panchakarma - the uniqe ancient system for detoxification

8/9/2019 PANCHAKARMA - THE UNIQE ANCIENT SYSTEM FOR DETOXIFICATION

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PANCHAKARMA - THE UNIQE ANCIENT SYSTEM FOR DETOXIFICATION

Antoaneta Zarkova, MD

MODERN MEDICINE AND TOXINS

All medical systems accept that toxins are a cause for a number of diseases.

There is a large polymorphism (genetic variation) in the activity of the enzymes engaged in the

neutralization of toxins in humans. In equal circumstances one individual may accumulate a significant

amount of toxins, while another may neutralize and eliminate them completely. A significant number of

the acute myeloid leukemias may be caused by a genetic predisposition in combination with exposure totoxins (1).

Heavy occupational exposure to benzene and benzene-containing compounds such as kerosene and

carbon tetrachloride may lead to marrow damage, which can take the form of aplastic anemia,

myelodysplasia, or acute myeloid leukemia (2).

A diet rich in meat and fats predisposes to urinary bladder cancer (3).

The etiology of most cases of colon cancer seems to be caused by environmental factors. The death rate from

colon and rectum cancer directly correlates to the consumption of calories per capita of the population, meat

and fat (4).


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Esophageal cancer is related to numerous causative factors as alcohol, tobacco, nitrites, fungal toxins as well

as consumption of hot food and drinks (5).

Long term consumption ofnitrites in high concentrations with dried, smoked and salted foods seams to be

related with increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. It is believed that nitrates are transformed into

carcinogenic nitrites by bacteria ingested with stale food (6).

PHYSIOLOGY OF TOXIC ACCUMULATION (7)

Toxins are of exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal) origin. Exogenous toxins enter the body from

outside with the food, water and air. Endogenous toxins are produced in the body during the process of

digestion and as waste products of metabolism. Their quantity increase when there are disturbances in these

processes.

A large amount of toxins accumulate in the body. The most common storage places are the fat tissue, the

liver, the kidneys and the bones. After entering the body toxins are transported by the blood to different

organs. What happens with them after that depends on the size of their molecules, their polarity and

solubility.

The distribution of the toxins in the body defines the target of their toxic injury. The main characteristic that

determines the injurious potential of the toxin is its lipid solubility. If the toxic substance is lipid soluble it

easily enters the cell membranes.

Water soluble toxins are rapidly excreted in the urine and are eliminated from the body. They have a definiteadvantage compared to lipid soluble toxins in their elimination from the body.


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Lipophylic toxins are eliminated with difficulty and may accumulate to dangerous concentrations.

Hydrophilic substances are eliminated more easily than lipophilic substances.

The main locations for toxins to accumulate in the body are:

1. fat tissue2. bones3. liver4. kidneys

Lipohilic toxins are stored mainly in the fat tissue. Lipids are in a constant exchange with the blood and

toxins may pass to the blood for a further distribution and elimination or storage in another location.

Another storage place for toxins is the bones. They are made of proteins and mineral salts hydroxyapatites.

Some substances follow the kinetic of the calcium and hidroxyic ions and may replace them in the bonematrix like strontium and lead. In normal condition there is a constant process of renewal of the bones by a

dynamic equilibrium of destruction and building of the bone tissue. Calcium and other minerals are restored in

the bones over a period of approximately 10 years.

The liver is a storage place for a lot of toxins. It has a large blood flow and like kidneys is exposed to toxic

substances in large concentrations.

PHYSIOLOGY OF DETOXIFICATION (7)

Detoxification is a process in which toxic substances are eliminated from the body or are transformed intoless toxic metabolites. This is a natural defense mechanism of the body.


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Toxins and their metabolites may be eliminated from the body in several ways. Mainly they are eliminated by:

1. kidneys2. gastrointestinal tract and liver3. lungs4. sweat

The main function of the kidneys is elimination of the waste products of metabolism and of the toxic

substances. Nearly one fourth of the heart flow passes through the kidneys, which makes them the organs with

the largest blood flow. Lipid soluble substances as opposed to water soluble are reabsorbed in thetubules and are not eliminated by the kidneys.

