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Evidence based Principles for Promotion of Panchakarma in General Practice- A systematic review

Evidence based Principles for Promotion of Panchakarma in General Practice- A systematic review

Author: Dr Ramnihor Tapsi Jaiswal *, ,

M.D (Samhita), M A (Sanskrit), PGDHHCM (Mumbai) *Assistant Professor , Department of Samhita Sanskrit & Siddhanta, Bundelkhand Govt. Ayurvedic College & Hospital Jhansi UP 284003 E-mail: jramnihor@gmail.com

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Asian Journal of Modern and Ayurvedic Medical Science (ISSN 2279-0772) Vol.2,no.1, January 2013.[ © The Author 2013]

Published by Mpasvo Letter No.V-34564,Reg.533/2007-2008,All rights reserved.For permissions e-Mail : maneeshashukla76@rediffmail.com & chiefeditor_ajmams@yahoo.in


Review Paper


Evidence based Principles for Promotion of Panchakarma in General Practice- A systematic review

Dr Ramnihor Tapsi Jaiswal

Declaration

T he Declaration of the author for publication of Research Paper in Asian Journal of Modern and Ayurvedic Medical Science (ISSN 2279-0772) i Dr Ramnihor Tapsi Jaiswal the author of the research paper entitled Evidence based Principles for Promotion of Panchakarma in General Practice- A systematic review   declare that , i take the responsibility of the content and material of my paper as I myself have written it and also have read the manuscript of my paper carefully. Also, I hereby give my consent to publish our paper in ajmams , This research paper is my original work and no part of it or it’s similar version is published or has been sent for publication anywhere else.I authorise the Editorial Board of the Journal to modify and edit the manuscript. I also give my consent to the publisher of ajmams to own the copyright of my research paper.  

Received december 3,2012;accepted december 25, 2012 ,published january 1,2013

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ABSTRACT: Promotion of Panchakrama is overall more important, so the literacy about Panchakarma in common people will increase and people will live healthy and quality of life and will not suffer major illness. Even the treatment of frustrating diseases like Asthma , Arthritis, Skin diseases, Infertility, Abdominal disorders etc is possible with the contemporary techniques and knowledge of the Panchakarma.The result of Panchakarma are variable according to the physician`s skill and procedure adopted, management of complications.

       By adopting evidenced based principles we can definitely promote our general practice of Panchakarma. If any modifications required in Panchakarma treatment we can modify according to need and situation because Charak says , the intelligent physician should not determine treatment according to letter of directions exclusively mentioned as indication and contraindication in second chapter of siddhisthan but, must use his own direction , rational thinking and reasoning in arriving at treatment decisions. In other word we can say intelligent physicians should not blindly copy all the procedures mention in the text but he should think on practical applicability or applied part, his or her experiences, evidences and logic and then decides treatment and its procedure.

     There may arisen situations according to place, time and strength in which non-prescribed measures become applicable and the prescribed one is contra-indicated. Hence in spite of instructions given in classical text, one   should   act by thinking with his own intellect. Success without reasoning is a mere chance.   ..............................................................................................................................................

 


INTRODUCTION

The Panchkarma-therapy is an integral part of Ayurveda. The Panchakarma-therapy (a long recognized therapeutic procedure of Ayurveda) occupied a very important in the treatment of diseases by Principles, methods and drugs. In earlier days this therapy is a part of Kayachikitsa but now a day it is a separate subject in academic. 

                                        Pancha means five and karma means therapy. These five therapies are used for bio purification or detoxification of body so they are collectively known as Panchakarma .Other name for therapy is Samshodhana. Aushadha (therapy) is, in brief, of two kinds Shodana (purification process) and Shamana (palliative). Shodhana is the method of eliminating the aggravated dosha from the body forcibly, thus purifying it. Shaman, on the other hand, is to mitigate the aggravated doshas within the body itself. 

