Ayurveda is a holistic healing system which has earned its validity from the effective results it has obtained for over numerous centuries. The treatments under Ayurveda use a combination of medicines made with comprehensive herbal compounds, lifestyle changes like incorporating guided yoga and customized meals, and external therapies like counselling to treat the root cause of diseases and provide the most effective cure possible.
We use a five-fold method which includes dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, Panchakarma and external therapies, internal medicine, and therapeutic exercises. Our distinctive therapies allow our patients to regain the wholesome balance that is required for maintaining good health and complete wellness, in the most flexible and comfortable manner, helping them live in harmony with nature.
Aasthaapana is a procedure where combinations of herbal medications are administered rectally, for local as well as systemic effects. Depending on the dose and nature of ingredients, Aasthaapana is classified according to the dosage into three. They are Uttamamaatrika, Praasrtikayogika and siddhavasti.
This is a special type of ayurvedic oil massage in which strokes are given according to the circulatory channels for 45 minutes per day, for 14 days. This Ayurveda treatment is very useful for treating loss of healthy skin texture, sleeplessness, fatigue, and other vata predominant diseases.
Used as a supportive treatment for Aasthapana, for reducing the ruukshata created by the medicines used for Aasthaapana, and also during different protocols like yoga, kala, Karmavasti and as a Kevalasnehavasti. It is mainly used in conditions of vaata for snehana. It's called Anuvaasana because the taila works as indicated even when it's administered with food, and also because it can be done every day.
The word ‘avagaaha’ means to immerse. Avagaahasveda is a type of sudation therapy which is included in Drava sveda, in which the patient is made to sit in a tub containing medicated dravadravya to produce fomentation for the body. This is just the reverse of Dhaara, in respect to the fact that there is no movement in this kind of sveda, whereas in dhaara there is a movement of the substance while making the sudation. Here Avagaaha will be more effective in pure vaata and dhaara will be more effective in kapha. This may be the reason while explaining dhaanyaamla in Cikitsaamanjari as the first treatment of vaatavyaadi, it prescribes Avagaaha.
Cuurnapindasveda is one among the uushmasvedas. It is categorised under ruukshasveda. It is administered using powders of various medicines (usually medhika, sarshapa, satapushpa, tila, badara, kulatha, etc., and combinations like Jataamayaadi, Kolakulathaadietc, etc.). Oil is applied over the area depending on the condition, aama or niraama. The pinda is heated on a pan and applied over the affected area. It will be heated using the steam of boiling dravadravyas like Dhaanyaamla in specific conditions. This can also be done on the whole body by two therapists standing on either side of the patient.
Dhanyamlam is a medicated liquid prepared by boiling rice, lemon, dry ginger, horse gram, herbs and millets, and blending them in a piece of linen, which is immersed in a large water pot for 7 days continuously. The medicinal liquid is poured over the patient’s body continuously (dhara) for 45 minutes, with the help of two masseurs. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory conditions, muscular sprain, obesity, thyroidism, etc.
Inhalation of herbal smoke, which is practiced rarely nowadays, is prescribed for diseases where vaata and kapha are aggravated, and for both prevention and cure. It has immense scope in the management of many chronic infections of the head and neck. The person who inhales smoke will not be affected by cough, dyspnea, rhinorrhea, hoarseness of voice, Halitosis (puutigandha), anemia, hair-related diseases, discharges from ears mouth eyes, itching, pain, inertia, lethargy and/or hiccups. Dhuumapaana is classified into 3 types: Snigdha for vaata conditions, Madhya for Vaatakapha conditions, Tiikshna for kapha conditions,
Oral retention of liquids or pastes is named as Ganduusha. For this, lukewarm or cold medicines are used. Gargling of lukewarm liquids in the mouth and throat is called Kabala. Both are retention procedures in the buccal cavity. In Ganduusha there is no space left in the mouth when the medicine is filled, and the procedure is done keeping the mouth closed. The oral cavity is rinsed thoroughly by the medicine, the reach to the throat is limited. This helps clear the diseases of the oral cavity. In Kabala (gargling) there is space left inside the oral cavity, the medicine is made to circulate in the throat-oropharynx, by keeping the lips open and forcing the breath out through the mouth gradually while retaining the medicines in situ.
This method is mostly administered to those with a pitta predominant condition and works effectively in treating a patient.
Jambeera pinda is a medicated bolus prepared with lemon and herbal medicines. Sudation with this bolus is called Jambeerapindasweda. This is done for 45 to 60 minutes with the help of two masseurs. This treatment is prescribed to patients with sciatica, gout, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, stiffness, swelling of joints, muscular stiffness, or cramps.
