purvakarma

purvakarma (pōōrˈ·vä·kärˑ·m),

n in Ayurveda, the two-step preparation of the body before Panchakarma, which includes a specially prescribed diet and ingestion of oil, followed by an oil-based massage, and sweating by heat treatment. Purvakarma is performed to loosen ama, cool the irritated doshas, open blocked srotas, and lubricate the passages of malas. See also Panchakarma, ama, doshas, srotas, and malas.