Kerala Ayurvedic Treatment Center, Annanagar,Chennai-600040

AYURVEDIC THERAPY TREATMENTS

(a). Snehapanam

Snehapaana means drinking the sneha or the unctuous material like ghee (clarified butter), sesame oil, animal fat or marrow. However ghee (clarified butter) is most commonly used. This is the first step in the preparation of the person for an intensive cleansing of the system by vamana (inducing vomiting) or virechana (inducing purgation) procedures an dhelps in destabilizing the doshas (causative factors for diseases) pathologically accumulated. Swedana (inducing perspiration) that follows make the destabilized doshas to flow to the intestines for elimination. The prescribed dose of medicated ghee is given in the morning on empty stomach followed by a cup of hot water. Food, in prescribed quality and quantity, is allowed only after manifestation of proper hunger after this. The dose of ghee is usually minimal on the first day and increased everyday based on the response to the previous dose. This treatment is done for a maximum of seven days or till the appearance of physical and mental symptoms of saturation of the ghee in body, whichever is earlier.

(b). Pizhichil

In pizhichil, lukewarm medicated herbal oil is poured all over the body. This treatment is very effective in rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, spondilitis, hemiplegia nervous weakness and nervous disorders. This treatment is prescribed not only for rheumatic ailments (vatic disorders) but also for many other diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, fits, convulsions etc. It is very effective In asthma and even in tuberculosis in early stages. This is mainly "Snehana" Lubricating treatment. This treatment is also suited for rejuvenation, vigor and vitality and diseases like psoriasis.

(c). Shastika Pinde Swedam (or) Njavarakizhi

Shastika Pinde Swedam or Njavarakizhi is the most rejuvenating treatment in which, the patient anointed with suitable oil all over the body and is massaged with boluses of Navara in seven different postures. Navara is a special variety of rice, which has to be stored for a whole year before use. It is cooked in medicinal decoration with milk in to a pudding, which is made to boluses tied up in muslin cloth. This treatment is useful in all kinds of rheumatism, paralysis, polio congenital deformity of limbs, dislocation of bones and joints etc. Trained therapists do it for about 1 to 1.5 hrs.

(d). Choorna Swedam (or) Podikizhi

"Choorna Swedam" or "Podikizhi" is a treatment in which 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. Based on condition it can be done with either medicated oil or special liquids like Dhanyamla.

(e). Thaila Dhara

Thaila dhara is an Ayurvedic treatment method, which includes the continuous pouring of medicated oil over head for up to 45 minutes. It is prescribed as a cure to insomnia, schizophrenia, epilepsy, migraine, and problems caused to ear, ears, nose, throat, and head. Taila dhara soothes the nervous system.

(f). Kadivasthi

Kativasthi is a simple and unique Ayurvedic therapy which involves retaining warm Ayuvedic oil over the affected area bordered with herbal and dough paste, followed by a gentle massage. The Ayurvedic oil and the herbs will be chosen depending on the bodily constitution, doshas and the health disorder of the person.

(g). Shiro Dhara

Shirodhara is a classical and a well-established ayurvedic procedure of slowly and steadily dripping medicated oil or other liquids on the forehead. This procedure induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a dynamic psycho-somatic balance. In this process, some herbal oils, medicated milk, medicated butter milk etc., are poured on the forehead in a particular method using a special pot, for about 45 minutes 1 hr a day. This treatment is effective for diseases above the neck, insomnia, impaired memory, spondylitis, paraplegia, nuero -disorders, stress & strain, fatigue and lack of vitality. This treatment also stimulates nerves, reduces stiffness and is proven to be effective for rheumatoid arthritis.

(h). Ksheeradhara

Ksheerdhara treatment refers to flow of herbal milk instead of oil poured over head and body. It is similar to shirodhara, however since it has cooling effects on body it is more suited for the summer months or conditions that needs cooling or relaxing effects. Ksheerdhara is indicated in following health conditions Sarvangadhara is dhara (streaming) over the whole body and part of the Purvakarma therapies help loosen up the toxins prior to the main course of treatment.Milk, especially cow's milk is the liquid used for Ksheeradhara. In some occasions, buffalo milk also can be used. In both cases herbal decoctions are also added with fresh milk. At least two well-trained attendants are necessary to carry out this treatment effectively.

The treatment is carried out in all seven standard positions. Ksheeradhara is recommended for diseases caused due to disrupted vata humour.

