Ayurveda is an ancient medical science. The word, ayurveda is composed of two words of Sanskrit, ayur (meaning life) and veda (meaning knowledge). Thus Ayurveda is a medical science of Ancient India. It deals with matters relating to health, day-to-day life and longevity (long life).

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine and medication, based on experience and observation. This system of medicine and medication is more than 3000 years old. According to mythological story, Dhanvanteri was the first physician to use ayurveda. In modern India also, Ayurveda is being used. It has also reached outside India in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia and several persons from other countries also take advantage of ayurveda.

Basic Concepts Of Ayurveda

• Every human being is unique

• We are all energy beings

  • Tri-guna is further divided into three constituents:

    • Satva

    • Rajas

    • Tamas

• Imbalance in the “doshas” and “gunas” are the root of all illnesses

• Ayurveda cares to eliminate the root of the disease rather than its symptoms

• We are what we eat and think

  • Prakruti or nature of food

  • Karana or processing of food

  • Samyoga or combination

Man And The Five Elements

The five elements

• Space

• Air

• Fire

• Water

• Earth

The Three Doshas or Humors

• Vata (air)

• Pitta (fire)

• Kapha (water)

Ayurvedic Physical And Mental Constitution

A) The Vata Constitution

To help maintain balance in Vata constitution, the following are advised:

– Dress warmly

– Avoid cold food

– Avoid raw food

– Keep a routine/daily habit

– Try to stay calm/ be aware of impulsiveness

– Try to stay away from extreme cold temperatures

B) The Pitta Constitution

To help maintain the balance in the Pitta constitution, the following are recommended:

– Preferring cooling /bland or non-spicy food

– Drinking cool drinks but not overly iced

– Avoiding too much salty and oily food

– Exercising during the cooler part of the day

C) The Kapha Constitution

To maintain balance in the Kapha constitution, the following are recommended:

– Prefer dry and light food, avoid heavy food

– Keep active and get plenty of exercise

– Avoid dairy

– Keep routine

Ayurvedic Therapies

Pizhichil

Pizhichil is one of the rare and special treatments of Kerala. During this treatment, lukewarm herbal oils are applied all over the body by two to four trained therapists in a special rhythmic way for 60 to 90 minutes per day for a period of 7 to 21 days. This treatment is done on a special table made from a single piece of Strycnos Nuxvomica wood.

Pizhichil treatment is very useful forrRheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia paralysis agitans, sexual weakness, nerve weakness and nerve disorders.

 Njavarakizhi

Njavarakizhi is a sudation process in which the whole body or part of the body is made to perspire through the application of hot boluses filled with medicinal herbs. Two therapists perform this treatment for 60 to 90 minutes per day for a period of 14 days.

This treatment is for all types of rheumatism, pain in the joints, emaciation of limbs, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and certain types of skin diseases.

 Sirodhara

Siro means head and Dhara is continuous flow of a liquid. In this process, herbal oils, medicated milk or medicated butter milk are poured on the forehead in a special way for approximately 40 minutes per day for a period of 7 to 21 days.

This treatment is mainly for insomnia, loss of memory, headaches, mental tension and certain skin diseases.

 Vasthi

Otherwise known as Medicated Enema. Vasthi is a therapeutic procedure in which specific herbal oils and extracts are applied through the rectum daily for a period of 5 to 25 days.

This treatment is effective for arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, numbness, gastric complaints, rheumatism and chronic constipation.

 Sirovasthi

Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head and held for 15 to 60 minutes per day according to the patient’s condition, for a period of 7 days.

This treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches and other diseases of the head.

Udvarthanam

Udvarthanam is otherwise known as powder massage. In this procedure, 2 therapists apply special herbal powders to the body in a peculiar way for 30 to 40 minutes daily for a period of 14 to 28 days.

It is found to be very effective in the obesity, hemplegia, paralysis, skin diseases, impaired circulation and similar diseases.

