Treatment Changes: Every treatment session begins with an ayurvedic head and back massage, followed by Abhyanga (a two-person synchronized massage discussed in an earlier post). A face mask is always applied at some point for women (though men complain they don’t get one). Otherwise, the schedule changes every few days. My current schedule includes:
• Navarakizhi: Like Patra Pottali and Parisheka, this treatment is to induce sweating. A kind of rice pudding is tied into muslin bags, then dipped into a mixture of warm milk and herbs, and I am basically bathed and scrubbed in it. Navarakizhi is really good for your skin, and also good for pain in joints and muscles. It’s pretty messy, but feels terrific.
• Netra Tarpana (or Netra Basti): Blinking into a pool of ghee was one thing I didn’t expect from my panchakarma experience, but it actually is not as bad as it sounds. I just finished my 7th day of this treatment. Dough is shaped into wells over my eyes and then gradually filled with warm herbalized ghee. For 20 minutes, I am to slowly open and close my eyes while rotating them in a circular rotation. Your eyes are sensitive afterwards, and so I wear sunglasses for the walk home, then rest my eyes for about an hour. Netra bast draws out toxins, nourishes and strengthens tissues, relieves eye strain and tension. While having Netra basti, I also have bastis on my knees and liver.
• Janu Basti: This is for various knee ailments, including pain, arthritis and, hopefully, some of the damage I did to my knees during years of skydiving.
• Liver Basti: This is meant to draw toxins out of the liver.
At about the three quarter point of panchakarma, various types of enemas are introduced into treatment and given in the privacy of your room. They are mostly quite small and are prepared with special herbs and oil and/or milk. Their purpose is to cleanse and condition the small and large intestines. You are provided with special meals of easily digested rice and herbs for some meals before and/or after each internal basti and are instructed to get a lot of rest. Note for the squeamish: it’s not so bad.
Nasaya: This treatment is administered by the vaidya (doctor) and generally given on the last day of panchakarma. First, a light massage is given, then you are wrapped in hot towels to fully open your pores. Finally, an herbal medication is applied to the nostrils with a special dropper. Nasaya is good for the respiratory and nervous system as well as for the rest of the body’s systems – it’s the “icing on the cake” so to speak.
I will be sorry to leave in a few days and promise to provide a report on how I’m feeling for those who might be interested in having their own panchakarma experience.!
Saffron and Silk 