Virechana is a supervised cleansing in which a herbal purgative is given after the body has been prepared with medicated ghee (Snehapana), oil massage and steam. Bowel movements are monitored, then a graded diet (Samsarjana krama) follows.
Virechana mainly removes excess Pitta from the liver, gut and blood, and is one of the five Panchakarma procedures.
How Virechana is done
- Assessment and fitness check.
- Snehapana: increasing doses of medicated ghee for 3–7 days.
- 2–3 days of Abhyanga and Swedana.
- Virechana day: herbal purgative in the morning, with bowel movements monitored.
- Graded diet from rice water to normal food over several days.
Who Virechana may suit
Virechana may suit chronic acidity, psoriasis, eczema, acne, fatty liver, and Pitta-dominant conditions — decided after assessment.
Precautions before Virechana
- Not suitable for very weak or elderly patients, pregnancy, active bleeding, or acute illness.
- Must only be done under supervision — never at home.
- Tell the doctor about any medicines you take, pregnancy, recent illness, high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems before the therapy. Do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own.
Virechana in Varanasi at Aarogyam Shri Ayurveda
Virechana at our Varanasi (Banaras) clinic is done by trained therapists under the supervision of an Ayurveda doctor, who first checks your Prakriti, current health and reports. The doctor then decides the oils or medicines, the number of sittings and the diet to follow during the course.
