Ist Panchakarma grundsätzlich gut? Ja oder Nein?
29.07.2016 | Wie die klassischen ayurvedischen Schriften belegen, ist PK (Panchakarma) ein bewährter Weg, gesund und ausbalanciert zu bleiben und rechtfertigt den zeitlichen Aufwand dafür. Oder? Vaidya Mishra weist kritisch auf Problematiken einer solchen Kur hin und empfiehlt unter anderem, vielleicht mal eine Zu-Hause-Entgiftungskur zu machen. Article in English.
“Pancha-karma,” from the original Sanskrit, means “five actions.” This ancient ayurvedic protocol is a cleansing procedure that aims at flushing out accumulated toxins from the seven physical tissues, and pacifying aggravated doshas. Panchakarma, or PK, typically involves a daily full body warm oil massage and herbal steaming, all the while following a light diet – generally consisting of khichari – overcooked mung beans & rice. The actual evacuation of toxins & doshas is accomplished through the five actions of: basti, or enema; nasya, or nasal oleation; virechana, or purgation; vamana, or therapeutic emesis; rakta moksha, or therapeutic bloodletting. Not all five actions are performed for each individual, especially vamana and rakta moksha.
As the ancient ayurvedic texts recommend, PK is a time-tested way to stay healthy and balanced and well-worth the expense of undergoing on a seasonal or yearly basis. Or is it?!
Panchakarma has officially captured not just the western imagination, gaining global acclaim, but it has re-ignited an avid interest in its land of origin, India, as well. Japan, Australia, and a number of Central and South American countries also boast of numerous high-end panchakarma facilities, offering combined resort and detox travel packages, making PK the ultimate relaxation and get-away destination. In fact, PK has become so well-known that it has become nearly synonymous with Ayurveda: when one mentions Ayurveda, one seems to understand it consists primarily of Panchakarma. Yet Ayurveda has so much more to offer beyond and above Panchakarma, in terms of short and long term daily routines, lifestyle tips, as well as advanced herbal medicinal regimens and other advanced protocols.
Many of my clients come back from their panchakarma detox journeys from US cities or from around the world, specially from Kerala, the PK destination of choice in India. Usually, post-PK, everything feels and looks great, perhaps up to a couple of weeks. Individuals report feeling relaxed, lighter, elated, sleeping better, and functioning better overall with more energy. But more often than not, that’s not the case. More often than not, they come to see me because they develop post-PK complications. Lucky are the ones whose symptoms can be addressed safely with SV Ayurveda. Sometimes, I have to tell them to make an appointment with their medical doctors. PK should be and could be the ultimate enjoyable, relaxing process to reset the physiology to a more optimum state. So what goes wrong? I don’t even have to get feedback from my clients, nowadays, it is easy to find some on the world wide web. Here, for example, is a testimonial of one PK experience in South India:
“There is no case by case practice anymore, what proved to be effective on a scope of patients hundreds of years ago ought to work as well now, but the world has changed and the patients are all very unique individuals, but the Vaidya’s at “this” […] clinic don’t seem to understand that.” (name withheld)
This testimonial goes to the heart of the matter with modern PK services and packages – there is never a cookie-cut protocol that can be used for all individuals at all times, this is the primary rule of thumb of Ayurveda to start with. But in the pursuit of marketing margins, this most essential structural detail of Ayurveda gets lost. This, in addition to the other crucial factor: it is stated very clearly in Ayurveda that protocols need to suit the modern times. So the ayurvedic practitioner needs to adjust the protocols to suit the needs of the modern times and the modern physiology. Here, in my experience, are the things that are wrong with modern day PK offerings and treatments.
Eleven Issues with Traditional (regular) Panchakarma
1. Improper preparation of the major detox channels/pathways. This includes the skin, colon, kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Attention to the physical and vibrational channels is more often than not overlooked and ignored. SVA pays special attention to this dimension, unlike mainstream Ayurveda.
2. Not using binders to aid in evacuation of amavisha (hot, reactive toxins) – another major distinction between mainstream and SV Ayurveda.
3. No method used to coordinate the nadis (vibrational channels) with the detox srotas (physical channels.)
4. PK often done inadequately because of improper diagnosis and identification of problem source. Toxins become stuck ‘half-way’ in the organs.
5. Lack of post PK rasayana (rejuvenation) therapeutic modalities;
6. Heavy metals used after and/or during PK – in the form of herbal preparations;
7. Castor oil used in excessive quantities for virechan, purgation;
8. Lack of discrimination on who should receive PK. Doing PK on people who are physically unfit or weak, lack of bala, or too sick to receive it; or done on people with good bala but have low sanghanan, or endurance;
9. Same materials & methods are used without discrimination for the Western physiology, as originally prescribed for the Indian physiology, when there are such drastic differences in terms of diet and lifestyle that call for totally different protocols for each body type;
10. Improper temperature control on oils used for shirodhara, pizzachili, sweda pinda; excess temperatures – sometimes too low sometimes too high – during svedana, or steaming;
11. Providing the same diet for all during PK. Not enough variation in diet based on individual needs of the person going through PK.
