When the body is free of toxins, the mind is at peace, emotions are balanced, wastes are properly vented out and the organs are carrying out their normal function, the condition is known as health. Our busy and stressful day-to-day existence causes the accumulation of toxins in the cells and tissues and hampers the balance of the doshas. This in turn weakens our immune system and paves the way for diseases. Such conditions if left unattended may gradually degenerate the body. So it is necessary to eliminate the toxins from the body. Depending on the disease, its extent, patient`s age, body structure and such other factors, the elimination procedure may vary from person to person and even in a single person.

The Ayurvedic treatment procedures are of two types, namely shamana and shodhana. Shamana is a milder treatment applicable for minor ailments or mild imbalance of the doshas. For shamana, follow up measures is a must otherwise there is ample chance of the recurrence of the imbalance of the doshas. Shodhana is a harsher treatment but it is more efficient and maintains health for a long period of time. While shamana aims at restoring balance within the body by medication, shodhana is strictly an elimination process. In modern era, we are subject to a lot of health disorders as a result of decreased immunity triggered by different types of pollution. The air, land, water pollution. Sometimes internal medicines administered by the process of shamana may not work properly or immediately. In such cases immediate and long-term relief is provided by the elimination therapies, which are collectively called Shodhana.

Broadly shodhana consists of five varieties of elimination processes. These are actually the pradhan karmas , and are often loosely termed panchakarma. Panchakarma (five actions) is a refining and reviving curriculum for the body, mind and consciousness. It is known for its positive effects on general health, wellbeing and self-healing. There are five types of cleansing techniques in this shodhana therapy, namely vaman, virechan, basti, nasya and raktamoksha.

Vaman or Emesis Therapy: Recurrent attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma may be triggered by any blockage in the lungs. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest therapeutic vomiting or vaman, to eliminate the kapha that is the sole cause for the accumulation of the excess mucus within the body.

Virechan or Purgation Therapy: When the body secretes pitta or bile in large amounts due to some hindrance in proper functioning the same deposits in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine. They find physical expression as rashes, spots, skin inflammation and also cause persistent attacks of fever, vomiting, feeling of nausea and jaundice. In this sick condition, therapeutic purgation or virechan helps to stabilise the bodily activities.

Basti or Enema Therapy: In basti, herbal preparations of sesame oil and the like are made to enter the body through the rectum. It soothes and relieves the body in case of chronic fever, cold, constipation, heart pain, sexual disorders, kidney stones, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Basti also has the potential to cure many other vata disorders like rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscle spasms and headaches.

Nasya or Nasal Administration: The administration of medication through the nasal passage is called nasya. A superfluity of bodily humors in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is cured by nasal administration of medicine or nasya.

Raktamoksha : Toxins that find entry into the blood produce skin disorders. In such cases, internal medication alone is not sufficient, but the purification of blood is necessary. Raktamoksha also helps in curing ailments like enlarged liver, spleen and gout.

Shodhana takes much time but is very effective. Overall benefits of this process include elimination of toxins, increasing digestion and absorption, clearing faeces, restoring dosha balance, augmenting physical flexibility, increasing blood flow and strengthening the immunity. But sometimes the body does not have the potential to endure the harsh treatments offered by shodhana. In such cases, shamana comes as a readymade remedy.