Kativasti is an Ayurveda treatment in which specially prepared warm medicated oil is held for about 45 minutes within a boundary made of herbal paste over the lower back. This is a unique herbal treatment for spinal disorders, back pain, lumbar spondylosis, degenerative intervertebral disc prolapse, sciatica, etc.
Kaayaseka with kashaaya is a variety of dravasveda in which a warm decoction is poured all over the body. Mainly it is prescribed to disorders with an association to pitta and kapha. The kashaayadhaara is done for skin disorders, and then the medicines prescribed will be in accordance with the skin conditions. Drugs can be selected as per Dosha condition. It can be done locally or generally. In kapha, it should be warm and in pitta cold. Localised kashaaya dhaara is mostly done in Vrana treatment.
Kshiiradhuuma is a Naadisveda which is a type of Uushmasveda. The therapeutic efficacy of Naadiisveda varies according to the liquid medicine used. Kshiiradhuuma is a snigdhasveda. In Naadiisveda, a tube of appropriate length attached to an apparatus containing liquid medicine is used to direct the steam appropriately to the area which is to be sudated. In Kshiiradhuuma, steam is generated by boiling milk and Balaamuula/Dazamuula/Vacakvaatha. It is mainly practiced in the management of Ardita, Jihvaastambha, Hanustambha, Svarabheda.
This is a treatment in which lukewarm medicated milk is made to flow slowly and consistently over the patient’s forehead for a particular duration, mostly over the glabella region or the whole body with a simultaneous soft massage. The benefits of Ksheeradhara are for proper blood circulation of the body and relaxation of the mind, as well as lubricating the joints, relieving pain, spasms, and stiffness of the muscles and joints.
The ears should be filled with medicated oil, simultaneously massaging the root of the ear, and is to be retained till the pain subsides. For the healthy, it may be retained for 100 maatra (approximately 3 minutes). Filling of the ears can be done only in the lateral position, and hence only one ear can be filled at a time. The ear will be well examined in advance for any tympanic perforation, and if found the procedure will not be undertaken for fear of complications like chronic suppurative otitis media.
Lepanam is the application of medicated herbal paste on targeted body parts. It is very effective for alleviating inflammatory conditions and is also good for treating skin diseases. Lepanam is also used for improving one’s skin complexion, during pain management. The thickness of the paste depends on the severity of a particular condition. The paste has to be removed before it dries. Lepanam is not administered to patients who are sensitive to heat and/or have sensitive skin. When applied on the face, the procedure is called Mukhalepam.
This is a procedure wherein herbal medications are instilled into the nasal cavity to treat diseases affecting body parts above the base of the neck. This is also done to remove the unwanted kapha from the same area in a preventive way, hence it’s incorporated into the daily routine as well. By habituating Nasya, the benefits like consistency and clarity of the skin (without blemishes and marks), of shoulders, neck, face and chest can be acquired, sense organs will become strong and there will be no graying of hair. There are three kinds of Nasya based on its function. They are Virecanam, Brmhanam and zamanam. Based on the materials used for Nasya it is classified as Snehanasya, Avapiidanasya and Pradhamananasya. Sneha Nasya is again divided into Marzanasya and Pratimarzanasya, based on the dosage of the medicine. Nasya should not be done before 7 years of age and after 80 years of age.
Tarpana is a treatment where the medicated ghee is retained in the eyes. This is done for non-inflammatory conditions. That is why it is indicated that it should be done only when redness, lacrimation, pain, irritation and excretions aren’t present.
Netradhaara is a special kind of Kashaayadhaara, which is done for inflammatory eye disorders. A patient’s eyes are inundated with herbal extracts that are preventive and curative in function. Different medicines are used for this, like Triphalayashticuurna and Ganduushacurna.
A special patented procedure, created, validated and tested for curative effectiveness by Vaidya Ravi himself, Nvaradhaara is done using a special rice-based medicinal liquid. It is administered by pouring this liquid continuously over the patient’s body for over a period of time.
This method is adopted in kaphaja conditions. Prachaana is used when the vitiated blood is very viscous.
Pathrapotalasweda or Elakizhi is a treatment involving sudation using herbal leaves. Effective for treating diseases related to bones, joints, and the nervous system, it improves blood circulation, relieves stiffness and pain, improves muscle strength, and improves skin complexion. It is usually prescribed for individuals with arthritis, myalgia, spondylosis, neurological, sports injuries, or neurological disorders.
