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Panchakarma: Preparation and Procedures

Aerial view of paddy fields and coconut palms in the Kerala countryside around the hospital

Panchakarma refers to five Ayurvedic procedures. This page introduces the preparation, treatment and follow-up stages described in Ayurvedic practice.

The five procedures described here are Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Niroohavasti (decoction enema), Nasya (nasal administration) and Anuvasanavasti (oil enema). The stages are purva (preparation), pradhana (treatment) and paschat (follow-up).

A therapist instilling medicated oil into a patient's nostril during Nasya, one of the Panchakarma procedures

Preparatory therapies described here include abhyangam, shirodhara and elakizhi. The Ayurvedic doctor assesses which therapies and procedures are suitable for the individual.

In Ayurveda, Panchkarma is discussed in relation to the traditional concept of ama. Your physician will advise whether this approach is suitable for you.

Where we are

Kairali sits in Palakkad district, inland Kerala, in the south west of India.

Map of India with Kerala highlighted in the south west, and Delhi and Mumbai marked
Kerala, in India
Map of Kerala with Palakkad district highlighted, and Cochin and Trivandrum marked
Palakkad, in Kerala
Map of Palakkad district with the location of Kairali - The Ayurvedic Healing Village marked
The hospital, in Palakkad
Illustrated aerial map of the grounds, numbering the reception, Ayurvedic hospital, yoga centre, meditation hall, villas, herbal garden and other facilities
A plan of the grounds, numbering reception, the Ayurvedic hospital, the yoga centre, the herbal garden and the villas.
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