According to classical texts of Ayurveda, Panchakarma therapy for eliminating toxins from body and regaining or maintaining health is performed in three stages :

Purvakarma (preparatory procedures), Pradhana Karma (main treatment) and Paschat Karma (post treatment care).

1. Purva karma
In this stage the body is prepared through Snehana (internal and external oleation) and Swedana (therapeutic sweating) for the discarding of toxins.

Snehana helps to liquefy the Amam (the toxins) in the Dhatus (tissues). Swedana is the therapeutic application of heat to help dilate the srotas (body channels) to facilitate the movement of the toxins to the Koshta (alimentary canal). From the Koshta, they can be expelled by any of the Panchakarma procedures.

2. Pradhana karma
The procedures of this stage facilitate the expulsion of the toxins.

3. Paschat karma
The post treatment care includes the diet regimen and other do’s and don’ts.