A factor that significantly influences the reabsorbtion and excretion is pH (the acidity) of urine. It is very

important for the elimination of weak electrolytes. If the urine is alkaline, the elimination of weak acids is

increased. If the urine is acid, weak acids are reabsorbed and their excretion is reduced. The diet has a stronginfluence on pH of the urine and is an important factor determining the degree of elimination of numerous

toxins. High protein diet causes acid urine.

The elimination of toxins with the feces is determined by two processes:

1. elimination with the bile and entering the intestines (billiary rout)2. direct excretion into the guts.

Billiary rout is an important way of elimination of toxins and their metabolites. Many toxic materials are

processed by the liver. The lipid soluble toxins are not eliminated by the kidney. A part of them are processed

by the liver and transformed into water soluble products. It is mainly a process of conjugation producing

mono or bi-glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. The more water soluble they are, the easier they are excreted

with the bile into the intestines. This route generally involves active secretion of substances like organic


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bases, organic acids, and neutral substances. Some heavy metals are excreted in the bile like arsenic, lead and

mercury.

From that point they have two possible ways:

1. to be eliminated from the body with the feces or2. to be reabsorbed.

The effectiveness of bile excretion can be influenced by the quantity of bile produced by the liver. Some

substances with cholerrhetic action increase the production of bile.

Direct excretion into the guts is another way to eliminate toxic substances. Large number of toxins can be

excreted directly into the intestines and eliminated from the body. Increase of the lipid content of the

gastrointestinal tract may increase the excretion of some lipophilic substances.

In acute poisoning and some chronic intoxications the body gets rid of toxins by vomiting. This eliminates theswallowed toxins that are still in the stomach and the toxins that are excreted through the mucosal lining of

the stomach.

The lungs are an important organ for elimination of toxins and their metabolites dissolved in the blood in

gaseous form. The volatile substances dissolved in blood are easily excreted with exhaled air. Exhalation is

very effective way of elimination of lipophilic substances in gaseous form. This is explained by the great

closeness of capillary and alveolar membranes which are thin and allow exchange of gases.

In conditions of intensive sweating excretion of toxic substances with the sweat may reach considerable

amounts. Some metals like cadmium, copper, iron, lead,nickeland zinc may be excreted in large amount with

sweating.


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Human drive to purify the body goes back to ancient times. Different methods have been used like fasting,

washing of the large intestine, drinking a lot of water, drinking olive oil and many others.

AYURVEDIC METHODS OF CLEANSING:

There is no medical system like Ayurvedic PANCHAKARMA that is so effective in cleansing lipophylic

toxins. Even haemodialisis does not eliminate lipophilic substances. Panchakarma is a complex and complete

system for elimination of toxins from the body, both water soluble and oil soluble. Ayurveda possesses a

thorough command of the natural mechanisms of the human body and uses them in a specific way to achieve

a complete cleansing not only of the gastrointestinal tract but elimination of toxins deeply lodged in thetissues and organs.

AlkalizationIt is achieved by consumption of alkalizing food, most often as a diet on khichadi. This is a meal prepared

from rice and a kind of pulse mung dal, very popular in yoga for its cleansing properties. Strictly vegetarianfood is recommended.

HydrationThe patient is instructed to drink ginger tea every hour. It is famous with its alkalizing and detoxifying

properties. This measures produce hydration, increase of diuresis and alkalization which helps elimination of

toxins by the kidneys. Similar is the purpose of the intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate and

physiologic solution by modern medicine in cases of acute intoxication.

Oleation - external and internal

Whole body massages are done daily with warm herbalized oils in large quantity. They are absorbed directly

by the tissues because of their easy penetration through the lipid bi-layer of the cell membranes, bypassing thegastro-hepatic circle. This produces liquefaction of the lipid soluble toxins in the tissues.


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Oils are also taken internallyThis increases the lipid content of the intestines and draws the lipophilic toxins that are excreted into the guts.

The oils for drinking usually contain some cholerrhettic herbs that increase production and secretion of bile

which enhances the neutralization of the toxins by the liver.

SweatingThis is an important procedure in the detoxification programme. Usually it is performed as herbal sweat box

following the oil massage. It causes elimination of a lot of toxins with the sweat. The herbal oils get deeper

into the tissues through the dilated sweat glands.

