| The first step of any Ayurvedic treatment is a | | | | causes, digestion can be impaired, causing a toxic |
| thorough examination and diagnosis by an | | | | substance called ama to accumulate in the body. |
| Ayurvedic practitioner, who determines the type | | | | Ama interferes with normal functioning and the |
| and extent of panchakarma treatment required. | | | | flow of energy, creating imbalances and disease. |
| According to Ayurvedic theory, physical and | | | | One goal of panchakarma is to cleanse the body |
| emotional traits are classified as three doshas | | | | of excess ama, and to restore the body's |
| vata, kapha, and pitta. Each individual has all three | | | | digestive power (agni). |
| doshas with one predominating. If an imbalance | | | | Â In panchakarma, there are two main |
| occurs, diseases/conditions appear. Panchakarma | | | | types of therapy. Shamana is the supportive |
| rebalances the doshas, bringing them back to | | | | therapies that include the preparation and |
| equilibrium and the individual back to good health. | | | | post-therapy measures. The main treatment is |
| The physician may prescribe herbal remedies and | | | | called shodhana and refers to pancakarma's five |
| recommend dietary and lifestyle changes that | | | | main cleansing and elimination procedures. During |
| may be enacted before, during and after | | | | preparation for panchakarma, oil therapy (termed |
| panchakarma. | | | | snehana in Ayurveda) is the first treatment. |
| Â panchakarma Ayurvedic doctors believe | | | | Patients are given oil massages-abhyanga is full |
| that disease generally starts in the digestive tract. | | | | body massage and shirodhaya is forehead |
| Due to poor diets, bad health habits, and other | | | | massage. |