It is a genuine naturalistic system based on the diagnosis of the three humours of the body, viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and treatments aimed at restoring the right balance of these three in the body. It is also based on the theory that man is made of five basic elements, viz. earth, water, fire, air and space.
Concept
of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the science of life and longevity of ancient India which has led the world in the awareness and practice of health and wellness by maintaining a sound body and mind. It was taught and practised by sages since time immemorial. Though it was prevalent in India before 3000 years ago, it was perfected into a scientific branch of knowledge with a uniform theoretical basis and guidelines for practice about 2000 years ago.
It is a holistic approach that focuses on the spiritual, mental, physical and social wellness and welfare of the patient and not just the disease. Ayurveda is traditionally practised extensively to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent diseases rather than to treat diseases after they have set in.
Dietary controls, natural medications, body massages, nasal inhalations, fomentations, pouring of medicated oils, exposure to the sun, exercises, etc are used to root out physical and mental diseases, rejuvenate the body and increase resistance to diseases.
Kerala
& Ayurveda
Kerala has always been on the upfront when it comes to health and wellness. The practice and development of Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine have greatly contributed to achieve this enviable position.
The high humidity of the atmosphere in Kerala is helpful in the easy absorption of the medicated oils massaged on the body. The natural abundance of medicinal herbs and the perennially salubrious climate combined with the right medicines work wonders on the human body and mind. A favourable climate and unpolluted atmosphere are key factors in making purification and rejuvenation therapies in Ayurveda really effective and Kerala has both of these.
Ayurveda is practised extensively in Kerala in its traditional form with a wide range of treatment methods that improve the holistic growth and well-being of the individual. Tourists with lifestyle-related ailments like arthritis, paralysis, obesity, sinusitis, migraine, premature ageing and skin ailments come to Kerala for holistic Ayurvedic treatment to root out the causes of the maladies.
Treatments
According to ancient Ayurvedic treatises, the main processes in Ayurvedic treatment are Shodan (cleansing), Shaman (palliation), Rasayana (rejuvenating medications) and Satvajaya (treatment for mental wellness).
The ayurvedic system is a multidisciplinary approach that removes the root cause of the disease to give permanent relief to the patient. Corrections in lifestyle, certain dietary controls, some exercises, proper rest, etc are insisted upon when taking medicines. Powders, tablets, decoctions, oils, etc, made from natural sources, especially herbs, collected and processed as per traditional guidelines, are given for specified periods. Dietary controls may continue even after stopping the medicines.
Palliative Treatment
The increased doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) are reduced through this treatment. Palliative treatment consists of the following measures
- Enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud.
- Minim veniam quis nostrud.
- Exercise
- Exposure to the sun
- Exposure to fresh air
- Taking medicines that improves digestion
- Taking medicines which remove or destroy toxins in the body
Purification Treatment
Panchakarma, or a five-pronged treatment, is used for purification, which is the removal of accumulated toxins and doshas in the body. The five processes are
- Vamana or induced vomiting
- Virechana or induced purgation.
- Vasti or enema
- Nasya or nasal medication
- Rakta mokshana or blood-letting
Rejuvenation
Medications of the Rasayana variety and external treatment using medicated oils and herbal extracts are used to restore the vigour of the individual. People suffering from several lifestyle-related ailments undergo these treatments only to feel energized later. Some rejuvenation treatments are described below.
Pizhichil
Rheumatic and paralytic ailments and nervous weakness and disorders are rooted out through the Pizhichil treatment. Herbal oils are moderately heated on low flame and applied over the whole body by two or four trained masseurs once a day. Each session lasts 60 to 90 minutes and the period of treatment may vary from 7 to 21 days according to the gravity of the ailment and the condition of the body.
Pizhichil
Rheumatic and paralytic ailments and nervous weakness and disorders are rooted out through the Pizhichil treatment. Herbal oils are moderately heated on low flame and applied over the whole body by two or four trained masseurs once a day. Each session lasts 60 to 90 minutes and the period of treatment may vary from 7 to 21 days according to the gravity of the ailment and the condition of the body.
Kizhi
Kizhi is very useful in rheumatism, joint pains, spondylosis, emaciation of limbs, cholesterol and blood pressure. Boluses tied up in muslin bags made up of medications are applied to the whole body or part of it by two or four masseurs for 60 to 90 minutes, making the body perspire profusely. The treatment usually lasts 14 days. Njavarakizhi is the same as above but the muslin bags contain njavara rice together with other medications.
Dhara
This treatment is useful in insomnia, vatha predominated diseases, mental tension and certain skin diseases. Medicinal preparations in liquid form are poured on the forehead of the patient lying in a thoni (wooden tub) from a dhara chatti (earthen pan with a hole) placed at a prescribed height. Oils, milk, tender coconut water and decoctions of herb extracts are the different mediums used. Dhara usually lasts 7 to 21 days.
Vasthi
Paralysis, arthritis, acute and prolonged constipation, etc are treated with vasthi. In this method of treatment, some herbal oils and other medications are applied through the rectum daily for a period of 5 to 25 days.
Sirovasthi
This is very useful in facial paralysis, severe headaches, dryness of nostrils and other Vatha-related diseases. A cap or headband is fixed on the head and warm medicated oils are poured into it so that the oils stay on the head without flowing down for 15 to 60 minutes. This may be continued for 7 days.
Udvarthanam
A very effective treatment for hemiplegia, paralysis, obesity and some other rheumatic ailments, Udvarthanam is done for 14 to 28 days by massaging the whole body using herbal powders.
Abhyangam
For obesity and diabetic gangrene, the body is massaged with medicated oils continuously for 45 minutes a day. The usual duration is 14 days.
Nasyam
Prolonged and acute headaches, mental disorders, paralysis and certain type of skin diseases are cured through Nasyam in which herbal juices, medicated oils, etc are applied through the nose for 7 to 14 days.
Snehapanam
Recommended in osteoarthritis, leukaemia, etc, Snehapanam means drinking ghee/oils. Medicated ghee is taken for 8 to 12 days in a proportionately and progressively increasing quantity from the first day to the last.
Kativasthi
All types of back pain and spinal disorders are cured through this treatment which lasts for 45 minutes to one hour daily for a specific number of days as per requirement. For this, the patient is made to lie face down and warm medicated oils are kept over the lower back portion with a herbal paste boundary to stop it from flowing away.
Urovasthi
Urovasthi is performed for asthma, other respiratory problems, heart diseases and muscular chest pain. It is the same as Kativasthi with the difference that here the oils are kept over the chest.
Ksheeradhoomam
Ksheeradhoomam, or fomentation with milk, is effective in facial paralysis, speech disorders, Bell’s palsy and other nervous disorders. Medicated cow’s milk is used for this treatment.