The word patrapinda is derived from two words, patra means leaves and pinda means bundle. Patra Pindasweda refers to the sudation performed by a specially prepared bundle of medicinal leaves (generally vatakaphahara). It is a form of uushmasveda.
In this treatment medicated warm oil is applied to the local area affected. It is used as an effective method to treat ailments with a localised specific cause. It is found effective in various conditions related to the brain and spine, various traumatic conditions, etc.
One of the most popular Ayurveda treatments, Panchakarma is administered for detoxification and rejuvenation. The five-fold treatment aims at balancing the doshas, improving immunity, and restoring well-being. Highly personalised, the treatment has a general outline of sub-treatments which vary depending on the patient's constitution. The five cleansing methods are Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, and Rakta Moksha.
Acchapaana is the oral intake of medicated or non-medicated sneha in required quantities for a limited time period without mixing it with food articles. It can be zamana or zodhana. In this, sneha alone should be given in the early morning; after the digestion of sneha, liquid food should be given. Snehapaana should be considered as poorvakarma for Zodhana when it is used for utklesana. It can be considered as pradhaanakarma when used for zamana.
Shashtikapindasveda is performed in ekaanga or sarvaanga with the bolus of boiled Shashtikazaali (special kind of rice) with a herbal decoction and milk. The main properties of Shashtika are snigdha, laghu, sthira (the property that is concerned with providing strength and relieving fever, fatigue, exhaustion, and sickness), ziita and tridoshaghna. In Kerala, traditionally, this is used in the management of debilitating neuromuscular diseases and certain types of autoimmune disorders. It is mainly applied externally.
This is an improvisation of Shashtikapindasveda, which was developed based on the observation of the administration of shashtikapidasveda and the possibility of it incurring a generalized stiffness and rigidity of the body. This was experimented with the aid of two Yogis who do not have any particular disease. They were given the former treatment with two therapists and when it resulted in similar feedback, we decided to do the Shashtikadhaara with the same medicines. The method involves administering kaayaseka to the whole body by one person performing and another helper heating the liquid. Interestingly the problem of the rigidity was not incited by the dhaara. It could be explained by the fact that if more than one person was administering any treatment the energy fields would influence the patient’s body. Hence in all anulomana kind of external treatments, only one person touches the patient, while the helper does the other arrangements. So when we want localized brmhana, the shashtikapindasveda is done, and when we want generalized brmhana, shashtikadhaara is done.
The prescribed lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a cap which is fitted on the patient’s head and held in place for 15 to 60 minutes per day, according to the patient's conditions, for a period of 7 days. This treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, and other diseases of the head.
Venesection is a procedure for bloodletting, done by opening specified veins in pre-set conditions. It is used for purification of circulating blood, not stagnant blood. This is considered to be half of the treatment under Zalyatantra. This is usually administered to vitiating pitta and kapha, which causes cellulitis (visarpa), abscess, splenomegaly, tympanites, dyspepsia, fever, diseases of mouth, eyes and head, intoxication, thirst, salty taste in the mouth, skin disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bleeding disorders, belching acid, sour taste and giddiness.
Takradhaara is a variety of Zirodhaara, in which medicated buttermilk and other kashaayas are poured in a continuous stream over the forehead, in a prescribed manner. This is a special treatment developed in Kerala and hence is not explained in Brhatrayi. It alleviates the diseases arising from kapha and pitta aggravation, especially in the kaphasthaana. This is used in skin disorders, prameha, maanasikaroga and any other condition having kapha and pitta aggravation in the dhatu. It does not have much action in the koshtha. This is not ideal for vaata disorders. In zvaasa it should be used only to digest and remove the kapha, and should be stopped after that otherwise it would aggravate vaata.
It is a traditional Ayurveda treatment in Kerala. A medicated paste is applied to the head using a special procedure. It is used to treat those with insomnia, hypertension, chronic headaches like migraines, certain skin diseases of the scalp like dermatitis of the scalp, dandruff, premature greying of hair, epilepsy, anxiety, and depression, effectively. It also decreases ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Tailadhaara is a snigdhasveda in which a warmed oil decoction is poured all over the body/specific part for a stipulated period, in a prescribed manner. It has the advantage of producing snehana & svedana simultaneously. Tailadhaara is more specific than Pizhichilas as we can decide exactly where the oil has to fall, from which height and the direction of the movement of the oil more accurately, hence pizhichil is not done here. Mostly this is preceded by zirodhaara with taila. This is done for the whole body or locally depending on the disease.
