Ayurveda-Introduction

Ayurveda is India’s traditional, natural health care system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years “Ayur” in Sanskrit means “life”, “Veda” means “science”. It is a perfect Science of health and longevity. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the Body, Mind and Spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation. Ayurveda treats illness at its source, rather than at the level of symptoms and helps an individual to take responsibility for their own health and well-being.

Well-known Ayurvedic treatments.
Udwordhan is for those who want to lose weight. A restricted diet of varadhi kashayams is given, followed by special ‘upward’ massages with herbal oils and powders, in order to reduce body-fat.

Nasyam can cure a series of ailments from headaches and sinus to mental and paralytic disorders. It involves removing the vitiated Kapha (phlegm) from the head and neck by pouring herbal oil and juices into the nose. Snehapanam is meant for various stomach and skin diseases & involves the internal consumption of herbal oils, starting with an amount of 30 ml. Depending on the digestive capacity of the patient and the seriousness of the ailment, the quantity of oil is slowly increased to a maximum amount of 250 ml.

Rasayanamis, a rejuvenative therapy involves a nutritious diet and the intake of medicated oil with milk. This quantity is increased by 10 g according to the digestive capacity of the patient.

Sirodhara is for problems of insomnia, fatigue, paraplegia, and bad memory. It involves the pouring of medicated oil on the forehead in a continuous stream, which improves the power of the sensory organs.

Sirovashti is meant for those with nervous, mental and speech problems, and for facial paralysis. It is a specialized treatment, where a ‘cap’ made of urad dal (lentil) powder is fixed on the head (sometimes it involves shaving of the hair). Medicated oil is poured into the cap from a hole on top, until the oil comes out from the nose.

Kwatha and Mathura Vasti are meant for arthritis, paralysis, nemiplegia, as well as gastric problems. It involves the intake of kashayams and oils so that the impure wastes (vasti) are removed.

Tharpanam and Pudapakam are applied for eye diseases. It involves the pouring of herbal juices and medicated ghee (clarified butter) into the eyes for strengthening the optic nerve, as well as the intake of herbal medicines at night.

Vamana is meant to cure various stomach ailments, as well as leprosy, leucoderma and psoriasis. It involves the intake of various herbal medicines and a strict diet.

Aragahaswedam is for gynecological problems, slip-disc and chronic back complaints. For this, the patient is massaged with medicated oil and then sits in steaming-hot water mixed with herbal leaves and powders.

Niavarakizhi can be applied for arthritis, spondylitis and stiffness of muscles. A kizhi consists of a cloth-ball which is filled with hot and roasted herbal powders and leaves that is rubbed into the body. The kizhi for this treatment is made up of medicated rice powder, herbal oils, and leaves.

Pizhichil is well known for the rejuvenation of old people, as well as a preventive for premature ageing. It is a very popular treatment. The kizhis are made up of four medicated oils and are rubbed vigorously all over the limbs until the whole body perspires. This treatment can be done only once a year.