Ayurvedic Clensing & Detoxification
Panchakarma Theory: Science of Ayurvedic Detoxification
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll have a clear understanding of pañcakarma’s purpose, methods, and clinical relevance—whether or not you’re the one directly administering the therapies. You’ll know how each therapy works, when it’s appropriate (and when it’s not), and how to guide clients or community members toward safe, informed decisions around cleansing. Even if you’re not a practitioner who performs pañcakarma, you’ll be able to educate clients on what to expect, how to prepare, and how to support themselves before, during, and after a program. You’ll also gain insight into the broader philosophy of detoxification and rejuvenation in Ayurveda, giving you tools to recommend lifestyle, diet, and gentle supportive practices that stay fully within your scope but still honor the deep power of pañcakarma.
Curriculum
Learn the foundational principles of pañcakarma and how this powerful cleansing system restores balance and health.
Explore vamana (therapeutic emesis), understanding its purpose, procedures, and when it’s clinically appropriate.
Study virechana (purgation therapy), including its indications, benefits, and how to apply it safely in practice.
Dive into the concept of nasya, examining how nasal therapies can impact head, neck, and mind-related conditions.
Understand the use of sneha basti (oil enema) and anuvasana basti, exploring their role in nourishing and balancing vāta.
Learn the details of niruha basti (decoction enema) and when it is best applied for detoxification and dosha balance.
Get introduced to uttara basti, a specialized therapy used for reproductive health and urogenital conditions.
Explore the practice of rakta mokṣaṇa (bloodletting), understanding its traditional indications and modern considerations.
Competencies
Elimination of Aggravated Doṣas (Laṅghana: Pañcakarma)
Demonstrated ability to recommend pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) programs as well as individual treatments (shodhana chikitsa – elimination therapies), including: classical pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas), and treatments for individual conditions, including the use of specialized traditional body treatments.
Demonstrated ability in designing, implementing and managing pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) programs as well as individual treatments (śodhana cikitsā – elimination therapies), including: classical pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) and treatments for individual conditions, including use of specialized traditional body treatments. Includes pūrva karma (preoperational procedures) pradhāna karma (main procedure), (diet, lifestyle & herbs)
Demonstrated ability and in-depth knowledge to make the following recommendations and provide appropriate case management:
Pūrva Karma (preoperational procedures)
- Design a pūrva karma (preoperational procedures) program and should be able to monitor the client to look for signs of over and under oleation (oil therapy).
Pradhāna Karma
- Design a pradhāna karma(main procedure) program and should be able to manage the client as he/she goes through the program
- Vamana – Medicated Emesis (not done routinely in US)
- Virechana – Medicated Purgation
- Basti – Medicated enemas
- Nasya – Medicated nasal drops
- Rakta Moksha – Blood letting (not done routinely in US)
Paścāt Karma – Rehabilitative measures
- Design a paścāt karma (rehabilitative measures) program and manage the client as he/she goes through the program. This includes restoration of strong digestive fire to nourish, strengthen, and balance the newly detoxified tissues by recommending Rasayan (rejuvanative) herbs according to Prakriti (individual constitution).
In-depth knowledge of:
- Ama pācana (digestion of undigested material)
- The process of pūrva karma (preparatory procedures)
- The process of pradhāna karma (main procedure)
- Pūrva karma (preparatory procedures) practice including indications and contraindications
- Pradhāna karma (main procedure) practice including indications and contraindications.
- Signs of successful and unsuccessful administration of each practice
- How to adjust the program if the administration of a therapy is not successful.
- Oils and medicines to be used in each practice.
- How to design a complete pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program including pūrva (preparatory), pradhāna (main) and paścāt (rehabilitative) karma (procedures).
- How to modify the complete pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program for clients with a vāta, pitta and kapha vikṛti (pathological conditions).
- How to modify the complete pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program for clients with various diseases.
- How to modify a pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program with consideration of the client’s response to the therapies including but not limited to:
- Changes in appetite, elimination pattern , and overall strength
Bṛṁhaṇa (Tonification)
Demonstrated ability to a recommend a post pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) rejuvenation program (paścāt karma)
Demonstrated ability to design, implement and manage a post pañcakarma rejuvenation (paścāt karma) for the purposes of rejuvenating the body and mind.
In-depth knowledge of:
- The principles and process of samsarjana karma (rehabilitating diet); including how to restore healthy agni (digestive fire) while reintroducing foods into the diet.
- The use of herbs and herbal formulas in the rejuvenation process.
- The appropriate timing for the administration of rejuvenative herbs following pradhāna karma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas).
- How to properly monitor a client during the period of paścāt karma (rehabilitative procedures) and how to adjust a client’s program in accordance with their response to care.
Dr. Resmi V. Rajagopal - Your Teacher
Dr. Resmi V. Rajagopal BAMS, MS (Ayurveda Gynec) PGDYN is a dedicated Ayurveda Physician and founder of the versatile wellness app Ayurshe, and born and nurtured in the Ayurvedic-rich environment of Kerala, India. Her journey in Ayurvedic medicine commenced in 2007, marked by her graduation from Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by a master’s degree from the prestigious ITRA Jamnagar. Her academic path was enhanced by additional training in yoga therapy, beauty care, and pulse diagnosis.
Throughout her career, Dr. Rajagopal has developed a keen expertise in patient care, diagnostic skills, and hands-on surgical experiences, infused with the practical wisdom and spiritual insights imparted by her GURUs. Her approach to health and wellness extends beyond traditional learning, embodying a holistic perspective.
Dr. Rajagopal's passion for education led her to the role of assistant professor at the SDM College of Ayurveda in Udupi, India, where she played a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of Ayurveda students. This experience significantly enriched her skills in both theoretical and practical aspects of Ayurvedic medicine.
300+ Classes.
Professional Certification
✔ Access 27+ courses and bonus resources
✔ Live webinars with world-class faculty
✔ Private community
