WHAT IS SAMANA CHIKITSA & IMPORTANCE OF SHODANA

Chikitsa in Ayurveda in general is of two types viz., Shamana (Palliative therapy) and Shodhana (Purificatory therapy). In the Shamana therapy, simply the aggravated doshas are brought back to their original sthanam (koshtam) from the neighbouring areas (shakas) through 7 different types of therapies viz.,

1. Undergoing fasting 2. Withholding thirst 3. Exercise 4. Athapasevanam (Exposure to sun) 5. Marutha sevanam (Exposure to wind / fresh air) 6. Taking Oushatham which increases the 13 Agnis including Jataragini 7. Taking Oushatham which destroys Ama (toxins). When one undergoes palliative therapy there is a chance of recurrence of the same disease because the accumulated and aggravated excessive dosha is not removed from the body but only pacified in its own sthanam.

But, during the Shodhana therapy, the aggravated excessive doshas which are embedded in the shakas are further aggravated, liquefied and kindled to move back to their own sthanas or to the Mahakoshtam (Gastro intestinal tract). These excessive doshas which are brought to the Mahakoshtam by means of poorvakarma (Preparatory therapy) are brought out through the nearest available srothas viz. mouth, anus etc. Since excessive doshas are brought out of the Shariram, chance of recurrences of the disease are either remote or NIL.

Though the palliative therapies can be administered independently, the Shodhana karma should be done only after administering proper Shamana therapy. Shodhana karma i.e. purificatory therapy consists of 5 different purificatory procedures according to Acharya Caraka viz. 1.Vamana, 2.Virechana 3. Anuvasana Vasti, 4. Niruha/Kashaya Vasti and 5. Nasyam. Acharya Sushruta, being a surgeon, enumerates the panchakarmas as Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasyam and Rakta Mokshan (Blood letting).

The Panchakarma treatment as told in Sastras is useful not only in therapeutic aspect but also in preventive medicine. Persons who want to have Rasayana and Vajikarna therapy must also undergo these purificatory therapies so as to clean the body and then have Rasayana and Vajikarna to have total effect. Panchakarma comprises of 3 stages viz., Purvakarma, Pradhanakarma, and Pashchathkarma.