Potential Side Effects and Precautions of Ayurvedic Panchakarma Therapy

Understanding Panchakarma and Its Benefits 

Panchakarma means the 'five actions'. So, it comprises five healing techniques that cleanse and energise the channels in various body parts. They are: 

• Vomiting technique (Vamana) - To cleanse the lungs, chest and organs above the shoulders. This is very effective against sinusitis, inflamed hair follicles and shoulder disorders. 
• Purgation technique (Virechana) - This is extremely beneficial for all the gut related issues. This also cleanses the circulatory system and improves appetite. This technique is very effective for liver detoxification as well. 
• Enema (Basti) - This technique is unique among panchakarma because, along with cleansing, it strengthens the excretory system and the large intestine. 
• Nasya - This involves passing a medicated oil, ghee, or water along the nostrils; this reaches all four sense organs present above the shoulders, and it has a soothing impact on the nervous system and the sensory system. 
• Abhyanga (Complete oil massage )- This greatly helps to relieve toxins accumulated in the deeper layers of the skin and nourishes the bones and the muscles. 

Various schools in Ayurveda replace the fifth aspect with bloodletting therapy or divide the enema into two parts. However, the right combination of panchakarma for you, is best chosen after a detailed consultation with our Ayurvedic experts because each of these procedures comes with a potential side effect if not done correctly with precautions. 

Now, let us look into some key side effects of these procedures that you need to be wary of. 

Side Effects of Panchakarma

Most of these side effects prop up mainly due to lack of proper pre and post care after the session.  As soon as vamana is done, the body needs some time to accommodate a full fledged diet. Diet and lifestyle practice after panchakarma is very important. Here are common side effects if the post care is not followed. 

• Headache - A mild to severe headache is possible, if proper breathing and sleep is not adhered post panchakarma. This usually disappears in some time, however, if proper diet and warm water consumption is not done, it may persist. 
• Constipation - Oleation is a key pre care procedure before any panchakarma procedure. This basically means administering an oil or ghee inside the system before starting any panchakarma. If this is not done properly, then the system may get extremely dry and can cause constipation. This usually lasts for a couple of days and the body tries to reset itself. 
• Loose motion - Overdoing is also a default in panchakarma. If oleation or pre-care procedures are applied in high dosage, then after the panchakarma, for some days, loose motion is possible. The right choice of pre-care and the dosage are decided based on each individual's body type and needs. Hence, a thorough consultation is very important. Speak to Nirva experts today. 
• Fever - Panchakarma cleanses all the channels of the body. Accurate pre and post care is of utmost necessity. This has to be highly customised if there is any medical history of inflammatory conditions. In case of any deviation, there may be mild fever and this usually lasts for a day. 
• Inflammatory responses - The right choice of panchakarma is paramount if there is a history of autoimmune condition. After the procedure, mild inflammatory responses may be triggered which can be managed via Ayurvedic medications. 
• Mood swings - Panchakarma paves the way for new metabolic flow. In some people, it may have a psychological impact for a very short period of time. Following meditation and yoga techniques after panchakarma will be helpful in handling this. 

Apart from all these side effects, some discomfort occurs specific to each individual's needs. At times, we may need to follow pre care and post care for a longer period to experience complete benefit of the panchakarma, this may make you feel that there is nil difference after undergoing one. 

To avoid these side effects, let us check out a few precautions before and after following panchakarma. 

Precautions to Follow in Panchakarma 

Before beginning panchakarma, your care provider will give a pre care schedule and a post care schedule to follow. Here are a few of which you need to be aware of. 

Pre-care before panchakarma 

• Oleation - This procedure is to prepare the body for the panchakarma. In this, the medicated ghee or oil is given to the person from anywhere between 5 to 7 days. This duration may increase or decrease based on the needs of the individual. 
• Diet regimen before panchakarma - it is recommended to avoid overeating or binge eating before panchakarma, this is to control the load of toxins in the body. But if the need is the duration may be extended. This is usually customised as per the individual's body type.  
• Sweating therapy - Sweating is encouraged to melt the unwanted toxins in the body. In this, the client is exposed to heat from herbal decoctions, this is used to relax the channels of the body to encourage expulsion of toxins.  
• Meditation - This is essential to keep a good mind set before the procedure. Calm mind is important to control stress response in the body. 

Apart from this, any other specific regimen may be added as per the body needs of the individual. Your panchakarma expert decides this for you. After completion of the procedure, you need post-therapy care, to set back the body to normal. Especially your digestive fire.

Post Care After Panchakarma 

After the panchakarma procedure, it is very important to ensure that the diet and lifestyle are followed. Immediately after panchakarma, a regular diet cannot be introduced. Body needs some time to accommodate itself. 

• For the first few days,  consume a light and easily digestible diet. 
• The dietary regimen has to be gradually increased day by day - a customised diet must be adhered to as per the care provider's advice. 
• It is also recommended to start consuming only two meals a day for sometime until the person feels full appetite. 
• Certain yoga asanas can also be practised after panchakarma to boost the body's energy levels. 
• Meditation techniques can also be used to keep the mind calm and safe from mood swings.

Post-care is recommended specifically for an individual's needs. 

Wrapping Up

Panchakarma is beneficial only when followed with precautions. Side effects are possible if not followed properly. A complete consultation is needed to customise the procedure based on the individual's age, gender, lifestyle, and medical history. 

A complete Ayurvedic consultation with a team of Ayurvedic doctors, dieticians and yoga therapists at Nirva is highly recommended to identify the right kind of panchakarma regimen for you.