− | ''Dhatusamya'' i.e. equilibrium of body tissues needs to be maintained for disease free state. It is achieved by the prevention and promotion of health as well as cure of diseases. The cure of diseases is done by two means i.e. ''shodhana chikitsa'' (bio-purification therapy) and ''shamana-chikitsa'' (alleviation therapy). ''Shodhana-karma'' or ''chikitsa'' is generally considered as a synonym of [[Panchakarma]] and is accepted as the best therapy for cure of diseases without recurrence. If we go into the depth, we find that there are minor differences between ''shodhana-chikitsa'' and [[Panchakarma]]. Shodhana-chikitsā is of two types on the basis of external and internal purification where as panchakarma is only related to internal purification of the body. Another important aspect is that there may be a long list of shodhana-karmas but panchakarma are only five biopurificatory procedures. Vamana (medicine induced emesis), virechana (medicine induced purgation), asthāpana-basti (medicated enema having more quantity of decoction), anuvāsana-basti (enema with medicated oil, ghee etc. fatty substances) and shirovirechana (head-evacuation) are considered under the heading of ‘panchakarma’. These five procedures, eliminate the dosshas in more quantity and are more potent in purification of the body. Some scholars include raktamokṣaṇa (blood-letting) among panchakarma and are supposed to produce ‘Kāyā-kalpa’ i.e. dramatic changes in the body provided properly administered considering desha (habitat), kāla (season), dossha i.e. vāta, pitta and kapha, dūṣya (those which get vitiated), koṣṭha (nature of bowel), agni (digestive power), bala (body strength) and prakṛti (constitution of the body). Before administration of panchkarma, indications and contra-indications are essential to be considered to achieve the desired effects. Panchakarmīyā-Siddhi chapter is written to discuss the suitable and unsuitable persons or patients for each of the procedure of panchkarma which is very much crucial in getting the success. Instructions laid down in this chapter are as per general rule which are followed in most of the cases but exceptions are also found in the text considering the particular stage of disease. | + | ''Dhatusamya'' i.e. equilibrium of body tissues needs to be maintained for disease free state. It is achieved by the prevention and promotion of health as well as cure of diseases. The cure of diseases is done by two means i.e. ''shodhana chikitsa'' (bio-purification therapy) and ''shamana-chikitsa'' (alleviation therapy). ''Shodhana-karma'' or ''chikitsa'' is generally considered as a synonym of [[Panchakarma]] and is accepted as the best therapy for cure of diseases without recurrence. If we go into the depth, we find that there are minor differences between ''shodhana-chikitsa'' and [[Panchakarma]]. ''Shodhana-chikitsa'' is of two types on the basis of external and internal purification where as [[Panchakarma]] is only related to internal purification of the body. Another important aspect is that there may be a long list of ''shodhana-karmas'' but [[Panchakarma]] are only five biopurificatory procedures. ''Vamana'' (medicine induced emesis), ''virechana'' (medicine induced purgation), asthāpana-basti (medicated enema having more quantity of decoction), anuvāsana-basti (enema with medicated oil, ghee etc. fatty substances) and shirovirechana (head-evacuation) are considered under the heading of ‘panchakarma’. These five procedures, eliminate the dosshas in more quantity and are more potent in purification of the body. Some scholars include raktamokṣaṇa (blood-letting) among panchakarma and are supposed to produce ‘Kāyā-kalpa’ i.e. dramatic changes in the body provided properly administered considering desha (habitat), kāla (season), dossha i.e. vāta, pitta and kapha, dūṣya (those which get vitiated), koṣṭha (nature of bowel), agni (digestive power), bala (body strength) and prakṛti (constitution of the body). Before administration of panchkarma, indications and contra-indications are essential to be considered to achieve the desired effects. Panchakarmīyā-Siddhi chapter is written to discuss the suitable and unsuitable persons or patients for each of the procedure of panchkarma which is very much crucial in getting the success. Instructions laid down in this chapter are as per general rule which are followed in most of the cases but exceptions are also found in the text considering the particular stage of disease. |