                                     The five-detoxification/purification measures according to Charaka, Sarangdhara and Bhavmishra are

  1. Vamana ( Emetic Therapy )
  2. Virechana ( Purgation Therapy )
  3. Asthapana Basti/Niruha Basti ( Decoction Enema Therapy )
  4. Anuvasana Basti/Sneha Basti ( Oily Enema Therapy )
  5. Nasya ( Errhine Therapy )

                         On the other hand Sushurut , the first surgeon says Raktamokshana (Blood Letting ) as Fifth Panchakarma He assumed Rakta as Fourth Dosha( Vata,Pittta,and Kapha are three basic Doshas ) Hence according to him and Vagbhata Panchakarma are as follows

1.    Vamana

2.    Virechana

3.    Basti

4.    Nasya

5.    Raktamokshana

Indication of Panchakarma therapy : The indication of Panchakarma therapy may be divided in the following three groups

1)    In healthy individuals, it is to done in i) as Dincharya ii) Ritu-charya and iii) in conditions caused by Vegaavrodha.

2)    To obtain maximum result of Rasayana and Vajikarna therapy.

3)    According to diseases for their management.  

Panchakarma is always performed in three stages:

  1. Purva Karma (Preliminary-treatment): This we are going to discuss in evidence based principles as role of purva karma. It is very important preliminary treatment which we can modify according need and situations.
  2. Pradhana Karma (Actual or main treatment): It is of five types i) Vamana, ii) Virachana. iii) Basti, iv) Nasya v) Raktamokshana

 III.        Paschat Karma (Post – treatment): Procedure which is adopted after the pradhana karmas are known as Paschat karma. Another name of paschat karma is SamsarjanaKrama.Samsarjana  krama is indicated in Vamana and Virechana. This we also going to discuss in evidence based principles as role of Samsarjana krama.

                                         We can make procedure of Panchakarma simpler in General practice or Private practice by contemporary procedures and treatment with the help of some simple evidence based principles.

Evidence based Principles contains

  1. Selection of the patient and Laboratory Investigations
  2. Role of Purvakarma
  3. Skills  to win over the patient for Panchakarma
  4. Raw material required for the successful Panchakarma Practice.
  5. Promotion of Panchakarma
  6. Importance of Panchakarma
  7. Special precautions while performing the procedures in general practice.
  8. Procedures possible in clinic with and without Toilet
  9. Power of Team work
  10. Panchakarma in unknown etiological diseases.
  11. Role of presentations
  12. Role of Samsarjana Krama

 

 

    1. SELECTION OF PATIENT:

Proper selection of patient plays major role in the success of Panchakarma. Patients which are having following characteristicshould not be taken up for treatment.The physician who treats such cases invites many difficulties upon himself. According to Acharya Charaka these are the general characteristic of exclusive patient; special characteristic are not given here. 

1.    Fierce tempered, physically violent and frightening

2.    Race or careless

3.    Cowardly

4.    Ungratefulness or fickle

5.    One who is a hater of good persons, kings and physicians or he who hated by them

6.    One who is afflicted with grief

7.    Agnostic or atheist

8.    One doomed to death

9.    Devoid of means for treatment

10. Treatment angry or enemy

11. Imposter

12. One devoid of faith

13. A confirmed skeptic

14. One who is not following physician advice

15. Non affordable and attendant less

16. Pose themselves to be a physician

17. Lost strength and blood

18. Suffering from incurable diseases

Laboratory Investigations required for selection of patient for Panchakarma treatment.

  1. Hemoglobin,
  2. Total   Leucocytes Count,
  3. Differential Count,
  4. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate,
  5. Fasting Blood Sugar
  6. Postprandial glucose test
  7. Bleeding Time
  8. Clotting Time
  9. Serum Cholesterol
  10. Platelet Count,
  11. Serum Triglycerides
  12. X-ray Chest PA View
  13. ECG
  14. LFT
  15. Serum Alkaline phosphate
  16. Serum-Albumin, Serum-Globulin, Serum-Bilirubin Direct and Indirect etc.

