INTRODUCTION TO PANCHAKARMA   Panchakarma offers traditional Ayurvedic methods followed in India for purification and rejuvenation through oil massage, herbal treatment, cleansing methods and sensible application of diet.   Ayurveda suggests following classification in managing diseases: Shodanam or cleansing, Samanam or palliation, Rasayanam of rejuvenation and Satvajaya or mental hygiene. Shodanam aims to remove the excess Dosha (toxins) from the body. Shodanam includes Purvakarma (initial treatment) and Pradhanakarma known as Panchakarma (the main treatment comprising of five distinctive methods) and Paschathkarma (post treatment).   Panchakarma treatments are normally given after different methods of purvakarmas so that the body becomes prepared to undergo the main treatment. The purvakarma procedures are Snahanam and Swedanam, known as Pre-purification Therapy.   Snehanam - Oil massage. Oil is applied on the entire body of the patient and followed by specific type of massages, which helps the toxins to move into the gastro intestinal tract. Oil massage also helps to make the tissues softer and helps to remove stress and nourishes the nervous system.   Swedanam - sudation or sweating. Swedanam is administered immediately after Snehanam. It helps to liquefy toxins in the body and increases its movement in to gastro intestinal tract.   Purvakarma procedure helps to move the aggravated Dosha and Ama (Toxins) from its places deeper in the body to locations in preparation for elimination. Panchakarma then removes these toxins through methods like Vamanam, Virechanam, Vasthy, Asthapanam and Anuvasanam; as decided by the physician considering severity of the disease. Raktamoksham-(blood letting) also being selectively administered in certain cases.   Panchakarma is the purification therapy that comprises of five distinctive methods prevails in the Kerala Ayurvedic Systems.   It aims to correct the imbalance of the three basic elements of human body- Vatha, Pitha and Kapha, in order to maintain the inherent equilibrium.   Vata is the principle of motion, and is responsible for everything that moves in the body. Vata governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movements, and pulsation of heart. Vata promotes creativity and flexibility.   Pitta is composed of the elements of fire and water expressed as body’s metabolic system. Pitta is responsible for digestion and assimilation in the human body.   Kapha is the principle of grounded ness and stability. Kapha is composed of earth and water and, it is the energy that forms ones body structure.   These three biological humours govern the biological and physio-pathological changes in the body. Vatha-Pita-Kapha is present in every cell, tissues and organs.   PANCHAKARMA Panchakarma helps to remove the cause of disease from the body. These five methods of treatment are rated as more effective than oral medication, as it helps to eradicate diseases from the root.   According to Ayurvedic Principles, toxins are generated when the aggravated thridoshas (Vata-Pita-Kapha) affects digestion, metabolism and assimilation. Unassimilated food particle remain in the body as morbid substance. The morbid substances adhere to the tissues and clog the channels, which results in generation of toxins in the body. Toxins enter the blood and creates toxemia, which become the root cause for diseases. Ayurveda says that one should remove these aggravated toxins (Doshas) through Panchakarma.   As described in previous paragraphs, Panchakrma is a combination of five special treatment methods namely   Vamanam - Emesis, Virechanam - Purging, Nasyam - Administration of medicines through Nostirlls, Asthapanam - Enema with decoction (Kashaya Vasthy) and Anuvasanam - Enema with MedicatedOil (Sneha Vasthy)   There is a different school of thought, which consider the five methods as Nasyam, Vamanam, Virechanam, Vasthy and Raktamoksham. However, all these treatments are invariably used according to the nature of disease and physical conditions of the patient.   Vamanam – Emesis (Vomiting). - When the congestion in lungs leads to bronchitis or asthma, therapeutic vomiting or Vamanam is administered to eliminate the Kapha causing excess mucus. Once the mucus is released, the congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will come down and the patient will feel very comfortable. Vamanam is also suggested in the treatment of chronic asthma, cold, diabetes, congestion, indigestion and edema.   Virechanam-Purgation Therapy. - When excess Pitta (bile) is secreted and accumulated in the gal bladder, liver and small intestine, it results in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, and chronic fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Ayurveda suggests administration of therapeutic purgation or therapeutic laxative in such cases.   Nasyam- Nasal administration of medicine is called Nasyam. Nose is the doorway to brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The excess of bodily humours accumulated in the sinus, throat, and nose or head area is eliminated by application of medicines through nose. Nasyam is indicated for prana disorders, sinus congestion, migraine, headache, convulsions and certain eye and ear problems. Nasyam helps to improve breathing also.   Vasthy- Enema Therapy- Vasthy involves introduction of herbal oil or herbal concoctions into the rectum. It is the most effective treatment for Vatha disorders. Any medication given rectally goes into the deeper tissues of the body. Vasthy relieves constipation, distention, and chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stone, heart pain, backache, sciatica and pain in the joints. Many other Vatha disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasm etc. also are effectively treated with Vasthy.   Raktamoksham-Blood letting-Raktamoksham is extracting a small amount of blood from the vein to relieve the tension created by Pittagenic toxins in the blood. Toxins present in the gastro –intestinal tracts are absorbed into the blood and circulated through the body. Bloodletting also stimulates the spleen to produce antitoxic substances and helps to stimulate the immune system.   RASAYANAM- Rejuvenation   Rasayana Treatment is aiming to restore the tissues through herbs and minerals. Rasayana helps in restoring the vitality and leads to longevity and slowing or stopping of aging process.   SATVAJAYA- Mental Hygiene/Mental Healing   There are different categories to Satvajaya, which includes mantra (sounds), Yantra (Physical devices), Tantra (directing energies of the body), meditation, gems and crystals given for specific imbalance in the body and mind