So, you will understand how these points and concerns make PK a “risky business” to be considered engaging in with great caution. That being said, I am not against properly administered PK. PK was not practiced much, if at all, in the area of my ancestral village nor was it taught in my Ayurvedic college. My father, Vaidya Kameshwar Mishra, however, wanted me to be a “complete Vaidya!” He wanted me to master all aspects of ayurvedic training. This is why, during my seven-year internship with him, he sent me to Tamil Nadu in the South of India, where PK is very much practiced. There, I studied and practiced all their PK protocols and techniques. Thus, I have witnessed first-hand the good and the bad effects of panchakarma.
What can you expect from properly conducted PK retreats?
Benefits of Authentic Panchakarma
• Great tool for deeper detox and rejuvenation
• Maintains health by addressing seasonal imbalances
• Supports extended improved lifestyles by addressing chronic conditions effectively
• Cleanses and rejuvenates organs/systems
• Increases an individual’s tolerance to allopathic medicines and protocols – allowing for lesser side-effect complications
• Helps gain or lose weight – as per need
• Enhances mind-body coordination
• Breaks down & removes calcification toxic build-up from the body that generates inflammatory conditions
• Enhances coordination between dhi, dhriti, and smriti – distinct functions of the brain and mental activities
• Reduces inflammation and inflammatory conditions overall
• Coordinates interaction between the nadis and srotas – physical and vibrational channels
• Increases the intelligence of the endocrine system
• Modulates the body’s pH
• Rejuvenates the 7 physical tissues by reducing and/or eliminating their toxic load
• Boosts Ojas – the neurotransmitters that the brain thrives on
• Effectively evacuates toxins: ama, amavisha, and garvisha
• Helps stop further formation and accumulation of toxins
• Slows down and reverses the aging process
Once again, due to the eleven reasons elaborated above, I have seen many victims of PK that received PK treatments either here and/or in India. This is one of the reasons why I put together an advanced 7 Week Tissue 7 Week Detox Plan.
Comparison of Traditional (regular) PK with SVA Advanced 7 Tissue, 7 Week Detox Plan
1. Prepping the Physiology: The shastras, ancient vedic texts, detail an entire section called ‘purvakarma.’ Purvakarma is all about meticulously preparing the macro srota and micro nadi channels to safely set the body to completely eliminate the toxins. In SVA, we do three things to prepare the srotas, physical channels:
a. Lubricate the channels
b. Open the channels
c. Increase the selective intelligence of channels, so channels absorb useful molecules and eliminates toxic wastes and malas, by-products.
The skin is our largest detox organ, with the bladder, colon, & kidneys. Regular PK does not prepare these organs to release heavy duty toxins. Symptoms from improper evacuation of toxins will appear in the long run. SVA prepares the organs with specific herbs to increase their strength, endurance, and intelligence to carry out toxins safely.
2. Binders: Typical mainstream PK does not offer the use of any binders, other than ghee. But ghee is not always adequate. Proper binders neutralize amavisha, reactive toxins. SVA makes sure all macro and micro toxins and malas are bound for safe, speedy evacuation. For example, in SVA, I use mucilaginous substances like okra, taro root, and psyllium. We also employ Marshmallow root and Slippery elm in herbal teas, as well as my extensive range of Herbal-Memory Nectar drops.
3. Addressing Evacuation and Space: In mainstream PK people often get vata aggravated, especially vyana vata (governing overall circulation.) Why? Detox creates a ‘vacuum:’ wherever toxins are removed there is a space created. If that empty space is not addressed, in creates an imbalance in Vata dosha. In PK, toxins are evacuated from almost all the channels. So Vyana, found all over body, is the first subdosha that can get aggravated by the sudden empty spaces. As a result, individuals will experience body aches and pains during and/or after PK. We know through SVA that detox needs immense amounts of pranic flow from the marma points to circulate the prana to the whole body. Through SVA protocols, we know to fill those empty spaces immediately with more prana by insuring that the main nadi, Sushumna, is well-connected with the master marma points such as the Adipathi marma, as well as Shirogriva marma points, as well as others. By addressing these marma points, we ensure the full unobstructed flow and circulation of prana to all organs and systems and to the deepest areas of the cellular system.
4. “Stuck toxins” are a genuine concern in regular PK programs. I have seen people suffering much with pain in their kidneys, liver, bladder, and colon, after PK due to stuck toxins! A toxin is stuck when the technician does not know or is not capable of effectively and fully removing toxic accumulation from an area or an organ. It could be stuck due to distinct reasons: clogged channels; local damage; improper binding for removal; etc. Stuck toxins in these organs create pain and they are difficult to remove completely. Evacuating stuck toxins creates greater wear-and-tear that is harder to address after the fact.
5. Post PK rejuvenation: Many people, and sadly to say many PK centers, do not understand thougoughly the three separate interrelated steps of PK – purvakarma, or preparation; pradhanakarma, or main therapy; and paschatkarma, or post rejuvenation and pacification. Paschatkarma pacifies (shamana) any dosha aggravated by the main therapy and gradually rejuvenates the person (rasayana) after PK. Whenever paschatkarma is ignored or done inadequately, the patient will have aggravated doshas and lingering fatigue.
