Virechana is defined as a purgative treatment that purifies and cleanses the small intestine and other associated pitta-dominant organs such as the gall bladder and liver, mainly in the mid-zone of the body. This therapy works in a downward direction to remove pitta related aama and excess pitta in the form of acidic secretions. As pitta has a close association with the blood, it also helps in removing the waste matter and toxicity from the blood. Virechana involves the usage of strong purgatives that induce loose bowel movements it affects the body quite differently than diarrhoea. Its symptoms are usually caused by infection, drug toxicity and food poisoning and that needs to be controlled and stopped otherwise dehydration will occur and reduce the vital resources of the body.

Virechana is a natural and herb induced purging process that automatically ceases once the accumulated aama and toxins are eliminated. Ayurveda states that the effect of the purgative herbs subsides after a short time and the patient is left feeling stronger and more vital because all the toxins and waste materials from the body have been removed. Virechana is a very controlled process, which gathers aama from many pitta locations in the body and concentrates it in the small intestine and then eliminates it. This therapy also purifies pitta function and consequently balances and strengthens all the metabolic processes of the body.

Virechana treatment is also beneficial for all types of pitta associated disorders of the body. It includes colitis, hyperacidity, chronic headaches, allergies, skin diseases like acne, leprosy, utticaria and more. It is also good for migraine headaches and malabsorption. However, virechana is never prescribed to persons who have fever, lack of appetite or in weak, feeble individuals. This treatment should not be used on infants, pregnant women and elderly people. This process is also contraindicated for people who are suffering from extremely weak digestion, dehydration, acute fever or emaciation or those who pass blood with their stools.

The herbal substances that are used in virechana contain a predominance of prithvi or jala bhutas. They help in generating the downward movement in the body as water and earth are heavy and the gravitational force pulls them down. These herbs act with varying intensity on different individuals and in sensitive people even a small amount of purgative can cause evacuations. But usually, larger or stronger doses of herbs are required while administering this therapy. It is the patient`s doshic constitution and gastrointestinal sensitivity that determine the amount or type of purgative required.

Ayurvedic physician selects the appropriate herb depending on the requirements of the patient who are undertaking virechana therapy. Virechana also known as therapeutic purging is really beneficial in curing several body disorders.