Ayurvedic Therapies
Panchakarma:
The three doshas, Vata, Pitha & Kapha are the functional units of the body. Various day to day activities like a hectic lifestyle, stress, irregular & erratic diet schedule etc lead to the accumulation of impurities (toxins) in the body tissues. This also results in an imbalance of the three doshas, which is considered as the root cause of all diseases in Ayurveda. Hence, periodic elimination of these toxins from the body helps to restore the balance and helps the body to maintain the equilibrium. This therapy is called ‘Sodhana’.
Sodhana means purification and in this treatment, the toxins are expelled from the body through the major orifices. Sodhana is performed using “Panchakarma” – different procedures to detoxify the human system. This is usually followed by ‘rasayana’, the rejuvenative therapies to strengthen the body.
Panchakarma is a group of specialized purification procedures including Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasyam etc. These procedures are highly beneficial in chronic health conditions. Periodic elimination of toxins using Panchakarma helps in maintaining robust health.
The three doshas, Vata, Pitha & Kapha are the functional units of the body. Various day to day activities like a hectic lifestyle, stress, irregular & erratic diet schedule etc lead to the accumulation of impurities (toxins) in the body tissues. This also results in an imbalance of the three doshas, which is considered as the root cause of all diseases in Ayurveda. Hence, periodic elimination of these toxins from the body helps to restore the balance and helps the body to maintain the equilibrium. This therapy is called ‘Sodhana’.
Sodhana means purification and in this treatment, the toxins are expelled from the body through the major orifices. Sodhana is performed using “Panchakarma” – different procedures to detoxify the human system. This is usually followed by ‘rasayana’, the rejuvenative therapies to strengthen the body.
Panchakarma is a group of specialized purification procedures including Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasyam etc. These procedures are highly beneficial in chronic health conditions. Periodic elimination of toxins using Panchakarma helps in maintaining robust health.
Vamanam
Vamanam means controlled induced emesis. This is a purification procedure which is performed only on prescription. It is usually prescribed in conditions of Kapha predominance like Asthma, breathing difficulty, headache, skin diseases, allergic manifestations etc. It is also performed as part of the prevention against such diseases.
Virechanam
Virechanam is induced purgation. This is an Ayurvedic therapeutic procedure in which the accumulated Pitha predominant waste matter is expelled from the body by inducing purgation. It is usually performed under prescription in conditions where there is an aggravation of Pitha in the body which may lead to conditions like skin diseases, Jaundice, Swelling etc. It is also performed periodically as prevention against the accumulation of Pitha.
Vasti
Vasthi is a medicated enema. This is a purification procedure which is performed only on prescription. It is usually prescribed in conditions of Vata predominance like Low back ache, constipation, Sciatica, excessive flatulence, paralysis, arthritis, urinary & bowel incontinence etc. It is also performed as part of the prevention against such diseases.
Vasti is mainly of two types:
1. Kashaya vasti or decoction enema
2. Sneha vasti or oil enema
In sneha vasti, only medicated oils / ghrithams are used, whereas in Kashaya vasti, a mixture of various ingredients with a predominance of decoctions is used.
Kashaya vasti is evacuatory- it purifies the body by expelling the accumulated toxins from the body whereas Sneha vasti nourishes and lubricates the body. These two treatments are used in combination, thus producing a balance of purification and nourishment in the body. Usually, sneha vasti is given first to lubricate. This is followed by a Kashaya vasti to detoxify. This combination of sneha and sodhana in the vasti treatment normalizes all doshas and cures diseases.
Nasyam
Nasyam is a process of nasal instillation of medication. This procedure is especially beneficial in the diseases pertaining to the neck and above – like headache, sinusitis, Cervical spondylitis, diseases of the eyes, ears, nose etc. It is also very useful in neurological conditions. It is also performed as part of the prevention against such diseases. Nasyam is also a very effective tool against hair fall, dandruff, itchy & dry scalp etc.
Vamanam means controlled induced emesis. This is a purification procedure which is performed only on prescription. It is usually prescribed in conditions of Kapha predominance like Asthma, breathing difficulty, headache, skin diseases, allergic manifestations etc. It is also performed as part of the prevention against such diseases.
Virechanam
Virechanam is induced purgation. This is an Ayurvedic therapeutic procedure in which the accumulated Pitha predominant waste matter is expelled from the body by inducing purgation. It is usually performed under prescription in conditions where there is an aggravation of Pitha in the body which may lead to conditions like skin diseases, Jaundice, Swelling etc. It is also performed periodically as prevention against the accumulation of Pitha.
Vasti
Vasthi is a medicated enema. This is a purification procedure which is performed only on prescription. It is usually prescribed in conditions of Vata predominance like Low back ache, constipation, Sciatica, excessive flatulence, paralysis, arthritis, urinary & bowel incontinence etc. It is also performed as part of the prevention against such diseases.
Vasti is mainly of two types:
1. Kashaya vasti or decoction enema
2. Sneha vasti or oil enema
In sneha vasti, only medicated oils / ghrithams are used, whereas in Kashaya vasti, a mixture of various ingredients with a predominance of decoctions is used.
Kashaya vasti is evacuatory- it purifies the body by expelling the accumulated toxins from the body whereas Sneha vasti nourishes and lubricates the body. These two treatments are used in combination, thus producing a balance of purification and nourishment in the body. Usually, sneha vasti is given first to lubricate. This is followed by a Kashaya vasti to detoxify. This combination of sneha and sodhana in the vasti treatment normalizes all doshas and cures diseases.
Nasyam
Nasyam is a process of nasal instillation of medication. This procedure is especially beneficial in the diseases pertaining to the neck and above – like headache, sinusitis, Cervical spondylitis, diseases of the eyes, ears, nose etc. It is also very useful in neurological conditions. It is also performed as part of the prevention against such diseases. Nasyam is also a very effective tool against hair fall, dandruff, itchy & dry scalp etc.
Other Therapies:
Abhyangam
Abhayngam is an Ayurvedic Theraputic procedure in which the prescribed medicated oils are applied on the head and body in specific positions in a methodical way, accompanied by a skilful massage.
Taila Dhara
Taila Dhara is a
special process of rhythmic pouring of the prescribed warm liquids likes oils,
fermented rice water, medicated milk etc on the whole body.
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Pizhicchil
This is a
popular therapeutic procedure in which warm medicated oil is rhythmically
poured on the body by squeezing a clean cotton cloth dipped in it, accompanied
by a gentle massage by experienced hands.
Nassyam
Nasyam is a process of nasal instillation
of medication. This procedure is especially beneficial in the diseases
pertaining to the neck and above – like headache, sinusitis, etc.
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Shirodhara
Shirodhara is a
special process of rhythmic pouring of the prescribed warm liquids likes oils,
fermented rice water, medicated milk etc on the whole body.
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Shirovasti
Shirovasti therapeutic procedure soothes and tones up the nervous system. Here,
warm medicated oils are retained on the headwith the help of a special
cap for a specified period of time. This is especially beneficial in
derangements of the nervous system.
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