Ayurvedic Therapies
Sodhana/Panchakarma (Detoxification)
01. Vasthi - Detoxifying Medicated Enema
Vasthi, a key Ayurvedic treatment, involves introducing herbal oils, decoctions, or pastes into the rectum to help treat various health conditions. This medicated enema is highly effective for issues like arthritis, paralysis, numbness, digestive problems, rheumatism, and chronic constipation.
There are three main types of Vasthi:
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Kashaya Vasti: Ideal for spinal and joint issues, especially rheumatoid conditions.
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Sneha Vasti: Uses special herbal oils for deeper healing and nourishment.
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Uttara Vasti: Focuses on applying herbal remedies through the urethra or vagina for targeted benefits.
This natural therapy provides relief by addressing the root cause of the ailments, promoting holistic wellness.
02. Vamana - Therapeutic Vomiting for Detoxification
Vamana is a detox method that helps cleanse your body by gently inducing vomiting to remove toxins, especially excess kapha dosha—one of the three main energies that govern your health.
03. Virechana - Purgative Detoxification
Virechana cleanses your body by gently flushing out toxins and balancing doshas through the bowels. This personalized treatment uses remedies like herbal powders, tablets, jams, or medicated oils, carefully chosen to suit your unique needs.
04. Nasya - Nasal Administration for Sinus and Nerve Health
Nasya is a simple practice of applying herbal remedies through the nose to address problems above the neck, clear congestion, and support overall well-being. It helps keep your skin healthy and glowing, strengthens your senses, and even slows down premature greying of hair.
05. Rakthamokshana - Blood Purification Therapy
Rakthamokshana, or therapeutic bloodletting, draws out impure blood to heal certain conditions. Techniques include leech therapy and Hijama (cupping), chosen based on the ailment being treated.
Samana (Alleviating)
01. Abhyanga
Abhyanga is the application of oil to the skin followed by massage in a specific direction. This Ayurvedic treatment is beneficial for enhancing energy flow, improving skin texture, combating sleeplessness, alleviating fatigue, and addressing other conditions primarily related to the vata dosha.
02. Dhaara
Dhaara involves the pouring of medicated liquids or oils onto a specific part or the entire body below the neck. This can be done using medicated oils, milk, or decoctions to suit the patient's needs.
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Tailadhaara: Tailadhaara entails pouring warmed oil over the entire body or specific areas in a prescribed manner, aiming to nourish the body.
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Ksheeradhara: Ksheeradhara utilizes lukewarm medicated milk poured over the entire body to enhance blood circulation, relax the mind, lubricate joints, and relieve muscle and joint pain.
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Dhanyamladhara: Dhanyamlam, a medicated liquid, is created by boiling rice, lemon, dry ginger, horse gram, herbs, and millets. It is then poured over the patient's body for 30 minutes continuously with the help of two masseurs, used to treat various conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory issues, muscular sprains, obesity, and thyroidism.
03. Snehapaana
Snehapaana involves the oral intake of medicated or non-medicated ghee or oil for a specified period without mixing it with food. It is commonly administered before Vamana or Virechana treatments.
04. Swedana
Swedana is the induction of sweating for therapeutic purposes, often serving as a preparatory procedure for Panchakarma or as an independent therapy. Medicated steam is used to induce sweating, which aids in opening the body's channels and promoting relaxation.
05. Udwarthana and Utsaadana
Udwarthana is a procedure that involves massaging the entire body below the neck with herbal powders in a direction opposite to the orientation of body hair. Utsaadana, a variation of Udwarthana, involves mixing the powder with liquid medicines like takradhaanyaamla or leaf juices and is used for massaging the entire body to eliminate excess fat.
06. Shirodhara
Shirodhara involves the continuous flow of oil onto the patient's forehead. The liquid medication is poured into a pot and then gradually trickled onto the patient's head from a specific height. It is commonly employed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and various neurological, psychological, and psychosomatic disorders.
07. Takradhara
Takradhara is a variation of shirodhara in which medicated buttermilk and other kashaayas are poured in a continuous stream over the patient's forehead, typically prescribed for conditions related to kapha and pitta aggravation such as skin disorders, diabetes, and stress.
08. Sirovasthi
Sirovasthi involves pouring oil onto the patient's head, allowing it to remain there for a specified period, depending on the patient's condition. This treatment is highly effective for addressing facial paralysis, dryness in the nostrils, mouth, and throat, severe headaches, and other head-related ailments.
09. Thalapothicil
Thalapothichil is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment from Kerala involving the application of a medicated paste to the head using a specific procedure. It is effective in treating conditions like insomnia, hypertension, chronic headaches, skin diseases of the scalp, premature greying of hair, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
10. Karnapoopana
Karnapoopana involves pouring oil into the ear, allowing it to remain for approximately three minutes. It is performed in a lateral position, filling one ear at a time after a thorough examination to avoid complications in patients with tympanic perforations.
11. Karnadhoopana
Karnadhoopana is a unique procedure that uses medicated fumigation for the ears and throat to address related disorders.
12. Gandusha and Kavala
Gandusha involves holding oil or decoctions in the buccal cavity for a specific period, while Kavala consists of gargling lukewarm liquids in the mouth and throat. These procedures are effective for clearing oral cavity diseases.
13. Podikizhi
Podikizhi induces perspiration through the application of heat using heated herbal powder pouches, particularly useful for reducing inflammation.
14. Elakizhi
Elakizhi involves inducing perspiration using heated packs filled with specific herbal leaves. It is effective in treating bone, joint, and nervous system disorders, enhancing blood circulation, relieving stiffness and pain, improving muscle strength, and enhancing skin complexion.
15. Navarakizhi
Navarakizhi induces perspiration using heated medicated rice pouches. It is effective for knee pain, addressing issues related to knee degeneration, inflammation, and ligament tears.
16. Jambeerapindasweda
Jambeerapindasweda utilizes a medicated bolus prepared with lemon and herbal medicines for sudation, often prescribed for patients with conditions like sciatica, gout, spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint stiffness, and swelling.
17. Kativasti
Kativasti involves retaining specially prepared warm medicated oil in the lumbar or sacral region for about 30 minutes within a specially formed frame. This treatment is highly effective for spinal disorders, back pain, lumbar spondylosis, intervertebral disc prolapse, sciatica, and more.
18. Januvasti
Januvasti is a treatment in which specially prepared warm medicated oil is retained in the knees for about 30 minutes within a specially formed frame. It is particularly useful for knee pain associated with degeneration, inflammation, and ligament tears.
19. Lepa (Lepanam)
Lepa involves the application of medicated herbal paste to targeted body parts. This treatment is effective for alleviating inflammatory conditions, improving skin complexion, and managing pain, with the paste's thickness adjusted to suit the severity of the condition. When applied to the face, it is referred to as Mukhalepam.
20. Netratarpana and Putapaaka
Netratarpana involves retaining medicated ghee in the eyes, and it is primarily intended for non-inflammatory conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to proceed with this treatment only in the absence of redness, excessive tearing, pain, irritation, or discharges from the eyes.
21. Pichu
Pichu is a therapeutic method that entails the application of medicated warm oil to a specific affected local area. This treatment is particularly effective in addressing various conditions related to the brain, spinal issues, and trauma-related ailments.