Shodhana

Shamana and Shodhana are the two concepts of disease management in Ayurveda. Shamana means alleviation. Shamana methods mitigate the disease and its symptoms. Shodhana means elimination and Shodhana methods aim at the elimination of the basic cause of disease.

Panchakarma is a five-pronged method of treatment designed for Shodhana, the expulsion of disease-causing toxins or Amam. Panchakarma is intended not only for the elimination of toxins but also for replenishment of the tissues. Often tonics are prescribed after Panchakarma to rebuild the body and thereby rejuvenate the patient.