Vamanam Ayurvedic Treatnent

You will be asked to wake up early, usually by 5:00 to 5:30 am. The therapy typically begins around 6:00 am. Start your day with a calm and peaceful mind.

First, you will undergo a mild full-body oil massage (Abhyanga) followed by herbal steam therapy (Swedana). This helps in loosening the toxins and encouraging Kapha to move toward the stomach, where it can be expelled easily.

After this, you will be taken to the Vamana treatment room. You’ll be seated comfortably on a chair that is positioned in front of a large basin or bucket to collect vomit. You should enter the room with a pleasant and calm mindset.

Before starting, a small prayer is often offered for success and well-being during the therapy.

All preparations should be completed by early morning (around 7 am), and the actual Vamanam procedure is done step-by-step as follows:

Materials Required:

• A large basin or vessel to vomit into
• Medium-sized vessels (2) for preparing and storing medicine
• Steel glasses (250 ml capacity – 2)
• Tablespoon – 2
• Grinding stone
• Stool – 1
• Chair with armrest
• Cotton cloths – 2
• Hot water bath vessel
• Stove
• Karpooradi or Haridradi varthi for Dhoomapana
  
• Medicated oil

Vamana Dravyas (Medicines Used):

1. Madanaphala choorna (Emetic Nut) – 3 to 5 grams
2. Vacha choorna – 5 grams
3. Yashtimadhu choorna – 7.5 grams
4. Honey – 15 grams
5. Saindhava lavana – as required
6. Milk – 4 to 6 litres (lukewarm)
7. Hot water – for sipping

Step-by-step Procedure:

• You are advised to be seated on a chair facing the vomiting basin kept on a stool.
• First, 6 glasses of lukewarm milk are given. This helps in easy vomiting and protects the inner lining of the stomach.
• Then, the emetic medicine is mixed and administered orally.
• You will be advised to sit calmly and focus on the sensation of nausea.
• Signs of impending vomiting include:
  
  1. Salivation
  2. Heaviness in the chest
  3. Sweating
  4. Goosebumps
  5. Nausea
• As soon as the signs appear, vomiting starts.
• Another person will support the your head and side body while he bends forward and vomits into the basin.
• A gentle upward massage is given over the back and stomach to ease the process.
• If vomiting doesn’t occur naturally within 48 minutes, you may tickle your throat using a clean finger or a soft tube carefully.
• In between, more warm milk or water may be given as needed.
• Vomiting should be continued until the signs of proper Vamana appear. This includes:
  
  1. Pitta comes at the end (yellowish or greenish bile)
  2. Feeling of lightness in body and chest
  3. Sweating
  4. Clear throat
  5. Exhaustion and relief

Duration and Monitoring

The number of rounds varies for each person and is decided by the physician based on:

• The content and appearance of the vomitus
• Your physical strength and comfort
• Your mental clarity and alertness

Usually, 3 to 7 rounds are done. It is not necessary to complete all 7. Once the physician observes the proper cleansing signs, they may decide to stop the therapy.

Complications Management

If the procedure is not done properly or in unsuitable individuals, complications may occur. Some common ones and their Ayurvedic management are:

1. Vomiting of blood (Haematemesis):
    – Treated with Laja tarpana (nourishing gruel), cold milk
   
   
2. Feeble pulse, dizziness, fainting:
    – Treated with Siddha makaradhwaja mixed with honey and betel juice
    – Drakshadi kashaya and Dhanwantharam gulika
   
   
3. Inadequate vomiting (Heena Vega):
    – Given Pippali choorna, Amalaki choorna, Sarshapa choorna, and Lavanodaka (salt water)

Post Operative Procedure

After Vamanam, the patient washes his face and takes rest. The following steps are important:

• Dhoomapana – Herbal smoke inhalation using Haridradi or Karpuradi Varthi to clear leftover Kapha.
• Complete physical and mental rest for 1–3 days.
• Sometimes, in the afternoon, you may be advised to undergo Nasyam, a nasal cleansing therapy using herbal drops or juices. This further helps in clearing the head region.
• Samsarjana Krama – Special diet plan starting with thin rice gruel (Peya), then thicker gruel (Vilepi), and finally normal food over 3–7 days. The digestive fire (Agni) is weak after Vamanam, so a light diet is crucial for recovery. So by around 9:00 am, if you feel tired or hungry, a special drink or light rice gruel will be given to provide gentle nourishment. When you feel hungry again later in the day, light food like porridge or thin rice soup will be served.

What to Expect After the Procedure

• You may pass loose stools or have mild diarrhoea, which is completely normal.
• Some people may also vomit once or twice again after returning to their room. This is not a complication; it shows that the body is continuing to cleanse itself.
• If you are unable to vomit at all during the procedure, your physician will assess the situation and may use other Panchakarma methods to support detoxification, such as Virechana (purgation) or other internal medicines.

Throughout the Vamanam process, the doctor and therapists will stay with you, giving instructions and ensuring that you are safe and comfortable. Everything is done gently and professionally.