This is a part of treatment. It is a preventive measure and a very powerful tool in Ayurveda. Ayurveda stresses on being healthy first. If there is a problem in your health then trying to cure it is the second part of Ayurveda. In short the curative part of Ayurveda follows health. The atmosphere around you affects your health and your body, therefore panchakarma is necessary.

If a vitiated dosha is thrown out of the system it cannot adversely affect you.

If you follow the principles of panchakarma then the change of atmosphere won’t have a harmful effect on your body. In fact these can be greatly reduced.

Vaman (drug induced vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), vasti (medicinal enemas), nasya (medicine administered through nose) and rakta mokhsan (blood letting) are the five procedures known as Panchakarma.

These can be used as preventive measures or those promoting positive health. A dosha once bodily thrown out cannot affect your body. Then take a remedy to keep good health. It is like painting a wall. You first scrape off the old paint before the new coat of paint is applied. Thus by using panchakarma you rid the body of all the toxic material present – therefore panchakarma known as shudhikaran (cleansing). Only then will the body will be more receptive to medication and will have a better effect.

Our basic concern is the state of doshas in the body and their afflictions, site and mode of exit.

Is ayurveda a long treatment process?
Yes and No
For a degenerative disorder it is a long treatment period.