A selection of interviews and magazine pieces that name Dr Parth Sudhir Mahajan. Hotel and travel articles are about the place of practice and include his role there. Interviews and profiles Travel + Leisure — COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos. Jackie Cooperman, 11 March 2019. Pulse diagnosis and the Ayurvedic consultation at the Shambhala spa. Engel Ayurpura — Ayurveda and Lightness, a conversation with Dr Parth in the Dolomites. Healing Holidays — Wellness Experts at Engel Ayurpura, 21 July 2024. PRLog — New doctor takes the helm at Engel Ayurpura. Press Spears — Engel Ayurpura review, 16 August 2025. A consultation with Dr Parth, including pulse, tongue and a personal plan. Liz Earle Wellbeing — A five-day Rasayana stay, Holly Treacy-West, 3 December 2024. Pulse diagnosis on the first day. Corriere della Sera Style — Spa ayurvediche in Italia. Pulse diagnosis at Engel Ayurpura. Interni Magazine — Ayurveda nelle Dolomiti. Wellbeing Magazine — Sacred Stillness in the Dolomites. FOUR Magazine — South Tyrol's winter sanctuary, 1 September 2025. Condé Nast Johansens — Engel Ayurpura, the medical Ayurvedic retreat in the Dolomites. The Gram Journal — Sleep retreat in the Dolomites. Neue Wege — Ayurveda cures in the Dolomites.

Water retention in Ayurveda is read as shopha, a swelling that can sit in the ankles, the face or the fingers. Modern medicine calls the same sign oedema. The two names are not the same diagnosis. One describes a pattern of fluid, digestion and channels. The other describes fluid that has left the vessels and settled in the tissues. People search this because a ring is tight by evening, socks leave a mark, or the face is puffy on waking. Most of that is ordinary. Some of it is not. This article is for understanding the pattern. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not a reason to start a diuretic herb on your own. Why water retention and swollen ankles happen Fluid stays in the blood when salt, blood protein, the heartbeat and the return through veins and lymph are in balance. When that balance shifts, fluid leaks into the spaces between cells. Gravity then pulls it down, which is why swollen ankles are the usual first sign of water retention. A salty meal holds water with the sodium. Long sitting or a flight slows the calf muscles that pump blood back to the heart. Heat widens vessels. In the days before a period, hormonal shifts change how the kidneys handle salt. Some medicines do this as a side effect, including calcium-channel blockers, steroids, some anti-inflammatory drugs and hormone treatments. Less often, swelling is the first outward sign of the heart, the kidneys or the liver. A clot usually swells one leg, not both. Sudden local swelling can also come from allergy or infection. How Ayurveda understands shopha Ayurveda does not start with the ankle. For water retention it asks why fluid is being held. A heavy, cool, slow quality, close to kapha, tends to collect. If agni is low, food is not fully processed, and the residue, ama, can obstruct the channels. Mutravaha srotas carry urine. Ambuvaha srotas carry water through the body. When either is sluggish, the person may feel puffy, stiff in the morning and dull after meals, with a coated tongue. Classical texts place punarnava among the herbs for shopha and for moving urine. That is a clinical reading, not a translation of heart failure or kidney disease. A kapha pattern can still need a blood test, a urine test or a look at the heart. Ayurveda is most useful for the ordinary, repeating kind of water retention, and for asking what in food, routine and season is feeding it. What helps water retention, and why Walk, and use the calves. They are a pump. Sitting for hours lets fluid pool, which is why swollen ankles are worse after travel. Ease very salty, ultra-processed food for a few days rather than fearing salt itself. Sodium holds water. A sudden extreme restriction is unwise on blood-pressure medicine. Raise the legs in the evening so gravity works the other way. Notice heat, alcohol and long standing. All three widen vessels or slow the return of fluid. Ask whoever prescribed a new medicine whether swelling is a known effect before stopping anything. In Ayurvedic care the first match is often a lighter evening meal, warmth without stagnation, and support for digestion before a diuretic herb. Panchakarma is considered later, for the right person, not as a first answer to puffy ankles. Are Ayurvedic herbs for water retention scientific? Not all of them. A herb can be traditional and still unproven for this complaint. Ayurveda chose plants by taste, quality and observed effect. Modern research asks a narrower question: does this extract, at this dose, change a measured outcome in people? Most classical herbs have not passed that test for oedema. Punarnava, Boerhavia diffusa, is the plant most often named for shopha. Animal work and a small number of human observations show a mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, and it is the Ayurvedic herb listed as a diuretic in the Indian Pharmacopoeia. One small clinical comparison in mild high blood pressure found it lowered pressure, which fits a fluid effect, but that is not proof it treats swollen ankles. Gokshura, Tribulus terrestris, is used for the urinary tract. Evidence that it reduces tissue swelling in people is weak. Coriander seed and barley water are kitchen remedies. Dandelion leaf has a few small studies showing a short rise in urine output. None of these replaces care for the heart, kidneys or liver. None should be taken beside prescribed water tablets unless a clinician has checked the combination. Diuretics, herbal or pharmaceutical, can shift potassium and blood pressure. Tradition is a reason to study a plant, not proof that it works for you. When water retention should not wait See a doctor promptly if swelling is one-sided, painful or red, if it comes with breathlessness or chest pain, if weight rises quickly over a few days, if urine becomes much less, or if swelling appears in pregnancy. Those are not problems for a herbal tea. A practical close If the water retention is mild, both ankles, worse by night, and tied to salt, sitting, heat or the cycle, movement and food are the first useful steps. If it is sudden, one-sided, or comes with breathlessness, it needs a medical examination first. Ayurveda can then ask why this body holds water. Consultations with Dr Parth Mahajan are in the Dolomites and online, from the contact page of this site.

