Kerala Ayurveda explained

The fundamentals of Ayurveda as being practiced and taught in Kerala are not different from those of the rest of the country, in their essence and philosophy. But there is a notable difference in certain aspects of Kerala tradition of Ayurveda. This due to the importance given to Vagbhata’s Ashtangahridayam in preference to other classical texts by Kerala traditional physicians, the uninterrupted history of practicing the classical Panchakarma therapies in all their authentic modalities, the innovative development of the reputed Kerala preparatory therapies and the varieties of exclusive herbal formulations used by the Kerala physicians.

Another very important contribution by Kerala physicians is the continued practice and enrichment of the Panchakarma therapy. Even when they became defunct in the rest of the country due to socio-political reasons, Kerala retained this therapeutic wealth in all its pristine essence. Texts were written here on its practical aspects. More importantly, the famous Kerala special therapies were evolved by the practitioners here. They are essentially preparatory in nature. Dhara, Pizhichil, Navarakkizhi, etc are typical examples. As the practice of Ayurveda expanded in popular acceptance in the recent past, these treatment modalities have also become more prevalent.

There are several unique herbal formulations described in Kerala texts. Many of them have now received national level acclaim and they are included in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. One important aspect of Kerala formulations is that they emphasize more on herbal components rather than on metals or minerals. There is also the history of Ayurvedic physicians developing some areas of specializations like pediatrics, ophthalmology, martial therapy, etc.

Kerala has modulated many Aayurveda therapies to suit the needs of patients and to cure diseases. They include synchronized massage therapies and fomentation. Abhyngam, Pizhichil, Navarakkizhi, Shirodhara, Shirovasti, Pichu are some of the special Kerala Ayurveda treatments that aim at providing rejuvenation, longevity and relaxation to the stressed and strained. Panchakarma treatments like Kashayavasthy, Snehavasthy, Nasyam, Virechanam and Raktamoksham all are widely practiced in the Kerala Ayurveda system.

Ailments treated in Ayurveda

Ailments treated:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back Pain
• Cervical Spondylitis
• Constipation
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Disc prolapsed
• Eczema
• ENT Disorders
• Frozen shoulder
• Gastrointestinal Problems
• General Weakness
• Genitourinary Infections
• Gout
• Gynecological problems
• Hypertension
• Immune problems
• Kidney stone
• Bladder Stone
• Liver diseases
• Nervous disorders
• Obesity
• Paralysis
• Piles or Hemorrhoids
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatic Problems
• Sciatica
• Sinusitis
• Skin diseases
• Sleep disorders
• Stress related problems
• Traumas

Ayurveda Packages at a glance

	Skin Care Package includes: Back Pain Package includes: Abhyangam Udwartanam Lepam (Body pack) Mukhalepam (Face pack) Shirodhara Virechan Kativasti Podikizhi/Ilakizhi Vasti Avagaham
	Arthritis Package includes: Insomnia Package includes: Podikizhi/Ilakizhi Lepam Dhaniamla dhara (local) Abhyangam Vasti Shirodhara Talam Talapothichil Sirovasthi
	Obesity Package includes: Rejuvenation Package includes: Udwartanam Kshara Vasti Shirodhara Abhyangam Steam bath Abhyangam Pizhichil Navarakizhi Shirodhara
	Spondylosis Package includes: Psoriasis Package includes: Podikizhi/Ilakizhi Greeva Vasti Shirovasti Nasyam Taila Vasti Niruha Vasti Abhyangam Takra Dhara Lepam Vaman Rakta Moksham
	Allergy and Asthma Package includes: ENT Disorders Package includes: Udwarthanam Takra Dhara Virechan Vasti Vaman Nasyam Gandhoosham/Kabalam Shirohara Shirovasti Vaman
	Migraine Package includes: Piles Package includes: Shirodhara Nasyam Talam Shirovasthi Vaman Avagaham Vasti Ksharasutra Agnikarma
	Body Purification Package includes: Abhyangam Pizhichil Udwartanam Vaman Virechan Vasti Raktamokshna Nasyam
	Blood Purification Package includes: Spine & Neck Care Package includes: Abhyangam Pizhichil Udwartanam Virechanam Raktamokshana Kativasti/Greeva Vasti Avagaham Navarakizhi Abhyangam Vasti
	General Massage Package includes: Gastrointestinal Disorders Package includes: Abhyangam Steam Bath Kizhi Snehapanam Virechanam Vasti Vaman

Rejuvenation Treatments in Kerala Ayurveda

Rejuvenation treatments tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases ‘Ojas’ (primary vitality) and improves ‘Sattva’ (mental clarity) and thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and face massage with medicated oils and creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand and foot, internal rejuvenation medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.

1. Body Immunization And Longevity Treatment (Kayakalpa Chikitsa): Prime treatment for retarding the aging process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunization of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50. 2. Body Sudation (Sweda Karma) Medicated steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily. Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles. 3. Body Slimming Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, an Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc., are part of the programme. 4. Beauty Care: Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifies the body. 5. Mental And Physical Well Being (Meditation and Yoga) Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the body and mind – designed to hone your concentration, improve health and help attain peace of mind through eight stages of training : Disciplined behavior (yama) Self purification (niyama) Bodily postures such as the lotus position (asana) Control of breathing (pranayama) Control of the senses (pratyahara) Fixing of the mind on a chosen object (dharana) Meditation (dhyana) and Samadhi – a state of being where you experience absolute tranquility and well-being. 6. Overall Fitness (Panchakarma Treatment) A five fold treatment, Panchakarma, for mental and physical well-being – tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.

Netra Tarpanam for Eye Care

Netra Tarpanam

Ayurveda treatment for the Eyes by application of medicated oils is know as Netra Tarpanam. In this procedure, the patient is made to lie on his/her back on the dhroni and Medicated ghee is then poured gently into the patients eyes and later in the process the eyes will be open and closed for couple of times under the supervision of the physician.

Benefits:

• Relieves the strain due to constant glaring to the computer & TV screen
• Helps in preventing early formation of Cataract
• Reduces pain and burning sensation in the eyes
• Offers a good relaxation and cooling effect to the eyes
• It is very useful in conditions like Dry Eye
• Syndrome, Chronic Conjunctivitis, Corneal Ulcer and Glaucoma

Udwartanam for Obesity

Udwartanam

This is a specialized herbal treatment for weight reduction. A herbal paste or powder is applied all over the body and deeply massaged with specific movements by two therapists for one hour.

Benefits:

• Toning the skin and muscle after child birth
• Removes Cellulite
• Weight reduction
• Imparts good complexion to the skin
• Revitalizes the sense of touch
• Removes Kapha toxins from the body

This is the treatment for weight reduction in Ayurveda.

Podikkizhi and Ilakkizhi

Podikkizhi/Ilakkizhi

General treatment in the Ayurvedic health program, especially for inflammatory conditions of the bones and joints, arthritis, spinal problems, sport injuries.

In these treatments,  herbs, leaves or powder of herbs are being applied along with warm oil all over the body. Duration: 45 minutes each day for a week up to two weeks.

Benefits:

• Relieves pain, numbness and edema
• Controls vitiated Vata
• Improves peripheral blood supply
• Cures diseases like arthritis, paralysis and convulsions
• Stimulates the nerve endings

The above therapy is effective for various kinds of arthritis, Spondylosis, muscular pains, back pain, sports injuries and for all other soft tissue inflammations especially joint pains.

Navarakkizhi in Kerala Ayurveda

Navarakkizhi

Navarakkizhi, Kerala’s unique contribution to Ayurveda, is a fomentation of the body with blouses of cooked rice. Shastika or navara is a particular kind of rice known for its nutritional value. The rice is first cooked with milk and herbal decoction made of kurumthotti, a herb. Four blouses are made of the cooked rice and are tied up in linen bags. The fomentation begins with the patient sitting straight on the dhroni with legs stretched. The masseurs on either side perform the fomentation process in an identical manner. The movement of the hands during both fomentation and massage should always be downwards. This therapy is done in seven standard positions.

Benefits:

• Strengthens the body
• Rejuvenate the tissues
• Improves muscle tone
• Improves blood supply by cleansing the channels of circulation
• Effective in curing diseases of the nervous system and others such as chronic rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout, emaciation of muscles, numbness and diseases caused by vitiation of blood
• Makes the body strong and sturdy
• Nourishes the body and increases immunity
• Promotes sharpness of vision and functions of other sense organs
• Slows down aging, premature graying of hair, baldness, appearance of wrinkles over the body and other ailments caused by aging
• Gives softness to the body by improving the health of the skin

This is a strengthening fomentation employed in  all kinds of neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis  congenital deformity of the limbs, dislocation of bones and joints etc.

Pizhichil in Kerala Ayurveda

Pizhichil

Pizhichil, which literally means squeezing, is a unique contribution of the Kerala tradition of Ayurveda. Here, cloth dipped in warm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body. Trained attendants under the supervision of a physician perform the treatment. The attendants squeeze the oil with their right hand and simultaneously massage with their left hand in down ward strokes. The patient should be made to adopt the seven standard positions so that no area of the body is left uncovered. Though it is actually a process of sudation used as a purvakarma (preparatory treatment), it has also proved to be highly effective on its own for treating diseases caused due to the vitiation of the Vata humour, especially Pakshaghata (hemiplegia), paralysis, muscle spasms and other degenerative diseases affecting muscles.

Benefits:

• Relieves body pain and muscle spasms
• Helps preserve and promote optimum health
• Helps in the healing of fractured bones
• Increases immunity and prolongs life span
• Promotes development of muscles
• Improves skin complexion
• Anti aging and rejuvenating
• Ensures better blood circulation
• Alleviates the burning sensation in the body
• A soothing and relaxing procedure

Prescribed in clinical conditions like Paraplegia, Hemiplegia and other Vata dominant ailments.

Kativasti for Back Pain

Kativasti

Kativsti is the most effective treatment for lumbago or lower back pain. In this process,  specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the lower back with herbal paste boundary. This treatment lasts for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Benefits:

• Relieves pain in sciatica and inter vertebral disc prolapsed
• Relieves low back pain
• Stimulates and nourishes nerves relieving pain and numbness

Kati Vasti alleviates lower back conditions like Lumber Spondylosis, Inter Vertebral Slip Disc, Lumbago (low back ache) and Sciatica.

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