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Can anyone tell me if panchakarma can help me if I've just been sick and need to detox my body. If it is a good thing then how do I do it. Can I just read up and do it or do I need to do it with someone or a teacher perhaps?

Definitely - if you've been sick Panchakarma (five actions) can help you cleanse and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. It is known for its beneficial effects on overall health, wellness and self-healing. It cleanses the body of toxins, bringing balance into your system and improves bodily function. It can also help you sustain this process by making positive changes in lifestyle.

I've only heard about it when you go to an ayurvedic practitioner (Ie. not doing it at home) - but others might know more than me.

I believe that panchakarma is not done at home by yourself but always in an ayurvedic clinic, under a constant supervision of an professional ayurvedic practitioner. Panchakarma consist of five therapies, but it is the auyrvedic doctor who decides which therapy to use who whom, depending on the body type, illness, season and many other conditions and factors.

On the other hand, I think that the yogic shatkarmas (cleansing therapies like kunjal or shankaprakshalana) can be done at home by yourself once you have learned them from an experienced teacher.
Swami Satyananda's book Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha talks about them in great detail.
Hope it helps.

This is interesting Viparita - thanks for this and for the book recommendation. I have noted that it is mentioned quite a bit in this forum. Maybe something I need to buy!