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Kerala Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a holistic healing science which comprises of two words, Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So the literal meaning of the word Ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda is a science dealing not only with treatment of some diseases but is a complete way of life.
Some of the Specialized Ayurveda Treatments are:
Elakizhi :
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Elakizhi is an innovative classical massage with medicated leaves and is used to tackle joint pain, muscle cramps, stress and arthritis.
All the above-mentioned treatments can be done in a perfectly healthy person as well so as to enhance his/her immunity, vitality and longevity of life. The above treatments can be offered in different combinations according to the physician’s direction. Each of these combinations give a curative and rejuvenative effect after being undergone for definite periods and repeating at definite intervals
Herbal poultices (bundles) are prepared with various herbs and medicated powders. The poultices are warmed in medicated oils and used to massage the entire body, neck, shoulders, hand and back, shifting the person from side to side. The massage can promote better circulation within the affected area thereby promoting increased perspiration, which helps the skin to eliminate wastes. It also helps to tone the skin and can be superbly relaxing
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Pizhichil :
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Pizhichil is a relaxing, soothing and rejuvenating treatment with medicated warm oil used in a continuous stream for a definite period for the whole body (excluding head & neck). It is used to effectively treat arthritis, ageing, general weakness, paralysis etc. ‘Pizhichil’ and ‘Sarvangadhara’ are technically the same.
’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. In Sarvangadhara, oil is poured over the patient’s body from pitchers. Pizhichil requires a lesser quantity of oil when compared to Sarvangadhara.Before beginning Pizhichil, a suitable type of oil should be applied to the head and body of the patient. In some cases, a talam is also applied on the head and bandaged with leaves.
The masseur usually begin by squeezing oil on to the shoulders and then down the hands of the patient who sits in an upright position. Each masseur uses on hand to pour the oil while massaging with the other.
Pizhichil is recommended for diseases caused by a vitiation of the Vata humour-Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia), paralysis and muscle spasms – and other degenerative diseases that affect the muscles
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Navarakkizhi :
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Navarakkizhi, Kerala's unique contribution to Ayurveda, involves fomentation of the body with a bolus of cooked rice. Shastika or particular kind of rice known for its nutritional value, is cooked in milk and a herbal decoction made of kurumthotti (Sida rhombifolia) . Four boluses are made of this cooked rice and tied up in linen bags.
The fomentation begins with the patients sitting upright on the droni with legs outstretched . The masseurs on either side perform the fomentation process in an identical manner. The movement of the hands during both fomentation and massage should always be downwards.
The fomentation continues with the patient on his/her back on the droni. There is also another attendant who supplies new kizhis, which are kept ready in a decotion of warm milk. It is very important to keep the kizhis at a constant temperature. The treatment is over once fomentation has been carried out in all the seven standard positions.
In some cases, one of the three supine position may be avoided and the patient is made to lie face down. After the specified duration of treatment, the paste is wiped off with palm leaf scrapers, a suitable type of oil is applied all over the body before the bath.
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Sirodhara :
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Sirodhara is a unique treatment where specific medicated oils are used to bathe the head in a regular stream for a definite period. It is an effective therapy for mental relaxation and cures insomnia, stress, depression, decreased mental agility etc.
When medicated buttermilk replaces oil (sneha), the therapy is called Takradhara. If medicated milk is used instead of medicated oil, then the process is called. To begin with, some oil suited to the patient's dosha condition is applied on the crown. This is a prerequisite in almost all oil treatments. A headband (vartti) is tied just above the ear level to prevent oil from flowing into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on his back on the droni with the head rested properly. The position of the head should be such that the steam from the vessel falls at the center of the forehead. The therapist then fills the vessel. When the oil that trickles down the wick starts to fall on the patient's forehead, the therapist moves the vessel to and fro gently to ensure that the oil covers the entire region between the temples which he gently massages the area with his other hand.
The duration of a dhara is usually between 25 and 75 minutes. However, if the disease is very severe, it may take longer, a dhara is generally good for diseases due to a disorder of the tridosha. Herbal oil, tender coconut water milk, ghee, dhanyamlam (a mixture of cereals and citrus fruits) or buttermilk may be used for various kinds of dharas. The treatment is indicated for insanity .severe illnesses due to disorder of the vata, chronic cold, sinusitits, diseases of the eys, ears and so on.
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Sirovasthi :
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Shirovasti is considered more of a palliative (Shamana ) treatment that an eliminative (Shodhana) one. The treatment is usually preceded by oleation ( Sheehan ) and sudation ( Swedana).
A leather sleeve of about six to eight inches in length is placed on the shaven head of the patient and a ban (varti) tied around the forehead to keep in place. Kneaded dough is used to line the inside of this sleeve and ensure that it does not leak. Oil is then poured into the sleeve and allowed to remain on the head for a while. The oil commonly used is Ksheerabala or Dhanwantaram, The length of time the oil should be kept there is determined by the severity of the disease. Usually it is up to fifty minutes for diseases caused by severe Vata disorders.
This treatment is prescribed for disorders like facial paralysis, cataract, deafness, earache, insomnia and other diseases that afflict the cranial nerves. Patient is seated in an upright position, and medicinal oil is poured into a leather sleeve of about six to eight inches in length, and kept for some time.
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Abhyangam :
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Abhyangam is a popular body massage in ayurveda. The word abhyanga itself means to massage.
In Ayurveda, the Abhyangam massage has become popular because of its effective way of conditioning the body. Abhyangam can be used therapeutically. The massage is designed around each individual, to suit his or her disease or condition. An ayurvedic physician can assess this and will then decide on the appropriate oils and the exact way of massage.
Abhyangam can increase the production of white blood corpuscles and antibodies, which provide more resistance against viruses and diseases. This helps the defense mechanism in the body and increases immunity towards environmental changes. In this way abhyangam massage is a protector, preserver and a rejuvenator, increasing self-confidence and will power. To massage is to exercise the nervous system.
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Shiroabhyanga :
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Application of oil to the skin followed by massage in specific directions is well known by the name Abhyanga in Ayurveda. Along with nonsexual pleasurable sensation, this abhyanga has a multitude of beneficial effects. Massage in specific direction improves blood circulation, facilitates removal of the toxins from the tissues, relieves physical and mental fatigue, better the functioning of the musculo-skeletal system. It assists developments of healthy body, helps of improvement in body figure, recuperates thebody tissues and reduces body weight as well as fat. Abhyanga is not a simple procedure of application of oil and maneuvers. Depending upon the prakriti of a person, when oil is used in Abhyanga, it supports the maintenance of excellence of body tissues
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Akshi Tarpan :
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Unique procedure of application of the sneha to the eye is called as Akshi Tarpan. This procedure is useful both in healthy as well as diseases persons. In healthy person Akshi Tarpan is carried out to protect the eye from degeneration due to ageing process and to improve the eyesight. For the purpose of the therapeutic effects this procedure is advocated in clients suffering from the disease of the eye. Eye is considered to be local route of drug administration. Akshi Tarpan gives desired results in clients suffering from the disease of the eyes.
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