Panchakarma is always performed in three stages – Purva Karma (pre-treatment), Pradhana Karma (primary treatment) and Paschat Karma (post-treatment). The patient who opts for any one of the five therapies has invariably to undergo all the three stages.

Snehana (oleation / oil therapy) and Swedana (sudation) are the two Purva Karma procedures. Snehana (internal and external oleation) loosens the Amam stuck in various sites of the body and Swedana dilates the channels to facilitate its movement towards the Koshta (alimentary canal). The Amam that reaches the Koshta is eliminated during the Pradhana Karma (primary treatment).

Diet regimens, restricted bodily exertion and the intake of health-promoting drugs come under the Paschat Karma (post-treatment).