Poorva Karma
The pre-procedure of the Panchakarma. The vitiated doshas/toxins are scattered in various parts of the body, it is bought to the alimentary canal so as to eliminate it. The Poorva Karma helps in accumulating the toxins in the alimentary canal and strengthen the body for the preparation of the patient.
DEEPANA
The drug to enhance the (Agni) bio-fire and acts as a catalyst for the digestion of the Ama (toxins) is the Deepana. Due to its bitter taste the Deepana drugs promotes the secretion of the gastric juice.
PACHANA
The drug which acts in the digestion of the Ama is the Pachana substances.
Deepana and Pachana are administered for 3 to 7 days of the course till the Nirama signs are noticed such as clear tongue without coating, proper excretion etc. The Biofire should be proper for the proper digestion of the oleative drug.
SNEHANA
The word Snehana refers to the Oleation Therapy. There are four types of the unctuous substances(sneha) such as ghee, oil, fat, bone marrow. The body is subjected to oleation therapy so as to disintegrate the collected toxins in various part of the body. The oleation therapy is of two parts:
• Internal oleation therapy : The unctuous substances are administered internally in an ascending dose of the medicine. The dose is increased based on the biofire and the alimentay canal of the patient. It is taken for the minimum of 3 days and the maximum of 7 days. The dose of the medicine begins from 30 ml and drastically increased till the proper symptoms of the Snehana is observed such as proper digestion, loose stool, softness of the body, unctuousness.
• External oleation therapy : The general body massage is done after the internal medicine for 3 days followed by steam therapy. The toxins located in various part of the body is disintegrated. The snehana followed by (svedana) steam therapy to accumulate all the toxins in the Gastro Intestinal Canal.
SVEDANA
The word sveda means sweat. The steam therapy is the post procedure of external snehana. The steam brings the disintegrated toxins into the alimentary canal and penetrates the oil deeper through the sweat pores helping it to oleate further deep tissue, softening the body, relieving from the stiffness and heaviness.
• The sweat sontains sodium chloride, water, urea, lactic acid, potassium, calciumetc. All these components present in extra cellular fluid which provide nourishment to the cells too.
• The steam dialates the capillaries and increase the circulation. This leads to more elimination of toxins.
• Heat may produce hypno analgesic effect by diverted stimuli. Sweating controls the heat productions ,water electrolyte balance.
• The moist heat stimulates the the subcutaneous blood flow and cleanses the skin effectively, removing dead skin and impurities.