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Around
600 BC a new system of medicine evolved in India. A system that
in addition to treating an ailment, stressed on its prevention.
A system that came to be called Ayurveda. Ayurveda in Sanskrit
means the
science of Life.
It is an ancient, unfailing
system
of treatment based on medicines prepared from herbal plants
found in abundance in India. Ayurveda is an integral part of the
people of India. In the recent years this ancient knowledge
system of medicine has gained global acceptance especially for
alternative ways of preventive, curative and rejuvenative
processes making life a more pleasurable experience.
Ayurveda
believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the
individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to perfect
health and harmony of life.
Ayurveda
is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayu which means life and Veda
which means the knowledge of.
To
know about life is Ayurveda. However, to fully comprehend the
vast
scope
of Ayurveda let us first define Ayu or life. According to
the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, ayu is comprised
of four essential parts. The combination of mind, body, senses
and the soul.
We
tend to identify most with our physical bodies; yet, in
actuality,
there
is more to us then what meets the eye. We can see that
underlying our physical structure is the mind, which not only
controls our thought processes but helps assist us in carrying
out day-to-day activities such as respiration, circulation,
digestion and elimination. The mind and the body work in
conjunction with one another to regulate our physiology. In
order for the mind to act appropriately to assist the physical
body, we must use our senses as information gatherers.
Ayurveda
also sees that before we exist in physical form with the help of
the
mind and senses that we exist in a more subtle form known as the
soul. The ancient seers of India believed that we were comprised
of a certain energetic essence that precluded the inhabitance of
our physical entity. In fact, they hypothesized that we may
indeed occupy many physical bodies throughout the course of time
but that our underlying self or soul remains unchanged.
In
Ayurveda we view a person as a unique individual made up of five
primary elements. The elements are ether (space), air, fire,
water, and earth. Just as in nature, we too have these five
elements in us. When any of these elements are present in the
environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The
foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the
presence of these elements. While we are a composite of these
five primary elements, certain elements are seen to have an ability
to combine to create various physiological functions.
Monsoon,
the ideal time for rejuvenation
Ancient
texts recommend the monsoon to be the best season for Ayurvedic
regimens. The atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the
pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to
herbal oils and therapy.
ABHYANGA(General
massage therapy for rejuvenation)
This
total body massage with herbal oils tones up the skin and
rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve
ideal health and longevity, strengthens the immune system, is
beneficial for the eyes and gifts sound sleep. This is also a
cure for rheumatism.
ELAKIZHI(Patrawedam)
The
entire body is massaged with herbal poultices prepared with
various herbs and medicated powder dipped in warm medicated
oils. This promotes circulation and increases perspiration which
in turn helps the skin eliminate wastes and revitalizes the
skin, thereby improving skin tone.
DHARA
TREATMENT
FOR CHRONIC HEADACHES, INSOMNIA, MENTAL TENSION AND CASES OF
HYSTERIA, HALLUCINATION AND INSANITY
A
continuous stream of herbal oils, medicated milk or butter milk
and decoctions is poured gently on the forehead/whole body in a
special manner while you lie supine on a wooden bed with the
neck and head placed in a comfortable position. 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).
SIROVASTI
TREATMENT
FOR DRYNESS OF NOSTRILS, MOUTH AND THROAT, SEVERE HEADACHES,
FACIAL PARALYSIS AND BURNING SENSATION IN THE HEAD
Lukewarm
herbal oils are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for
specific durations as per physician's recommendation.
PIZHICHIL
TREATMENT
FOR SPONDILOSIS, RHEUMATIC DISEASES LIKE ARTHRITIS, PARALYSIS,
HEMIPLEGIA, NERVOUS WEAKNESSES AND NERVOUS DISORDERS
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 1½
hours daily for 7 to 21 days.
NJAVARAKIZHI
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
The
whole body is made to perspire by the external application of
medicated Njavara rice packs in the form of boluses tied in
muslin bags.
UDVARTHANAM
TREATMENT
FOR DISEASES LIKE HEMIPLEGIA, PARALYSIS, OBESITY AND CERTAIN
RHEUMATIC AILMENTS
Therapeutic
massage with herbal powders.
NASYAM
TREATMENT
FOR NASAL AILMENTS
The
inhalation of medicated herbal preparations, decoctions, oils,
ghee etc. to eliminate the morbid factors from the head and neck
area. This also includes gently massaging the body from the
shoulders upward.
THARPANAM
PREVENTING
CATARACT AND STRENGTHENING VISION
A
treatment for the eyes effective in preventing cataract and
strengthening the optic nerve.
KARNAPOORANAM
TREATMENT
FOR EAR AILMENTS
Medicated
oils are applied to the ear 5 to 10 minutes daily to clean as
well as treat specific ailments.
Medicated
Steam Bath
The
body is exposed to the rejuvenating vapours of special leaves
and herbs that are boiled. Eliminates toxins, reduces fat tissue
and good for certain skin disorders.
For
further information and reservation please contact
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