Perhaps the enduring beauty of Panchakarma lies beyond any one procedure. It lies in its rhythm. First, prepare. Then soften. Then warm. Then eliminate what the physician has determined should be eliminated. Then stop. Rest. Feed the digestive system gently. Observe. Rebuild. Return to the world slowly. Modern life teaches us almost the opposite rhythm. When we are tired, we add coffee. When we cannot sleep, we add stimulation until bedtime and then look for something to make us sleep. When our schedule becomes impossible, we squeeze another obligation into it. When the body whispers, we become louder. Panchakarma begins with a very different proposition: Sometimes restoration begins not by adding something new, but by creating space. The ancient physicians described that space in the language of dosha, agni, srotas and shodhana. Modern researchers may describe what they find there through metabolomics, microbiology, lipid profiles, autonomic physiology and clinical outcome scores. The languages are different. They do not have to be artificially made identical. The exciting work lies in allowing each to ask the other better questions. And perhaps that is the most intelligent way to approach Panchakarma today—not with blind belief, and not with automatic disbelief, but with respect for its classical depth, curiosity about its biology and enough scientific humility to distinguish what we know from what we are still learning. A person entering Panchakarma may remember the warm oil, the fragrance of herbs, the simple food or the strange luxury of doing very little. But beneath those sensory memories lies something much older: a medical tradition built around the idea that healing sometimes requires preparation before intervention, intervention before nourishment, and quiet before renewal. Thousands of years later, that is still a question worth investigating.

