What is an Ayurveda Panchakarma Retreat

 What is a Panchakarma Ayurveda Retreat?

Panchakarma is one of the most commonly-known parts of Ayurveda. It is a five-step mind-body rejuvenation experience that comprises herbal oil treatments, cleansing enemas, and a healing kitchari diet. The aim is to eliminate toxins from the body and rebalance the doshas.

This is a very traditional style of cleansing the body. Many would say that its not for the faint hearted! Its quite an ‘aggressive’ way of cleansing.

Traditional Panchakarma requires you to follow this cleanse for 5-21 days (ideally, for the full 21 days). Panchakarma means “five therapies” in Sanskrit. These five therapies are the most detoxifying treatments in Ayurvedic medicine, cleansing all channels of the body and removing toxins with a goal of total purification. 

Over the course of the cleansing period, you eat only kitchari, which is a lightly spiced warm lentil and rice dish, often with ghee or castor oil to help cleanse the bowel. 

Traditionally in a Panchakarma Ayurveda retreat you will generally be asked not to stimulate the mind- so no phones or technology- and to be very restful and peaceful to allow the body to focus on the cleanse at hand. 

A Panchakarma Ayurveda retreat will mainly focus on Herbal oil massages, steam baths, cleansing enemas, nasal administration, gentle laxatives and a specialized Kitchari diet.

Ideally, this is done at least once a year to maintain optimal health.