Ayurvedic Oils and Massages

These herbs are grown in gardens by the various Ayurvedic centers in the state and are crushed and ground with the oil. There are also herbal powders and juices, which are made into arishtams (liquid portions) and lahiams (thick jellies), which can be consumed. Their smells, extracts and flavors help in the various curative treatments which today attract people from all over the world.

ETHNIC HEALTHCARE AND TOURISM

These treatments have become so popular that the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has started a 'Monsoon Rejuvenation' package for tourists, which combines sightseeing tours with Ayurvedic massages and treatment. The Ayurvedic treatments are most effective after the Karkadakam or Monsoon months because the body has less heat and hence is most responsive to treatments. Ayur means Life, and the whole philosophy of Ayurveda is that the whole body must be treated-body, mind and spirit. That is why they recommend that one stay in the center during treatment, so that the whole body can be 'purified'. Even the waste materials produced during metabolic activities are noted so that all the impurities in the body are eliminated. Massages alone do not help. The right diet, rest, and relaxation-all contribute to the panchakarma (treatment).

FIVE ELEMENTS

According to the Pancha bhuta (5 elements) philosophy, every body is made up of Vata (gas), Pitta (heat), and Kapha (phlegm). The five parts that need to be taken care of are vasti (bladder), vamana (digestion), videdama (waste), nasya (nose), and asravisru (blood). The Ayurvedic oils, herbs, powders, potions balance these elements so that the body, mind and spirit are in fine form.

OIL MASSAGES

The treatments are variously divided into rejuvenative, preventive, and curative. The most common rejuvenative therapy is the herbal oil massage, where two oils are selected according to one's body .jpgconstituency and massaged lightly but firmly throughout the body-head, back, thighs, and limbs. The massage tones up the whole body and, if followed by a steam bath (in water mixed with herbal powers), is fresh and invigorating. Most Ayurvedic regulars have this massage once a week and swear by its rejuvenative qualities. There are more elaborate treatments, but they may take between 7-20 days at a time. That is why it is preferable that the patients stay in the centers. In fact, outstation and foreign patients come to Kerala on a yearly basis as they claim that the unique oils and powders soothe and nourish them.

SAHYADRI AYURVEDIC CENTER, COCHIN

A well-known Ayurvedic center is the Sahyadri International Ayurvedic Center, situated at Tripunithra near Cochin. This center has a huge range of clientele from Europe who come for every ailment from migraines and sinus to fractures, arthritis and even cancer and heart diseases. Equipped as they are with their own herbal garden and research center, they have an impressive range of treatments and remedies. They speak of plant extracts for cancer treatment, oil intake for alcoholism, and herbal diets for smokers' disease. However, the point they stress is that Ayurveda is not just herbal powders and massages. It involves sustained treatment and is slow but effective. There are no side effects but it involves patience and continuation.

SPECIAL AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS

The Sahyadri International Ayurvedic Center takes only in-house patients. Their European clients include spa owners, doctors, and chronic patients. According to the Head of the center, every treatment is highly individualized, depending on the person's body constituency and body response. Given below is a description of the well-known Ayurvedic treatments.

Udwordhan is for those who want to lose weight. A restricted diet of varadhi kashayams is given, followed by special 'upward' massages with herbal oils and powders, in order to reduce body-fat.

Nasyam can cure a series of ailments from headaches and sinus to mental and paralytic disorders. It involves removing the vitiated Kapha (phlegm) from the head and neck by pouring herbal oil and juices into the nose.

Snehapanam is meant for various stomach and skin diseases it involves the internal consumption of herbal oils, starting with an amount of 30 ml. Depending on the digestive capacity of the patient and the seriousness of the ailment, the quantity of oil is slowly increased to a maximum amount of 250 ml.

Rasayanamis a rejuvenative therapy and involves a nutritious diet and the intake of medicated oil with milk. This quantity is increased by 10 g according to the digestive capacity of the patient.

Sirodhara is for problems of insomnia, fatigue, paraplegia, and bad memory. It involves the pouring of medicated oil on the forehead in a continuous stream, which improves the power of the sensory organs.

Sirovashti is meant for those with nervous, mental and speech problems, as for facial paralysis. It is a specialized treatment, where a 'cap' made of urad dal (lentil) powder is fixed on the head (sometimes it involves shaving of the hair). Medicated oil is poured into the cap from a hole on top, until the oil comes out from the nose.

Kwatha and Mathura Vasti are meant for arthritis, paralysis, nemiplegia, as well as gastric problems. It involves the intake of kashayams and oils so that the impure wastes (vasti) are removed.

Tharpanam and Pudapakam are applied for eye diseases. It involves the pouring of herbal juices and medicated ghee (clarified butter) into the eyes, for strengthening the optic nerve, as well as the intake of herbal medicines at night.

Vamana is meant to cure various stomach ailments, as well as leprosy, leucoderma and psoriasis. It involves the intake of various herbal medicines and a strict diet.

Aragahaswedam is for gynecological problems, slip-disc, and chronic back complaints. For this, the patient is massaged with medicated oil and then sits in steaming-hot water mixed with herbal leaves and powders.

Niavarakizhi can be applied for arthritis, spondylitis, and stiffness of muscles. A kizhi consists of a cloth-ball, which is filled with hot and roasted herbal powders and leaves that is rubbed into the body. The kizhi for this treatment is made up of medicated rice powder, herbal oils, and leaves.

Pizhichil is well known for the rejuvenation of old people, as well as a preventive for premature ageing. It is a very popular treatment. The kizhis are made up of four medicated oils, and are rubbed vigorously all over the limbs until the whole body perspires. This treatment can be done only once a year.