2. ROLE OF PURVA KARMA: It is emphatically stated in Ayurveda that without previous administration of snehana karma and swedana karma, Samsodhana karma (i.e. vamana, virechana, basti , nasya) should not be done. If a man takes Samsodhana treatment without administration of snehana and swedana karmas, his body persists just like a dry stick, which breaks down when it is bent without proper lubrication and heating.

If the doshas are removed from their places by sneha and sweda karmas, and are propelled by the administration of snigdha rasa, they come to the koshtha (from sakhas) from which, it is easy to extract them out by shodhana karmas.

                              Hence, snehana and swedanakarma have very important role in the Ayurvedic treatment. Treatment given during the Chhaya to sthan samsraya state is called as purva karma. (Dalhan-Su.Su.5/1)

                                    Purva karma includes three steps viz, Pachana,Snehana,Swedana The first step is used only in the Ama state. The other two (used in Nirama state) are usually considered as the Purva karma of Panchakarma.

Snehana : The process which makes the body snigdha is known as snehana. Or the process which produces sneha, vishyandana, mriduta(softness), kledana(smoothness) in the body is known as snehana. Caraka has elaborately described it in the chapter 13th of sutra-sthana and has specially mentioned the clearance or elimination of doshas(malas) which has been accumulated in the body.

Swedana : Swedana is a fomentation therapy given to whole or part of body depending on diseases. Swedana is said to dilate channels (Shrotus) in body to facilitate movements of imbalanced doshash towards koshtha (abdomen)

 

   3. SKILLS TO WIN OVER THE PATIENT FOR PANCHAKARMA:    We required some special skills to win over the patients. Some skills are as follows;

1.    Convincing power

2.    Knowledge of 2-3 languages

3.    Skills of explanation and skills of answering.

4.    Belief in complete work done

Ask patient: Do you want to get treated completely or you want relief for some time?

Please do

1. Complete examination of the patient as per fitness case paper – so you are treating the patient not only the disease

2. Always explain nature of illness and show how you will treat him – this will increase faith in you.

3. Talk in patient`s language (lucid language) at his education level.

 

4. RAW MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL PANCHAKARMA PRACTICE : With the help of following we can develop our general practice gradually

a)    Knowledge i.e. technique of Panchakarma (practical experience) and correct line of treatments (theoretical knowledge),this will treat patient completely.

b)    Keep the knowledge updated and work with the time (time management ) and according to people`s mentality (trend)

 

5. PROMOTION OF THE PANCHAKARMA BY ADOPTING EVIDENCE BASED METHODS   :

  1. Arrange seasonal camps
  2. Get references from classical text
  3. Give lectures in common people.
  4. Attend nearest charitable trust polyclinic or hospital – we will get quality of patient.

5.    Write articles in news papers and magazines (write concept not medicine)

 

 

6. IMPORTANCE OF PANCHAKARMA : With the help of following benefits, we are selecting Panchakarma as main (prime) treatment in Ayurveda.

1.    Metabolism becomes optimized or appetite increases.

2.    Disorders disappears

3.    Normal health returns

4.    Sense organs, mind, intellect, understanding, and complexion becomes clear.

5.    Strength, plumpness (nourishment), healthy off springs, potency.

6.    Hardly gets aged and lives long

7.      Life free from disease.

 

Two main objective of this therapy are

1. In healthy person example of servicing the vehicle and

2. In patient curing the disease

Acharya Charak has described first Shodhana and then Shamana.

7. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS WHILE PERFORMING PANCHAKARMA :

 We should take some special precautions to improve our practice.

1.    Think of the practical dose of the patient –According to Agni, Rugnabal,Vyadhibal,koshthabal,Aushadhibal.

2.    Simplify the procedure and the Samsarjana krama.

3.    Put cotton in ears after Swedana,Nasya,Vamana,Virechana to avoid Vata-Prokop ( as ear is the nearest sense organ from brain)

4.    Always check dehydration in Vamana and Virechana . Give two glasses of liquid (coconut water, mosambi juices, plan water, Electral powder etc) after each motion while virechana.

 

8. PROCEDURES POSSIBLE IN CLINIC:  If toilet is there in clinic, we can perform all the Panchakarma procedures and if there is no facility of toilets then we can perform following procedures

i) Snehana

ii) Swedana (sarwanga,nadi,pind)

Iii)Anuvashana Basti, Raktamokshana

iv) Shirodhara, ShiroBasti, Nasya,Uttarbasti,Netrabasti, Katibasti

09. POWER OF TEAMWORK: As we all knew together everybody achieves more. Teamwork is required for exchange and uniformity of knowledge. Team leader or physician must have Planning, Organizing, Controlling, Leading and Staffing skills for better work environment.

       Main aim and objectives of team work is to do the feasibility of given work. For this purpose can use, SWOT – a management tool evaluating Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats   analysis regarding feasibility of Panchakarma.


 

SWOT ANALYSIS: SWOT analysis with its four elements in a 2x2 matrix. Table No. 1

Origin

Helpful

Harmful

Internal origin

STRENGTH

WEAKNESS

External origin

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

 


Setting the objective should be done after the SWOT analysis has been performed. This would allow achievable goals or objectives to be set for the Panchakarma team.

Strengths : Characteristics of updated knowledge and contemporary technique of Panchakarma that give it an advantage over others

Weaknesses : are characteristics that place the team at a disadvantage relative to others.

Opportunities : external chances to improve performance of Panchakarma in the common environment e.g. arrange seasonal camps of Panchakarma, give lecturer to common peoples, show slide presentation of patients treated by you.

Threats: external elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the Panchakarma practice.Example complication and side effects of drugs used in the management of disorders

So finally team can apply SWOT analysis for improvement and development of Panchakarma with innovative ideas. Team work is essential for all procedure of Panchakarma.

10. PANCHAKARMA IN UNKNOWN ETIOLOGICAL DISEASES: Panchakarma is even possible in unknown etiological diseases like psoriasis. As we all know psoriasis is auto immune disease but still there is some temporarily relief from Vamana therapy. In this way at least patient will be free from toxicity and feel healthy.

11. ROLE OF PRESENTATION: Present slide show of successfully treated patients by you to common peoples in simple manner and in lucid language. This will increase awareness and curiosity in common people regarding Panchakarma therapy.

 

12. ROLE OF SAMSARJANA KRAMA

Samsarjana Krama is post eliminative procedure used to restore normal appetite. After inducing Vamana , the patient may not be allowed to normal diet. Because due to Sanshodhana the digestion power becomes very weak and if during this stage normal diet is taken, it cannot be digested properly. Therefore, the patient should be given peyadi first and then gradually brought to normal diet and this dietary regimen is known as Samsarjana Krama. The detailed dietary regimen of Samsarjana krama is in the table 3. This is standard table for administration of Anna which can be given according to Shuddhi of Panchakarma.

 

This Regimen includes

  1. Peya
  2. Vilepi
  3. Yusha
  4. Mansa rasa
  5.  

Following table explained about preparation of Kalpana

 

Table No.2

 

S.No.

Name of the Kalpana

Parts of Ingredients

Reduce by

heating

1

Peya

Dravya (rice): 1 part

Jala : 14 parts

Liquid

2

Vilepi

Dravya (rice ): 1 part

Jala :4 parts

Semi-liquid

3

Yusha

Dravya (pulses): 1 part

Jala : 10 parts

Liquid

 


 Krita Yusha: Ghrita bharjana with Lavana, Sunthi, Jeeraka etc Akrita Yusha: when it taken as such without adding anything, then it is termed as Akrita Yusha.

Mansa Rasa (Meat Soup) : The clean meat cut into small pieces is taken and meat juice is prepared by adding water and then by cooking it properly. Akrita Mansa Rasa: When it is taken as such without adding anything, then it is termed as Akrita Mansa Rasa. Krita Mansa Rasa: When added with salt and condiment as well as fried with ghee then it is termed as Krita Mansa Rasa.

 


 

Table of Samsarjana Krama (Table no. 3)

 

Days

Time of Anna(food)

Pradhana Shuddhi

Madhyam Shuddhi

Hina Shuddhi

1

Morning

-

-

-

Evening

Peya

Peya

Peya

2

Morning

Peya

Peya

Vilepi

Evening

Peya

Vilepi

Kritaakrita Yusha

3

Morning

Vilepi

Vilepi

Kritaakrita Mansa Rasa

Evening

Vilepi

Akrita Yusha

Normal Diet

4

Morning

Vilepi

Krita Yusha

Normal Diet

Evening

Akrita Yusha

Akrita Mansa Rasa

Normal Diet

5

Morning

Krita Yusha

Krita Mansa Rasa

Normal Diet

Evening

Krita Yusha

Normal Diet

Normal Diet

6

Morning

Akrita Mansa Rasa

Normal Diet

Normal Diet

Evening

Krita Mansa Rasa

Normal Diet

Normal Diet

7

Morning

Krita Mansa Rasa

Normal Diet

Normal Diet

Evening

Normal Diet

Normal Diet

Normal Diet

 

 


CONCLUSION :

          The result of Panchakarma are variable according to the physician`s skill and procedure adopted, management of complications. By adopting above principles we can definitely promote our general practice of Panchakarma. If any modifications required in Panchakarma treatment we can modify according to need and situation because Charak says , the intelligent physician should not determine treatment according to letter of directions exclusively mentioned as indication and contraindication in second chapter of siddhisthanbut, must use his own direction , rational thinking and reasoning in arriving at treatment decisions. In other world we can say intelligent physicians should not blindly copy all the procedures mention in the text but he should think on practical applicability or applied part, his or her experiences, evidences and logic and then decides treatment.

There may arise situations in view of nature of the place, time and the vitality of a particular patient, when what is contra indicated in a patient, may be necessary for him and what is indicated may have to be avoided.

Hence, despite the directions laid down, therapeutic measures should be decided upon by the physician, with the use of his own direction and thinking. So we can modify the treatment with help of evidence based Principles to make our general practice successful.

References:

 

            i.  Tripathi R D, editor, (3rd ed.).Carak Samhita of Agnivesa, Vol. II Siddhisthan;Panchakarmia Siddhi: Chapter 2, Verse 4-6. Varanasi: Chowkhambha Sanskrit Series, 2003; 888-889.

           ii.  Chaturvedi G N & Shastri K, Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa, Vol.I,      Vimanasthan; Janapadidhwansiya: Chapter 03, Verse 45. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2011; 703

          iii.  Gupta A, editor, (3rd ed.). Astanghrdayam of Vagbhata, Sootrasthan;    Ayushkamiya: Chapter 1, Verse 27.Varanasi: Chaukhambha Prakashan, 2011; 15

         iv.  Chaturvedi G N & Shastri K, Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa, Vol.I, Sootrsthan; Chikitsa Prabhrutiya: Chapter 16, Verse 17-19. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2011; 321

          v.  Tripathi R, editor, (3rd ed.).Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa, Vol. II, Siddhisthan;Panchakarmia Siddhi: Chapter 2, Verse 25-28. Varanasi: Chowkhambha Sanskrit Series, 2003; 895-896.

         vi.  Ojha Divakar & Kumar Ashok, editor (1st ed.).Panchakarma-Therapy in Ayurveda. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Amarbharti Prakashan, 1978 

        vii.  Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia online.   

       viii.  Sharma Privrat, editor(1st ed.).CARAKA-SAMHITA(with English translation).Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia,1983

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