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Ayurveda
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Ayurveda is the flawless ancient science of life; the word 'Ayur' literally means 'life' and 'veda', the 'science' or 'knowledge'. Ayurveda elucidates the do's and don'ts one has to follow, which favours the well-being of each individual to lead a healthy, happy, comfortable and advantageous life physically, mentally and socially.
Ayurveda also emphasis the adage, 'prevention is better than cure'.These are the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Adharva Veda. Ayurveda emerged as a branch of Adharva Veda;
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it ates back to over five thousand years.
It is said to have originated from Lord Brahma (Creator of the Universe, according to Indian mythology) and descended to the earth through various generations of gods and saints. This has been handed down to us by means of ancient venerable scripts as palm leaf books, leather leaves, etc. The oldest works in Ayurveda still available are the Charaka Samhita, Susrutha Samhita and Ashtanga Samgraha.
Some of the Specialized Ayurveda Treatments are:
Elakizhi:
Elakizhi is an innovative classical massage with medicated leaves and is used to tackle joint pain, muscle cramps, stress and arthritis. All the above-mentioned treatments can be done in a perfectly healthy person as well so as to enhance his/her immunity, vitality and longevity of life. The above treatments can be offered in different combinations according to the physician’s direction.
Pizhichil:
Pizhichil is a relaxing, soothing and rejuvenating treatment with medicated warm oil used in a continuous stream for a definite period for the whole body (excluding head & neck). It is used to effectively treat arthritis, ageing, general weakness, paralysis etc. ‘Pizhichil’ and ‘Sarvangadhara’ are technically the same.
Navarakkizhi:
Navarakkizhi, Kerala's unique contribution to Ayurveda, involves fomentation of the body with a bolus of cooked rice. Shastika or particular kind of rice known for its nutritional value, is cooked in milk and a herbal decoction made of kurumthotti (Sida rhombifolia) . Four boluses are made of this cooked rice and tied up in linen bags.
Sirodhara:
Sirodhara is a unique treatment where specific medicated oils are used to bathe the head in a regular stream for a definite period. It is an effective therapy for mental relaxation and cures insomnia, stress, depression, decreased mental agility etc.
Shirovasti:
Shirovasti is considered more of a palliative (Shamana ) treatment that an eliminative (Shodhana) one. The treatment is usually preceded by oleation ( Sheehan ) and sudation ( Swedana).
Abhyangam:
Abhyangam is a popular body massage in ayurveda. The word abhyanga itself means to massage. In Ayurveda, the Abhyangam massage has become popular because of its effective way of conditioning the body. Abhyangam can be used therapeutically. The massage is designed around each individual, to suit his or her disease or condition. An ayurvedic physician can assess this and will then decide on the appropriate oils and the exact way of massage.
Shiroabhyanga:
Application of oil to the skin followed by massage in specific directions is well known by the name Abhyanga in Ayurveda. Along with nonsexual pleasurable sensation, this abhyanga has a multitude of beneficial effects. Massage in specific direction improves blood circulation, facilitates removal of the toxins from the tissues, relieves physical and mental fatigue, better the functioning of the musculo-skeletal system.
Akshi Tarpan:
Unique procedure of application of the sneha to the eye is called as Akshi Tarpan. This procedure is useful both in healthy as well as diseases persons. In healthy person Akshi Tarpan is carried out to protect the eye from degeneration due to ageing process and to improve the eyesight.
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