Panchakarma is the purification and detoxification measure of Vata, Pitta, Kapha ie. aggravated doshas(toxins) comprising five cleansing procedures in the body.The five eliment are space,air, fire, water and earth.
Ayurvedic treatment is based upon various factors causing disease. According to which it is divided mostly into two categories shodhana (a part of treatment used to clean body having large quantum of doshas/toxins) and shamana(part of treatment used to clean body having little quantum).
Panchakarma therapy is one of the types of shodhana.