21 Days of Panchakarma

Hi, I am Stuti, and I am always confused about what is the most humble and appropriate way of introducing myself. My parents started Amrutam, and while Agnim, my brother and I truly saw the potential of this brainchild of our father. It is always difficult to simply call ourselves co-founders.

For better or worse, this makes me think that perhaps it is humbling and grounding to simply leave the tags and say "I contribute at Amrutam" and I am helping in fulfilling my parents dream of taking Ayurveda to the world. While my father is the true creator of the recipe formulations that have benefitted so many of you. It is my mother who always believed that "Amrutam must become a part of every household in the world" and this is what's keeping me up at night. Cause the goal is big, and the intention of making ayurvedic lifestyle mainstream again - even bigger.

Anyway, thought I’d provide some context here, before we dive into the nitty-gritty of Panchakarma. I have languished and procrastinated for a week just to sit down and write about my experience without any interruptions - a dream come true for anyone working at a start-up. 

So, without further chit-chat, let me dive in straight.

The Panchakarma Experience

For me, Panchakarma was on my bucket list for a while. After all, if I am building an Ayurvedic Lifestyle brand and a global wellness community - I must experience everything I can within the realm of this.

Being such a huge believer in "Thoughts become things". I had just put it out into the universe that if my work allows, I would like to do for a whole course of Panchakarma.

Now, to be honest, I did not even know what it all entailed. I just knew that it is an Ayurvedic treatment to reset your body. One day, on 2 Nov 2024, while doomscrolling, I saw a content creator,  who is also an Ayurvedic expert associated with Amrutam - Salila - posting stories about Panchakarma. This time, without hesitation, I asked her "How much does it cost?"

She told me anywhere between 7K to 10K INR per day per person. I calculated in my head and my instant thought was, "Oh no, that's a little expensive for me". But I continued the conversation, and she told me she offers free consultation related to Panchakarma because she is so passionate about it and wants everyone to try it.

Interestingly, in November, at Amrutam, we had hit our highest sales ever from the day of our existence. I knew, there was no way in the world that I could possibly leave everything and go for a health experience. This is when Amrutam's Marketing team had just one full-time person except me. We were struggling to do Social Media, Ad creatives, Sale, Blogs, and everything that an early stage brand must do - all by ourselves. I couldn't have stranded my only team member, right?

Anyway, I thought to myself, what is the harm? So, I went on a 15 minute call for the Expert Consultation. All I gathered from that conversation was - "It is deep cleansing process of all your organs" and I was like, okay, sounds like something I could possibly do in future.

SPOILER ALERT: After having done the 21 days of Panchakarma - I can tell you it is life-altering. It isn't just a cleanse of your physical body, but also your mind and soul. And it may sound a little supernatural or even shady to you, like a lot of non-believers of Ayurveda, perceive traditional ancient methods to be. But it truly did scrub off the deepest thoughts of my mind - the anger, the sadness, the parts I was never aware were hurting, for most of my being.

Balancing Work and Wellness

In December, around my birthday, my husband and I were visiting Auroville, and we both decided to do another consultation with the same expert. The only pressing concern for both of us was that we can't take such a long work break and would it be possible for us to work while the treatment goes on? How much time does it take away from our regular day and so on? We were nearly convinced, but there was another challenge at work now - the magic of our malts spread like wide fire .We were on the verge of failing to supply our products, the demand grew exponentially.

I visited Gwalior, my hometown, where the Amrutam factory is located. My mentor, Prof. Sunil Handa visited us, and I gathered all the possible resources at one place to address the elephant in the room. How are we going to meet the growing demands of our product in the market? How do we expand our production?

I doubted my Panchakarma plan again. There's no way I can do this now, I will have to postpone it, in order to figure this out. I mentioned to my father that my husband and I were planning to go for Panchakarma and he instantly said, "Take me with you, I need some downtime to meditate, write and slow down". It made sense since he had spent 30 days before my mentor's visit fixing things at the factory and shifting operations to another floor, as one floor wasn't enough. So, I said, "Are you sure we can do this right now?" 

Talk about serendipity - my father recalled an Ayurvedic machine manufacturer based in Kerala that he had known about for over two decades. He had thought in his early days of starting Amrutam - someday, we would get our machines made from a place that had still sustained the traditional authentic methods of preparing Ayurvedic products.

I was still exploring the possible places that we could go to for Panchakarma. It so happened that, the only place that was available for three people happened to be not too far from the machine manufacturer and also the hub of Ayurvedic ingredients and other experts. Agnim, my brother, asked if he could join in too. And then, it was the four of us who decided to go.

We clubbed our Panchakarma treatment with this business expansion trip. Won't fully recommend it, cause working while you are experiencing something so profound and life-altering can get a lot. After 8 days into our treatment, I decided to take it slower than I ever would. The pressure was real because about 30 new people joined our organization in the same week as us starting the treatment.

