Treatment Insights

A massage to the body with small cotton cloth boluses filled with cooked Njavara rice after a liberal application of medicated oil over the whole body. The rice is cooked in cow's milk and herbal decoction. The boluses are dipped in the same mixture of cow's milk and herbal decoction and applied all over the body to induce sudation (sweat). This procedure is highly rejuvenating, nourishing and prepares the individual to bear the stresses and strains of a busy lifestyle. It enhances physical consistency, strengthens the nervous system and improves the overall appearance of the skin. This is a strengthening fomentation employed in neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis and malnutrition of limbs. Navara rice is boiled and cooked in the mixture of milk and a decoction . This is then packed in cloth and tied into bundle .The patient has to lie on the table on his back after oil application on his head and body. Navarakizhi is heated in the same liquid mixture and taken in a vessel and are applied on patients body after checking the temperature. The therapy is done until the cloth bundle becomes empty.

This therapy begins with the application of suitable medicated oil to the entire body. The body is then subjected to exude profusely through a massage with boluses of chopped and fried leaves of some specific medicinal herbs after dipping in particular medicated oils. This therapy is effective for various kinds of arthritis, Spondylosis, back pain, sports injuries and for all other soft tissue inflammations especially join pains. In Elakizhi instead of herbal powders, herbal leaves is used and procedure is similar to Podikizhi

The body is subjected to exude profusely after a thorough massage with warm boluses of herbal powders tied up in cotton cloth. This therapy helps in curing 'Kapha Vata' predominant conditions of arthritis, back pain, paralysis, muscular pains etc. Fomentation done with a bundle of medicinal powder tied in instead of herbal leaves tied with cotton cloth.

This is a typical deep and dry massage using herbal powders. This massage stimulates hair follicles and subcutaneous fat tissue to break down subcutaneous fat storage. The dry powder massage reduces blood cholesterol, obesity, skin problems, imparts mobility to the joints, strengthens muscles and refreshes the body. The most promising effect is the slimming of the body.

Medicated ghee is retained in a reservoir made over the eyes with black gram paste. This therapy will have a cooling effect on irritated and stressed eyes. This relieves eyestrain, improves eyesight and other eye related problems.

A King among the traditional therapies and a specialty of Kerala! This therapy is a beautiful combination of two classical Ayurvedic treatments, Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation). The whole body is subjected to streams of lukewarm medicated oil with simultaneous soft massage. Enormous amount of medicated oil to the volume of more than three liters is used in this. This therapy protects the body from illnesses and builds up immunity for a healthy life. It is very useful for rheumatic diseases, arthritis, paralysis, sexual weakness, neurological disorders, blood pressure, nervous weakness and helps to arrest the aging process Pizhichil means squeezing. Pizhichil is the process where cotton cloth pieces are dipped in warm medicated oil and squeezed onto the patients body. Here the patient is smeared with appropriate medicated oils on the body and head. Then the therapeutic assistants two on either side of the specially designed wooden table dip clear cotton cloth in warm medicated oil and squeeze in onto the patients body. Like Abhyangam, Pizhichil is also done with patient in seven positions. This process is followed by a bath using a green gram wrap and warm water for the body and lukewarm water for the head.

This therapy will treat the whole body physically, mentally and emotionally while balancing the doshas. Its rhythmic motion helps to relieve joints and muscles from stiffness and makes all body movements free. This stimulating treatment increases blood circulation, which in turn encourages quick removal of metabolic wastes, while providing relief to diseases such as anxiety, fatigue, circulatory disorders, rheumatic and arthritic problems, backaches and injuries. Synchronized massage is also beneficial in preventing wrinkles and scales, curing Spondylosis, Sleep disorders, Paralysis, improving physical consistency, inducing sound sleep, increasing general sense of well being and life span. It improves the complexion and texture of the skin. Abhyangam is application of oil on head and body followed by gentle massage of body by a trained therapist. The patient will be on the special table and will take seven positions like sitting, lying on back and side etc during the treatment. Abhyanga is done as a single treatment and as a preparation for or along with major treatments. The duration of this treatment is 45 minutes, followed by a bath using green gram powder to remove the oil. The physician will decide the suitability of the patient for this treatment and also the oils suitable for him/her. This treatment is done for a day or for any number of days as prescribed by the physician to suit the conditions and the treatment taken along with it.

Luke warm herbal oil is poured in a continuous stream onto the forehead, while receiving a gentle massage on the head. Sirodhara rejuvenates and revitalizes the body and mind. This therapy relieves stress and strain related problems, slows the aging process, improves memory and is known to have a curative effect for paralysis, insomnia, depression, anxiety, hypertention and other neurological malfunctions. It bestows better vision, better hearing, clears nasal problems and calms the body and mind. Sirodhara ultimately strengthens the physical constitution of the individual. In this treatment medicated fluids-oils, milk or buttermilk are poured on the forehead in a special way. The most common method is used with medicated oils. The treatments start with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth piece is tied around the patients forehead to protect oil from dripping to the eyes. Patient is made to lie on the treatment table on his back and tip of the wick hanging from the Dhara pot should be 4 fingers above his forehead. Then medicated oil is poured into the Dhara pot after heating to mild warm condition. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and this is allowed to fall on patients forehead and this is continued for the specific duration. Oil massage is given to the patient along with Dhara.

Same relaxing treatment as Sirodhara but instead of herbal oil, herbal milk is poured over the forehead or over the whole body. Great therapy for people suffering from headaches from Vata and Pitta predominance, Insomnia and mental tension.

Specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured over the lower back and retained inside the black gram paste boundary for the required duration. The healing properties of herbal oils used for this therapy deeply cleans and enriches the blood, builds and maintains strong muscle and connective tissues and lubricates the joints keeping them flexible and pain free. Kativasthi alleviates lower back conditions like Lumber Spondylosis, Inter vertebral disc prolepses, Lumbago (low back ache), and Sciatica.

Luke warm medicinal herbal oil is poured into a cap fitted on the head for 15 to 60 minutes per day. Great therapy for treating paralysis, insomnia, depression, etc. Sirovasti is the most intensive, potent external oil application. Sirovasti is a special technique to administer medicated oil on the head. The patient is made to sit upright on a wooden stool and medicated oil is applied on the body and head. Then a cap made of flexible leather, open on both sides is fitted on the head and the prescribed medicated oil, slightly warm, is poured onto the cap. The oil is allowed to remain inside the cap for about 45 minutes or till the manifestation of proper signs of efficient treatment, which ever is earlier, and drained out. Afterwards the head is wiped with a clean dry cotton cloth. Again medicated oil is applied on the body and head and the patient is given a body bath in warm water. This treatment is done for maximum seven days and requires equal number of days for preparation and for having the post intensive treatments (i.e.21 days are required for a full course).

Takra means buttermilk and Dhara means pouring. This therapy calms the individual down by using medicated buttermilk, which is poured onto the forehead to relieve insomnia, depression and other stress related problems. It prevents greying of the hair, reduces headaches, increases digestive power and alleviates anorexia. In cases of psoriasis, Dhara is performed on the affected area to have a curative effect.This treatment is pouring of medicated buttermilk on the forehead. The treatments start with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth piece is tied around the patients forehead to protect oil from dripping to the eyes. Patient is made to lie on the treatment table on his back and the wick hanging from the Dhara pot should be 4 fingers above his forehead. Then medicated oil is poured into the Dhara pot after heating to mild warm condition. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and this is allowed to fall on patients forehead and this is continued for the specific duration. Oil massage is given to the patient at the end of this treatment.

Vamana is one therapy among 'Panchakarma'- the five fold Ayurvedic detoxification procedures. This process will induce therapeutic vomiting. Prior to this procedure the individual's body will be prepared by proper Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation). This is a very beneficial therapy for Kapha predominating disorders such as asthma, cough, psoriasis and skin disorders.

This therapy is one among Panchakarma which eleminates excess Pitta from the body. Virechana is performed by administering Virechak Aushdhi (purgative medicine) in milk or warm water preparation after proper preparation of the individual through Poorvakarmas. This therapy is extremely beneficial in Pitta disorders such as dermatitis, chronic fever, heartburn, jaundice, etc Virechanam (including purgation) is a sodhana/purificaton treatment. Medicine should be taken on an empty stomach. This is usually done after proper snehapanam and 3 days of fomentation. Medicine shall be in any form, either liquid or powder or oil or jam or decoction. After taking the medicine the patient should drink hot water frequently till bowel movements start. Except hot water no other food shall be taken. The patient has to rest lying on the left hand side. Bowel movements starts with evacuation of solid stools first. After a few times it changes to semi-liquid. If the bowel movements are not satisfactory more and more hot water should be given to induce urge.

A thick layer of cotton wool soaked with warm medicated oil is applied over the affected area. The oil is recycled periodically to make it warm. This therapy is very effective for degenerative and painful problems like Back pain, Osteo-arthritis, Spondylitis, injuries, etc. Pichu is an external oil application, superior to abhyanga in potency. Pichu is done only to the affected parts, like head, low back etc. It is done as a major treatment and a simplified version of it is done along with other oil treatments like abhyanga. A dry cotton cloth having the size sufficient enough to cover the area of application, when folded is taken. The thickness of the folded piece should be preferably that of the palm. A hole is made in the center of the folded cloth to pour oil perodically. Duration of the treatment varies according to the condition and the treatment along with which it is done. This treatment is done for a day or for any number of days as prescribed by the physician to suit the conditions and the treatment taken along with it.

Vasti (administration of medicine through rectum) is another sodhana/purification treatment. Vasti is the treatment where herbal medicines like medicated oils/ decoctions/ medicated milk / ghee is administered through rectum using an instrument called Vasthiyantra. Vasti is of three types - Kashayavasti, Snehavasti and Uttaravasti. Among these Kashayavasti and Snehavasti are most commonly practiced. In Kashayavasti the treatment is done with a combination of honey, rocksalt, oil, herbal paste and decoction In Snehavasti-medicated oil and ghee is administered through rectum. In Uttaravasti, vasti is given through urethral or vaginal tract. A course of both Kashayavasti and Snehavasti. Kashayavasti is Sodhana - it purifies the body by expelling the impure doshas from the body where as Snehavasti is Brimhana - it nourishes and lubricates the body. These two treatments are always used in combination, thus producing a balance of purification and nourishment in the body. In the usual procedure Snehavasti is given first to lubricate the body. This followed by Kashaya to purify the body.

One among the five classical detoxification programme (Panchakarma) and indicated in Vata disorders. The main seat of the Vata dosha is Pakwashaya (large intestine); therefore Vasti, the medicated oil enema, is the main therapy for all Vata disorders such as constipation, neurological ailments, paralysis, flatulence, lower backache, gout and rheumatism. The results nourish and rebuild the Dhatus (body tissues), strengthen their activities, restore and strengthen the body's immunity. This is very nutritive while removing accumulated Malas (toxins) from the colon. The patient should take light food, then oil massage and bath is given. Soon after he should be laid on comfortable cot neither too high nor too low, on his left side, folding his right thigh and extending the other. The enema nozzle is lubricated with oil and apply some oil in the anus also. The instrument is then filled with the medicated oil and introduced into the rectum in the following manner. It should be pressed without shaking the hands in the direction of the vertebral column, neither too fast nor too slow neither with great force nor with low force in just one attempt. After the administration the person should lye facing upward. Then he should be given massage of abdomen, hand and feet. He must lay extending the entire body with a pillow under his heels. Oil should be smeared all over the body so that the sneha does not come out early. In normal case the enema liquid will go out after one or two hours. If the sneha returns properly at the right time the patient should fast at night and can take breakfast next day morning.

It is called douche in simple terms. It is done after the completion of menstrual cycle when the female genital tract is receptive to the administration of medicated formulation. It is indicated in uterine disorders, Bladder disorders, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, primary infertility .3- 5 ml of medicated unctuous formulation can be administered into the uterine cavity by means of a 5 cc syringe guided with a cusco’s speculum. It is done for a period of 7 days with gradual increase of dose of the medicine. In men it is done in urethral disorders and known as Urethral douche.

This therapy is normally done after a course of Sneha Vasti. This is a cleansing enema where a combination of honey, oil, herbal paste, herbal decoction, etc. is administered as per the patient's requirement and condition. This therapy eliminates Vata and helps to treat disorders such as arthritis, constipation, neurological ailments, paralysis, flatulence, lower backache, gout and rheumatism. The medicine for Kashaya vasti is prepared by mixing Honey, Rock salt, Oil, Herbal paste and decoction. First honey and rock salt are mixed in a vessel. Then oil is added and mixed well. This is followed by paste and then decoction is added and mixed. This forms a homogenous mixture of honey, rock salt, oil, herbal paste and decoction. This mixture is filled in a sac made of leather after warming a little by keeping in a hot water. The sac is then tied at the end of the vastiyantra (instrument of vasti). The patient should have taken food in the previous night, evacuated and done ablutions in the morning. The patient has to lye down on a wooden cot. His body must be massaged with oil and abdomen should be warmed up. He should lie down on his left side, flexing the right leg and extending the left leg. The nozzle of the instrument and anus of the patient are lubricated first by applying oil. Then the nozzle is carefully introduced into the anus keeping the patient to relax and breathe out. The leather sac containing medicine is the pressed firmly once and medicine is injected into the rectum. A little of the medicine is left in the sac to prevent air entering into the rectum. Then the patient should lie down on his back after completion of vasti. His abdomen should be massaged gently. When urge to pass stool the patient can go to the toilet and evacuate. If he gets clear bowel movements then the treatment is successful. Afterwards he should take bath in warm water and have food.

A therapeutic treatment for the nose, throat, sinuses and head. The face, shoulders and chest are massaged with specific herbal oil and made to perspire. The Herbal extracts/herbal oil in exact doze is measured and instilled into the nostrils, while inhaling. After this process, the area around the nose, chest, palms and foot are massaged vigorously. This Ayurvedic therapy can provide a miraculous remedy for congestion, allergies, sinusitis, headaches, migraine, rhinitis and other nasal infections. This therapy will cleanse, purify and strengthen the nasal passages allowing you to breathe fully and easily again. This treatment is highly effective for headaches, sinusitis, migraine and rhinitis..
Nasyam: is meant for cleaning the head region. Patient is asked to lie down on his back on a wooden cot placed in a room devoid of breeze. Head should be placed slightly down and legs higher. Body especially head, neck and chest should be massaged with oil and fomentation is given Nasyam is of three types:
Virechana Nasyam: This type of Nasyam treatment purifies by expelling Doshas from the head region. In this type of Nasyam strong medicines are used to expel out the Doshas instantaneously from the head region.
Brimhana Nasyam: This Nasyam treatment nourishes and strengthens the head region, senses and intellectual functions. It builds up the weaker parts and is indicated in Vata diseases of the head like migraine, loss of voice, diseases of mouth, difficulty in opening eyes and difficulty in lifting hand. Meat soup and ghee medicated with herbs are used as medicines.
Samana Nasyam: This type of Nasyam subsidises the increase Dosha without expelling it out. It is moderate, neither too strong not too mild. This is good mainly in conditions like skin discolouration, hair loss, eye diseases, Medicated water and milk can be used for this purpose.
Amount of medicines used: It can be either 4 drops or 6 drops of medicated oil depending upon the Dosha involvement.

Panchakarma, which includes five major procedures, is meant to purify the whole body by eliminating the accumulated toxins from it. This package includes treatments like Virechana (Purgation), Vamana (Emesis), Snehavasthi (Medicated Oil Enema), Kashayavasti (medicated decoction enema) & Nasya (Nasal Administration). The specialty of this treatment is that it can be administered both in a healthy, as well as thediseased person. When a healthy person subjects himself to Panchakarma, it has a preventive, restorative and rejuvenative effect on the body. In the beginning of the therapy, the body is prepared for the actual process of elimination. This is done by the following processes: Deepana and Pachana : The purpose of these treatments is to keep the digestive fire at its best, by means of oral medication Oleation and Sudation are the most important preparatory measures to have Panchakarma (purification therapies).This includes various types of whole body therapies like Synchronized massage, Pizhichil (kayaseka), Njavarakizhi, Choorna swedam, Pathrapotala swedam, etc, can be done both internally as well as externally. Medicated ghees or oils are also administered orally for the purpose of Internal Oleation [Snehapana]. Both these methods lubricate the body channels and loosen the toxins accumulated in the body. Apart from this, localized therapies like Shirodhara, Shirovasti, Greevavasti, Kadeevasti, Nethra tharpanam,Thalam, Lepanam will be also done in specific cases. In the Eliminative Phase, the physician, based upon the condition of the patient's disease, decides the type of the Panchakarma treatment.

An ancient traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest system of health care, with literature going back 5000 years and an oral tradition that is much older. This healing system has been practiced in daily life in India for more than 5000 years.'Ayur' means 'Life' and 'Veda' means 'Science'. Thus Ayurveda is the 'Science of Life'.In Ayurveda, health is a state of spiritual and physical attainment. It is a medical, metaphysical healing life science - the mother of all healing arts. The practice of ayurveda is designed to promote human happiness, health and creative growth. It is the science of daily living and this system of knowledge evolved from the sage’s practical, philosophical and religious illumination which was rooted in their understanding of the creation. Ayurveda helps the healthy person to maintain health and the diseased person to regain health.The body is made up of Tridoshas (Tri' means 'Three' and 'Doshas' mean 'Humours') - Vata is Air, Pitta is Fire and Kapha is Water. Good health means a normalcy in the Tridoshas, balance of metabolic, systemic and excretory functions, all five senses and in the mind and spirit.There are 7 constitutional doshas and each individual falls into any one of these categories They Vata, Pitta Kapha, Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Kapha-Vata, Vata-Pitta-Kapha are- Vata is predominant in Old age, Pitta in the Middle age and Kapha in Childhood. According to the season, Kapha is predominant early morning, Pitta in the afternoon and Vata late at night. For good health, each person has to maintain the balance of their doshas and not aggravate it and an imbalance in them is the cause of illness. It is thus essential to identify one's body type and follow dietary regimes according to the seasonal regimes to maintain optimum health. Ayurvedic treatment helps to restore this imbalance without any side effects. This helps in several conditions including liver disorders, strokes, mental and muscular dystrophy, rheumatic and chronic conditions.