Vamanam The Ultimate Detox

About the Book The book "Vamanam-the ultimate detox" contains complete knowledge of the vaman procedure with practical approach. This book also compiles the various research work carried out by different renowned institutes. It provides the unique idea of vaman shatkam camp including the guidelines for further research work related to vaman. It will be beneficial for students, practitioners, scholars, researchers and foreigners.

About the Authors Dr. Pushpa Sharma Dr. Sharma B.A.M.S., M.D. from National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur got 1 rank in Pre PG entrance test at all India level. She has various research papers published in peer reviewed national and international journals. She is having clinical experience of 7 years with teaching experience of 4 years and having mastery in treating skin diseases successfully, specially through vaman karma. At present she is working as a clinical registrar in Post Graduate department of Panchakarma, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan, New Delhi.

Prof. Arun Gupta Dr. Gupta B.A.M.S., M.D.is having 17 years of teaching, clinical and research experience and has been awarded time to time for that. He is head of department in Post Graduate department of Panchakarma in Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan, New Delhi and advisor in Hungarian Ayurvedic Medical Foundation. He has many books and research articles published in various renowned publications.

Foreword It gives me immense pleasure in writing the foreword of the book by Dr. Pushpa Sharma and Prof. Arun Gupta. The title "Vamanam" the Ultimate detox in itself explains a lot about the content of the book. The book focuses on one of the most important and most feared procedures amongst the Panchkarma i.e. Vaman. It is the first purification procedure but is the most effective shodhna procedure-Validated by the words-"the ultimate detox."

The book describes with relative ease the theoretical aspects of the trividha karma involved in the Vaman Karma i. e. Purva karma, Pradhan karma and Pashchat karma while also making it easy for the students and practitioners as it gives insights on the practical aspects of the same.

The book is beautifully written and well compiled addressing all the issues a vaidya or patient faces while undertaking the procedure. Also it gives boost to the confidence of the physicians with the record breaking details of Vaman Shatkam i. e. 100 vamana being performed by the team in a single day. I wish the authors all the success.

Preface The relevance and recognition of Ayurveda and the therapeutic procedures elaborated in this science display an overwhelming demand in the global level. Among various therapies, the Panchakarma which is popularly known as shodhan Chikitsa or Detoxification therapy has attracted more attention than any other branch of Ayurveda. The classical shodhan is the comprehensive method of internal purification of the body by Vaman (emesis), Virechan (purgation), Basti (enemata), Nasya (snuffing) and Raktamokshana (blood letting). It is advised that the vitiated Doshas and Malas of the body need to be eliminated radically before a palliative therapy is given. This is a unique approach and is very fundamental to Ayurveda.

Panchakarma therapy primarily aims at cleansing the body of its accumulated impurities/metabolites, toxins or stagnant Malas. Nourishing the body tissues (Dhatus) is the secondary aim of Panchkarma. Once biopurification is achieved, it becomes very easy to rejuvenate all body tissues and prevent the process of premature aging. Thus life span of an individual is prolonged and he leads a disease free old age. Highlighting the effects of Sanshodhan Therapy, Acharya Charak has mentioned that in a person, who has undergone the purificatory regimen, the digestive power increases, his disorders disappear and his health returns to normal, senses, mind, understanding and complexion become clear & the individual acquires strength, vigor and virility. His aging is retarded and he lives a long disease free life.

Introduction Panchakarma therapy is a potent system of medicine. In all life style related, deep rooted and chronic problems, Panchakarma is considered as the best treatment modality and is believed to help in radical elimination of the disease causing factors by maintaining equilibrium of doshas. Panchakarma increases the acceptability of the body to various therapeutic regimens like Shaman Chikitsa (Palliative therapy), Rasayana (Rejuvenate) and Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac). Panchakarma i.e. "Five procedures" mainly are described as major therapeutic modalities of `shodhan' regimen both to maintain a state of "positive health" and manage disease conditions of various etiologies. One of the most important characteristics of panchakarma procedures is their ability to exert multi-systemic effects and to eliminate vitiated doshas in significant amounts.

Charak describes five procedures as part of panchakarma. These includes:

■ Vaman- Biopurificatory therapeutic Emesis

■ Virechan - Therapeutic Purgation

■ Anuvasan - Medicated Oil based Enema

■ Asthapan - Medicated decoction based Enema

■ Nasya - Nasal Insufflation or Errhines

Sushruta, However, Has combined the two "Basti" procedures and has added the procedure of Raktamokshana (Blood letting) as the fifth procedure.

Panchakarma therapy is preceded by Purva karma (preparatory measures) i.e. Deepan, Pachan, Snehan and Swedan. After main procedures, Paschat karma including Dhumra Pana, Kawal Graha, Gandusha and samsarjan Krama, a special diet and life regimen (period of convalescence) is advocated as post operative measures.

Vaman Karma is described as first purificatory therapy to be performed among all five main procedures. Virechan is advised to perfom on 15' day after eliminating the kapha dosha by vaman firstly otherwise complications like Grihani (dysentery) may occure.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages