Panchakarma Preparation (Purvakarma)
Preparation, or Purvakarma, is what makes Panchakarma safe and effective. It loosens and gathers the aggravated doshas so they can be removed by the main procedure. Skipping or rushing preparation is one of the most common reasons Panchakarma does not work as expected.
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For a few days you take a light diet and digestive herbs to strengthen Agni and clear undigested residue (Ama). Signs of readiness include a clean tongue, good appetite and lightness.
Precautions & Safety
Snehapana can cause nausea, loss of appetite or loose stools. Tell the doctor straight away about vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, breathlessness or chest pain. People with diabetes, liver or gallbladder disease, high cholesterol or heart disease need individual assessment before oleation.
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Step 2: Internal Oleation (Snehapana)
Medicated ghee or oil is taken on an empty stomach in gradually increasing doses, usually for three to seven days, until the signs of adequate oleation appear, such as softened stools, oil in the stool, oily skin and lightness [1]. The starting dose depends on your digestion and bowel habit [2].
A common concern is cholesterol. In a study of healthy volunteers, short-term escalating ghee intake did not increase blood lipids [3]; however, if you have high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes, the doctor will decide whether Snehapana is suitable. Where it is not, an oil enema (Anuvasana Basti) in escalating doses has been studied as an alternative [4, 5].
Step 3: External Oleation and Sweating
Daily Abhyanga (oil massage) and Swedana (herbal steam or poultice) help move the doshas towards the digestive tract. In a randomised trial of low back pain, a poultice sweating method applied in stages gave better results than one applied without considering the stage [6].
What You Need to Do
- Eat only what is advised during preparation: usually warm, light, freshly cooked food
- Drink warm water, and avoid cold drinks, alcohol and smoking
- Rest more than usual, and avoid heavy exercise, late nights and long travel
- Tell the doctor about every medicine, illness and pregnancy, and report any discomfort
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to drink ghee?
Internal oleation loosens and gathers the doshas so the main procedure can remove them. The dose is increased gradually and monitored.
Can I work during preparation?
Light work may be possible, but rest is important. The doctor will advise based on your programme.
How long does preparation take?
Usually about one week, depending on how quickly the signs of adequate oleation appear.
Clinical Research
6 studies: 1 randomised trial, 1 pilot study, 2 clinical studies, 1 review article, 1 narrative article.
Show the 6 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- Ramteke R, Vinodkumar G, Meharjan T. An open clinical trial to analyze Samyak Snigdha Lakshana of Shodhananga Snehapana with Mahatikthakam Ghritam in Psoriasis. Ayu, 2011. Clinical study PubMed
- Patil V, Baghel MS, Thakar AB. Effect of snehapana (internal oleation ) on lipids: a critical review. Ancient science of life, 2009. Review article PubMed
- Mulay MS. Short term escalating administration of large amount of sneha does not increase blood lipids. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2021. Perspective / narrative article PubMed
- Kadus PA, Vedpathak SM. Anuvasan Basti in escalating dose is an alternative for Snehapana before Vamana and Virechana: Trends from a pilot study. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2014. Pilot / feasibility study PubMed
- Kadus PA, Vedpathak SM. Comparative study of Anuvasana Basti with constant and escalating dose as an alternative to Snehapana in Purvakarma of Vamana and Virechana. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2017. Clinical study PubMed
- Kumar T, Sanapeti RV, Prasad BS. Evaluation of effect of poultice (Upanaha Sweda) in low back pain (Katigraha): A randomized comparative clinical trial. Ayu, 2019. Randomised controlled trial PubMed