The following is a typical Pre-PK Preparation program. Your PK coordinator may suggest an alternative program based upon your individual health and physical condition.
Click here for printable version.
The week before your Panchakarma Therapy:
Saturday:
Your diet before PK should favor the Kitchari Diet as per instructions or warm oily cooked food. No cold food or drinks, raw vegetables, dairy nor heavy foods such as meat or bread.
Your daily routine should gradually become less active in the week before Panchakarma.
Sunday:
Continue the Kitchari Diet.
Monday:
Take 1/2 tsp triphala powder (or 2 tablets or 2 capsules) every evening before bed except the night you take castor oil for purgation (usually Friday evening).
** If you have loose stools or diarrhea as a result, reduce or stop the intake of triphala.**
Continue the Kitchari Diet.
Tuesday:
Continue taking triphala every evening.
Continue the Kitchari Diet.
Wednesday:
First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, take 2 Tbs. of warm liquid Ghee. Eat nothing until your hunger has returned.
**If you have elevated cholesterol, instead of ghee, take 2 Tbs. flax seed oil first thing in the morning, 1 Tbs. before or after lunch and 1 Tbs. before or after dinner.**
If you are easily nauseated by oils or if taking ghee causes nausea, add the following spices to the ghee: 1 pinch of salt, 1 pinch of black pepper powder, 1 pinch of ginger powder. Follow by sipping hot water in an amount suitable to your thirst. If you experience serious nausea or vomiting, or are otherwise unable to take the ghee, stop taking the ghee alone. Instead, add the ghee to your food.
Continue taking triphala every evening.
Continue the Kitchari Diet.
Comments: Discontinue all elective food supplements such as vitamins, minerals and herbals. The reason for this is to rest your digestive system. Continue with doctor prescribed medications, according to your doctor’s instructions.
Thursday:
Same as Wednesday except: increase to 4 Tbs. ghee and, for nausea, add 2 pinches salt, 1 pinch of black pepper powder and 1 pinch of ginger powder to the ghee.
**If you have elevated cholesterol, instead of ghee, take 2 Tbs. flax seed oil first thing in the morning, 1 Tbs. before or after lunch and 1 Tbs. before or after dinner.**
Continue taking triphala every evening.
Continue the Kitchari Diet.
Comments: Same as Wednesday.
Friday:
Same as Wednesday except: increase to 6 Tbs. ghee and, for nausea, add 3 pinches salt, 1-2 pinches of black pepper powder and 1-2 pinches of ginger powder to the ghee.
**If you have elevated cholesterol, instead of ghee, take 2 Tbs. flax seed oil first thing in the morning, 1 Tbs. before or after lunch and 1 Tbs. before or after dinner.**
If you are not experiencing loose stools or diarrhea, take 2 Tbs. of castor oil Friday night before bed. It is OK to add the 2 Tbs. of castor oil to a cup of warm ginger tea or warm milk. DO NOT take any triphla this night if castor oil is taken.
Note: If you have loose stools or diaherra, you may take 2 tsp psyllium husks with a large glass of warm water Friday evening before bed.
Continue the Kitchari diet.
Comments: Same as Thursday
Saturday:
If no bowel movements occur all day Saturday from the castor oil taken on Friday night, again take 2 Tbs. of castor oil or take 2 tsp of triphala powder (or 8 tablets or 8 capsules) Saturday night before bed. However, for people who are traveling on Saturday, it is advised to do the castor oil Sunday upon arrival. Or instead of the castor oil on Sunday, triphala could be taken in the normal dose (1/2 tsp of powder or 2 tablets or 2 capsules).
Continue the Kitchari Diet if it is possible. If not, try to eat warm cooked Kitchari like food.