6. Heavy metals present a special problem to people receiving PK in India. Many PK clinics there use heavy metal preparations for rejuvenation. Most, if not all of these heavy metal preparations are not made according to the strict methods laid down in the ancient shastras. Thus, they are highly toxic. Symptoms, though, make take years to develop and appear. But sooner or later, symptoms will surely surface. I have seen PK victims with symptoms of heavy metal poisoning many times in my career. SVA does not use any heavy metal formulations at all.
7. Castor oil is used by almost all PK spas/centers/clinics to purge the colon. Castor oil is a very powerful purgative; however, few if any consider the fact that it can be highly neurotoxic when consumed in large quantities. Excess or repeated use of castor oil in PK can and does cause dysfunctional colon, including Diverticulitis. In SVA, we do not use castor oil. SVA provides safer means to awaken the intelligence of the colon to eliminate toxins released during cleansing. See, for example, on my blog, the following article: SVA Colon-care-tailored-suit-individual-body-type
8. Pre-PK Evaluation: As mentioned, many PK centers take in all comers indiscriminately, withour evaluating bala (physical strength), or sanghanan (stamina), arjunta (allergies), agnibala (power of assimilation), or without doing kostha pariksha (understanding of the personal bowel tendencies.) The shastras tell us that we must evaluate all these parameters prior to starting PK. SVA assesses these parameters, including testing all our materials for potential allergic reactions and/or complications.
9. Ethnicity as well as cultural background of the PK client is another crucial point we must consider before devising a treatment protocol. Skin type, as well as other distinctions based on ethnicity must be considered for proper, effective and safe treatments. In India, for example, PK massage is principally done with unfiltered sesame oil and, in some cases, mustard oil. For most fair-skinned people of European or Caucasian ancestry, these oils can be highly irritating physiologically and psychologically. SVA marma & massage technicians, Medical doctors and chiropractors know how to tailor treatments for specific ethnic backgrounds.
10. Temperature Control: Many times, sad to say, Indian PK centers have no concept of temperature control! I have personally seen and also heard testimonials on people getting skin burns from PK oil treatments.
11. The PK diet must be based on cultural and individual needs. For example, some people can’t handle the spices used in the typical PK fare. In general, individuals receiving PK at a specific clinic are all offered the same diet accross the board. In SVA, we use specific foods & spices for each person based on dietary habits, and needs: agni bala, tissue agnis, and the overall bala or strength of their kostha, or digestive tract. In addition, many PK centers tend to go for all and only vegetarian meals. Many Westerners are accustomed to eating meat in their daily diet for years and even for generations in their family. Eating only vegetables, pulses, and rice served during most PK often causes their vata dosha to go inordinately high, creating undue stress on their bodies and hindering the detox protocols. They become weak during PK and it takes them a lot of time to recover after their program. Abruptly altering a typical diet for a vegetarian PK diet can actually interfere with the detoxification process. Detox requires energy. A body in a weakened state is ‘reluctant’ to eliminate toxins. Detox energy is not sufficient and the body instinctively holds on to any material to satisfy its need for energy and strength, and in doing so it may even hold on to or retain the existing toxins. SVA recommends diets appropriate for the individual, and replaces the evacuated micro toxins with micro nutrients. Many times, for the Western physiology, the Green-Protein recipe with chicken is recommended for the 7-tissue detox program. Green Protein gives lightness for detox combined with grounding, strengthening non-veg protein. We also sometimes recommend chicken bone marrow broth.
In conclusion, it would not be an exaggeration if I said that Panchakarma is probably a unique time-tested most efficient way to maintain overall health and address imbalances resulting from daily wear and tear, as well as seasonal changes and doshic accumulations. It can also be a great tool for addressing complicated chronic conditions. However, you now understand that your PK destination needs to be properly and fully investigated before indulging in its protocols. For those of you who do not wish to take the risk, or who can simply also not afford it, as it can get pricy, I have put together a SVA Home PK Protocol that you can safely adopt without disrupting your daily life. It addresses all of the issues we have discussed thus far. We take care by using safe and effective herbal transdermal creams, herbal waters, and herbal transmucosal drops. My home program awakens the intelligence of the body to safely release and evacuate toxins without using any heavy-duty raw or toxic herbs.
Chandi LLC/ Vaidya R.K. Mishra
Chandi LLC/ Vaidya R.K. Mishra
9620 Topanga Canyon Place
91311 Chatsworth, California
USA
Kontaktperson:
Educator for Chandi LLC Vaidya Mishra
Telefon: 001 - 818 - 709 - 1005
Email: info@prana-center.com
Website: www.vaidyamishra.com
Dieser Artikel erschien am 24.06.2016 hier: https://www.svayurveda.com/pk-pk/ und wurde mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Vaidya Mishra im ayurveda-portal.de veröffentlicht.