be soothed and regulated throughout autumn and winter.

Panchakarma can be carried out annually. Repeated treatments create a cumulative effect, the treatments can be planned more and more precisely and their intensity can be varied.

You can choose from spa centres in German-speaking countries, throughout Europe and, of course, in the countries of origin, India and Sri Lanka. The latter should only be chosen if sufficient time is available for acclimatisation and there are no serious illnesses - plan at least one week before the start of the cure and one week after your return. The advantages of European health resorts are the shorter journey, the lower need for adaptation and the professional medical and psychological care. Seek advice from an experienced Ayurveda therapist.

Panchakarma as a ritual: healthy deceleration

Panchakarma can strengthen your awareness of healthy living. Despite the numerous activities in everyday spa life, there is plenty of time for rest, slowing down and reflection. Qualities that are more important than ever. Practised regularly, it becomes a ritual for longevity.