When we arrived, it was late at night - we ate the dinner, it was just boiled vegetables, soup and ragi vermicelli and I thought to myself. "Okay, this would require some getting used to". Let's just say, when things took off, I craved for the soup and veggies too. Don't wanna scare you off, but this was a little bit of a practice into detachment from the desires that we all have. For me, it is emotional eating, eating when I am bored, eating because I want to watch some show, the list goes on.

The Healing Process

Our first official day, and I was already feeling that Athreya [the ayurvedic center that we did our panchakarma at] had started to regulate my nervous system. With the trees, the canal, the food, the birds chirping, being in the sun and just this sense of feeling connected to mother earth. I had this urge to abandon my footwear and just walk barefoot.

Day 1 - We had our first ever official meeting with Dr. Srijit. I don't know how to describe him - in a nutshell, he's a highly spiritual person, with a lot of knowledge and the blessing of clarity with which he speaks. It's a delight to just watch him speak about anything. So, before we arrived, we had to fill up a form where they ask us a lot of questions related to our health - physical, mental and spiritual. 

Based on the answers in our form, they send us an email confirming the areas they will addressing during our treatment.

The first doctor consultation is to verify whether the issues are still there, are there things that have been missed out, and discuss more in detail about the causes of the issues, lifestyle and the methods we will be using moving forward. Along with a physical examination of inflammation, weight, and most importantly - HOW PINK IS YOUR TONGUE?

While I have been cleaning my tongue with a copper cleaner for years now, I did not the emphasis of pink tongue in ayurveda and how it is a health mirror to whatever goes on inside your body. 

Our first goal was to get rid of the toxins externally - flush it out through

1. Shirodhara - Pouring warm liquids over the forehead for a set period of time. The word "Shirodhara" comes from the Sanskrit words Shiro (head) and Dhara (flow). In the initial days, they used warm buttermilk for me. They later changed the temperature of the buttermilk. In the last week, they changed it to Amla Kashay along with other herbs as my Prakruti started to change.
2. Lepanam -  The topical application of medicated herbal pastes to the affected areas of the body to treat various conditions and promote wellness. 
3. Body Dhara Herbal Body Bath -  A continuous, rhythmic pouring of warm, medicated liquids (like oil, milk, or buttermilk) over specific body areas or the entire body to treat various ailments and promote relaxation. 
4. Massages - In the areas of high inflammation - a massage with medicated herbal oils help flush the inflammatory agents from the body.  Along with Abdomen Massage. They squeeze the stuff stuck in and out of your organs, it can be a lot too. But you start to feel the positive difference slowly.

To be honest, it was a lot. While I have loved massages all my life, I did not know how painful this could be, when they try to drain out the stuck inflammation and ama [toxins] from your body. My neck, shoulder, upper arms - they were all in pain for years and this process was not the same kind of fun one would imagine.

Lepanam - With the herbal paste, initially it had sterilized cow's urine in it as well. Athreya has their own Goshala, and the cows are well fed and they roam freely in the mornings and early afternoons. Eating herbs which lead to the good quality and healing cow urine that Ayurveda has prescribed - as it is very heating in nature, it sucks out the toxins from the skin channels.

Shirodhara was the most pleasant of all. Apart from the massages, this was one thing that was the most consistent for 21 days. Some of my best ideas came during this meditative state. In the early days, I could just pass out. Later, when the desire for sleep reduced naturally [sign of vitality] - I would just feel the herbal water falling on my forehead in a linear pattern - felt like a high that no amount of drugs could take you to.

Detox Procedures in Action

Vaman - Induced Vomiting

They give you this herbal water in a measuring cup of 450-750 ml. I had four of those. And the herb in that water just instantly makes you want to throw up. The water isn't bad tasting, but the urge is just strangely quick. Induced vomiting to cleanse the body and eliminate toxins, primarily addressing Kapha dosha imbalances.

A sudden, undeniable urge to purge like the body knows what it needs to let go of before the mind can catch up.

Here’s what backs it up:

Ayurvedic Science of Vamana

Vamana (therapeutic emesis) is one of Ayurveda’s five major detox procedures (Panchakarma). It is designed to clear excess Kapha dosha, which accumulates in the stomach and lungs, leading to congestion, lethargy, and emotional heaviness.

How the Body Reacts

The herbs used (often Madanaphala, Yashtimadhu, or rock salt-infused water) stimulate the vomiting reflex naturally. Unlike food poisoning or illness-induced vomiting, this process is controlled and intentional—helping the body expel ama (toxins) efficiently.

