Ayurveda Treatments

The principle of treatment in Ayurveda focuses on bringing back the normalcy of functions of systems by various methods. The method is a process of changing the condition through different steps and there by establish the equilibrium of doshas (humours). In fact treatment is directed to perform a well-planned re-arrangement in the subtle plane according to Ayurveda.

There are eight divisions of treatments in Ayurveda

	Kaya chikitsa (General treatment)
	Bala chikitsa (Pediatrics)
	Urndhanga chikitsa (ENT & eye diseases treatment)
	Grahachikitsa (Psychiatry)
	Salya chikitsa (Surgical procedures)
	Visha chikitsa (Toxicology)
	Rasayana chikitsa (Geriatrics)
	Vajeekarana chikitsa (Aphrodisiac treatment)

Treatments includes various types of therapies like medicated oil massage, preventive aspects like daily and seasonal regimens, curative /curative purification process using herbal preparations like juice of wet herbs, herbal pastes (kalka), kashayams (herbal decotions) medicated oils, medicated butter and ghee preparation, Arishtams (fermented preparations) etc.

Among the various therapies, Panchakarma (purification therapy) is the specialty of Ayurveda treatments that consists of Snehana (oleation), Swedana (sudation), Vamana (inducing emesis), Virechana (inducing purgation), Nasya (medication through nostrils), Kashaya Vasti (enema using medicated decoction) and Snehavasti (enema using medicated oils). These treatments help cleanse the systems to maintain perfect health. The inconsistency developed and lodged in Dhatus (tissue spaces) due to the vitiation of doshas (humours) gets eliminated by the panchakarma therapy.

Ayrvedic pharmacology is based on a sophisticated indigenous knowledge category called ' DRAVYAGUNA SASTRA' consisting of the study of a drug in relation to its Rasa (tastes), Guna (properties), Veerya (potency), Vipaka (biotransformation) and Prabhava (special therapeutic action).

Ayurveda takes into serious consideration the Prakruti (body constitution- see chart), Agni (digestive fire), Ahara (food habits), Ritu (seasonal changes) etc. while selecting the drug and therapy for the particular disease. Ayurvedic pharmacology considers the overall systemic effect of any plant in terns of its effect on physiological balance (equilibrium of doshas), body tissues (dhatus) and the excretory system (malas).

PRIME TREATMENTS IN AYURVEDA

	PIZHICHIL - 14 Days In this treatment, lukewarm herbal oils are applied all over the body by two to four trained masseurs in a special rhythmic way for about 60 to 90 minutes per day for a period of 7 to 21 days. This treatment is very useful for Rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, paralysis-agitanus, sexual weakness, nervous weakness and nervous disorders etc.
	NJAVARAKIZHI - 14 Days It is a process by which the whole body or any specific part thereof is made to perspire by the application of certain medical puddings externally in the form of boluses tied up in a muslin bag. This is applied by two to four masseurs for about 60 to 90 minutes per day for a period of 14 days. This treatment is for all types rheumatism, pain in the joints, emaciation of limbs, blood pressure, cholesterol and certain kinds of skin diseases.
	DHARA - 14 Days - (THAKRA DHARA AND KSEERA DHARA) In this process, some herbal oils, medicated milk, medicated butter milk etc., are poured on the forehead in a special method for about 45 minutes in a day for a period of 7 to 21 days. This treatment is mainly for insomnia, vatha predominated diseases, mental tension and certain skin diseases.
	VASTHI – 14 Days –(MATRA VASTHI, SNEHA VASTHI, KASHAYA VASTHI) Certain herbal oils, herbal extracts etc., are applied through the rectum daily for a period of 5 to 25 days. This treatment is for arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, numbness, gastric complaints associated with rheumatism and constant constipation.
	SIROVASTHI - 14 Days Certain lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head 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, burning sensation of head and other vatha originated diseases.
	UDVARTHANAM –14 Days This is a typical massage with herbal powders for about 30 minutes daily for a period of 14 to 28 days. This treatment is for the diseases like hemiplegia, paralysis, obesity (excess fat) and certain rheumatic ailments.
	ABHYANGAM –14 Days Special type of oil massage in which strokes are given according to the diseases for 45 minutes per day for 14 days. This treatment is very useful for obesity, especially for diabetic Gangrene (a condition due to lack of blood circulation in the extremes of the body) etc.
	NASYAM –14 Days Herbal juices, medicated oils etc., are applied through nose for 7 to 14 days. This treatment is highly effective for certain kinds of headaches, paralysis, mental disorders, certain types of skin diseases etc.
	SNEHAPANAM – 14 Days Medicated ghee is given internally in a proportionally increased quantity for a period of 8 to 12 days. This treatment is for osteo arthritis, sporaris, leukaemia etc.
	KIZHI – 14 Days Herbal leaves and herbs or herbal powders are applied to the whole body in boluses with hot medicated oils for 45 minutes per day for a period of 7 to 14 days. This treatment is for osteo arthritis, arthritis with swelling, spondilosis, sports injuries etc.
	DHANYAMLA DHARA –14 Days Warm herbal liquid is poured all over the body in a rhythmic way through a special vessel for 45 minutes to 1 hour daily. This treatment is very effective for hemiplegia, paralysis, rheumatic complaints etc.
	YONI PRAKSHALANAM – 7 Days Herbal oils and decoctions are applied through the vaginal route. This treatment is good for gynaecological disorders. It is also a purification process for genital organs.
	KATIVASTHI In this process specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the lower back with herbal paste boundary. This treatment lasts for 45 minutes to 1 hour and it is good for any type of back pain and spinal disorders.
	UROVASTHI Warm medicated oil is kept over the chest for 45 minutes. This is an effective treatment for asthma, other respiratory problems, heart diseases and muscular chest pain.
	KSHEERADHOOMAM This is fomentation with medicated cow milk. This treatment is good for facial paralysis, Bell’s palsy, speech disorders and other nervous disorders of the face.
	THALAM Special powder mixed with medicated oil applying on the top of the head for 20 to 45 minutes. This treatment is helpful for ENT problems, insomnia, migraine etc.
	LEPANAM This is a process by which medicated herbal paste is applied on the affected part. This is useful for various types of inflammatory conditions.