The word thakra means buttermilk, and dhara means continuous flow. Hence, continuous flow with medicated buttermilk is called thakradhara. This Ayurveda treatment method involves the continuous flow of medicated buttermilk to the centre of the forehead for up to an hour. It is used to treat diseases like psoriasis, mental worries, insomnia, chronic headaches, migraines, etc.
Upanaha is a type of ekangasveda. The word upanaaha means to tie and keep for a day. It can be done with or without heating the medicine. If upanaaha is done during the day, it is removed at night and if done during the night, it is removed in the morning. It is usually done in conditions where there is severe stambhana (rigidity) in the joints.
Utsaadana is one variation of udvartana. In Utsaadana the medicines are mixed with some liquid medicine like takradhaanyaamla or some leaf juices depending on the condition. This is used for massaging all over the body. Here the main peculiarity is that this is done in anuloma and pratiloma directions. Pratiloma (against the normal direction of the prana), massage is done because it is meant to scrape off unwanted medas from the body. This treatment is originally explained in daily routines, for removing the oil from the body after abhyanga. This was developed into a separate treatment modality by the vaidyas later. Udvartana is not done here because the dust causes severe skin lesions and respiratory troubles.
Otherwise known as "medical enema", vasthi is a therapeutic procedure in which certain herbal oils, herbal extracts, etc are applied through the rectum daily for a period of 5 to 25 days. This Ayurveda treatment is effective for arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, numbness, gastric complaints, rheumatism, and chronic constipation. The three types of Vasthi are Uttara Vasthi (used for muscular chest pain and skin elasticity), Kashaya Vasti (for spinal problems and rheumatoid arthritis), and Sneha Vasti (special herbal decoctions are used).
Vamana is the therapeutic procedure where forceful expulsion of vitiated dosha occurs through the mouth following the administration of Vamana medication.
Virecana is a procedure in which the prakupitadoshas are expelled through the rectum by the administration of medicines orally. Medicines are used in different forms like cuurna, kvaatha, sneha, lehya, etc., depending on the condition of the patient. But here usually one Virecanagulikaor and one Triphalaadi Gulika are given along with Kashaaya of Draaksha, Aamalaki and Trivrt. All these are variable depending on the condition. The quantity (maatra) of virecanadravya depends on the koshtha of the patient. If Sneha virecan is required then usually Nimbaamrterandam is selected, but if the koshtha is too much Kruura then Mizraka Sneha may be required, which is more intense. If ruukshavirecana is required, especially with more pitta, then Trivrtcuurna is selected.
It is a type of baahyasneha, one among the muurdhataila in which suitable taila is continuously poured on the forehead where the hair follicles begin, from a specific height. 'Zira' means head and 'Dhaara' means a continuous flow. This Ayurveda treatment involves the continuous flow of oil on the body of the patient. It is a massage using herbal oils as well as some herbal concoctions like medicated buttermilk and milk, among others. It is carried out using a pot having a yarn wick fitted into the hole at its base. This pot is hung over a wooden stand and the patient concerned would be made to lie over a table. The liquid medication is then poured into the pot and the fluid is gradually trickled onto the patient’s head from a specific height. It is usually done to treat anxiety, insomnia, and neurological, psychological, and psychosomatic disorders with great results.
This is a variety of Muurdhataila, where cotton soaked with oil is tied onto the head for a prescribed time. It is administered as a treatment to most of the zirorogas, especially of the vaataja type, which includes hair loss, greying of hair and psychological diseases. Picu is also done on other parts of the body like kati, griiva, prstha, etc., and the procedure is almost the same. When it comes to the shoulders and knees the better method is by using cotton cloth about 4 inches wide dipped in warm oil and wrapped around the joints. It's kept in place for about 1 hour with intermittent heating by carefully dripping hot oil onto the cloth.
Zirolepa is done on the head with different kinds of medications in the form of paste. This is otherwise called as talapotichil. This is usually done in the afternoon (3 to 4 pm), to avoid the increase in kapha. Usually, buttermilk is used for grinding the medicines as it will not increase kapha. Zirolepa is administered for cases of sleeplessness, skin disorders which are mainly kapha and pitta in origin, mental disorders of kapha and pitta, hair loss due to vaata and pitta (Indralupta or Alopecia), and eye disorders of pitta and kapha.
Zirovasti is a procedure in which medicated oil is pooled over the head for a prescribed time. It is one among the muurdhataila. It is beneficial to do zirovasti after proper purificatory procedures. But in cases where zodhana is not required, it can be done directly.