Keraliya Pancha Karma is a simplified form of the Pancha Karma Therapy that has been practiced in Kerala for a long time. This practice is very different to the classical Pancha Karma. In Keraliya Pancha karma, the selection of drugs is very important. It is used for preparing Dhara, Lepa or Pinda and is done by taking into consideration the nature of the disease that to be treated. The five major components of Keraliya Pancha karma are as follows:
1. Dhara Karma
2. Kaya Seka
3. Pinda Sweda
4. Anna Lepa
5. Siro Lepa
Dhara Karma: A liquid medicament like medicated oil, milk, ghee, takra, or kwatha i.e. decoction of drugs is placed in a pot with a thin hole at the bottom. Afterwards the pot is hung at an appropriate height, and the liquid is allowed to trickle slowly through the pot. The liquid falls on to the forehead of the patient, lying below on a Droni or wooden plank. In this procedure, the medicated liquid is selected in consideration of the nature of illness, and the constitution and strength of the patient. This procedure has been found to be very effective in patients suffering from mental diseases. Also includes the diseases of the, eye, ear, nose, and throat. It has also been found effective for diseases like facial palsy, insomnia and diminished memory.
Kaya Seka: Medicated liquid such as oil is poured all over the body of the patient using the previous procedure of Dhara Karma. The material is poured from a particular height, and a simultaneous massage is also done all over the body. This procedure provides strength to the tissues. This procedure helps regeneration and rejuvenation of the body, and is especially good in the management of Vatika diseases as well.
Pinda Sweda: A bolus of payasam or paste, made up of new coarse rice cooked in milk, is used for fomenting or massage of the body. Prior to the actual Pinda Sweda procedure, it is essential to do adequate Snehana by applying oil all over the body. After that the body should be fomented with lukewarm medicated paste encapsulated in a piece of cloth. After a few rounds of fomentation with the wrapped bolus, the cloth is opened. Later the entire body is systematically massaged by rubbing the warm paste all over. The entire process can be ended with a warm water bath, followed by rest at room temperature. Then the body is wiped with an oily piece of cloth. Following this, a medicated oil bath is given.
Pinda Sweda relieves tiredness, depression, drowsiness and insomnia. It also promotes appetite. The stiffness of the joints disappears with in a short period.
Anna Lepa: Specially processed and medicated anna or cereal is used for applying on the body in some conditions when Pinda Sweda does not work.
The patient is asked to lie down in a Droni. Lukewarm lepa is applied all over the body except the head. Anna lepa therapy is administered in several body postures, as is the case for Pinda therapy. It is continued for one to one-and-a-half hours. When the lepa becomes cold, it is again made warm. After that the lepa is removed. It is followed by Snehana and then, a warm water wash makes the whole process complete.
Siro Lepa: Siro Lepa is indicated in cases of mental and brain disorders where the paste of traditionally known drugs is applied on the head of the patient.
These procedures automatically lead to elimination or excretion of the doshas, even without applying the classical Shodhana. Keraliya physicians advocate Panchakarma to be administered preferably in the rainy season, as this is the time when the vata dosha gets disturbed and needs to be curbed.
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