Ayurvedic Therapies work on the principles of nature to help you find balance in your life and lead a disease free life.
An ancient medical science, Ayurveda utilises knowledge of nature and its resources to cure the numerous diseases that affect humans.
The treatments prescribed in this branch of science focus more on regulating the functions of the body as a whole instead of only treating the symptoms visible to the eye.
Following an Ayurvedic way of living throughout our life is a great way to stay healthy and prevent illnesses. The herbal formulations used in Ayurveda have proven to be extremely effective in treating various health conditions.
In this article, we have listed some highly effective Ayurvedic treatments and their benefits for overall wellness.
8 Ayurvedic Therapies For Complete Well Being:
1. Panchakarma
Panchakarma literally translates to ‘five actions’. The treatment includes 5 different techniques that focus on purification and rejuvenation of the body.
The procedures cleanse the toxins deposited in the strotas of the body over a long period of time. The therapy takes from 21 days up to a month based on the needs of the patient.
It involves use of medicated oils and herbs that are used in the procedures done for enhancing blood circulation and regulate the lymphatic system. Panchkarma removes toxins from the body and strengthens the immunity.
Benefits of Panchkarma:
- Cleanses toxins
- Relaxation and stress management
- Balances doshas
- Regulates metabolism
- Rejuvenates skin
- Improves Immunity
The 5 therapies that make up Panchkarma are as follows:
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i. Vamanan
This therapy focuses on the Respiratory system and upper gastrointestinal tract. It causes vomiting induced by herbs with the intention of clearing the toxins in the respiratory system and the sinuses.
The medicine is mixed with salt, honey and milk and given to the patient in the morning on an empty stomach. The medicine stimulates the vomiting and clears out the toxins.
Benefits:
- Kapha diseases
- Skin diseases
- Respiratory conditions
ii. Virechanam
This procedure focuses on the Digestive system, Spleen, Liver and Spleen. It is a medically induced faecal expulsion. It resets the digestive tract by cleansing the bowels of the toxin deposits.
The medicine is prepared and administered early in the morning. They are also advised to drink copious amounts of warm water for the medicine to get digested.
Benefits:
- Pitha diseases
- Skin diseases
- Digestive disorders
- Chronic rheumatism
iii. Snehavasthy
It is an enema procedure using oil-based medicines that serve the purpose of cleaning the intestines by removal of toxins and other waste deposits.
Snehavasthy focuses on the digestive system and aims to relieve the stress on these organs due to any toxin accumulation.
Benefits:
- Vata related diseases
- Reproductive disorders
- Conditions of the Spine
iv. Nasyam
It is a nasally administered enema procedure which focuses on the nose and all other organs above the neck. The medicine is given in the form of oil through the nostrils and slowly lets the medicine gets absorbed into the circulatory system.
The patient’s face and neck are exposed to steam and then the oil droplets are gently administered. The procedure is highly technique sensitive.
Benefits:
- Conditions of the Nose and Para-nasal sinuses
- Disorders of the Head and Neck
- Hair and scalp conditions
v. Kashayavasthy
Kashayavasthy is the process of herbal enema that focuses on cleansing the lower digestive tract.
The difference between this and Snehavasthy is that the former is done prior to a meal while the latter is done after the meal.
Benefits
- Vata diseases
- Joint diseases
- Nervous disorders
- Skin conditions
- Diseases of the urinary and reproductive tracts
2. Abhyanga (Oil Massage)
Abhyanga or Oil massage is something that can be done even every day. Medicated herbal oils are used to deep massage the whole body. This is done by trained and certified masseuses.
The medicine is absorbed through the skin and stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
Benefits:
- Relaxation and improves sleep
- Improve circulation, digestion
- Skin dryness
3. Tharpanam
This is a procedure devised to improve eyesight and treat other conditions of the eye. Medicine-infused oil is poured over the eyes through which it gets absorbed and repairs any damage in the layers of the eyeball.
Benefits:
- Degenerative diseases of the eye
- Stress and Damage
- Short/Long-sightedness
4. Putapakam
Tharpanam is followed by Putapakam where herbal liquids are poured over the eyes as a cleansing process.
It clears out any of the ghee remaining in the eye, and refreshes and relieves the eye from any stress.
Benefits:
- Optic Nerve Degeneration
- Stress in the eyes
- Damage in the layers of eyeball
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5. Pizhichil
Pizhichil is the process of pouring warm medicine-infused oil all over the body. The medicinal herbs differ based on the patient’s health condition.
Before Pizhichil, the patient’s body is given a massage so the specially prepared oil is absorbed better through the skin.
The continuous dripping of oil over the body relaxes the nerves, helps in joint conditions and improves blood and lymph circulation.
Benefits:
- Degenerative joint diseases
- Diseases of the nerves
- Spine and vertebrae-related conditions
6. Thalapothichil
Medicated oil is applied to the head and scalp for preparation. Following that, a paste made of gooseberry and buttermilk with added medicinal herbs is applied all over the head.
A banana leaf is then wrapped around it and left to rest for 45 minutes. The scalp is allowed to sweat which in turn improves blood circulation. It also helps in faster absorption of the medicine.
Benefits:
- Mental stress and anxiety
- Sleeping disorders
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Sinusitis
7. Sirovasthy
Sirovasthy is a procedure where the person’s head is covered with a cap that is filled with a medicinal oil custom-made for the individual.
The scalp is allowed to soak in the oil for 30 to 45 minutes during which the medicine gets absorbed.
This treatment is very beneficial for many conditions of the head, neck, spine and nervous system. It aids in the relaxation of the mind, reparation of nerves and rejuvenation of the body as a whole.
It helps with blood circulation, headaches, stroke, paralysis and many other conditions.
8. Podikizhy (Bundle Massage)
This is also called the Choorna pinda swedam. Bundles of herbal powder are continuously pounded all across the body by 2 or 3 therapists.
The bundles are made of cotton cloths and the herbal powder is made from a mixture of specific herbs such as sesame seeds, cotton seeds and castor roots chosen for this exact purpose.
The bundles are warmed in oil that is continuously kept bearable and then dabbed all over the body. The massage is done for about 45 minutes.
This is a slightly strenuous procedure that activates your blood circulation and lymph drainage.
Benefits:
- Pain and stiffness of joints
- Arthritis
- Degenerative diseases
- Diseases of the spine and vertebral column
Summary:
Ayurvedic treatments are wholesome and effective alternatives to chemical drugs. These are specifically formulated and devised individually to suit one’s needs.
Ayurveda makes use of the resources from nature and helps relieve the body from its ailments. There are numerous treatments followed in this ancient practice and one article is not enough to cover them all.
We have tried to provide you with as much information as we could in this article about 8 powerful and effective ayurvedic treatments.
The foremost of them is the Panchkarma which includes 5 different treatment procedures that are done mainly to detox, relax and rejuvenate the whole body.
The other treatments described include sirovasthy, tharpanam, podikizhy, etc., all of them working to cure different ailments taking into consideration the inner workings of the human body, the circulatory system, the respiratory system,the digestive system and the lymphatic system.
When stricken with diseases, find refuge in Ayurvedic Therapies listed above to stay healthy and full of life.
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