Physical Cleaning and Paṅcakarma

Physical Cleaning and Paṅcakarma

The complete de-toxifying therapy in Āyurveda

Paṅcakarma is the ultimate – and the most complete – detoxifying set of therapies in Āyurveda. Paṅca means five and karma means therapy in this case. It pacifies the three doshas and has an amazing calming effect on the body and mind. After paṅcakarma, you feel like you are floating on air – light, rejuvenated and fresh like never before. If you have never experienced paṅcakarma, I highly recommend you give it a try. It must be done by a bona fide practitioner of Āyurveda. It is not something you can do on your own.

Paṅcakarma involves five treatments. In addition, two pre-purification treatments (pūrva-karma) are done to prepare the body. Five treatments form the main treatments (pradhāna-karma). A proper paṅcakarma takes approximately five days. The two preparatory treatments usually need to be carried out for three days. The actual paṅcakarma can, however, be done in one day or it can be spread over two days. Many people, pressed for time or other resources, pick just one or two components of paṅcakarma. Even that is better than not doing it at all.

Ideally, paṅcakarma should be done once every quarter at the change of a season. If you want to do it twice in a year, it is best to do it during the peaks of summer and winter. If you want to do it only once in a year, spring is the best season for this.