Ayurveda is an ancient medical science developed around 5000BC.It is based on some observational concepts which have stood the test of time for thousands of years. The origin of Ayurveda is from Vedas(Atharvaveda) which are the ancient books of knowledge, or science of life. Vedas contain practical and scientific information on various subjects like health, philosophy, astrology, architecture etc. The word Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term meaning “science of life”. Ayu means life or daily living, and Veda means knowledge or science. Life according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. Ayurveda considers the physical, mental and spiritual well being of a person to become healthy.
Ayurveda is a way of life rather than a medical science. Ayurveda helps the healthy person to maintain his/her health and diseased person to regain his/her health. Ayurveda explains about one’s diet, daily routine, life style and activities to be followed on a daily basis and according to the climatic changes, age and individual potency to keep himself healthy. The practice of Ayurveda is designed to promote human happiness, health ,human happiness,health and progression of healthy generation.Ayurveda defines 'health' as, not just a physical entity but physical, mental and spiritual well being of an individual with whole Doshas in harmony
According to Ayurveda there are 3 types of energies called Vata, Pitha and Kapha which, always flow in our body and maintain all normal bodily functions such as digestion, circulation, respiration etc. It has role to maintain mental health and memory also. These 3 energies are capable of maintaining the normal bodily functions when they are in a balanced state. The balanced state and imbalance of these energies can be understood by different signs and symptoms. Treatment is basically balancing the energies with medicines, diet recommendations, physical and mental exercises, external /internal therapeutic procedures etc. The balance of these three denotes health and imbalance of these proceeds to ill health or disease.
Treatment in AYURVEDA aims at treating the disease by addressing its root cause, preventing its possible recurrence and ensuring overall well being. Medicines are prepared from natural sources like herbs, minerals, animal origin drugs etc which undergo a series of scientific purification process called as “shodhana”, to remove impurities and toxicity if any and is made into nano form which is easily digested and assimilated by our body, without any side effects when administered along with suitable scientific diet and regimen(pathya). This century old scientific wisdom of AYURVEDA has stood through the test of time for years, successfully serving health to the needy, as it is a system bonding with nature.
In India, development and growth of such a body of knowledge known as Ayurveda, meaning science of life, was coeval with the growth and evolution of Indian civilization and culture. Vedas, which are considered to be the repositories of recorded Indian culture, have a mention of this knowledge both in theoretical and practical form. There is discussion of theories about the composition of living and non-living matter, the physical, biochemical, biological, psychological and spiritual components of man and the vital motive forces working both inside and outside the body.
In other ancient works there is mention of such current medical subjects like anatomy, physiology, aetiology, pathology, treatment and environmental factors. This medical knowledge has been the hardwork of ancient scholarly sages. It is the out-come of the great power of observation, generalization and analysis combined with patient labour ,investigators,experimentations etc over thousands of years.
This knowledge has played so important part in the development of Indian culture that, it has been documented in an integrated form in the Vedas which are considered to have been originated from Gods. Most of this mythological and medico-religious genesis of Ayurveda is even today shrouded in the mist of antiquity.
These are the five fold therapeutic modalities to promote detoxification and rejuvenation, intended to intensively cleanse the body and restore health, by eliminating the vitiated doshas. They are: Vamana{emesis} Virechana{purgation} Nasyam{instillation of nasal medication} Vasthi{enema-(oil/decoction)} Rakta mokshanam{blood letting} It is done under strict medical supervision, with scientific diet as poorva(pior),pradhana(main) and paschath( aftermath) karma(procedures).
Synchronized anointion of warm medicated oil,which is an integral part of daily routine, recommended by this healing system for overall health and wellbeing. Duration:45mins
Swedanam is a process to induce sweating artificially in a person who has already undergone snehana( oleation therapy Swedanam includes variety of therapies like steam bath, elakizhi, podikizhi,njavara kizhi pizhichil, various dhaara,various vasthi(local), etc.
Steam bath is a commonly used therapy, done after Abhyangam, wherein medicated/ herbal steam is used to enable perspiration, to alleviate toxins through sweat, relieve stress,improve circulation and soothen muscles. Duration: 10 to 15 mins
The word “Pizhichil “ in Malayalam means to “ squeeze” and in this procedure, cotton cloth soaked in warm medicated oil is squeezed on to the persons body from a height of about 20cms as a continuous stream, followed by mild massage. Duration:45mins to 1hour
As the name denotes , a bundle of specific medicated leaves with few more ingrdients is used, to give soft punches on oleated body,which is useful in strained muscles, sore joints,arthritis etc. Duration: 45mins
In this treatment modality, njavara rice is the main ingredient, which is boiled in a mixture of milk and kashayam, which is further made into a bolus in a clean cotton cloth and is dipped in the warm milk-decoction mixture, simultaneously applied over the previously anointed body, until the njavara is used up, which is a nourishing therapy. Duration:45mins
A special self fermented medicinal preparation made out of various kinds of grains, lemon, horse gram, etc. is poured continuously on to the body after a short oil massage. It is analgesic in nature and widely used in inflammatory disorders.
A unique procedure wherein cereals(dhanya) like njavara rice,horse gram, millet etc are let to ferment along with lemon, dried ginger, medicines etc in a traditional way for a specific period and is used when warm for pouring over the affected part or whole body as a constant stream, ideally used in inflammatory conditions, obesity, paralysis etc. Duration: 45mins
A therapy that involves gentle pouring of luke warm medicated oil over the forehead, in a stable, rhythmic and continuous flow . It helps in relieving mental stress, anxiety,in treating hypertension,insomnia, depression etc. Duration: 30 to 45mins
Procedure similar to sirodhara, wherein warm medicated butter milk is poured over the forehead region, as a constant stream, in a rhythmic pattern, which is an ideal stress buster and CNS stimulator. Duration: 30 to 45 mins
A palliative procedure of pooling liquid medicines, especially medicated oil or ghee, in a compartment contructed over the head, ideally used in many head and neck related diseases. Duration:30 to 45mins
Medicated powder is mixed with oil or ghee and is applied on the head, mainly around the bregma region, which is disease specific like migraine, ENT disorders,eye ailments, insomnia, hypertension etc. Duration: 20 to 30mins
It is one among the five major procedures ideally indicated for diseases above the shoulder,like head and neck. A practice that encourages nasal administration of medicinal powders or medicated oil, chosen as per the state and stage of the ailment. Duration: 30mins
A procedure wherein eyes are bathed in a pool of lukewarm medicated ghee, with constant blinking of eyes for a specific period, mainly used in treating various eye ailments. Duration:30 to 40 mins
Instilling of medicated oil or ghee in the ears is called karna pooranam. It’s the treatment of choice in conditions like tinnitus, menniere’s disease, stiffness of jaw and other related ear ailments. Duration:15 to 30mins
A dry powder massage done using medicated herbal powders , in the direction opposite to that of hair follicles. It is exfoliative, improves blood circulation, reduces cellulite, also used in treating muscular dystrophy, obesity etc Duration: 45mins
An oil treatment, that involves pooling of warm medicated oil within a compartment for a specific period of time. It is done in cervical(greeva), lumbar( kati), knees(janu),chest(uro), head(siro)etc. Duration:30mins
A warm medicated paste is applied over a clean leaf of a suitable medicinal plant and used as a bandage over the affected area, as instructed by the treating physician, mainly used in inflammatory conditions. Duration:as per the treating physician
A blood letting procedure done using medicated leech, widely used in the treatment of dermatological and vascular conditions like eczema,psoriasis, varicose veins, ulcers etc. It is also used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, cellulitis etc. It is an effective and painless method of letting out vitiated blood without any instruments.