Definition –
Virechanam or virechana karma is a purification therapy to detoxify the body,
and is one among the five sacred, healing therapies of the Panchkarma. The
Panchkarma encompasses five treatment that can prevent and heal a number of
physical, mental and emotional disorders and illnesses. Virechana is Sanskrit
word that means ‘’Laxation’’ or ‘’Purgation’’ and may refer to any substance
used to induce purging. Virechana is a controlled process that gathers ama
[Toxins] from many pitta locations in the body, concentrates it in the small
intestine and then discharges it.
Virechana customarily leads to a state where the toxic and disease-causing
excessive pitta dosha is removed from the body while there is a formation of
‘’NEW’’ pitta and this leads to all the benefits that healthy pitta has including
promotion of digestion and metabolism. This dosha is believed to control
metabolism, digestion and the body’s energy.
Herbs used for virechana aim at cleansing the sweat
glands, small intestine, colon, stomach, liver, and spleen. A number of herbs are
used for the therapy process, which serves as decongestants, laxatives, and
purgatives. Like in the other ayurvedic treatments and therapies, the virechana
is given after properly judging the type of disease and tolerance of the patient.
Purgation is given with case in specific amounts according to aggravated doshas.
Method –
Pre-Procedure measures – Before Virechanam, Snehapanam with suitable
Ghritam or Tailam should be done followed by Full body Abhyangam (oilation)
and Full body Swedanam (Fomentation).
PROCEDURE – Patient is asked to sit comfortably after confirming he/she had
good digestion and sleep last night and has passed the motion comfortably and
feeling a light abdomen.
Patient and Doctor, Both should pray a while for the well-being of patient. Then
selected medicine in a certain amount mixed with hot water should be given to
Patient and should direct him to drink comfortably followed by some another
hot water.
POST-PROCEDURE MEASURES –
After drinking Virechana medicines, Patient should drink some hot water sip
wise and should roam in his room itself. Within ½ hour to 2 hours
Indications– Virechana therapy is good for all types of pitta related disorders
such as hyperacidity, colitis, acid peptic disease, hemorrhoids, chronic
headaches, migraine, and malabsorption, some types of diabetes, allergies and
skin diseases.