Cleansing of the intestines with purgative herbs

This eliminates the toxins already liquefied by the preparatory procedures and transported to the guts. The

natural tendency of the body to push the toxic substances into the gastrointestinal tract can be easily observed

in the advanced stages of chronic renal failure. There toxins accumulate in large concentrations and causeirritational gastritis and enterocolitis.

Enemas

Daily enemas are performed with herbal decoctions, oils and salt to clean the large intestine from the toxins.

The lipid content of the colon is largely increased.

Therapeutic vomiting in selected cases

This procedure has strict indications and is prescribed for patients with no negative feeling to vomiting or who

vomit easily. Emetic herbs make this procedure easier and with no effort.


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Increased ventilation

Breathing exercises are a part of the yogic Pranayama. Kapalabhati is one of the six cleansing procedures in

Yoga and together with the alternate nostril breathing is recommended during the detoxification program.

Calming the nervous system

An important prerequisite for the toxins to be released from the tissues and for the effective function of the

elimination systems of the body is to switch the nervous system from a regimen of stress (fight or flight) to a

regimen of relaxation (stay and play).

Only in a relaxed state of the nervous system the body lets the toxic materials go away.

The Ayurvedic massage is a kind of switcher of the nervous system. It lasts approximately one hour and is

done with pleasantly warm oil and special technique. The movements are slow and deep and follow the

direction of the most important energies according to Ayurveda.

ShirodharaThis is a pleasant procedure of pouring warm oil on the forehead for nearly half an hour. It has a deep

harmonizing and calming effect on the nervous system.

Reflexogenic activation of the intestinesIt helps to clear their content. It is performed by putting certain amount of dehydrated butter on the eyes in

special reservoirs made by dough. It stimulates nervus vagus by executing a mild, but sustained and

controlled pressure on radix oculomotoria of ganglion celiare. The same mechanism is used in cardiology by

pressing the eye balls to stop the supraventricular tachycardia, known as Valsalva method.

This program lasts one week and according to the disease is repeated in two to four consecutive weeks. The

elements of the program, the herbs and the oils are selected individually.


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The Ayurvedic Panchakarma is a perfect system for cleaning the body of toxins. It increases the ability of the

body for self repair and regeneration. It has good results in rheumatologic, neurological, gynecological,

dermatological, malignant diseases (between the chemotherapy or after it is completed; the massage is

superficial and the sauna is short only to the limit of sweating), sterility and many others.

Panchakarma is prescribed also as a prophylactic measure once a year, usually in the junction of the seasons

in autumn or spring.

Panchakarma is also a part of the rejuvenation programs RASAYANA. After the cleansing is done, different

herbal formulas for health and beauty are prescribed. The new anti-aging science is in fact the oldAyurvedic system of Rasayana. Several chapters of the ancient texts are dedicated to it.

Panchakarma is a unique ancient technique for cleansing the body and balancing the nervous system. It

reflexes the deep knowledge of the ancients of the human body and its functions. Ayurveda has been practiced

for more than 5000 years checked by the time and gaining more popularity in the western world.

References:

1. ASH-sap, Blackwell Publishing, Washingtone DC, 2005;211.2. Frederick R. Appelbaum. The Acute Leukemias. Cecil Textbook of Medicine 23rd ed. Saunders

Elsevier 2008, Chapter 194, 1390.

3. Scher H., Motzer R: Bladder and renal cell carcinomas: Harison,s Principal of Internal Medicine 15thed. Eugene Brawnwald et al (eds). McGraw-Hill 2001:604.

4. Mayer R. Gastrointestinal tract cancer: Harison,s Principal of Internal Medicine 15th ed. EugeneBrawnwald et al.(eds). McGraw-Hill 2001:582


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5. Mayer R. Gastrointestinal tract cancer: Harison,s Principal of Internal Medicine 15th ed. EugeneBrawnwald et al. (eds). McGraw-Hill 2001:578

6. Mayer R. Gastrointestinal tract cancer: Harison,s Principal of Internal Medicine 15th ed. EugeneBrawnwald et al.(eds). McGraw-Hill 2001: 580.

7. Based onNLM Toxicology Tutorials,http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/toxtutor.html

Copyright 2010 Antoaneta Zarkova
http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/toxtutor.htmlhttp://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/toxtutor.html

panchakarma - the uniqe ancient system for detoxification

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