Ayurveda, the Indian System of Medicine , has been in vogue from times immemorial to impart natural healing for various ailments. The system was nurtured by ancient scholars on the basis of sound underlying philosophy, oriental methodology and practice prevalent in that era. The whole system is believed to be quite safe and free from side effects as it is more close to nature.

Panchakarma treatment is basically bio-cleansing regimen intended to eliminate the toxins elements from body and thereby enhances the immunity of body.

Panchakarma increases the acceptability of body to various therapeutic regimen like Rejuvenation (Rasayana) and Aphrodisiac (Vajikarna).Thus, panchakarma therapy believed to impart radical elimination of disease causing factors and maintain equilibrium of Doshas.

Five (Panch) folds (karma) of treatments are as follows :

1. Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis or Vomit)
2. Virechana (Purgation or Loss Motion)
3. Anuvasana (Medicated Oil Enema)
4. Asthapana (Medicated Decoction Enema)
5. Nasya (Nasal Insufflations)

Prior to these five Pradhan Karma (Main procedures) , purva karma (preparatory measures) given to patient are as follows:

Pachana (Ama or Digestive and appetizer medicines like Shunti or Chitrak may be given)

Snehana (Oleation)

Swedana (Sudation)

After the main procedure, Pashchat Karma (Post procedures) , a special diet and life style is advocated. Panchakrma therapy plays a vital role in the management of diseases especially of Neuromuscular, rheumatological and gastrointestinal origin.

Panchkarma procedure are utilized for the purpose of preservation, maintenance and conservation of health and the promotion of longevity.

Snehana stands for lubrication of body system by the administration of fatty substances internally or externally. Snehapana (Internal administration of oil or Ghee) is an important preparatory procedure.

Snehana includes 

Internal (Abhyantra)

External (Bahya)

Scientific validation of snehana as it pacify vata, lubricates and softens the doshas. It improves digestion, regularizes bowels,improves the strength and complexion and prevent premature ageing.

Swedana is a process to induce sweating artificially in a patient or person who has already undergone Snehana 

Swedana is of four types and most commonly used is the vashpa (Steam bath)

Swedana helps to relieve stiffness (Stambha) , Heaviness (Gourava)  Cold (Sheeta),Pain, Dryness, obstruction to Urine or Motion and even semen, Neuromuscular disorder like Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, Sciatica, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) , Osteoarthritis (OA),Post fractures stiffness of joints.

For the purpose of stem bath – a dedicated chamber is required. Medicinal herbs/decoction is kept boiling in the steamer ,where the steam is generated and applied all over the body or specific part through a dedicated attachment. The patient is advised to lie down inside steam chamber after getting snehana (massage with warm oil).

Steam liquefies the vitiated or toxin dosha or metabolic waste and helps to bring them in the abdomen where they can be expelled out by further procedures.