Shatkarma in Integrative Health: From Yogic Purification Roots to Modern Therapeutic Evidence

Shatkarma, the sixfold yogic purification system described in classical Hatha Yoga literature, represents one of the most sophisticated internal cleansing methodologies within traditional Indian knowledge systems. Comprising Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli, and Kapalabhati, these practices were designed to purify the body, balance physiological humors, regulate pranic flow, and prepare the aspirant for higher yogic disciplines. In recent decades, growing global concern over lifestyle-related disorders—including metabolic dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, respiratory illness, and stress-related syndromes—has prompted renewed scientific interest in traditional cleansing techniques. This paper presents an independent scholarly synthesis of Shatkarma, examining its classical origins, procedural dimensions, physiological mechanisms, and emerging clinical applications. Drawing upon traditional yogic theory and contemporary biomedical interpretation, the discussion positions Shatkarma as a preventive and therapeutic adjunct within integrative healthcare. While acknowledging the need for methodological rigor in research and supervised practice in application, the paper argues that Shatkarma offers a structured model of embodied self-regulation capable of contributing meaningfully to modern public health challenges.