Ayurveda Treatments: A-P

Ayurvedic treatments is an ancient practice that is considered as the best natural form of healing that originated almost 5000 years ago in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurvedic treatments as we all know is a natural process to cure, heal and improve the mental, physical and emotional condition of human beings. Ayurveda is a way of life that teaches everyone to enhance their lifestyles in a healthy way and understand the different changes occurring in the body.

ABHYANGA SNANA AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Abhyanga Snana or medicated oil massage constitutes a part of the Purvakarma or the preparatory measures for Panchakarma Treatment in Ayurveda. It is an ancient Oleation Therapy, traditionally administered by two masseurs. The masseurs work in tandem, synchronising their strokes and massage according the circulatory and marma (vital) points for a duration of sixty minutes. Detoxifying sesame oils are chosen according to one's needs and illness.

AKSHITARPANA (NETRAVASTI) AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Netravasti or Akshitarpana is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for ailments related to the eyes. This treatment is known to cure glaucoma, night blindness and other eye relatedcomplaints. Ayurveda is the traditionalIndian wisdom which combines medicine with philosophy to treatnot only the symptoms, but to completely heal the root cause of all diseases.

DHANYAMLADHARA AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Dhanyamladhara - streaming of medicinal liquid in Ayurveda. Dhanyamladhara which literally means a ‘dhara’ or pouring of a medicinal liquid called Dhanyamlam over the patient’s body. This herbal liquid is made of cereals with highly nutritious starch content like Navara rice or millet. This treatment is given to the diseases caused by the derangement of vata humour are treated with dhanyamla.

ILAKKIZHI AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Ilakkizhi or Pathrasweda belongs to the Purvakarma performed prior to the Panchakarma therapy in Ayurveda. Ilakkizhi is a sudation therapy using herbal leaves. Ilakkizhi is used mainly for rheumatism and other diseases due to Vata disorder. The fomentation on the affected areas brings great relief to the patient. In this therapy finely chopped herbal leaves warmed in medicated oil are placed on the piece of linen and a fist sized bundle is made (Kizhi).

KARNAPOORANA AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Karnapoorana is a premier Ayurvedic therapy for the treatment of a wide range of ear-related and cranial issues. Here, medicated herbal oils are poured in each ear of the patient, one side at a time, at five-minute intervals. Based on the severity of the injury or defect, the treatment can be repeated for an entire week as well.

The name Karnapoorana literally means 'filling the ears'. The ear lobes of the patient are first gently massaged and lubricated with oils. The person is made to lie turned towards one side, and a special lukewarm purified mixture is poured into the exposed ear.

This treatment is recommended for the treatment of ear injuries and pains, headaches, and stress. It is also effective against dizziness, vertigo and nausea.

KATIVASTI AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Kativasti is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy to cure the ailments like lower back ache or stiffness or pain felt down the back. The waist area of the body is called Kati. Ayurveda is the signature medical system of India and renowned for its effective and holistic approach to curing ailments. Oil mixed with black gram dough is placed on the patient for an extended duration. Kativasti comes under Vasti treatments, but they are not full-fledged forms of the same. This is because they require medicated herbal concoctions to stay on the patient over an extended period of time. 

LEPANA MEDICATED PASTE IN AYURVEDA

Lepana or the external application of herbal paste to any part of the body where pain associated with inflammatory condition persists. The ingredients of the paste vary according to the nature of the ailment or with herbs.

MOORDHANYADHARA OR SHIRODHARA AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Moordhanyadhara is a treatment to cure ailments like headache, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness and stress with milk. It is performed as part of the Poorvakarma practices prior to the Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda.

NASYA CHIKITSA AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Nasyam or errhine therapy is an Ayurvedic treatment excellent remedy for chronic sinusuitis, headache, throat diseases, epilepsy, catarrh, migraine, voice constraint, eye diseases and cervical spondylitis.

In Ayurveda, the application of medical oils or powders through the nostrils is called Nasya. It is said in classical texts that the nostrils are the doorway to the brain. Nasya is an important method of treatment for illnesses of the cranial region.

Nasya treatment - the forehead and neck regions of the patient are gently massaged with a suitable oil to induce sweating. Thereafter the patient is made to lie down on his back with his head bent slightly back. Warm oil is then dripped into both nostrils which the patient draws in.

Best for migraine, epilepsy, cervical spondylitis.

NAVARAKKIZHI AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Navarakkizhi is an ayurvedic herbal decoction for body care. Navarakkizhi treatment involves the fomentation of the body with a bolus of cooked rice. Navara is a rice variety known for its medicinal properties and it is cooked in milk, to form an herbal decoction using Kurumthotti. For making the kizhi, four boluses are made of the cooked rice and are tied up in linen bags. The movement of the hands during both fomentation and massage should always be downwards. This therapy is done in seven standard positions.

