Detoxification program to improve health and balance

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Exploring the 21st Century's New Medicine

Panchakarma or Ayurvedic detoxifications to improve healing power and balance of our body
By Dr. Sengupta
THE RECENT GLOBAL revival of Ayurvedic medicine has made panchakarma (Ayurvedic detoxification methods) and Ayurvedic herbs more popular to health seekers and alternative medicine practitioners. Unlike present day medicine, Ayurveda places a high priority on eliminating impurities to prevent ill health. Ayurveda thus works to restore health by cleansing both body and mind as the removal of toxins from the body is important to restore and maintain the optimal state of our health. Ayurvedic medicine recognizes that the human body accumulates a lot of toxic waste products due to poor diet, contaminants and pollutants in our environment, and an unhealthy lifestyle. The accumulated toxins in the body create a state of disorder which leads to the onset of the disease and the aging process. A healthy person, according to Ayurveda, is one whose doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) are in balance. Panchakarma, an Ayurvedic detoxification technique, clears clogged channels in the circulation, digestion, and metabolism of an individual. Detoxification through Panchakarma thus revitalizes the self-cleansing mechanism of the body. Ayurvedic medicine's first goal is to pinpoint the role of diet and lifestyle for a patient's particular body type. The detoxification treatments and lifestyle modifications are based on that unique constitution of body type. The following steps of panchakarma therapy may be used, depending on a patient's constitution and condition: Sneehana: (Ingesting oils) Softens ama and helps to remove it from the body in a liquid form.Swedena: (Herbal steam treatments) Used to make toxins less viscous.Abhyanga: (Herbal oil body massages) Designed to move toxins out of the deep tissues toward the lymphatic channels and the intestines.Virechana and basti: (Herbal laxatives and gentle oil enemas) Helps to remove toxins further.Nasya: (Steam inhalation and herbal preparations administered in the nasal passage) Helps to remove impurities from the sinuses and head.Shirodhara: (A continuous flow of herbal oil on the forehead) Promotes both mental and physical relaxation.Special diets and herbs: Enhance purification and rejuvenation. Panchakarma is very useful for chronic patients with psychosomatic illnesses, digestive disorders, muscular and skeletal problems, arthritis, insomnia, headaches, allergies, and Parkinson's disease. Scientific research indicates that panchakarma reduces negative moods and improves stamina, appetite, and sense of well-being and youthfulness. Research also showed a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors, including a rise in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and a reduction in total cholesterol, blood pressure, and anxiety.Ayurvedic herbs and detoxification Ashwaganda: The primary benefit of Ashwaganda is rejuvenation. It promotes nervous system function, which in turn enhances the flow of energy and the body's own natural clean-up and maintenance activities.Triphala: A classic formula of three powdered fruits (Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica) is traditionally given to cleanse the small intestine, colon, and liver. It can be taken on a regular basis either dissolved in warm water or in capsule form. Sesame oil: Sesame oil is rich in linoleic acid, a substance possessing anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows the oil may also be useful against colon and skin cancer. Ayurvedic texts provide many prescriptions for this oil, used in enemas and body massages. Tinospora cordifolia: It has anti-allergic properties and reduces bronchospasms. It is also known to be a potent cleanser of microcirculatory channels that carry valuable nutrients to the cells and transport waste products away from the body. Azadirachta indica: One of the foremost blood purifiers. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, and scabies are among the many skin conditions that respond well with this Ayurvedic herb.Picrorhiza kurroa: Helps to detoxify the liver, eliminate excess or impure bile, and purify the blood. Deficiency of consciousness first cause of disease Ayurvedic medicine recognizes the first cause of disease as "pragya aparadh," a Sanskrit term for mistakes due to deficiency of consciousness. Sometimes we are even aware of our wrong steps but end up repeating them due to the deficiency of our level of consciousness. For this purpose, Ayurvedic medicine seeks to elevate consciousness through yoga. In yoga, posture and breathing exercises are used before meditation to lower the physical noise. Similarly, in Ayurvedic medicine, prior to the detoxification of the mind, the detoxification of the body is important. Eliminating physical toxins is necessary to minimize the physical disturbances in our body. Sengupta method of Nerve-Muscle Integration and Mind-Body Integration after the detoxification allows the development of a stable mind-body-consciousness axis to improve self-healing mechanism further and remove the cause of our everyday disease.

Dr. Sengupta is the Founder and Director of the Institute of Healing Studies, Alternative medicine consultant, Scientist and internationally known healer and helped many people to find health, happiness, success, peace and fulfilling life. Developed Alternative Cardiac Rehabilition program, Stroke Rehabilitation Program, Neuromuscul Integration and Mind-Body Integration program. For consultation. E.mail healingstudies@yahoo.com. The Institute of Healing Studies is located at 1313 5th. St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55414.