kerala

Science of life

Ayurveda, which means 'Science of life' evolved around 600 BC in India. This new system of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been practised ever since. Today, it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine - a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body's humours - vata, pitta and kapha - to achieve the right balance.

Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to refresh yourself, eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain resistance and good health.

Kerala, the land of Ayurveda

Monsoon, the ideal time for rejuvenation

Rejuvenative Programmes

Rejuvenation Therapy (Rasayana Chikitsa)

Tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases 'Ojas' (primary vitality) and improves 'Sattva' (mental clarity) and thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and face massage with medicated oils and creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand and foot, internal rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.

Body Immunisation And Longevity Treatment (Kayakalpa Chikitsa)

Prime treatment for retarding the ageing process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunisation of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50.

Body Sudation (Sweda Karma)

Medicated steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily. Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles.

Body Slimming

Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, an Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.

Beauty Care

Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifies the body.

Mental And Physical Well Being (Meditation and Yoga)

Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the body and mind - designed to hone your concentration, improve health and help attain peace of mind through eight stages of training : 1. Disciplined behaviour (yama) 2. Self purification (niyama) 3. Bodily postures such as the lotus position (asana) 4. Control of breathing (pranayama) 5. Control of the senses (pratyahara) 6. Fixing of the mind on a chosen object (dharana) 7. Meditation (dhyana) and 8. Samadhi - a state of being where you experience absolute tranquility and well being.

Overall Fitness (Panchakarma Treatment)

A five fold treatment for mental and physical well being - tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.

Therapeutic Programmes

Treatment for chronic headaches, insomnia, mental tension and cases of hysteria, hallucination and insanity. (Dhara)

Herbal oils, medicated milk or butter milk and decoctions are poured on the forehead/whole body in a special manner. Variations include Oordhwanga Dhara (good for diseases of the eyes, ears and skin), Takra Dhara (for those suffering from memory loss, severe headache or insanity) and Sarvanga Dhara (for both head and body).

Treatment to alleviate osteoarthritis, leukemia etc. (Snehapanam)

Medicated ghee is given internally in a gradually increased quantity for specific periods.

Treatment for dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, facial paralysis and burning sensation in the head. (Sirovasti)

Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for specific durations as per physician's recommendation.

Treatment for spondilosis, rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, nervous weaknesses and nervous disorders.(Pizhichil)

Lukewarm herbal oil is applied with fresh linen all over the body by trained masseurs in a rhythmic manner for a period of 1 to 11/2 hours daily for 7 to 21 days.

Treatment for diseases like hemiplegia, paralysis, obesity and certain rheumatic ailments.(Udvarthanam)

Therapeutic massage with herbal powders.

Treatment for musculo-skeletal ailments due to trauma or accidents.(Marma Chikitsa)

Treatment that works on the extremely sensitive vital points of the body (the 107 marmas).

Treatment for nasal ailments. (Nasyam)

Inhalation of medicated herbal preparations, decoction oils, ghee etc. to eliminate the morbid factors from the head and neck area.

Treatment for ear ailments. (Karnapooranam)

Medicated oils are applied to the ear for 5 to 10 minutes daily to clean as well as treat specific ailments.

Preventing cataract and strengthening vision. (Tharpanam)

A treatment for the eyes effective in preventing cataract and strengthening the optic nerve.

Treatment for wasting of muscles, rheumatism, sports injuries, pain in the joints, emaciation of the body or parts of the body and certain kinds of skin diseases. (Njavarakizhi)