 Abhyangam

This is a special type of oil massage in which the therapist strokes the body according to the circulatory channels for 45 minutes per day for 14 days.

This treatment is very useful for obesity, loss of skin luster, sleeplessness and fatigue.

 Nasyam

Being one among the Panchakarma procedures, Nasyam is a treatment in which herbal juices or medicated oils are applied through the nose for 7 to 14 days.

This treatment is highly effective for certain kinds of headaches, sinuses, paralysis mental disorders, some types of skin diseases etc.

 Kizhi

Cloth boluses filled with herbal leaves or powders are applied to the whole or part of the body after being dipped in warm medicated oil. This is done for 45 minutes daily for a period of 7 to 14 days.

This treatment is very effective for osteo arthritis, spondylitis, injuries etc.

 Snehapanam

This word literally means oral intake of medicated oils or ghee preparations. This is done as a therapeutic and also as a preparatory process during the body purification therapy. In this treatment, medicated ghee or oils are given internally in proportionally increasing quantities for a period of 08 to 12 days.

This treatment is very effective for osteoarthritis, psoriasis, chronic constipation, hemorrhoids etc.

 Dahnyamala Dhara

Warm herbal liquid is poured all over the body in rhythmic way using a special vessel. This is done for 45 to 60 minutes daily.

This treatment is very effective for hemiplegia and paralysis..

 Yoniprakshalanam

Herbal oil and decoctions are applied through the vaginal root.

This treatment is good for gynecological disorders and also a purification process for vagina.

 Kativasthi

In this process, specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept on the lower back for 45 to 60 minutes.

Kativasthi is good for any type of back pain and spinal disorders.

 Urovasthi

Like Kativasthi , warm medicated oil is kept on the chest for 45 minutes.

It is an effective treatment for asthma and other respiratory problems, heart disease and muscular chest pain.

 Ksheeradhoomam

This is a special procedure in which a mixture of medicinal decoction and cow’s milk is heated and the steam thus liberated is passed through a tube and applied over the affected area or the whole body.

It is highly effective for facial palsy, speech disorders and various nervous disorders.

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 and migraine.

Lepnam

This is a process in which medicated herbal paste is applied on the affected part of the body.

It is useful for various types of inflammatory conditions, skin diseases, arthritis, gout, etc.

Thalapothichil

Various medicinal herbs selected according to the person’s dosha predominance is made into a paste and applied to the scalp for 30 to 45 minutes.

This treatment is good for insomnia, premature graying of the hair and other problems to the hair and scalp.

 Swasa Kasa Chiklilsa (for respiratory problems)

Respiratory diseases like bronchial asthma, prolonged cough, allergies, sinusitis, etc. can be very effectively treated with Ayurveda. This program includes body massage, urovasti, pizhichil, podikizhi, snehavasthi, kashaya vasthy, nasyam and internal Ayurvedic medicines.

 Sukhanidra

Ayurveda, the science of the life, is not only related to the body but also to the mind and soul . The Sukhanidra treatment program is very helpful for conditions like insomnia and anxiety, and it improves immunity and self–confidence. This treatment program includes body massages, shirovasthy, ksheeradhara, thaladhara, thalam, and thalapothichil.

 Sidha Chikilsa (for psoriasis)

Ayurveda has very effective treatments for all type of psoriasis and various other skin diseases. Lasting for 21 to 28 days, this program includes lepanam , abhyangan , snehapanam , pizhichil, medicated steam baths and shirovasthy.

 Sandhi Vatha Chikilsa (for arthritis)

Unlike modern medicine, Ayurveda has very effective cures for arthritics conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, ancylosing spondylitis, cervical spondylitis and osteoporosis. This program includes massage, lepanam, oil applications on the affected part of the body, kizhi, steam baths, snehavasthy, kakshaya vathy, pizhichil, njavarakizhi, snehapanam and internal medicines.