Updated: 10-05-2025
What is Panchakarma Treatment?
The primary detoxification and purification carried out in Ayurveda is known as Panchakarma.
It means the use of five therapies.
These five different treatments eliminate harmful toxins from the body.
The Panchakarma treatments include Virechana, Vamana, Raktamoskshana, Basti, and Nasya.
Diet during Panchakarma treatment
Panchakarma is considered effective only when a special detoxification diet is followed along with regular treatments.
The diet has to be vegetarian and natural, and usually includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and organic dairy products.
The use of eggs, meat, fish, and any other non-vegetarian food items is strictly prohibited by Ayurveda. However, diet is only the first step toward the treatment.
You should take Panchakarma treatment under the expert Ayurvedic doctor’s guidance because they will suggest to you which type of treatment you need.
(Also Read: Psoriasis Treatment In Ayurvedic Medicine )
What are the 5 Panchakarma treatments?
1. Vamana
Vamana is a type of medicated emesis therapy.
It removes toxins of Kapha that are collected over time in the body as well as in the respiratory tract.
This type of panchakarma treatment is given to the patients who suffer from the high imbalance of Kapha. The daily treatment includes mobilizing and loosening the toxins so at to eliminate them.
Vamana is highly beneficial in chronic allergies, bronchial asthma, Vitiligo, Hay fever, Edema, Psychological disorders, Psoriasis, Chronic indigestion, Hyperacidity, obesity, Nasal congestion, Edema, skin disorders and more.
2. Virechana
Purgation, or Virechana, is used to remove Pitta toxins from your body.
These toxins accumulate in the gallbladder and the liver.
With the help of Virechana, the gastrointestinal tract is cleaned.
It is beneficial in treating diabetes, chronic fever, asthma, paraplegia, herpes, joint disorders, constipation, digestive disorders, psoriasis, vitiligo, hyperacidity, gynaecological disorders, headaches, and elephantiasis.
3. Basti
Enema, colonic irrigation, or Basti is the most important or mother of the entire panchakarma treatments.
This treatment is used to clean the accumulated toxins of all three doshas—pitta, kapha, and vata—through the colon.
Basti is also given as a rejuvenating treatment.
In this treatment, herbal decoction or ghee is given for cleansing the colon.
It is helpful in colitis, cervical spondylosis, paraplegia, colitis, hemiplegia, irritable bowel syndrome, backache, digestive disorders, constipation, infertility, and sciatica.
4. Nasya
In this panchakarma treatment, medicated oil is administered through the nose, and the accumulated Kapha toxins are cleansed from the head and the neck area.
Depending upon the type of medical condition of the patient, the treatment of Nasya can be administered for a maximum of 30 days.
Benefits of this treatment include improvement in eyesight and memory, elimination of hyperpigmentation, effectiveness in treating frozen shoulder, nasal polyps, stiffness of the neck, migraine, loss of taste and smell, premature greying of hair, nasal allergies, sinusitis, neurological dysfunctions, and more.
5. Raktamokshana
In this process, the blood is cleansed.
This panchakarma treatment is advised only in very rare conditions and carries a high risk of getting an infection.
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