From the Publisher
The relevance and
recognition of Ayurveda and the therapeutic
procedures elaborated in this science display an
overwhelming demand in the global level. Among the
deferent therapies, the Panchakarma which is also
popularly known as Detoxification Procedure has
attracted more attention than any other specialty
branch of Ayurveda. Successful establishment of
newer and newer Ayurvedic colleges as well as the
Panchakarma centers in different sector of globe
is the mirror of prospects of Ayurveda in the
present time. No doubt, several procedures of
Panchakarma are practis4ed at the institutional
level since long; the same is also on the rise in
the private sector as public awareness as well as
popularity of the treatment is mounting in this
day and age. Subsequent to the documentation on
the proved facts of Ayurvedic treatment by way of
randomized clinical trials in different post
graduate institutions as well as government run
research units; no longer Ayurvedic treatment is
spotted as a placebo treatment, rather its
effectiveness is greatly rewarded. Influenced by
the present popularity of the Ayurveda more and
more Ayurvedic physicians are inclined to run a
Panchakarma clinic. Further more the Indian system
of medicine, in the ministry of Health, Government
of India is planning to establish Panchakarma unit
in every Ayurvedic hospitals. Needless to say,
this leaps and bounds of Ayurveda among the health
care methods is ascribed to Panchakarma therapies.
On the other
hand, the entry of exogenous deleterious elements
in to the body both in the form of food or the
pollution of the environment which is no idle jet;
has increased the incidence of illness and is
truly attributed to the accumulation of toxins in
the body. Over and above, the elevation of
economic status of the population at large and the
better literacy has improved the awareness of the
healthy living. In this changed scenario, it is an
open secret that the illness may be nipped in the
bud by adapting the Panchakarma procedures. To be
more precise the detoxification procedures of
Panchakarma therapies roused to the challenge in
negating the detrimental effect of the changed
environment that too without taxing the body
organs. The emphasis of Panchakarma therapy is not
only as a detoxification procedure; rather it
forms the fundamental basis of principles of
treatment in Ayurveda. In a nut shell, the
Panchakarma is the comprehensive procedure of
internal body purification by methods like emesis,
purgation, enemata, snuffing as well as blood
letting. The other therapeutic procedures or in
isolation are termed as upakrama in commune. Thus
the upakrama in general and the Panchakarma in
particular planned in a sequential order of
purification and palliation forms the radical and
rational approach in eradicating the root and
branch of any malady of any severity. Further
more, these upakramas are effectively employed for
promotion of health, prevention of ill health in
hale and healthy as well as eradication of the
disease in the diseased.
The Panchakarma
and the allied upakrama is the subject matter of
this book. I am very much happy to present this
book written in a new angle on to the prospective
reader. The ins and outs of every therapeutic
procedure with step by step clear image are the
inimitable feature of the book and are as good as
persona viewing of the procedure buy the reader.
The meticulous elaboration of the subjects in the
book includes the ancient methods of treatment
procedures added with recent technical advancement
made in this important field. Use of newer
technologies keeps the physician abreast of all
the advancement in Panchakarma. Thus the whole
content is keyed to the need of the Panchakarma
practitioner. Ways and means of all the procedures
with each and every step in succession together
with crystal clear illustration made this book
more understanding. With the due consideration of
the interested students of Ayurveda, research
scholars and practitioners; keeping in mind the
current trends in the practice of Ayurveda this
book is shaped as a reader would expect. In simple
words this book is at hand to make the grade in
Panchakarma practice and an ideal reference at
smart pace. I hope the contents, language and
subject matter of the book leads the field.
I am highly
indebted to professor R.H. Singh for writing the
treasured foreword to this book.
I express my
sincere gratitude to the whole team of Chaukhamba
Sanskrit Pratishthan, Delhi for their propound
interest and professional approach in editing and
publishing this unique book on Panchakarma.
I am greatly
thankful to my colleagues Drs Veera Kumar and all
my beloved students who extended substantial help
in this work.
Dr.
G. Shinivasa Acharya
