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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Shirovasti in Kerala Ayurveda

Shirovasti

This is one of the most important of all external use of Snehana (oil application). Certain lukewarm Ayurvedic / herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head for 15 to 60 minutes per day according to the patient’s conditions for a period of 7 days. This is highly effective for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, burning sensation of head and other vata originated diseases. Certain lukewarm medicated oil is applied to the entire head. A leather cap is then placed on the head to maintain the temperature. Its effects are marvelous in neuralgia, hemicranias, optic atrophy, deafness, facial paralysis and all diseases affecting the cranial nerves.

Benefits:

• Reduces Anxiety and Stress
• Bestows liveliness to the organs. A clear voice and firm jaws and strength to the head
• Reduces dryness of the mouth and nose
• It is prescribed in clinical conditions like Head ache, Ear ache, humming in the ear and ailments connected with Vata in the head

This treatment is effective for migraine, deafness, diseases affecting cranial nerves, facial paralysis, insanity, diseases and wounds etc. In fact this treatment is good for all diseases.

Thakradhara in Kerala Ayurveda

Thakradhara

Dhara is a method of Kerala special treatment. Many such distinctive and excellent forms of treatments, not practiced in the other parts of India are conducted by the Kerala Physicians.

Thakra is dhara with buttermilk added with herbs. This is a cooling therapy to the head with medicated buttermilk, just as in the case of shirodhara.

This treatment is specific for  psychosomatic diseases such as insomnia, depression, psoriasis and other stress related problems.

This treatment prevents graying of  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.

Shirodhara in Kerala Ayurveda

Shirodhara in Kerala Ayurveda

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is a method of Kerala special treatment. Many such distinctive and  excellent forms of treatments, not practiced in the other parts of India are conducted by the Kerala Physicians. A continuous stream of medicated warm oil/herbal decoctions/medicated milk/buttermilk is poured onto the forehead for 45 to 90 minutes. This procedure often induces a mental state similar to a trance, which creates profound relaxation of the mind and body. It deeply relaxes and revitalise the central nervous system. Shirodhara gives the best results when taken after an Abhyangam. Dhara is good for all ailments. Changing the liquid as per the Dosha condition with necessary alterations in the procedure is useful to alleviate any Dosha.

Shirodhara has been used to treat a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, greying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, and certain types of skin diseases like psoriasis.

It is also used non-medicinally for its relaxing properties. Recent research studies have shown that Shiro Dhara results in Vaso Dilation (dilation of blood vessels) in the brain enabling increased supply of oxygen to the blood cells.

Benefits of Shirodhara:

• Strengthens central nervous system (CNS)
• Strengthens sensory organs
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Decreases hypertension
• Offers sound sleep

This special treatment is an effective remedy for  mental diseases, headache, nervous disorders, insomnia, blood pressure, general weakness ,epilepsy, diabetic neuropathy, paralysis, urinary diseases and particularly in the diseases of organs above neck.

Abhyangam, the Kerala Ayurvedic Massage

Abhyangam, the Kerala Ayurveda Massage

Abhyangam is part of the purvakarma or preparatory measure of Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda. It is an ancient oleation therapy, traditionally given by two therapists, who work in tandem, synchronizing their strokes and massage according to the circulatory and marma points upto sixty minutes. Detoxifying sesame oils are chosen according to one’s illness. Usually this is done in seven standard positions. It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda, especially in the Kerala tradition.

This is a form of treatment for various age related and other common disorders. Some of the advantages are pain relief, improved blood toxins, joint circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility, athletic performance and emotional benefits. Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompanies arthritis. With Ayurvedic massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released into the system for elimination through natural toxin-release processes.

Benefits of this treatment are the following:

• Improves blood circulation
• Rejuvenation of whole body
• Beautifies skin
• Delays aging
• Induces sound sleep,  promotes vitality and reduces stress
• Removes toxins

This treatment  is for persons with problems of obesity, diabetes, skin diseases etc. It is also good for stress relief, better blood circulation, nervous stimulation and muscle toning for general good health. It is also ideal for post delivery/natal care.