There is a particular moment during Panchakarma when the world seems to become quieter. Meals are simpler. The phone is put away more often. Warm oil touches the skin. The smell of herbs and ghee begins to belong to the day. Sleep comes a little earlier. The body, normally asked to digest food, information, emotion, caffeine, deadlines and noise all at once, is suddenly being asked to do less. And that, perhaps, is the best place to begin understanding Panchakarma. It is often introduced today as an Ayurvedic "detox." But Panchakarma, as described in the classical texts, is something more sophisticated than a weekend cleanse or a collection of spa therapies. It is a carefully sequenced system of preparation, purification and recovery. The Sanskrit word Pancha means five and Karma means actions or therapeutic procedures. In classical Ayurveda, these procedures belong to Shodhana Chikitsa—therapies intended to eliminate aggravated doshas rather than merely pacify them. The Charaka Samhita gives extraordinary importance to this distinction. It suggests that when disturbances are merely pacified they may reappear, whereas appropriately performed Shodhana attempts to address them more deeply—using the beautiful analogy of removing a plant from its root rather than repeatedly cutting its shoots. Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 16.17–21 describes the traditional benefits of properly conducted purification in terms of restoration of agni, clarity of the senses and mind, strength, complexion and health. These are classical Ayurvedic claims and should be understood within that medical framework rather than interpreted automatically as modern biomedical outcomes. There is also an important detail frequently missed in popular descriptions of Panchakarma. In Charaka Samhita, the five principal procedures are Vamana, Virechana, Asthapana or Niruha Basti, Anuvasana Basti and Shirovirechana or Nasya. In many later and contemporary teaching traditions, the two major forms of Basti are grouped together and Raktamokshana—therapeutic bloodletting—is presented as the fifth procedure, drawing particularly on the strong surgical tradition of Sushruta. For clarity, we will use the five commonly recognized cleansing approaches: Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and Raktamokshana. But the Panchakarma journey actually begins before any of them. It begins with Ghee and Oil.

A dramatic cleanse makes a better photograph. A bowl of thin rice gruel does not. And yet classical Ayurveda gives enormous importance to what happens after purification. Following stronger Shodhana procedures, food is often gradually reintroduced through a regimen called Samsarjana Krama. Think of digestion after intensive cleansing like a fire reduced to glowing embers. You would not throw a heavy wet log onto those embers and expect a beautiful flame. You begin gently. Traditionally, simple and easily digestible preparations are introduced first, and the diet is progressively rebuilt according to the person's digestive capacity and the intensity of purification. This reveals something profound about Panchakarma. The treatment is not merely about elimination. It is about what the body is able to do after elimination. Panchakarma therefore has three broad movements: preparation, the principal procedure, and restoration. The quiet days afterward are not an inconvenience between the cleanse and normal life. They are part of the medicine.

Raktamokshana is probably the Panchakarma procedure most strongly associated with the surgical tradition of Acharya Sushruta. Literally, the term refers to the controlled letting or removal of blood. Different classical techniques existed, including venesection and scarification, but one of the most remarkable is Jalaukavacharana—the application of medicinal leeches. The Sushruta Samhita devotes an entire chapter, Sutra Sthana Chapter 13, to leeches: their selection, application, observation and aftercare. Sushruta regarded leech application as a comparatively gentle method of bloodletting for selected individuals. To a modern reader it may sound like medicine from a distant world. And then one discovers that medicinal leeches never entirely disappeared from modern medicine. The U.S. FDA currently recognizes medicinal leeches as a medical product for a very specific modern indication: helping tissues affected by venous congestion, particularly where prolonged localized bleeding may assist graft or tissue healing.

Then there is Nasya. The patient lies with the head appropriately positioned. The face may first be gently prepared with warmth or massage. A carefully selected medicated oil or other preparation is introduced through the nostrils. It seems deceptively simple. Yet Ayurveda attaches enormous importance to this route. One of the most memorable lines associated with Nasya comes from the Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 20: “Nasa hi shiraso dvaram” — the nose is the gateway to the head. Classically, Nasya is used particularly in disorders involving the region above the clavicles. Different forms may have cleansing, pacifying or nourishing intentions, depending upon the formulation and dose. Here, ancient observation meets a particularly interesting area of modern pharmacology. Modern medicine recognizes the nasal mucosa as an important route for local and systemic drug delivery, and specialized intranasal formulations are being researched for access to the central nervous system. Nasya and migraine research Nasyam A 2023 double-blind randomized controlled study from India's National Institute of Ayurveda examined Nasya using two viscosities of Vrihatajivakadya oil in 90 patients with migraine. Participants received six drops per nostril for 14 days. Both groups improved on migraine disability and migraine-specific quality-of-life measures, with the medium-viscosity preparation showing greater improvement. No adverse events were reported in the trial.

