Eseentials of Panchkarma

About the Author Dr. Om Prakash Sharma is presently working as Associate Professor & Head of P. G. Dept. of Panchakarma, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur. During his study period he was meritorious student and stood first in order of merit at U.G. and P. G. level and obtained scholarship in B.A. M. S. & M. D. courses. Dr. Sharma's talks were broadcasted regularly on All India Radio, Jaipur for 20 years.

He was honoured by various organizations for his valuable services nominated by Govt. of India & awarded WHO Fellowship in Beijing for 12 weeks of successful completion of the 136th International Acupuncture Course at the China International Acupuncture training center, Beijing - China by obtaining 90% marks. His work related to literary view on concept of semen in Indian traditional medicine in the conference held in Beijing, China was much appreciated.

His articles have been published in various Peer Reviewed Journals and he also participated in International & National seminars and delivered his valuable lectures. He has also worked as an Examiner, Paper setter and Valuator in various Universities for M. D. & Ph. D examinations. At present he is serving as a guide to M. D. & Ph. D Scholars.

Author's Other Books:-

1. 'Vajikaran Prakash', Jagdish Sanskrit Pustakalaya, Jaipur.

2. Panchakarma - A Practical guide to external treatment procedures, Dr.Aithal's Ayurveda Publications, Ujire.

Foreword Panchakarma plays a key role in the practice of Ayurvedic treatment and occupied an important place in the field of Ayurveda. Panchakarma presents a unique approach of Ayurveda with specially designed five procedures of internal purification of the body through the nearest possible route. Such purification permits the biological system to return to normalcy and to rejuvenate rapidly and also facilitates the desired pharmacokinetic and therapeutic effects of medicines administered.

Panchakarma includes only five procedures even when many other procedures are explained because 'Karma' denotes extensive management and pronounced potency for elimination of impurities -as discussed by Chakrapanidatta.

The title 'Essentials of Panchakarma' is really luring and enthusiastic for the reader. Author has presented the material of the book under the headings - overview, main procedures and sub procedures which is an innovative mode of presentation which encompassed not only the Panchakarma procedures but also the keraliya procedures in practice.

Author of this book has made great effort of, writing a comprehensive book on Panchakarma by describing each therapy analytically and critically using Ayurvedic texts, commentaries, contemporary research works and experiences of eminent physicians.

Preface I am happy to present this monograph on Essentials of Panchakarma to the prospective readers, which has been written in a comprehensive and brief manner highlighting the important areas of Panchakarma for practical purpose. It reviews the ancient classical concepts, traditional practices and recent advances made in this important field with due evaluation and rational assessment.

The classical Panchakarma is the comprehensive method of internal purification of the body by emesis, purgation, enemata, snuffing and blood letting. It is postulated that the vitiated doshas and malas of the body need to eliminated radically before a palliative therapy is given. The palliative therapy in the form of drugs and diets may not be effective unless the body channels are cleansed and morbid doshas and malas are eliminated. This is a unique approach and is very fundamental of Ayurveda.

There is an urgent need of standardizing the classical Panchakarma procedures in consideration of the need of today. The dosage schedule, exact procedures, medicaments, effects and side effects are to be standardized so that a uniform schedule of practice may be developed to practiced at all centers.

A simplified form of Panchakarma especially of the type of Bahih Parimarjana is continued in traditional form in south India specially kerala and is flourishing even now. But the methods which are practiced in kerala are different from classical ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy. It is more or less the purva karma therapy, practiced as physiotherapeutic procedure; however, these practices are very popular and are also very effective.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages