Karkidaka chikitsa is a traditional Ayurvedic practice followed in Kerala, since ages. Monsoon (karkidakam) is considered as the most challenging season of the year, in regard to health. Incessant rains and prevailing dampness, increases the vulnerability of disease afflicting microbes and in turn, our weakened body with low immunity and imbalanced doshas, are more susceptible to illness during this season.
To address such inflictions during monsoon and to minimize their impact, our ancestors incorporated several healthy practices to promote healing and for prolonged well being, the so called “ Karkidaka chikitsa”. This regimen encompasses a series of events ranging from spiritual habits, kindling digestive fire, medicated gruel intake, therapeutic regimen and satsanga. The chief objective is to detoxify, alleviate ailments, enhance immunity and in turn a complete “rejuvenation”. Packages can be availed for the same which includes treatments like Abhyangam, Pizhichil, Vasthi, Sirodhara, Nasyam, Virechanam etc. Other procedures like Ela kizhi, Podi kizhi, Njavara kizhi etc are done as directed by the physician depending on the health status of the person.
KARKIDAKA KANJI (MEDICATED PORRIDGE): A nutritious and health packed rice gruel, advised during the monsoon season, which is prepared of njavara rice (shashtikam) along with various herbal powders, seasoned with shallots and ghee. It is a formulation which is easily digestive with ample benefits to boost our immune system. Foods that are carminative and easily digestive are considered ideal for consumption during this season. For easy accessibility and preparation, kits with necessary ingredients of the same are made available at our outlets during this period of monsoon season.
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.