Panchakarma means five measures. Panchakarma plays a vital role in Ayurvedic medicine, both in health as well as in disease. The five karmas are as follows; Vamana - emesis; Virechana-Purgation; Niruha-non-oily enema; Anuvasana - oily enema; and Nasya or Sirovirecana-head evacuation. Some people take niruha and anuvasana under vasti or enema and add the finishing touch to Panchakarma by adding rakta moksana-blood-letting. Through these five eliminative measures, the toxic matter is evacuated from the body.
. Vaman (Emesis): Expulsion of vitiated doshas (toxins) through mouth.
. Virechana (purgation): Expulsion of vitiated doshas (toxins) through anal route.
. Vasti (Medicated Enema): Administration of medicated drugs through rectum.
. Nashya: Administration of drug through nostrils is known as nashya.
