Ayurveda Portal, Pancha Karma Therapy "Virechana"

Virechana

Purgation Therapy
When excess bile, pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative. Virechan is facilitated with senna leaves, flax seeds, psyllium husks or triphala in a combination that is appropriate for the individual person.

Senna leaf tea is a mild laxative, but in people of vata constitution, this tea might create griping pain, since its action aggravates peristaltic movement in the large intestine.

An effective laxative for vata or pitta constitutions is a glass of hot milk to which two teaspoons of ghee have been added. This laxative, taken at bedtime will help to relieve the excess pitta causing the bile disturbance in the body. In fact, purgatives can completely cure the problem of excess pitta.

When purgatives are used, it is important to check the diet. The patient should not eat foods that will aggravate the predominant humor or cause the three humors to become unbalanced.

Virechan Substances

Senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow's milk, salt, castor oil, raisins, mango juice, triphala.

Indications for Virechan:
allergic rash, skin inflammation, acne, dermatitis, eczema, chronic fever, ascites, biliary, vomiting, jaundice, urinary disorder, enlargement of the spleen, internal worms, burning sensation in the eyes, inflammation of the eyes, conjunctivitis, gout

Contra-Indications for Virechan:
low agni, acute fever, diarrhea, severe constipation, bleeding from rectum or lung cavities, foreign body in the stomach, after enema emaciation or weakness, prolapsed rectum, alcoholism, dehydration, childhood, old age, ulcerative colitis

More info:

< Purva Karma > < Abhyangam> < Vamana > < Virechana >

< Basti > < Nasya > <Rakta Moksha > < General Rules in PK >

Panchakarma is a very special Ayurvedic operation requiring proper guidance from a highly trained and skillful Ayurvedic practitioner. This should not be undertaken just from information in this article. One should consult with an Ayurvedic physician, not just someone with a modest amount of training. Panchakarma is done individually for each person with their specific constitution and specific disorder in mind, thus it requires close observation and supervision.