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Ayurveda,
the ancient science of life evolved in India, emphasis is not only on physical
and mental health but spiritual health too. According to Ayurveda, the treatment
is not just for the illness or the affected area, but the individual as a whole,
based on Thridosa - Vatha, Pitha & Kapha. The vitiated Doshas are the Prime
causative for a disease. The basic principle of treatment in Ayurveda is centered
in bringing back the vitiated Doshas to normal state of equilibrium.
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Treatments:
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treatments are classified into Sodhana Chikilsa (purification therapy) and Shamana
chikilsa (Palliative/Alleviating therapy) | | |
Sodhana Chikilsa (Purification therapy):
The
aim of this treatment is eliminate the internal causative factors of the disease.
Panchakarma therapy is a part of Shodhana chikilsa and includes five types of
treatment procedures. Panchakarma therapy is the best remedy for almost all ailments,
as it purifies the body from toxic waste settled in the body due to wrong life
style of the modern world. These therapies purify the body from unwanted metabolic
and impurities accumulated in our body. These treatments are found to be very
effective in chronic ailments like Obesity, Asthma, Migraine, Spondylosis, Psoriasis,
Peptic duodenal ulcers, infertility, Osteo arthritis, Disc Prolapse, Paralysis,
Psycho somatic diseases, skin diseases, Rejuvenation therapies etc. The treatments
are usually for 7, 14, 21 or 41 days. During this period the patient has to observe
and follow strict regimen as prescribed by the physician.
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Anuvasana Vasthi / Sneha Vasthi -
Unctuous enema therapy
Nirooha Vasthi / Kashaya Vasthi -
Decoction enema therapy
[Vasthi is medicated enema in this ayurvedic medicines in the form of decoction
or oil is administered through the colon.]
Virechanam (Purgation Therapy) - Internal medicines
are administrated for induced purgation.
Vamanam (Emesis therapy) - Internal oral medicines
are administered for induced vomiting.
Nasyam (nasal medication) - Ayurvedic medicines
in the form of oil/powder administered through the nostril.
[According to the Ayurveda guru Susrutha, Rakthamoksham is one among the Panchakarma.
Rakthamoksham is selective blood letting. In this therapy, impure blood is drained
out of the body through various means like needle-pricking, venesection, leaching
etc.] Before doing this panchakarma procedures a physician has to consider the
strength, age, sex, disease condition, constitution etc. of the patient.
Benefits of panchakarma:
The vitiated doshas will be eliminated from the body through the elementary tract
and the health is restored. The power of digestion and metabolism is enhanced.
The sense faculties , mind, intelligence and complexion becomes clear. Gains strength.The
individual will not be affected by old age and lives long healthily. rejuvenates
the body. Prevents diseases in the body. Increases power of Immunity. Nourishes
the body. Revitalises the nervous system.
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Some
preparatory procedures are followed before Panchakarma to bring the accumulated,
metabolic wastes into the digestive tract so as to flush them out very easily
from the body. They are Sneha karmam (oleation - external as well as internal
application of oil or ghee in systematic way) and Swedana karmam (sudation - sweating
process). These treatment procedures are developed and specialized in Kerala tradition
and now known as ‘Kerala Speciality Treatments’. Many such distinctive
and excellent forms of treatments, not practiced in the other parts of India are
conducted by the Kerala Physicians.
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Dhara :
It is a continuous stream of medicated warm oil/herbal decoctions/medicated
milk/buttermilk, which is poured onto the forehead for 45 to 90 minutes. After
a liberal application of the medicated oil on the patient’s head and body,
the patient is made to lie supine on a special wooden plank (Droni also called
Dharapathi) made for the purpose in a comfortable position. Then continuous
stream of the prescribed medicine (medicated oil, decoction, milk or other material)
is made to drop gently describing an arc or ellipse on his forehead (and head)
from a specific height through a specially devised pot(Dhara chatti) from one
to one and a half hours.
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After the Dhara is over, the head is dried with a towel and again oil is applied
to the head However, in disturbed conditions of Vata and diseases affecting the
whole body it is done sometimes on the body alone or both the head and the body.
Very frequently it is combined with Pizhichil also - all these depending on the
physician’s diagnosis of the case. Dhara often induces a mental state similar
to a trance, which creates profound relaxation of the mind and body and deeply
relaxes and revitalizes the central nervous system. Shirodhara gives the best
results when taken after an Abhyanga.
Dhara
, done only on the forehead is called Siro Dhara. Dhara using medicated oil is
called Thila Dhara and that with medicated butter milk is called Thakra Dhara.
. In mental cases like insanity, hysteria, hallucinations, etc. and diseases like
cervical spondilosis, chronic head-ache etc. phychosomatic disorders Dhara is
an effective therapy.
Oordhangadhara is a type of dhara on the head using oil, butter, milk etc. It
is mainly used for sinusitis, asthma, chronic cough, hemiplegia, facial paralysis,
cervical spondylosis, seizure, headache, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, mental
illness or psychosis, asthma, diseases of mouth, ear, eye and rheumatic diseases.
