Panchakarma

Two ideas govern Panchakarma. Disease arises from imbalance or excess amam (toxins) in the body, and rejuvenation is needed to return the body to equilibrium. Treatment falls into two categories: Shodhana, which detoxifies and contains the spread of amam, and Shamana, which heals and sets the body on the path to revitalisation.

Later, Sushruta and his school combined the two Vasti techniques into one and added Raktamokshana (blood-letting), holding that impurities in the blood are a major cause of illness.