(i). Avagaha Swedam

Performing fomentation in a tub filled with medicated decoctions etc., is known as Avagaha Swedana. After anointing the body with medicated oils the patient is asked to lie or sit in a tub containing Luke warm decoctions upto neck level.

(j). Greevavasthi

In this procedure specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured over the neck 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. Greevavasthi alleviates neck and upper back conditions like cervical spondylosis, stiff neck, pain due to over strain, etc.

(k). Panchakarma

Panchakarma is one of the unique therapeutic procedures in Ayurveda advocated for the radical elimination of disease causing factors and to maintain the equilibrium of doshas. As the wastes are eliminated from the body, the person becomes healthy.It is used in deep-rooted chronic diseases as well as seasonal imbalance of tridoshas, tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, and nerves and purifies the blood.

Literally Pancha means five and Karma means action. The five fold measures include internal purification of the body or Vamana (Emisis), Virechna (Purgation), Vasti (Enema), Nasya (Nasal Insufflation) and Raktha Moksha. It is acknowledged as an excellent method to maintain health and to slow down the aging process.

(l). Vamanam

This is the specific treatment for vitiated "KABHA" -one of the tridoshas. The patient is made to vomit under controlled conditions. The emulsified and detached diseased doshas are eliminated from the body by Vamamnam, Virechanam and Nasyam. Indications are Haematurea, several skin diseases, Diabetes, Abscess Erysipeles, Bronchial Asthma, Elephantiasis, Chronic cough, Tuberculosis, Certain ENT disorders etc.

(m). Vireechanam

Virechanam is the method of cleaning and evacuation of the bowels through the use of purgative medicines. It eliminates excess bile toxins from the mid zone of the body. Hence for many of the digestive ailments, people resort to this form of treatment. Ulcers, IBS, gastritis, intestinal colic, jaundice, kidney complaints, hypertension, hysteria, asthma, etc. are treated well by virechanam. Virechanam constitutes one of the treatments of Panchakarma.

(n). Vasthi

Vasthiis the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with vasthi.The process involves application of certain herbals oils, herbal extracts etc., through the rectum daily.

(o). Nasyam

A cylindrical leather cap of about ten inches height and both ends open fixed in position by means of cloth belt two to three inches in width tied around the head and black gram paste used for plugging the holes and filling the gaps. Suitable medicated oil heated to a bearable degree is poured within and allowed to remain for 1 to 1.5 hours, until the oil trickles " down through the nostril. This treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth and the throat, severe headaches and other vatha (rheumatic) -originated diseases.

(p). Rakthamohshanam

Raktamokshana[Bloodletting] by application of medicinal leech [Jalaukacharan] is described in ayurveda by Sushruta. Leech application is the safest method of blood letting. Skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, leucoderma respond very well to this treatment. It is also used for the treatment of wounds, ulcers and varicose veins for improvement of peripheral blood circulation.

(q). Netrakarmas

Netrakarmas These are the localized treatments of the eye. These are a set of treatments done on the eye to rid the patient off the particular disease. They are mainly of five types" Aschyotana, Seka, Anjana, Tarpana and Putapaka. Some authors add vidalaka and pindi to the list thus making it to a total seven.

(r). Aschyotana

Aschyotana is the process of instilling medicinal drops into the eyes. This process is the first step in any eye ailment. Normally 1 to 2 drops is instilled at a time.

(s). Seka

Seka is the continuous pouring of medicinal liquids - sneha, kwatha, ksheera etc on the eye for a specified time. Seka is more powerful than aschyotana in its potency. The application of drugs in the eyes using a 'shalaka' or with the clean fingertips is termed anjana. Three types of preparations are there for doing anjana karma. They are: 'Churna', 'Rasakriya' and 'pindi'.

(t). Tarpana & Putapaka

In Tarpana and Putapaka, medicines in liquid are made to stand on the eye within a rim around the orbit made of 'Urad daal paste'. The drug used for each is different though 'ghrita' and 'putapaka rasa' are the methods used respectively. Akshi Tarpan - Holding medicated ghee over eyes and surrounding areas for particular period.

(u). Vidalaka

Vidalaka It is the external application of ground medicines on the eye lids.

(v). Pindi

Pindi is the medicated pad used for bandaging eye in certain conditions. All the procedures have specific schedules. There are a lot of conditions to be maintained during the application of these types of medicines. Other methods of treatment are also used according to the gravity of the disease.

Feel free to call us book an appointment for your treatments with us. Stay Healthy & Stay Happy