Why You Feel So Light After

The gut and lungs, both Kapha-heavy organs, are deeply connected. Post-Vamana, people often feel clearer not just in digestion but in breathing, energy levels, and even thoughts. Ayurveda suggests that stored emotions—grief, attachment, heaviness—often reside in Kapha. When the body lets go, the mind follows.

Backed by Ancient Texts & Modern Science

Charaka Samhita states that Vamana is crucial for clearing Kapha-related disorders like asthma, allergies, and sluggish digestion. Modern studies on gut-brain interaction confirm that induced vomiting can trigger parasympathetic responses—essentially resetting the nervous system.

The body holds on to more than we realize. And sometimes, all it takes is a few cups of herbal water to remind it to let go.

Virechana - Induced Diarrhoea

A detoxification procedure that involves taking laxatives to purge out toxins from the body. Diarrhoea or loose motions in simple language. On this day, along with the purging of the "ama" that's clenched onto your digestive systems for years - a lot of emotions can come out too. I felt so many emotions, remembered people that I had not thought about for years. Unconscious mind surfaces and how. When I studied more about this, I found out how deeply valid my experience was aligns with both Ayurvedic wisdom and modern research! It’s a true sharir-manas (body-mind) detox.

SOME OF MY FINDINGS:

• Your Gut Remembers. We often think of detox as just a physical process, flushing out toxins, resetting digestion, and feeling lighter. But Ayurveda knew, long before modern science caught up, that the gut holds onto more than just what we eat. It holds onto memories, emotions, and the weight of years gone by.
• The Gut-Brain Connection: Your gut isn’t just where food is processed; it’s a second brain. With over 100 million neurons, it constantly communicates with your central nervous system. When you cleanse it, you're not just clearing waste...you’re shifting brain chemistry.
• It all influences serotonin and dopamine, the very neurotransmitters that shape our mood. No wonder a deep detox can bring waves of unexpected emotions.
• Ama (toxins) and Virechana: Ama is said to accumulate not just in the digestive tract but also in the mind (manas). Virechana helps eliminate deep-seated physical and mental toxins. Ayurveda links the liver (one of the primary organs detoxified during Virechana) with suppressed anger and emotional baggage.
• Traditional Ayurvedic Texts on Virechana: A 2011 study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine validates what Ayurveda has always said... Panchakarma, including Virechana, isn’t just about the body. It’s Manas Shuddhi, a purification of the mind. Many report feeling emotionally unburdened, as if years of memories and feelings suddenly rise to the surface, asking to be seen.
• Science Backs It Up: The vagus nerve, which connects the gut and brain, plays a crucial role in emotional regulation. Studies show that when the body undergoes deep detox, it can trigger the release of repressed emotions. A physical purge becomes an emotional one.
• Ancient Texts Knew It All Along: Charaka Samhita mentions that Virechana not only removes Pitta dosha but also clears mental fog, emotional distress, and negative thought patterns. Ashtanga Hridayam describes how during deep detox, unresolved emotions may surface as part of the healing process.
• Because true detox isn’t just about the gut. It’s about the self.

Vasti - That’s 50% of Detox

This is a therapeutic enema, basically, they insert a pipe into your anus and administer 700-800 ml of herbal decoction into your intestinal region. While the international visitors were quite disturbed on the days of Vasti, I personally found it to be a rather easy procedure. They put the liquid inside you, and then you get a really strong urge for a bowel movement. You go to the toilet, and everything comes out. The idea is to eliminate accumulated or deranged Vata.

However, in Ayurveda, it is considered one of the most powerful cleansing therapies, especially for Vata imbalances. The doctor would recite a Sanskrit shloka, which meant that Vasti is essentially 50% of the entire Panchakarma process, and if this goes well, then you are good. It helps with conditions like joint pain, dryness, constipation, bloating, and even neurological disorders.

Why Basti is Ayurveda’s Ultimate Detox?

• Charaka Samhita calls it the most powerful therapy for Vata disorders- which, by the way, are linked to 80% of diseases.
• Vata governs the colon, nervous system, and mobility. When imbalanced, it causes bloating, constipation, joint pain, dry skin, and even anxiety.
• Vasti cleanses deep-seated toxins, rejuvenates the gut, and restores Vata balance.

Science Backs It Too

A study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2015) found that Vasti improves gut motility, reduces inflammation, and enhances nutrient absorption. The gut-brain connection means a cleansed colon can lead to better mood, mental clarity, and emotional detox.

Two Types, Two Powers

• Anuvasana Vasti (Oil-Based): Lubricates, nourishes, helps in neurological issues & joint pain.
• Niruha Vasti (Herbal Decoction-Based): Deep detox, best for constipation, bloating & inflammation.

