As the name suggest, Panchkarma means Pancha Karma i.e. Five Methods or Five Operation in Ayurvedic Medicinal System. These are:
Virechan Karma (Administration of Purgative)
Virechan means administration of purgative for the purpose of eradicating dosha from the body. It is mainly done to eradicate the aggravated pitta dosha in the body. It is the karma that’s should be performed only after doing Snehan and swedan.
Virechan karma is to be performed on the sunny day, wind should not be blowing and day should be auspicious. Various forms of herbal preparations like churn (powders), swaras (juices) are to be administered to perform virechan karma. The kind of herb and the method of its preparation are to be considered according to the disease and the condition of dosha. As an example trivith is very beneficial in the diseases which have pitta and kapha dominance. If there is Vayu, herb containing or mixture with the herbs which have snigdh, ushan qualities and lavan rasa are to be used as medicated castor oil etc.
Definition - Virechan or administration of purgatives is one of the series of panchkarma procedures. This is a Shodhana karma (cleansing procedure) or purifying operation with regards to pitta dosha. The aim and administration of virechan karma are different from and more comprehensive than those of administration of purgatives in modern sciences.
