A Textbook of Panchakarma,The Biocleansing Therapy in Ayurveda

This book is strictly written according to the curriculum framed by CCIM/NCISM for BAMS students. This book has critically reviewed almost all topics after gathering all information about Panchakarma from various classics of Ayurveda. It is also structured in such a manner that it will help the BAMS students and PG scholars to understand the principles and concepts of Panchakarma.

The uniqueness of this book is that it has covered all points with simple scientific modern explanation wherever necessary. To easily understand the text, clearing objectives and possible questions are given in the beginning and at the end of each chapter respectively. Collective Slokas related to every topic from various Samhitas are also included. It also contains MCQs which will help all the scholars of Ayurveda to appear PG entrance test and compestive examinations in various parts of the country.

Prof. Dr. Chitta Ranjan Das was born in Bhubaneswar, Distt. Khurda, Odisha. He has graduated from Govt. Ayurveda College & Hospital, Bolangir, Odisha and post graduated from Institute of Post Graduate Ayurvedic Education & Research, Calcutta University, West Bengal, Post Graduate Diploma in Panchakarma from TNPESU, Chennai and Ph.D. from SCSVMV University, Tamilnadu.

Prof. Dr. Chitta Ranjan Das is presently working as Principal, Professor and HOD. Postgraduate Department of Panchakarma at Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda College and Hospital, Deptt. of Ayurveda of SCSUMV, Nazarathpet, Chennai 600123, Tamil Nadu. He has presented many research papers in national and international seminar and published 40 research papers / articles in national and international magazines/ journals. He is also a University recognized Ph.D. Guide and presently guiding PG and Ph.D. scholars from various part of the country.

Ayurveda, the eternal science of life, surpassing all imaginations regarding its origin, having been taught to mortals by Lord Brahma, the God of creation himself, has been divided into eight branches for clear and critical understanding as well as practical therapeutic application. Kayachikitsa is one of the eight branches. The main aim of Ayurveda is to keep the human beings healthy and provide them longer lives. This is only possible by both sodhana and samana types of Chikitsa. This sodhana method can be done by adopting Panchakarma therapies (the bio-cleansing therapy in Ayurveda). These Panchakarma therapies are especially indicated in the texts of Ayurveda. In this book, the author has tried to present the detail of fundamental and scientific knowledge and maximum references given from different texts of Ayurveda about the Panchakarma treatment procedure modalities. It is written in simple language for both B.A.M.S and M.D. students of Ayurveda. This book contains both purvakarma, i.e. snehana, swedana and pradhana karma, i.e. vamana, virechana, basti, nasya and raktamokshana. Paschat karma is not described separately but it is discussed at the end of each individual chapter. Modern descriptions are also given, wherever necessary, with photographs. This book is written based on the latest syllabus of U.G. studies prescribed by C.C.I.M., New Delhi. Apart from this, emergency management and the basics of physiotherapy are also added to it. The salient feature of this book is inclusion of 450 multiple choice questions where the students will also get ideas and confidence to appear in P.G. entrance examinations and competitive examinations conducted by various Indian Universities.

Ayurveda is the science of life. It has holistic approach not only towards the humankind but also to the entire creation with special emphasis on the biology of life. The chief objective of this science is preservation of health of healthy individual and prevention of diseases. It envisages a total welfare of the living being and so the term Ayurveda, the science of life, is employed.

According to Ayurveda, the living body is composed of five basic fundamental substances such as Akasha, Vayu, Teja, Jala, and Prithvi. These five physical elements constitute the three essential bio-components of the living body which are termed as the tridoshas, ie. Vata, Pitta, Kapha. It is understood that the gross structure of the body (solid and liquid) is constituted by kapha. The entire physico-chemical phenomenon, including the biochemical and metabolic activities as well as endocrine functions, are the attributes of pitta. Vata is responsible for the physical activities or motion in the organism. It is believed that the ions of the body are vata dominated in the function and is supposed to be the leader of the three doshas. These three doslias have contradictory physical and physiological characters and so they are capable to control each other, thus maintaining an inherent equilibrium.

Every individual requires purification from time to time. Due to the effect of time (seasonal changes make doshas to vitiate in the body). imbalance of sense organs, bad food habits, and other causes like junk food, mixture of various contraindicated food, frozen foods, etc. are responsible for the accumulation of toxic waste products in the body. If the body is purified properly with the help of various eliminative mentioned in Ayurveda (as per requirement), then the rejuvenation procedure of the body gets boosted and body gains strength and immunity.

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