Virechan Therapy - For a strong and healthy gut

Virechan proves particularly effective in hyperacidity, constipation, grahanirog, piles, anemia, jaundice, liver disease, disease of the spleen, chronic fevers, ascites, edema, vomiting, urticaria, filariasis, herpes, asthma, obesity, diabetes, skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis, urinary tract disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation.

The beauty of Panchkarma is that they ensure the detoxification of every cell of the body. While kapha dosha and the respiratory system are best treated by Vaman and Nasya, pitta dosha and the digestive system are purified effectively by the Virechan therapy. Though many people routinely use laxatives at home, hardly anybody knows about the systematic method with which Ayurveda has designed and applied this therapy.

Who can undergo Virechan therapy?

Virechan is given to patients suffering from hyperacidity, constipation, grahanirog, piles, anemia, jaundice, liver disease, disease of the spleen, chronic fevers, ascites, edema, vomiting, urticaria, filariasis, herpes, asthma, obesity, diabetes, skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis, urinary tract disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation.

Who all are not eligible for Virechan therapy?

Virechan tharapy is not recommended for patients suffering from diarrhea, dysentery, fever of recent origin, and bleeding diseases in the stomach (like bleeding ulcers in the digestive system). Pregnant women, people with recent abdominal surgery, children below 16 years of age, and people above 65 are also not allowed to consider virechan therapy.

Materials Needed:

• Suitable fat for internal oleation, like medicated ghee or oil

• Purgative drug, like trivrut, triphala, castor etc.

Preparation of Therapy:

A person willing to undergo Virechan is asked to consume medicated ghee / oil in increasing quantity for 3 to 7 days, depending on the strength of his digestive fire. In addition, he has to drink warm water, have light meals, and stay away from hectic activities during this period. Everyday he is given an external oil massage and fomentation therapy. Once his body gets oiled, he is asked to rest for a day or two so that the toxins mobilized by the above procedure get collected in the digestive tract.

Virechan Therapy:

On the day of Virechan, the person is given a proper dose of the purgative medicine early in the morning. Loose motions start within an hour or so and continue throughout the day. The person is asked to drink warm water to help the cleansing process along.

Post-therapy Care:

After the loose motions stop completely, the person is given light meals for the next few days until his digestive system regains its strength. Then, he’s gradually brought back to his normal routine.

Precautions:

• Proper oleation is necessary to make the therapy successful.

• Dosage of the purgative drug should be decided carefully to avoid excessive dehydration.

Benefits:

This procedure requires almost a week to thoroughly cleanse the whole body, especially the digestive system, urogenital system, menstrual system, and organs of the body, like the liver. Person undergoing Virechan therapy experiences considerable symptomatic relief, if he happens to be suffering from any of the diseases mentioned earlier.

Nityavirechan:

For those who are not in a position to undergo such an intensive therapy, Ayurveda suggests an alternative called Nityavirechan. In this daily purgation therapy, there is no need of oleation or fomentation. The patient is asked to take a purgative drug in proper dosage (preferably at night) and follow a proper food regimen and lifestyle. The following morning, he / she will likely get one or two loose motions. The process is continued for some time until the desired cleansing of the body is achieved.