Virechana is medicated purgation therapy, it is the cleansing of the Pitta and the purification of the blood toxins from the body that are accumulated in the liver and gallbladder; it completely cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. It is a safe procedure without side effects. Generally, it is administered three days after the Vamana treatment but this may vary. If Vamana therapy is not needed, Virechana can be administered directly after purvakarma. Virechan cleanses the sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver and spleen. A number of effective and safe herbs can be used as a laxative. This includes sennsalt, castor oil, raisins and mango juice. When taking these laxatives, it is important to adhere to restricted diet. Benefits of Virechana help root out skin diseases, chronic fever, piles, abdominal tumors, worms, gout, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, asthma, headaches, elephantiasis and gynecological disorders. This karma mainly aims to eliminate doshas that cannot be removed by Vamana karma such as the kidneys, lungs and sweat glands. This elimination process of vitiated doshas through rectum is called Virechana. The drugs used for virechana karma (purgation therapy) vitiate the doshas and bring them into the koshta (abdomen). Purgative drugs are dominant in earth and water elements and have downward movement. The synonyms of virechana are rechan and praskandhan.

Procedure of Virechana The patient should be first subjected to Oleation , Fomentation , Emisis and Samsarjana Karma (post operative) as described earlier. Then start internal Oleation for 3 to 7 days. Followed by medicated Steam bath for 3 days.

A day before Virechana light and warm diet is advised.

Purgative drug should be administerted after 7.00 a.m. i.e : after completion of "Kapha kala" (time).

Administer the standard drug formulations, for producing Virechana.

Factors like disease state, bodymind constitution, age, state of Dosa , person time and mental condition needs to be taken in to consideration.

Hot water in small quantity and "Yastimadu" Phanta is to be given at regular intervals, to induce bouts, while cold water is absolutely contra - indicated.

Following are the diseases for which Virechana karma treatment can be given

1. The Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology continued to consolidate and expand its operations. The Division moved its offices to a new facility located in the Marion Davies Children’s Center 12-430 which allowed for the first time, the faculty members to share the same office space. Important highlights of this year include the establishment of the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for primary immune deficiencies at UCLA. We are proud to be designated as a Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center, the only center of its kind in Southern California and one of a network of Centers of Excellence in Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases across the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
   
   
2. The second important achievement this year was establishing a CCS Center for the care of patients with rheumatologic and related diseases under the leadership of Dr. Deborah McCurdy.
   
   
3. The third important achievement of significance was the development of the Pediatrics Rheumatology Training Program. Dr. Alice Chang has become the first Fellow to join the program. This is in addition to the Allergy and Immunology Training Program which continues to thrive and Dr. Raffi Tachdjian is the first year fellow for 2004-05.
   
   
4. The research activities in the Division have been growing with the establishment of research laboratories located on the B2-393 level and B2-248 – 256 of the Marion Davies Children’s Center. There was continuing clinical research activities by members of the faculty related to eczema and immune deficiencies.