Pinda Sweda is one of the most important sudation therapies used in Panchakarma. During the treatment, various parts of the patient's body are uniformly massaged with a linen bundle called kizhi dipped in a special kuzhambu, or medicated oil. The kizhi is usually a fist-sized cloth-wrapped bolus, containing Shastika or Navara rice cooked in milk and a herbal mixture.

Ideally, four practitioners massage simultaneously, two on either side of the patient. The patient is made to lie in seven or more different positions to ensure that every part of the body is covered. An attendant regularly replaces the used kizhis with ones adequately soaked in warm kuzhambu. The oil remaining on the body after the procedure is usually removed with palm leaves, and the patient given a bath using herbal shampoos.

This treatment is prescribed for a variety of ailments, especially for disorders related to Vata deficiencies.

NELLIKKA THALAM AYURVEDA TREATMENT

A treatment known as ‘Nellikka Talam’ is used in Ayurveda in treating variety of ailments including insomnia, tension, stress, and other mental conditions. The treatment involves applying a herbal paste containing ‘Nellikka’ (Indian gooseberry or ‘amla’) on the crown or forehead. Various kinds of applications are done, based on the nature of illness.

Ayurvedic treatments are largely based on this ‘amla paste’. Ayurvedic practitioners use the paste in treating several other maladies too like fever, cough, asthma, stomach upsets and skin diseases. Amla paste is applied during a headache at the point of greatest pain. For anxiety disorders, apart from external application of amla paste, the juice of the fruit is squeezed from the pulp and mixed with 2 tsp. of the past, and 2 tsp. each of honey and lime juice. This is diluted in a cup of lukewarm water and given to the patient every morning.

NETRADHARA AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Netradhara or Netravasti is an effective Ayurvedic therapy which is highly beneficial to the eyes. In this treatment, extracts of herbs that possess preventive and curative properties are thoroughly inundated to the patient’s eyes. This is a special therapy for the eye and is done by using medicated decoction or oils. In this process, the eyes are washed with a medicated mixture of oils. In this special cleansing technique, liquid herbal preparation is poured in a continuous stream over the eyes for around 30 minutes resting the head in a comfortable position. This treatment involves the washing of the eyes with the Triphala water which cleanses the eyes and also removes various eye related problems.

PICHU AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Pichu therapy, named after the medicated cloth fold applied on the patient during treatment, is a palliative measure. It is extensively used for the remediation of cranial nerve disorders caused by Vata imbalances. Based on the patient's requirements and ailments, it can also be used for neck, spine, hip, chest, knee, and shoulder.

For the treatment, wool or cotton cloth is folded to the thickness of one's palm, dipped in warm medicated oils, and placed on the patient. More oil is dripped until the Pichu is soaked. It is then replaced and the procedure is repeated. Pichu therapy is prescribed for individuals suffering from persistent migraines, neck pain, back pain, fractures, and dislocations.

PIZHICHIL AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Pizhichil (Paralysis Therapy) is a treatment which combines two therapies Snehana and Swedhana. Snehana meaning oil massage and Swedhana meaning to induce sweat. In Sanskrit, Pizhichil means ‘to squeeze’. In this treatment a piece of cloth is dipped in warm medicated oil and is then squeezed and poured onto the patient followed by a rejuvenating massage. This treatment helps in circulation of blood and also removes all the toxins through sweat. More than three litres of relaxing, medicated oil is used in this therapy. Pizhichil protects the body from illnesses and builds up immunity for a healthy life. This treatment is considered to be very calming and rejuvenating. It is very effective in the treatment of ailments like arthritis, muscle cramps, paralysis, rheumatic diseases, neurological disorders, and blood pressure issues. 

PODIKKIZHI AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Podikkizhi is a Swedana treatment using a fist-size Kizhi, or poultice, made with Podi, or medicated powder.

Podi or churnam is a powdered mix of ten to fifteen herbs. It is heated in a pan, usually with a small amount of oil. The herbs and their proportions in Podi depend on the illness and its severity. A linen cloth is filled with this Podi to make a Kizhi. It is then dipped in herbal oil and applied to the disease-affected areas of the patient.

Podikkizhi soothes inflamed channels in the body and helps improve blood circulation. Vaidyans (Ayurvedic doctors) prescribe this treatment for inflammations caused by arthritis, muscular spasm and rheumatism. It is also recommended for relieving stress and body stiffness.