Vamana is a Sanskrit word that means “vomiting” or “ejecting from the mouth.” In the traditional Indian medical system of Ayurveda, is one of the toxin-eliminating treatments that together are referred to as panchakarma. Vamana is used to treat asthma, allergies, nasal congestion, psoriasis, chronic indigestion, obesity and skin disorders, among others.

The other panchakarma therapies are rakta moksha (bloodletting), virechana (purgation), basti (enema or colonic) and nasya (nasal irrigation). By removing toxins through one of the panchakarma treatments, the Ayurveda doctor tries to balance the doshas, or energies that control the body’s functions.

Vamana is also the name of the fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu.