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4 SHAMANA
Shamana is a palliative therapy that aims at balancing the disturbed doshas. Some examples of shamana therapy are pachana (carminatives), deepana (digestives), kshudha (appetisers), thrishna (thirst quenchers), etc., for which drugs are prescribed. Vyaayaama (exercise), ataapa (exposure to sun’s rays), marutha (exposure to wind), etc., constitute the supportive measures to therapy.
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SHODHANAShodhana
is an investigative therapy, better known as panchakarma, administered after a thorough examination of the patient. Panchakarma is a special treatment of Ayurveda. The cells and tissues of the body, which function 24 hr a day, produce energy and do all else that is necessary to facilitate a proper functioning of the body. Naturally, waste products accumulate. Often the channels meant for the removal of the body wastes are not able to function properly. Panchakarma is the regimental practice that sets this problem right.Panchakarma aims at removing the vitiated dosha from the body. This constitutes the following five procedures: a) vamana (emesis), b) virechana (purgation), c) nirooha basthi (enemas using herbal decoctions, salts, etc.), d) anuvaahana basthi (enemas using milk, oils, etc.), and e) nasya (nasal application of powdered herbs, snuff). The surgically oriented Sushrutha has introduced the practice of raktha moksha (blood letting, srugically or by leeches). Panchakarma is preceded by swedana (sweating) and snehana (ceremonial baths), often referred to as poorva karma. Like all other Ayurvedic treatments, panchakarma is also supported by dietary regime of acceptable (pathya) and unacceptable (apathya) foods and drinks.
Panchakarma has an important place in Ayurveda. A number of therapies, for example the rejuvenation therapy (Kaayakalpa), are given only after the Panchakarma procedure. Charaka believed that only a clean cloth can take up a dye.
Bioengineering machinery is now available for conducting the panchakarma procedures (Yadaiah,1997).
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KAAYAKALPA, THE REJUVENATION THERAPYThe rejuvenation or revitalisation therapy, called kaayakalpa, is a prominent feature of Charaka samhitha. It is suggested that the body fluids and tissues are capable of being replenished and renewed by proper medication, so that it is possible to achieve not only vitality, vigour and greater resistance to disease, but also longevity, prevention of senile decay, heightened memory and intelligence, and an improvement of bodily strength, personal beauty, and sense perceptions. In fact, Charaka asserts that even in old age it is possible to regain youth and remain youthful for long period. Claims are often made that it is possible by a special course of kaayakalpa to entirely transform, an aged and diseased body into a fresh and youthful one in the course of six months.