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