Treatments

An ayurvedic general massage (Abhyangam) is recommended not for a particular disease, but for overall maintenance of health, relaxation and well being. At Heritage Kerala Ayurveda, oils enriched with ayurvedic herbs and medicines are used for massage, to ensure the best of benefits. Active ingredients of medicinal herbs are extracted in the edible grade sesame oil.

Abhyangam is performed by well trained and certified therapists, over a specially designed table (Droni). A consultation with the doctor would be beneficial in assessing one’s body constitution This helps in deciding the appropriate oil and the exact pattern for massage. The massage is performed in 7 different postures and also inclusive of head and face massage.

After the procedure, the person is directed to take herbal steam bath.

The whole body is bathed in streams of lukewarm medicated oil with simultaneous soft massage. Trained therapists attend to the client, using more than three litres of relaxing, medicated oil in this therapy. Doctors suggest the suitable medicated oil out of many, depending on the purpose.

‘Kizhi’ literally means a cotton cloth bolus filled with medicine in the form of powder / paste/ a mixture of medicinal herbs. They are often named as per the ingredients.

Example: Elakizhi (Herbal mixture), Podikizhi (Powdered medicines), Mamsakizhi (Medicines and mutton extract).

They are externally used in a wide range of diseases such as Arthritis, Paralysis, Spastic conditions, Fibromyagia, Sports Injuries etc.

One of the most widely used form of Kizhi is Njavarakizhi.

Njavarakizhi (Shashtika Pinda Swedam)

A generous amount of medicated oil is applied to the whole body with a gentle massage. Njavara rice (a specific variety of rice with high medicinal value) is cooked in a mixture of milk and a herbal decoction and packed in cotton cloth in the form of boluses. Further massage is done with these boluses frequently dipped in a mixture of warm milk and a brewed herbal decoction suggested by the doctor.

Panchakarma literally means ”five therapies”. These procedures, along with their preparatory treatments (poorva karma) and the post-procedural treatments (pashchat karma) form the essence of ayurvedic healing.

The five therapies under Panchakarma are:

1. Vamana Karma (Therapeutic emesis)

Vamanam is advised in Kapha predominant diseases. After preparatory procedures for 5-7 days, vomitting is induced with emetic ayurvedic drugs along with medicinal liquids / milk in large quantities. This treatment is very good for treating bronchial Asthma, Sinusitis, Cough, Psoriasis, Eczema, High cholesterol etc.

2. Virechanam (Therapeutic purgation):

Virechanam is advised in Pitta predominant disorders. After proper preparation of the individual through purva karmas for about 5 to 7 days, Virechanam is done by oral administration of purgative herbs. This treatment is very effective for treating Skin diseases, Acne, Hyperacidity, High blood pressure, Dermatitis etc.

3. Vasthi (Rectal administration of medicines):

Specific medicines in liquid form are administered through anal route under doctor’s supervision, in a wide range of diseases, mostly Vatha predominant. They are of two categories based on the contents:

Kashaya vasthi / Niruha vasthi:

Combinations of herbal pastes along with decoction, salt, honey, oil etc. are administered as per prescription for the patient’s health condition. This treatment is effective for treating arthritis, neurological ailments, paralysis, chronic constipation, flatulence, low-back ache, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, rheumatism, sciatica etc.

Thailavasthi / Sneha vasthi:

This is medicated oil enema, beneficial for neurological ailments, paralysis, lower backache, chronic constipation etc. The treatment nourishes the body tissues (Dhatus), restores and fortifies the body’s immunity. This promotes better nutrition while removing accumulated toxins (Malas) from the colon. Prior to this procedure the individual’s body is prepared by massage and steam bath especially for the stomach and lower back.

Uttara vasthi, though not categorized under Panchakarma, is beneficial in genitourinary and gynaecological disorders. In Uttara vasthi,

medicinal liquids are administered through vaginal / urethral route, under medical supervision.

4. Nasya (Nasal administration of medicines)

Prior to the instillation of medicine, face, shoulders and chest are massaged with specific herbal oil and steam inhalation is done to open up the channels. This treatment cleanses and strengthens the nasal passages, allowing full and easy breathing. This procedure is effective for treating Sinusitis, Headache, Bronchial asthma, allergies, migraine, facial paralysis, Cervical spondylosis, Neuralgia, Hyper pigmentation on face, dark circle around the eyes etc.

5. Rakta mokshana (Bloodletting)

Bloodletting is done with needles, leeches or suction cups. This treatment offers good recovery in Eczema, Psoriasis, Gout, Sciatica and in cases of stagnant blood causing local inflammation etc.

Streaming luke warm medicated oil / medicinal liquid all over the body or focused on a particular area along with gentle massage is termed Dhara treatment. A variety of dhara therapies are in use for different diseases. They are named as per

(a) Medicinal contents

Eg: Thailadhara (medicated oils), Thakradhara (medicines processed in buttermilk), Ksheeradhara (medicines prepared in milk), Kashayadhara (a decoction brewed with herbs) etc.

(b) The body part targeted

Eg: Prishtavamsa dhara (spine), Netra dhara (eyes), Shirodhara (head) etc.

Shirodhara with medicinal oils is one of the most effective therapies used for therapeutic as well as relaxation purpose.

Shirodhara

After a whole body gentle massage with herbal oils, luke warm medicinal oil of choice is poured in a continuous stream on the forehead, from a specific height. The oil runs down along the scalp and hair. Simultaneously the therapist massages the forehead, scalp and hair.

(a) External:

Medicated lukewarm ayurvedic oil is made to retain in a dough ring made of black gram paste over the particular area affected. Some of the examples are:

Kateevasthi (done on low back, in traumatic back pain, disc diseases, spondylosis, sciatica etc)

Greevavasthi (done on back of neck, in cervical spondylosis, disc disease, ankylosing spondylosis etc)

Januvasthi (done on knees, in osteoarthritis, ligament injuries etc)

Shirovasthi (done on head fixing a cap of specific design, in brain related issues)

(b) Internal:

Specific medicines in liquid form are instilled through anal route under medical supervison, in a wide range of diseases. Explained under Panchakarma Therapies.