There is an old Ayurvedic reverence for Basti that is difficult to appreciate until one understands the importance Ayurveda gives to Vata. Vata represents movement: movement of the limbs, breath, intestinal contents and, within the classical model, many forms of physiological communication. And among the Panchakarma therapies, Basti is considered the principal treatment for Vata. Charaka gives Basti extraordinary importance, describing its therapeutic scope in Siddhi Sthana and traditionally comparing its importance to a very large share of the physician's therapeutic armamentarium. Basti involves administering carefully prepared medicinal substances through the rectal route. But calling every Basti simply an "Ayurvedic enema" is rather like calling every intravenous treatment "water through a vein." The route describes only part of what is happening. Two major classical forms are especially important. Niruha or Asthapana Basti is predominantly decoction-based and has a stronger evacuative or cleansing intention. Anuvasana Basti is predominantly oil- or lipid-based and is more unctuous and nourishing. Charaka actually counts these two Basti forms separately when enumerating the classical five Panchakarma procedures. Different formulations and treatment schedules are selected according to the patient's condition rather than using one universal "detox enema." What might modern medicine investigate here? The rectum is a genuine route of drug administration in modern pharmacology. Substances delivered rectally can produce local effects and, depending on the compound and site of absorption, systemic effects as well. That fact alone, however, does not prove every traditional systemic claim made for Basti. Ayurvedic formulations are chemically complex, and we still need pharmacokinetic and mechanistic studies showing which compounds are absorbed, in what quantities and with what consequences. Clinical research nevertheless provides some interesting signals. A study involving 118 people diagnosed in the Ayurvedic framework with Amavata, clinically compared with rheumatoid arthritis, randomized participants to treatment with an Ayurvedic oral formulation either with or without Matra Basti. Both groups improved, while the group receiving Basti plus oral treatment showed greater relief in many of the measured signs and symptoms.

If Vamana moves upward, Virechana moves downward. Virechana is therapeutic purgation—the medically supervised induction of bowel evacuation using selected Ayurvedic preparations. In traditional Ayurvedic reasoning, Virechana is particularly associated with Pitta, whose qualities include heat, sharpness and transformation. Again, it is tempting to translate the procedure into modern language and call it simply a laxative cleanse. That misses much of the classical idea. The preparation before Virechana, selection of the purgative, timing, observation of the number and character of evacuations and the food given afterward all form part of the treatment. The goal is not uncontrolled diarrhoea. It is a measured therapeutic response. A fascinating question: what happens to the gut ecosystem? Modern research has begun asking questions that the ancient physicians could never have measured directly. One small clinical study examined Virechana and intestinal bacterial patterns in 19 people with obesity. Stool samples were analysed before and after treatment. Researchers reported alterations in the colonisation pattern of aerobic gut bacteria, including changes involving E. coli, alongside clinical changes.

Vamana: The Cleansing That Moves Upward Of all the Panchakarma procedures, Vamana is perhaps the one modern readers find most surprising. Vamana is therapeutically induced emesis. But there is an important difference between Vamana and simply making oneself vomit. Classical Vamana is a planned medical procedure. The patient is assessed and prepared beforehand; specific substances are administered at a particular stage; the physician observes the response during the procedure; and recovery is carefully managed afterward. In the Ayurvedic framework, Vamana is particularly associated with excessive or aggravated Kapha. Kapha possesses qualities such as heaviness, stability, coolness and unctuousness. When these qualities become excessive, Ayurveda associates them with certain patterns of congestion, heaviness and excessive secretions. Vamana provides what Ayurveda describes as an upward route of elimination. There is something almost architectural about the Panchakarma philosophy: Ayurveda does not simply ask, What should be removed? It asks, Where is it situated, what qualities does it possess, and what is the most appropriate direction through which it should leave? What does research tell us? Researchers from India's Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences and collaborating institutions have examined physiological and biochemical changes during Vamana in healthy volunteers. They monitored parameters including blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature and biochemical variables before, during and after the procedure specifically to begin understanding its physiological effects and safety margins. This type of research matters because Vamana produces a substantial acute physiological event. Its safety cannot be assumed simply because the procedure is ancient. The existing research does not yet allow us to say that therapeutic emesis removes specific modern "toxins" from the body. Nor should Vamana be attempted as a home detox technique. What research does show is that Vamana produces measurable physiological responses that can be documented systematically. Future controlled trials need to determine which clinical conditions, if any, benefit most and how patient selection affects outcomes. The classical texts themselves were equally concerned about selection. Entire sections of Charaka Samhita Siddhi Sthana are devoted not only to correct administration but to contraindications and complications of improperly administered Panchakarma. That is an important reminder: classical Ayurveda never treated "more cleansing" as automatically better medicine.

