Panchakarma – The art of rejuvenation in Ayurveda

Have you heard about the rejuvenation or anti-ageing therapy of Ayurveda known as ‘Kayakalpa Chikitsa’ or ‘Kayakalpa Therapy”? It is a long-standing rejuvenation technique. You can find the Sanskrit term Kaya Kalpa translates to “Kaya”, which refers to the body, and ‘Kalpa’ relates to transformation. It’s the art of being healthy and living longer, maintaining youthfulness in mind and body and ageing gracefully. Many saints taught Kaya Kalpa in the past times. It’s a straightforward method that boosts our body’s energy and assists us in living an active and healthier life.

According to Vedic sources, Kaya Kalpa/Panchakarma detox is a collection of therapies that can reverse physical degeneration caused by ageing. The treatments are believed to rejuvenate old cells. In essence, Kaya Kalpa cleanses any impurities present before replacing them with nourishing “Rasayana” food items. To improve the process, the creation of new cells must be faster than the degeneration of older cells. Kaya Kalpa aids in maintaining young, healthy tissues by preventing the deterioration of age.

What is the reason Kaya Kalpa Therapy vital?

When the body isn’t in harmony, it could result in distress, disease and discomfort. Kaya Kalpa Therapy helps alleviate degenerative diseases and increases longevity by bringing balance to mind, body and the psyche through cleansing, nutrition and renewal.

Changes in lifestyles like being inactive, not consuming food promptly, and pollution, among other environmental issues, many young people are afflicted with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, arthritis and psychosomatic disorders, spondylitis strain, and stress.

Kaya Kalpa Therapy can be suggested to those with busy lives, office workers, seniors, exhausted housewives, and exhausted people.

This therapy aims to restore youthfulness through the rejuvenation of each tissue (Dhatu) within the body and to keep the level of energy (Ojas). Kaya Kalpa helps your body in these ways:

• Helps relieve stress and strain.
• Enhances memory
• Vitalizes mind, body and soul
• Increases metabolism
• Enhances immunity
• Enhances vitality and vigour
• It slows down the ageing process.
• Repairs damaged tissues
• It relaxes the mind, body and soul

The Kayakalpa procedure

Although the concept is easy however the procedure is unique, it is a sequence of operations and treatments, which are explained in this article:

Abhyangam and Swedena

Massage of the whole body using particular herbal oils designed to nourish and rejuvenate tissues in the body and eliminate toxic substances from the body. This is known as Abhyanga Sunshine Coast. This massage is more intense and provides far-reaching benefits than using mineral oil and creams. Abhyangam is carried out symmetrically by two therapists for over one hour, followed by a steam bath (Swedana). It is one of the rejuvenating therapies offered by Ayurveda. It aids in strengthening the tissue and rejuvenates the entire body, increases blood circulation, reduces the signs of ageing process, improves the appearance of the skin, encourages sound sleep, boosts vitality, reduces vata imbalance, reduces stress, and removes toxic substances.

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is the therapy of pouring medicated oils and herbal decoctions onto the forehead for between 30 and 45 minutes in a tumbling way. For example, the stream of medicated hot oil or herbal decoctions of buttermilk that has been medicated or coconut water is poured onto the forehead continuously. This process can trigger an emotional state that is similar to a trance. It causes deep relaxation of the body and mind. It aids in relaxing the central nervous system.

Shirodhara is the best treatment for anxiety and depression, hypertension, insomnia, diabetic neuropathy, premature greying of hair, cognitive retardation, loss of hair, stress, paralysis and stress.

Thakradhara

This variant of Shirodhara involves pouring medicated buttermilk continuously on the forehead and in a steady way. It provides an exfoliating, cooling and soothing effect. The process lasts from seven to 21 days. It’s extremely effective in the treatment of fatigue, insomnia and stress. It can also help with IBS and psoriasis. It also helps with greying of hair, hair loss and hypertension, among others.

Sarvangadhara (Pizhichil / Kayaseka)

The medicated oil or milk is poured on the skin in a constant stream and massaged gently for up to an hour. Along with being extremely relaxing, it is also an antioxidant, scavenging free radicals by toning and strengthening and revitalizing the whole body. The procedure is carried out following Abhyanga. It improves the body’s ojas and the immune system, boosts the body’s health, rejuvenates it, reduces the signs of ageing, eases the burning sensation that is felt in the body, increases blood circulation, and aids in recuperating quickly from fractures or paralysis.

Elakkizhi (Patra Pinda Sweda)

It’s a rejuvenating treatment where fresh herbs are cooked with different herbal ingredients, tucked into boluses, dipped in warm, medicated oils, and massaged across the body for an hour. This can help treat chronic back joint stiffness, back pain and muscle pain, sciatica, spondylitis, strains, and muscle cramps.

Navarakizhi (herbal decoction)

The rejuvenation technique is carried out using a specific type of cooked rice wrapped into boluses, then immersed in the herbal mixture and warm milk. The rice is massaged over the entire body for about an hour. It provides relief from paralytic strokes, improves the strength of tissues, and relieves body pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, emaciation, debility and monoplegia.

Udvartana

Udvartana is a specific treatment for weight loss. The herbal powder or paste is applied throughout the body and massaged with precise movements for about an hour. Apart from fighting obesity, it can help tone the muscles and skin and helps eliminate Kapha as well as other toxins of the body.

Additional special therapies are components of Kaya Kalpa chikitsa, such as ‘Dhanyamla Dahara’as and ‘Bahya Basti’ and ‘Talapodichil’ sirolepana’. These treatments and techniques must be carried out only at a specialized centre that is highly skilled practitioners run. Consult with your Ayurvedic doctor about any issues before starting Kaya Kalpa Chikitsa. This will ensure that you can experience this ancient practice to the highest degree and fully enjoy the fullness of life that the natural world has given you.