Traditional Ayurvedic Treatments

Pavanatma excels in Kerala’s traditional Ayurvedic treatments and procedures. These treatments are most popular across the globe by virtue of their authenticity and the 100% herbal-based medicinal formulations. Kerala is home for various therapies like traditional Ayurvedic massage, Sirodhara, Elakkizhi, and Njavarakkizhi. These treatments are the unique, authentic and scientific pre-therapeutic procedures. The medicated oils and other medicinal formulations used in these therapies were also been developed traditionally.

Panchakarma Treatments

Pavanatma’s Panchakarma treatments target purification, detoxification and rejuvenation of the body. ‘Panchakarma’ means five essential therapeutic treatments which include vamana (Induced vomiting through the oral administration of medicines), Virechana (Induced purgation through the oral administration of medicines), Snehavasti (ano-rectal administration of medicated oils), Kashayavasti (ano-rectal administration of medicinal herbal extracts) and Nasya (nasal administration of medicated oils/ medicinal herbal extracts).

Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma treatments for prevention of diseases, in addition to restoration and rejuvenation of health and therapeutic management of diseases. On a wellness perspective, Panchakarma treatments are done at any time to keep the body immunity and metabolism strong and to prevent toxins accumulating in the body. They enhance and restore the essential balance of body and mind.

Course of Panchakarma Treatments

Ayurveda prescribe a course of Panchakrma Treatments with a minimum of seven days’ duration and a maximum of 28 days for the wellness and for the treatment of diseases. The actual duration may vary in individual cases in accordance with the complexity of the problems and the patient’s general physical conditions.

Brief of some of the most popular therapeutic applications:

Elakkizhi (Bundle Medicinal leaves/herbs)

It is a type of swedana (sudation) treatment for which the whole body or any specific part of the body. Medicinal leaves are cut into small pieces and processed in medicated oils and applied externally in the form of boluses tied up in muslin bag, dipping it in warm medicated oils. This is done for 45 minutes daily for a period of 07 to 14 days. Fine powder of medicinal herbs is also used. This treatment is effective in chronic back pain and rheumatic complaints, Arthritis, paralysis, pain and swelling in the joints and emaciation of limbs. It stimulates and strengthens the nervous and muscular systems, increases the circulation and metabolic rate, reduces stiffness and pain, and improves the skin tone.

Njavarakkizhi (Bundle of Special Rice Porridge)

After applying the medicated oil over the whole body or any specific part, the medicinal rice (Njavarayari) and the root of Sida Retusa (kurumthotti) extract are processed with milk and made in the form of paste and applied over the whole body or any specific part along with massage. This is done for 60 to 90 minutes daily for 07 to 14 days. This treatment renders strength to nerves and muscles and purifies blood and is beneficial for all types of rheumatism, joint pain, emaciation of limbs, high blood pressure, cholesterol, paralysis, sciatica, and certain kinds of skin diseases. It improves general body strength, skin tone and complexion.

Pizhichil (Pouring of Oil)

This is a therapeutic process in which lukewarm medicated oil is poured all over the body in a uniform rhythmic way continuously in specific direction along with simultaneous gentle massages for 60 to 90 minutes daily for 07 to 21 days. This treatment is effective for rheumatic ailments like arthritis, paralysis, weakness of muscular and nervous systems and sexual weakness.

Sirovasti (Retaining of oil on head)

Medicated lukewarm oil is allowed to retain over the head for about an hour within a leather cap fitted around the head. This treatment is very effective in facial paralysis, cataract, deafness, earache, chronic headache, insomnia, psychosomatic stress and other diseases that affect the cranial nerves. It stimulates the nervous system and promotes mental prowess.

Sirodhara (Flow on head)

"Sirodhara" literally means continuous flow (dhara) on the head (sira). Just as the root forms the base of a plant so also in Ayurveda the head is considered the root of the body. Therefore, Sirodhara is of utmost importance in Ayurvedic treatment. Medicated oil, medicated butter milk, herbal extract etc. are allowed to flow as a continuous stream over the upper part of the forehead along with gentle massage over the scalp thus stimulating the pineal gland in the brain which produces serotonin and melatonin (hormones). These hormones play an important role in each person's emotional balance. The treatment may last for 30-45 minutes daily for a period of 07 to 21 days. It is highly effective for diseases of the nervous system and for emotional problems such as chronic depression, insomnia, loss of memory and anxiety (panic) attacks. It is also recommended for chronic headaches, as well as ear, nose and throat problems, and is especially useful for mental relaxation.

Nasya (Nasal Cleansing)

Administration of medicated oil, herbal juice or other medicated formulations to the nostrils after the proper application of medicated oil and fomentation of the face keeping the eyes protected from the heat applying during fomentation. Nasyam helps to evacuate accumulated elements in the nasal sinuses. It stimulates neuro hormonal centres, enhances the function of eyes, nose, ears, induces sound sleep and strengthens the neck and shoulder. It is very effective in the treatment of Sinusitis, Nasal congestion, Dental Problem, Ear and Eye Diseases, Facial Paralysis, Migraine and cervical degeneration.

Abhyangam (General Body Massage)

Abhyangam is the general body massage in Ayurveda using medicated oils on a daily basis as a part of lifestyle to ease pain and reduce fluid accumulation, aiding the removal of toxic accumulation. This treatment is done normally for 45 to 60 minutes daily for 07 to 21 days. It is a very effective rejuvenation therapy which improves circulation, cellular regeneration, immuno-modulation and sound sleep. It is a very effective treatment in rheumatic complaints, stiffness of joints, spondylosis, spondylitis, back pain, sports injuries, frozen shoulders, etc.

Karnapooranam (Ear Cleaning)

Application of medicated oil in the ear canal is effective in the infective pathologies of the ear. It improves the sound perception with clarity.

Greeva Vasti/Kati Vasti/Uro Vasti (Oil Retention in body areas)

Retention of lukewarm medicated oils in a leak proof boundary made up of green gram powder paste over the upper back-cervical (Greeva Vasti) in the lower back – lumber (Kati Vasti) and in the upper middle of the chest – thorax (Uro vasti) is beneficial in localised and radiating pain of different nature.