PANCHA KARMA is a unique mode of Ayurvedic cleansing therapy, which has both preventive and curative aspects. Pancha Karma constitutes the ayurvedic rejuvenatory treatment since it not only eliminates the toxins causing diseases but also replenish the tissue with nourishment. Therefore, Pancha Karma is also known as rejuvenating therapy.
The name Pancha Karma is derived from Two Sanskrit words: "Pancha" which means "five" and "Karma" which means "action." The name denotes five primary procedures of cleansing, which Ayurveda uses to purify the body of everything abnormal.
The five cleansing procedures include: 
Vaman (induced emesis)
Virechan (induced purgation)
Basti (decoction enemas)
Nasya (nasal medication)
Netra Basti (medicated oil treatment for eyes)
Pancha Karma therapy is always performed in three stages - Purva Karma (pre-treatment), Pradhana Karma (main treatment) and Pashchat Karma (post treatment).
PURVA KARMA includes two preparatory procedures before the main pancha karma procedures. These therapies are used to dislodge the toxins from the inner sites and help them in eliminating by the main pancha karma procedures.
These are:
1) Snehan (oleation)
2) Swedan (sudation)
1) Snehan
This therapy employs administration of medicated oils either internally or externally. There are various types of external application of the medicated oils, depending on the parts of the body involved and type of the massage performed.
The external application of oil is called Abhyanga or ayurvedic massage. A whole body massage with specific ayurvedic oils to nourish and revitalize the body tissues (Dhatus) and to allow the toxins to be removed from the cells.
Abhyanga not only loosen the toxins but helps in achieving deepest healing effects by naturally harmonizing the Body, Mind & Soul. It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda.
Benefits:
Increases tissue strength, improves blood circulation, rejuvenates the whole body, removes cellulite, beautifies the skin, delays aging, induces sound sleep, promotes vitality, pacifies Vata imbalance, reduces stress and removes toxins.
2) Swedan
This refers to the remedy that involves application of heat in various ways to make the patient sweat. It is the second major form of the preparatory procedures. The vapors dilate and soften the channels of the body allowing the impurities to move out.
Benefits:
Reduces pain in the body, eliminates toxins, promotes lightness, reduces stiffness, beautifies the skin, and removes the cellulite.
PRADHANA KARMA
Following snehan and swedan the aama (toxins) comes in to the koshtha (Gastrointestinal system) from where these can be eliminated by main Pancha Karma procedures i.e vaman, virechan, anuvasana basti, niruha basti and nasya.
It is a medicated emesis therapy, which specially cleans Kapha toxins collected in the body and decongests the respiratory tract. The whole procedure is performed cautiously under the supervision of physician with proper care.
Virechan is a purgation therapy used in the conditions associated with pitta imbalance. It removes accumulated Pitta toxins from the liver, gallbladder and small intestine and cleanses the gastrointestinal tract. A person undergoing virechana have many bowel movements depending upon the nature of koshtha and toxins. It is a safe procedure and effect is obvious.
Basti is the mildest and safest detoxification therapy recommended for a wide variety of illnesses and considered one of the most important aspects of treatment. It cleanses the accumulated toxins from the colon and is choice of treatment for the diseases caused by imbalance of vata. Vata is the most active principle in pathogenesis. 
Balancing Vata may treat the root cause of most of the diseases. It improves the absorption, stabilizes vata and is highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment as well.
Herbal decoctions and medicated oil or ghee are given as enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone.
Administration of medicated oil through the nose is called Nasya. Nasya is particularly useful in the treatment of diseases occurring in the organs situated above the clavicle. It cleanses accumulated kapha toxins from the head and neck region and promotes the functions of the sensory and motor organs above the clavicle.
Nasya is said to stimulate the base of the brain through its effect on the olfactory nerve endings bringing greater clarity and balance to the mind, brain and senses. It specifically provides strength to the head, nose and neck. Indirectly it works on the whole body by improving the functioning of the endocrine glands. It prevents premature wrinkling, graying and falling of the hair.
The process of keeping unctuous substances (medicated ghee or oil) in the eyes for a certain period of time.
Netra Basti improves eyesight, nourishes tired, dry, rough and injured eyes, strengthens the nerves and muscles of the eyes , and may help eye diseases such as drooping of eyelids (ptosis), night blindness, cataract, blurred vision, stiffness and roughness of eyes, injury to eyes, sub conjunctival hemorrhage, inflammatory lesions of the eyes, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, pain in the eyes and decreased secretion of lachrymal fluid.
PASCHAT KARMA 
Advice for proper diet, life style, and health promoting and disease specific herbs comes under the Pashchat karma.