Big Ghee Therapy – The Ultimate Detox & Nourishment

Once all of these were over, Doctor assesed our pink tongue and decided to give us a green signal to Snehapanam or Big Ghee Therapy. One must qualify for big ghee in order to go ahead with this, because it is considered the ultimate combo pack of DETOX and NOURISHMENT therapy.

They keep increasing the dosage from 50 ml on first day, to 100 ml on second day, then 150 ml on third, 200 ml on fourth and 250 ml on fifth day and so on.

I did it for 5 days and And then came the unexpected compliment—
"In seven years at Athreya, you’re the first woman to take such a high dose," said Sudhi, the restaurant caretaker.

I was flattered of course. My skin was oozing of ghee by the time I finished it. My weight dropped 4 kg on the scale and everything felt so greasy inside out. Being someone with extremely dry skin, it was quite a pleasant experience.

I have so much to share about this Big Ghee but my knowledge is limited so I would share only that much. My experience was quite personal and unique to me. I learnt that Ghee and Alcohol are the only two substances that break the blood brain barrier according to ayurveda. Ghee did that and how.

I was given Sukumaram Ghritam and my husband and brother were given Kalyan Ghritam. Small sips of warm water are consumed every 45 minutes in order to make sure it reaches all cells of the body. When you start to develop the hatred towards ghee and you can't stand the sight of it- you know that your body is saturated with it and can no longer take it. This therapy isn’t just about detoxing; it’s a cellular-level rejuvenation process.

Facts Backing Up Big Ghee (Snehapanam) Therapy

Detoxification and Nourishment

Snehapanam is an integral part of the Panchakarma process, preparing the body by liquefying and mobilizing toxins for subsequent elimination.

Medicated ghee functions as a Yogavahi (carrier), enhancing the absorption and efficacy of herbal formulations while nourishing tissues.

Mechanism of Action

Ghee is believed to penetrate deep into tissues, dissolving fat-soluble toxins (ama) and facilitating their removal during later detox procedures.

It promotes oleation of the body, which is crucial for softening and loosening stubborn toxins stored in fat deposits.

Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration

Traditional Ayurvedic texts state that ghee, along with alcohol, is among the few substances that can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially supporting cognitive function and emotional balance.

This property is thought to aid in the rejuvenation of neural tissues and overall mental clarity.

Tailored Formulations

Different medicated ghees are prescribed based on individual needs. For example:

• Sukumaram Ghritam: Often used to improve gut health and hormonal balance.
• Kalyan Ghritam: Typically chosen to support mental clarity and emotional equilibrium.

Hydration and Distribution

The therapy is complemented by regular sips of warm water, which helps ensure that the ghee is evenly distributed throughout the body, optimizing its absorption at the cellular level.

Clinical Observations

Ayurvedic clinical practices have noted improvements in skin hydration, weight regulation, and overall detoxification following a course of Snehapanam.

The dual action of detoxification and nourishment makes this therapy a cornerstone in restoring balance to both body and mind.

These facts are supported by classical Ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, as well as contemporary observations within Ayurvedic practice.

Follow-Up Detox: Virechana and Vasti Again

Then, when this was all over, we were left with just 3 more days there, and without warning or notice, the day we thought the good times were ahead - we were told that we will have to go through a Virechana and Vasti again. While we had already done both 2 times already, we went through a induced diarrhoea and enema all over again, to take the stuff out.

When the body calls for it, a round of cleansing after the big ghee deepens the renewal process, making sure that all channels of life force are free to flow. Virachana for the removal of impurities from the gastrointestinal tract and Vasti cleansing the colon and eliminating toxins lodged in the lower digestive tract.

Repeating these procedures can enhance the overall cleansing process, ensuring that even stubborn toxins are expelled.

Conclusion: The Sacred Dance of Healing

In the sacred dance of healing, every purge and every nourishing drop of ghee unveils a deeper truth. Ayurveda teaches us that true wellness is not merely the absence of toxins but a journey of renewal- a gentle, profound reawakening of the body, mind, and spirit. As we shed the layers of accumulated burdens and embrace the transformative power of Panchakarma, we rediscover the radiant essence within. May this ancient wisdom inspire you to honor your unique path of healing, for in every cleansing breath and mindful step, there lies the promise of rebirth.

Namaste,

Stuti.

Beyond this, there were so many more layers to this experience, and I will be happy to see your comments and answer them there.

Some of the things I have duly noted and have consciously missed out on mentioning in the blog:

• Full moon Kirtan
• Medical Astrology
• Meeting people from different ages, nationalities, some who had done Panchakarma more than 7 times and so.
• Support of the other doctors at Athreya
• My 2 therapists - Vidhya and Devu - who were with me, literally through thick and thin for the 21 days
• The Food in detail
• My visits to Mannarshala, Ettumaloor, Kumarakom, Thrissur, etc