Abhyangam is an Ayurvedic way of massage with specific herbal oils to nourish and revitalize the body. Massaging is a means to exercise the nervous system, it simultaneously calms and strengthens the nervous system, tones the muscles and improves circulation of internal fluids, Improves lymph flow, increases the production of white blood corpuscles and antibodies, which provide more resistance against viruses and diseases.
Shirodhara is a unique form of ancient therapy of pouring oil on the forehead from a specific height and for a specific period continuously and rhythmically allowing the oil to run through the scalp and into the hair. Ultimate mental and emotional relaxation therapy .Beneficial for many diseases connected with the head, neck, eyes, ears, nose and throat. Beneficial for many diseases of the nervous system like nerve disorders, facial palsy, paralysis and ptosis (drooping) of the eyelids.
Shirovasthi is the procedure wherein the medicated oil is retained on the head for a prescribed period. The medicinal effects of the combination are received by the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and the sympathetic nerves. The central nervous system gets the relieving effect from stress and other stress related ailments.
Pizhichil' literally means squeezing. Here, warm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient's body from a piece of cloth that is periodically dipped in a vessel containing the oil. The continuous flow of warm oil over the body influences the health of the channels of prana (vital life), digestion and elimination, and the functioning of the mind. It is beneficial in conditions such as Joint problems, Muscle tension, deccreased blood circulation,Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, General debility.
This rejuvenation therapy maintains health and youthfulness, tones up the skin, improves blood circulation and revitalizes the tissues. A type of rice known as njavara is cooked with herbal oils and milk and then tied up into poultices of cotton. During the massage, the cooked rice gets squeezed out through the cotton cloth onto the body.
This is a treatment for general body ache. Fresh herbs cooked in herbal oils are tied up into poultices. The poultices are warmed by dipping in heated medicated oil and then applied all over the body. During the fomentation, the poultices are periodically dipped in the oil. This treatment also helps in removing toxic elements in the body.
Udwarthanam brings about weight loss by reducing the fat under the skin. In this treatment, a medicated powder is rubbed all over the body against the direction of hair growth. Apart from increasing the quality of the general complexion, the treatment also prevents wrinkles.
Kativasti is a special type of low back therapy or lumbar therapy. The word Kati stands for low back or waist and Vasti ,for containing or retaining something inside. Kativasthi is an Ayurvedic lumbo-sacral rejuvenation therapy using hot oil or herbal decoctions. One can achieve both local oleation and sudation by this procedure.
Takradhara is a form of Shirodhara which involves continuous flow of medicated butter milk to the centre of forehead. Found to be very effective in treating Psoriasis , Premature graying of hairs Fatigue , Lack of vitality , Diabetic neuropathy , ENT diseases ,Insanity.
VAMANAM : Vamanam is therapeutic vomiting, which is a medicated emesis therapy. People with high imbalance of kapha are given this type of treatment, which loosens and mobilizes the toxins, in an effort to eliminate them from the body. VIRECHANAM : Virechanam' is defined as the medicated purgation therapy, which cleanses the Pitta and purifies blood, by clearing the toxins from the body. The treatment concentrates on the toxins that are accumulated in the liver and gall bladder. The gastro-intestinal tract is also cleansed by Virechanam therapy. VASTHI: Vasti (Enema) is considered as the mother of all Panchakarma treatments. It cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the 3 doshas : Vata, Pitta and Kapha, through the colon. Vasti is also highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment. Medicated oil or ghee and an herbal decoction is given as enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone. NASYAM: Nasyam therapy is a process wherein the drug is administered through the nostrils. Since the nose is the gateway of the head, the therapy is highly effective in curing a number of diseases pertaining to the head, if it is performed systematically. RAKTHAMOKSHANAM: Rakthamokshanam means the procedure of blood letting for the therapeutic purpose for removing morbid doshas with blood. This is because Raktamokshana decreases the quantum of enhanced Pitta dosha and thus the diseases caused by Pitta are also relieve. Itis practised in blood born diseases, in Pitta predominant diseases and also in a few vata disorders.
