Shodhana- Elimination Therapy
WHAT IS SHODHANA ELIMINATION THERAPY
Shodhana- Elimination Therapy
When the diseases are chronic it is difficult to treat through the balancing methods of shaman therapy as it takes a lot of time. Here comes the role of the elimination therapy that takes less time and cure the diseases in which the doshas are situated at a much deeper level. Shodhana therapies expel the aggravated doshas from the body by the use of different types of elimination therapies called the Pancha Karma.
It involves the use of the following five types of cleansing techniques:
1.Vamana- emetic therapy (supervised vomiting)
2.Virechana- laxatives
3.Vasti- herbal enema
4.Nasya- nasal administration
5.Rakta Mokshana - blood letting
Some preparatory treatments are first induced in order to soften the dosha and move it to either the stomach or the intestine from where the dosha is eliminated using the above-mentioned techniques. Shodhana is also used as a preventive treatment to gain positive health.
WHAT IS EMISIS THERAPY
Purification Therapy Vamana
Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy, which removes Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance. Daily treatment involves loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally eliminate them. Vamana is the procedure to eliminate the waste product through the upper gastro-intestinal track. It is the cleansing procedure, which expels doshas, particularly the augmented kapha. By this treatment, vitiated kapha dosha is totally eliminated from its roots through the mouth. Since vamana is a emesis therapy through which internal medicines are administered to induce vomiting. This process of purification is done from the roots, i.e. total removal of vitiated dosha, so chances of reoccurrence of the disease become remote. This treatment is used when there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, cough, cold or asthma. The objective of the therapy is to induce vomiting to get rid of the mucus causing excess kapha. On the morning of the vamana., kapha aggravating foods such as basmati rice and yogurt with salt is given to further aggravate the kapha. The application of the heat to the chest and back will help liquefy kapha. A drink consisting of madanaphalam, licorice and honey, or calamus root tea is given to the patient. Vomiting will either occur spontaneously or is induced by rubbing on the tongue. Four to eight times vomiting is required. After vomiting the patient will feel very comfortable; most of the congestion, wheezing and breathless ssness will disappear along with the clearing of the sinus.Therapeutic vomiting is used for cough, cold, symptoms of asthma, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning, skin diseases, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic indigestion, edema (swelling), epilepsy (between attacks), chronic sinus problems and for repeated attacks of tonsillitis.
WHAT IS VIRECHANA
Purification Therapy Virechana
Virechana is medicated purgation therapy, it is the cleansing of the Pitta and the purification of the blood toxins from the body that are accumulated in the liver and gallbladder; it completely cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. It is a safe procedure without side effects. Generally, it is administered three days after the Vamana treatment but this may vary. If Vamana therapy is not needed, Virechana can be administered directly after purvakarma. Virechan cleanses the sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver and spleen. A number of effective and safe herbs can be used as a laxative. This includes senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow's milk, salt, castor oil, raisins and mango juice. When taking these laxatives, it is important to adhere to restricted diet. Benefits of Virechana help root out skin diseases, chronic fever, piles, abdominal tumors, worms, gout, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, asthma, headaches, elephantiasis and gynecological disorders. This karma mainly aims to eliminate doshas that cannot be removed by Vamana karma such as the kidneys, lungs and sweat glands. This elimination process of vitiated doshas through rectum is called Virechana. The drugs used for virechana karma (purgation therapy) vitiate the doshas and bring them into the koshta (abdomen). Purgative drugs are dominant in earth and water elements and have downward movement. The synonyms of virechana are rechan and praskandhan.
Procedure of Virechana The patient should be first subjected to Oleation , Fomentation , Emisis and Samsarjana Karma (post operative) as described earlier. Then start internal Oleation for 3 to 7 days. Followed by medicated Steam bath for 3 days.
A day before Virechana light and warm diet is advised.
Purgative drug should be administerted after 7.00 a.m. i.e : after completion of "Kapha kala" (time).
Administ