PANCHAKARMA

SNEHANA (OLEATION)

• Snehanapana (Oral intake of ghee)
• Abhyanga (Massage with oils)
• Kayaseka (Pouring of medicaments over the body including Pizichil)
• Shirodhara (Pouring of medicaments over the head)
• Kati/Greevabasti/ Uro basti, Udara basti, Janu basti (Retention of oil on the lower back/ neck/ chest/ abdomen/ knees)
• Pichu (Oil packs)

SWEDANA (SUDATION)

• Patrapindasweda (Sudation with fresh, medicinal herbs, etc.)
• Churnapindasweda (Sudation with medicated powder)
• Shashtikashalipindasweda/ navarakizhi (Sudation with special rice cooked in organic milk)
• Avagahasweda (Tub bath with decoction of herbs)
• Bashpasweda (Steam bath)

Poorvakarma (Preparatory procedure):
Deepana & Pachana: It is aimed at preparing the digestive system for consumption of the sneha.
Snehana: Administration of oily substances (Medicated oil or ghee) either externally or internally or both. External techniques include Abhyanga (oil massage), Pizhichil/sarvangadhara, Shirodhara, Nasya (Instillation of medicated oil drops in the nose), Karnapoorana (instillation of medicated oil in the ears) etc. Internal medication includes oil or ghee given orally in an increasing dose. It is also known as Snehapana.
Swedana: A method of inducing sweating in the body by various means of heat application. For example: Application of warm poultice on the body or sitting in a chamber with warm vapours.

Pradhanakarma (main procedure): These serve as a detox of the whole system.

Vamana: Therapeutically inducing emesis / vomiting through the oral route.
Virechana: Therapeutically inducing purgation / loose bowels.
Basti: Therapeutic administration of medicated oil / decoction as enema through the rectal route.

Nasya: Administration of medicated oil or liquid through the nose.
Raktamokshana: A procedure of controlled bloodletting either by venipuncture or by application of leech. 

Special treatments other than Panchakarma:
Shirodhara: Continuous pouring of thin stream of suitable medicated oil / liquids over entire forehead in supine posture of patient for a stipulated period. Highly effective in headache, insomnia, neurological and mental disorders.
Shirovasti: A method where a suitable medicated oil is made to retain over the scalp of patient, by tying leather bag around head for stipulated time. Advised in conditions like insomnia, headache.
Shirolepa (Thalapothichil): A warm paste of suitable medicines is applied over the head and covered with plantain leaf for specific time. Used frequently in neurological disorders.
Pichu: Applying warm medicated oil soaked in a cotton gauze over the particular part of the body for a stipulated time period. It helps in treating sprains, aches and pains.
Thalam: Applying warm herbal preparations on the vertex of the head.
Takradhara– Continuous pouring of medicated buttermilk over the forehead in supine posture. It’s used in hypertension, headaches. In skin disorders this is done whole body also.

Eye treatments like:
Netra tarpana: Suitable medicated ghee is retained over the eye for a certain period by means of a well like structure prepared around the eyes with the help of black gram paste. Beneficial in treating various eye diseases.
Anjana: Application of suitable herbal (collyrium) preparation on the margins of eyelids.
Aschyothana: The procedure wherein medicated drops are instilled into the open eyes from a height of two inches in prescribed format is called as Aschyothana.
Netraseka: A procedure where medicated liquids are instilled in the partially open eyes from a height of 4 Inches in a thin and continuous stream for prescribed time.
Vidalaka: Application of soft paste of different drugs only over the eyelids (leaving the eye lashes).
NetraPindi: Massage using a special type of rice that is cooked and dipped in warm herbal milk, then skillfully massaged over closed eyes.
Karnapoorana: Instilling lukewarm medicated oil to the ears to relieve ear problems.
Karnadhoopana: Fumigation of ears with certain dry herbal preparations. Effective in ear pain and discharge from ears.
Gandoosha: Filling of medicated oil/ liquids in the mouth and retaining it for few minutes.
Kavala: Gargling with suitable warm oil/ decoctions, which cleanses and strengthens the gums, teeth, tongue.
ElaKizhi: Patra Pinda Sweda (PPS) This is a therapy wherein fomentation is given using a poultice prepared from fresh medicinal leaves and medicated oils. Used in musculoskeletal conditions.