Before Cleansing Comes Preparation: Snehapana Imagine trying to clean an old brass vessel. You could scrape forcefully at everything stuck to its surface. Or you could first soften what has accumulated, loosen it gently, warm the vessel and only then begin cleaning. The physicians of classical Ayurveda approached the body with a somewhat similar logic. Before major Shodhana, the patient is usually prepared through Purvakarma. Depending upon the individual, this can include measures to support digestion, followed by Snehana, or oleation, and Swedana, therapeutic heat or fomentation. Snehapana means the internal administration of an unctuous substance—most commonly specially selected or medicated ghee, although classical Ayurveda describes several forms of Sneha. Charaka devotes an entire chapter, Snehadhyaya in Sutra Sthana 13, to oleation. Near the end of the chapter comes a remarkably clear sequence: First oleation.Then sudation.After adequate oleation and sudation, purification may be performed. That order is explicitly stated in Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 13.99. Why give ghee before cleansing? In Ayurvedic physiology, Snehapana is not simply "eating fat." The quantity, substance, timing and number of days are selected according to factors such as agni—digestive capacity—koshtha, or bowel tendency, the patient's strength, constitution, disease and the purification procedure planned afterward. Traditionally, Snehana is understood to produce softness and unctuousness and to help prepare aggravated doshas for their movement toward the gastrointestinal tract, where the appropriate Shodhana procedure can eliminate them. Then Swedana—the controlled application of warmth—is used. One can picture the classical intention as softening, mobilising and guiding before eliminating. This is also why casually drinking large quantities of ghee at home is not equivalent to clinical Snehapana. What has science studied? A 2021 study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine investigated escalating Snehapana with ghee in 29 healthy volunteers. Researchers measured body parameters and lipid profiles before and after the procedure. Interestingly, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL did not significantly increase. Triglycerides and VLDL decreased in this small group, along with reductions in abdominal circumference and body weight. That is intriguing, particularly because one might intuitively expect large quantities of ghee to worsen blood lipids. But the study was small and lacked a conventional control group. It should therefore be considered preliminary physiological evidence, not proof that high-dose ghee is beneficial for everyone. What it does demonstrate is something valuable: traditional procedures such as Snehapana can be studied using modern laboratory measurements rather than discussed only in philosophical language. And once the preparation is complete, the physician chooses the appropriate route of cleansing.