Dhara on the full body is called Sarvangadhara and is effective in rheumatic diseases,
paralysis, and skin diseases, swelling all over the body etc. Dhara using buttermilk
is called Thakradhara The diseases caused mainly by Pitta can be brought under
control and cured by this treatment. In the case of peenasam, diseases of the
eyes, ears and the face, Takra Dhara is generally preferred. It is mainly suggested
in the case of headache, skin diseases, rheumatic and paralytic conditions, insomnia,
diseases in the head, mouth, eye, ear and nose sinusitis, cough, asthma etc. These
are applied according to the disturbed condition of the Doshas as suggested by
the physician. Depending on the nature of the diseases other liquids or mixtures
(Yamakam) are also used.
| | | | Sarvanga
Dhara :
This
is done both on the head and over the body and the process of doing it on the
head is the same as that for Oordhwanga Dhara. Two persons sit on either side
of the Pathi pour the liquid over the body using tumblers. When oily medicines
are used for the body below the neck, it gives almost the same results. Hence
in such cases “Pizhichil” is more commonly resorted to.
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Pizhichil :
It
is the application of medicated oil all over the body by masseurs in a systematic
and particular manner. Pieces of linen dipped in comfortably warm medicated
oil is squeezed over on to the patient’s body by masseurs sitting on his
either side. With the warm oil spreading and flowing over body the patient is
given a gentle massage. This is done only on the body below the neck and for
about 45 to 90 minutes. It is extremely relaxing and acts as a free radical
scavenger, toning, strengthening and deeply rejuvenating the whole body.
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It increases vitality and body immunity. Pizhichil is Prescribed in clinical conditions
like Paraplegia, Hemiplegia and other Vata dominant ailments, rheumatic and neurological
ailments, spondilosis etc. |
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Kizhi :
In
this treatment the whole body is made to perspire by body massage with medicated
oil using herbal poultices in a cloth bag. . The process is continued for about
45 to 90 minutes. After wiping the body with a dry towel, the medicated oil
is again applied. The linen bags filled with cooked Navara rice (Shastika) is
called Navarakkizhi. Navarakkizhi is found generally effective when it is done
immediately after a course of Pizhichil treatment. Kizhi containing herbal powder
is called Choorna Kizhi and that with herbal leaves is Elakizhi. In some cases
meat is also used in Kizhi then it is called Mamsakizhi
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This therapy is very effective for the treatments in musculoskeletal disorders,
degenerative conditions and neurological problems, Hemiplegia, Quadriplegia, Sciatica,
Spasticity, Obesity, General Weakness, Sterility, tremor, rheumatic arthritis,
ankylosis, spondylosis general and sexual weakness, old age problems, polio, muscular
atrophy, Rheumatic arthritis.
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Udvarthanam :
Udvarthanam
is a type of massage using medicated powder. It is very effective in paralysis,
muscular atrophy and reducing fat and weight.
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Sirovasthi :
In
this treatment the prescribed medicated oil at a bearable temperature is kept
over the head in a special cap fitting over the forehead. The duration is about
45 to 90 minutes. Generally the course is for only seven days at a stretch.
It is found effective in (trigiminal neuralgia) trigeminal neuralgia, hemicrania,
optic atrophy, otalgia, deafness, facial paralysis, head ache, all diseases
affecting cranial nerves and various neurological disorders connected with brain.
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Sirolepa :
The
prescribed oil is applied on the head and body and a piece of cloth is tied
around the head above the eyebrows. Then Amalaka paste, prepared as per texts
is applied profusely all over the head except the forehead and face in a uniform
thickness. Then the head is covered with a plantain leaf or by a lotus leaf.
After 1-11/2 hours the covering and the past are removed and the head is wiped
with dry cloth and the oil is applied again. Then the bath etc., are given as
for the Dhara treatment. It will be better to have the head cleanly shaven or
at least have the hair closely cropped for both the Sirovasti and Sirolepa.
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Abhyanga :
It
is a whole body massage with specific herbal oils, in which strokes are given
according to the circulatory channels to nourish and revitalize the body tissues
(Dhatus) and to allow the toxins to be removed from the cells. This massage
is performed for about 45 minutes and is usually followed by a medicated stream
bath. It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda that achieves
deepest healing effects by naturally harmonizing Body - Mind & Spirit and
very effective in obesity, loss of skin luster, sleeplessness, fatigues and
other Vata predominant diseases.
Thalam :
Special
powder mixed with medicated oil is applied on the top of the head for 20 to
45 minutes. This treatment is helpful for curing ENT problems, insomnia, migraine
etc.
Tharpanam :
It
is a cleaning process of the eyes which gives a cooling effects, prevents eye
diseases and strengthens the optic nerve.
Kativasthi :
In
this therapy specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the lower back
with herbal paste boundry. This treatment lasts for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This
relieves pain and applicable in low back ache, spinal disorders etc.
SHAMANA CHIKITSA :
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Ayurvedic
medicines are used internally and externally to correct the derangement of
Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni and also to increase the body immunity. The
medicines used are called Asavam, Choornam, Kashayam, Lehyam, Gulika, Ghrutham,
Bhasmam, Sindooram etc. This method also includes external application of
medicines such as oils and rasakriyas. Please visit our Products page for
further detailsShamana Chikitsa is specially done after the Sodhana Therap
and in less vitiation. The restoration of normality is brought about without
any elilmination.
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Steam Bath |
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