During the Panchakarma therapy, the Amam (toxins) accumulated in the Dhatus and various channels of the body is brought into the gastro-intestinal tract, from where it is expelled. During this process of elimination, the digestive fire naturally gets weakened. The patient is therefore advised to take semi solid foods for some time until normal digestive capacity is re-established.

This diet schedule of Ayurveda Panchakarma therapy is known as Peyadikrama. It begins with Peya as the first semi-solid food. Peya is thin rice gruel made of broken rice. It is ideal if Shastika rice is used. From the fourth meal onwards, the patient is given Vilepi. Vilepi is rice gruel of thicker consistency. After the seventh or eighth meal the patient can resume a normal diet.