Living with chronic health issues can feel like a never-ending battle. You try different treatments, medications, and diets, but relief often seems just out of reach. What if there was a way to address your health concerns by treating the whole person - body, mind, and spirit? That’s where Ayurveda shines. This ancient system of medicine offers holistic health solutions that focus on balance and natural healing. Let me take you on a journey through Ayurveda’s wisdom and how it can transform your well-being. Discovering Holistic Health Solutions through Ayurveda Ayurveda is not just a treatment method; it’s a lifestyle. Rooted in Indian tradition, it emphasises harmony between your internal environment and the world around you. The core idea is simple: health is a state of balance among the three doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When these energies are in sync, your body functions optimally. But how do you achieve this balance? Ayurveda offers personalised approaches based on your unique constitution. For example: Diet tailored to your dosha : If you have a Pitta imbalance, cooling foods like cucumbers and melons help calm inflammation. Daily routines (Dinacharya) : Simple habits like oil pulling, tongue scraping, and meditation can detoxify and rejuvenate. Herbal remedies : Natural herbs such as Ashwagandha and Turmeric support immunity and reduce stress. These are not just quick fixes. They are sustainable practices that nurture your body over time. Imagine waking up feeling refreshed, your digestion smooth, and your mind clear. That’s the power of holistic health solutions. Ayurvedic herbs and spices for holistic health Why Choose Ayurveda for Chronic Health Issues? Chronic conditions often require more than symptom management. Conventional medicine sometimes overlooks the root causes or the interconnectedness of body systems. Ayurveda, on the other hand, digs deeper. It asks: What is causing this imbalance? and How can we restore harmony naturally? Take arthritis, for example. Instead of just prescribing painkillers, Ayurveda looks at inflammation, diet, lifestyle, and mental stress. Treatments might include: Panchakarma detoxification : A series of cleansing therapies to remove toxins. Abhyanga massage : Warm herbal oil massages to improve circulation and reduce stiffness. Yoga and breathing exercises : To enhance flexibility and calm the nervous system. These therapies work together to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Plus, they come with fewer side effects than many pharmaceuticals. If you’re tired of band-aid solutions, Ayurveda offers a refreshing alternative. It empowers you to take control of your health with natural, time-tested methods. What is the health and wellness program? You might wonder, what exactly does a health and wellness program based on Ayurveda look like? It’s a personalised plan designed to address your specific health challenges while promoting overall well-being. Here’s what you can expect: Comprehensive assessment : Your Ayurvedic practitioner evaluates your dosha, lifestyle, diet, and medical history. Customised treatment plan : This includes herbal supplements, dietary guidelines, detox protocols, and daily routines. Regular follow-ups : To monitor progress and adjust treatments as needed. Mind-body practices : Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises tailored to your needs. Education and support : You learn how to maintain balance and prevent future imbalances. This program is not a one-size-fits-all. It’s a journey of self-discovery and healing, guided by expert care. The goal? To help you manage chronic health issues effectively and regain vitality. If you want to explore such a program, consider health wellness solutions that integrate Ayurveda’s wisdom with modern needs. Integrating Ayurveda into Your Daily Life Adopting Ayurveda doesn’t mean overhauling your entire lifestyle overnight. Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference. Here are some practical tips to get started: Morning rituals : Wake up early, drink warm water with lemon, and practice gentle stretches. Mindful eating : Choose fresh, seasonal foods that suit your dosha. Avoid processed and heavy meals. Hydration : Sip warm herbal teas throughout the day to aid digestion. Stress management : Incorporate meditation or deep breathing for at least 10 minutes daily. Sleep hygiene : Go to bed early and create a calming bedtime routine. Remember, Ayurveda is about listening to your body’s signals. If you feel sluggish, adjust your diet or routine. If stress builds up, prioritise relaxation techniques. Over time, these habits build resilience and improve your overall health. Ayurvedic herbal tea for daily wellness Embracing Traditional Methods and Genuine Herbal Medicines One of Ayurveda’s greatest strengths is its reliance on natural, herbal medicines. These remedies have been used for thousands of years and are backed by both tradition and emerging scientific research. For chronic health issues, herbs like: Ashwagandha : Reduces stress and boosts energy. Turmeric : Powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Triphala : Supports digestion and detoxification. Brahmi : Enhances cognitive function and reduces anxiety. These herbs can be taken as powders, capsules, or teas. But it’s crucial to use them under professional guidance to ensure safety and effectiveness. Dr. Parth S. Mahajan, with his expertise in Ayurveda, offers personalised treatments that combine these genuine herbal medicines with traditional therapies. His approach in Goa and the Dolomites, Italy, is designed to help you manage chronic conditions naturally and holistically. Take the First Step Towards Holistic Well-being Are you ready to experience the transformative power of Ayurveda? Don’t wait for your health to decline further. Embrace a path that honours your body’s natural rhythms and healing potential. Explore health wellness solutions that offer personalised Ayurvedic care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, digestive issues, or stress, Ayurveda provides tools to restore balance and vitality. Start today with small changes. Consult an Ayurvedic expert. Commit to your well-being. Your body and mind will thank you! Remember, true health is not just the absence of disease but a vibrant state of balance and harmony. Ayurveda invites you to rediscover that balance and live your best life.