Introduction about Trivandrum
Today's lifestyle filled with stress and strain of this competitive world
and new eating habits affects and challenges our health like never before.
Our synthetic diet in place of a natural one exposes us to toxins resulting
in disorders of metabolism. Ayurveda shows us a healthy way of life
When the digestive fire (agni) is in a balanced condition, the three doshas
-vata, pitta and kapha- are in equilibrium. Waste products (malas) are
produced and eliminated normally; and the mind, senses, and consciousness
are working harmoniously together. When the balance of any of these systems
is disturbed, the disease process begins. Basically, any aggravation of the
doshas affects agni (the digestive fire) and produces toxins or ama. Other
factors play a role in the formation of ama, as well. Some of these factors
are poor digestion of food, improper food combinations and choices, poor
drinking water, pollution, pesticides in food, emotional and physical stress
or trauma, and so on. These toxins accumulate and spread throughout the body
and eventually deposit themselves into the deeper tissues, organs or
channels, creating dysfunction and disease.
In diseased condition, the doshas manifest their particular symptoms. These
symptoms denote malfunctioning of the doshas. The purpose of treatment of
all diseases is to keep the doshas in equilibrium. In Ayurveda there is
three steps in treating any diseases, they are samsodhana - cleansing
process, samsamana - palliative measures and nidanaparivarjana - treating
the causes.
Panchakarma actually is a group of treatments, five in number, all of which
are not commonly practised in all diseases. The panchakarmaare vamana,
virechana, snehavasti, kashayavasti and nasya. Vamana is emesis, virechana
is purging, vasti is enema, which of two kinds done with medicated oils and
medicated decoctions and is called snehavasti and kashayavasti respectively.
Nasya is instillation of medicines through nose.
Vamana - Use of Emetics
This therapy is mainly used in cases of chronic disorders due to Kapha
dosha. It involves induced and controlled vomiting with the help of
medicines. It is used to treat chronic asthma, chronic hyperacidity etc.
Vamana should not be given to the very young or the very old or during
pregnancy and should always be administered under a physician's supervision
Virechan - Use of laxatives
This therapy is mainly used in cases of chronic disorders due to Pitta
dosha. It involves induced and controlled purgation with the help of
medicines. It is used to treat jaundice, chronic helminthes cases etc.
Virechan should not be given to the very young or the very old or during
pregnancy and should always be administered under a physician's supervision.
Vasti - Medicated Enema
Involves administering medicines as enema. The medicines used can be
decoctions, pure / formulated oils, milk etc. It is used to cure arthritis,
backache etc. Nasya - Nasal administration of medication Nasya is
administered through the nose. Medicated powders, decoctions or oil drops
are introduced into the nasal passages. They remove residual doshas and
toxins from the head and neck area. Nasya is used in cases of migraine,
chronic rhinitis, epilepsy etc.
Rakta Mokshana - Blood letting
Is done either with the help of venesection, or using leeches. It is mainly
used to cure gout, skin and blood disorders (pigmentation), elephantiasis,
alopecia. Rakta-mokshan should not be given to the very young or the very
old or during pregnancy and should always be administered under a
physician's supervision.
Purvakarma: Pre-purification Measures
Before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to
prepare the body in prescribed methods to encourage the body to let go of
the toxins. The two procedures are 'snehan' and 'swedan'. Snehan is the oil
massage. Oil is applied to the entire body with a particular type of massage
which helps the toxins to move towards the gastro-intestinal tract. Oil
massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple. Snehan
is given daily for three to seven days, as indicated. Swedan is sudation or
sweating and is given every day immediately following the snehan. An herbal
concoction may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the
individual. Swedan liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins
into the gastro-intestinal tract. After three to seven days of snehan and
swedan, the doshas become well "ripened". A particular panchakarma
method is then given according to the individual's constitution and
disorder, prakruti and vikruti, respectively.
Pizhichil
lukewarm medicated oil is applied on the body of the patient lying on the "Dharapathi".
Oil dipped pieces of cloth are squeezed by hand and the oils rubbed smoothly
over the body of the patient by masseurs on either side. The medicated oil
is pressed out of the cloth uniformly over the body at a defined height and
massaged by skillful hands. Fresh medicated oil is used every day and the
treatment may last fourteen or twenty-eight days.
This treatment is indicated in stiffness and pain of joints and limbs,
dislocation of joints, paralytic conditions and in pregnant ladies with a
history of uterine inertia in earlier deliveries. Many persons also undergo
this treatment for rejuvenation and preservation of health to offset early
aging. Sclerotic changes can be prevented by this treatment
Uzhichil
This whole body deep muscle massage with oil is a very relaxing technique.
It gives all the benefits of Abhyanga and tones the muscles. Uzhichil
regulates the flow of energy within the body and improves circulation.
Navarakkizhi
Navarakkizhi involves massaging of the body with small linen bags filled
with Navara (Shastika), after a liberal application of medicated oils.
Depending on the kind of disease, this massage is preceded or followed by
Pizhichil. This particular treatment is very well known in Kerala, India,
where the ancient martial art Kalari orig-inated.
Navara Kizchi is also of great benefit to those with atrophy of the
muscles, arthritis, weakness of the extremities, tremors and fibromyalgia.
Healthy individuals will benefit from this treatment's anti-aging effects
and its ability to prevent disease
Sirodhara
According to Ayurveda, Sirodhara is the best treatment for diseases of the
nervous system and for emotional problems such as chronic depression and
anxiety (panic) attacks. It is also recommended for chronic headaches, as
well as ear, nose and throat problems, and is especially useful for pain
management.
The term "Sirodhara" literally translated means head (Sira) and
continuous flow (Dhara). During this treatment there is a constant flow of
either specific oils or herbal preparations on the forehead. Medicated oil,
medicated butter milk , cows milk or human breast milk are allowed to freely
flow over the upper part of the fore head continuously for specific periods
This process stimulates the part of the brain known as the pineal gland.
Among its other functions, the pineal gland produces serotonin and
melatonin. These hormones play an important role in each person's emotional
balance, and melatonin is also known to have an anti-aging quality.
Abhyangam
Special type of oil massage in which strokes are given according to the
diseases for 45 minutes per day for 14 days. This treatment is very useful
for Obesity, especially for Diabetic gangerene (a condition due to lack of
blood circulation in the extremities of the body) etc.
Kativasthi
In this process specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the
lower back with herbal paste boundary. This treatment lasts for 45 minutes
to 1 hour and it is good for any type of back pain and spinal disorders.
Urovasthi
Warm medicated oil is kept over the chest for 45 minutes. This is an
effective treatmentfor asthma, other respiratory problems, heart diseases
and muscular chest pain.
Ksheeradhoomam
This is fomentation with medicated cow milk. This treatment is good for
facial paralysis, Bell's palsy, speech disorders and other nervous disorders
of the face
