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Introduction: Panchakarma, the quintessence of Shodhana Chikitsa in Ayurveda, is a comprehensive therapeutic approach aimed at detoxification, disease prevention, and management of chronic illnesses. While modern medicine often emphasizes curative measures, Ayurveda gives equal priority to preventive health through Panchakarma. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using Ayurvedic classics (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya) and modern biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, AYUSH Research Portal, and Google Scholar). Literature published between 2000–2024 was screened. Inclusion criteria were review articles, clinical trials, conceptual studies, and experimental research on Panchakarma’s preventive and curative roles. Non-English and duplicate studies were excluded. Results: Classical texts describe Panchakarma as essential both for maintaining dosha equilibrium in healthy individuals (swasthasya swasthya rakshanam) and for treating diseases (aturasya vikara prashamanam). Evidence supports preventive roles such as enhancing immunity, delaying aging, and improving metabolic resilience. Curative applications include significant benefits in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, metabolic syndrome, liver disorders, neurological conditions, and stress-related diseases. Mechanisms identified include modulation of gut microbiome, immune response, oxidative stress reduction, and neuroendocrine regulation. Discussion: Panchakarma bridges preventive and therapeutic dimensions of healthcare. Its holistic cleansing approach has parallels with modern detoxification and disease prevention strategies. However, challenges include lack of standardization, methodological gaps in clinical trials, and insufficient biomarker-based validation. Conclusion: Panchakarma embodies a dual role—preserving health and curing disease. Integrating its principles with modern preventive medicine can contribute to sustainable global healthcare strategies.

KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Curative therapy, Panchakarma, Preventive medicine, Shodhana