Abhyanga is the general body massage in Ayurveda using medicated oils, aiding the removal of toxic accumulation. This treatment is done normally for 30 to 60 minutes synchronized four hand massage. It is a very effective rejuvenation therapy which improves circulation, strength, skin lusture, immuno-modulation and sound sleep.
Sirodhara" literally means continuous flow (dhara) on the head (sira). Medicated oil, medicated butter milk, herbal extract etc; can flow as a continuous stream over the upper part of the forehead along with gentle massage over the scalp. The treatment may last for 30-45 minutes. 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 especially useful for mental relaxation.
Application of medicated paste on the face is called Mukhalepam. Mukhalepam is only done with Ayurvedic cosmetics and fruits. It alleviates the vitiated doshas and helps to reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone and rejuvenates the eyes.
Udhwarthana is a special type of abhyanga (deep tissue massage) in which herbal powders are used for massaging. Duration of the treatment is 45 to 60 minutes synchronized four hand massage. It helps to pacifies kaphadosa and excess fat from body, softens and exfoliates dead cells, strengthens and tones up the muscles and improves mobility of joints, removes cellulites and helps in weight reduction.
It is a type of swedana (sudation) treatment in which the whole body or any specific part by the application of medicinal leaves, dry herbal powders and lemon pudding externally in the form of boluses tied up in muslin bag, dipping it in warm medicated oils. This is done for 30 - 45 minutes. This treatment is effective in chronic back pain and rheumatic complaints, Arthritis, pain and swelling in the joints, it stimulates and strengthens the nervous and muscular systems, increases the circulation and metabolic rate, reduces stiffness and pain, improves the skin tone.
Medicated oil or powder mixed with oil is applied on the head mainly on and around the bregma region and sustained for a period. This therapy is useful for relieving from anxiety, disorders related to eyes nose and throat. It is found beneficial in insomnia, mental disorders, migraine, and alleviating hypertension. It brings about a feeling of wellness.
This is a therapeutic process in which lukewarm medicated decoction / medicated oil / medicated buttermilk / fermented decoction is poured all over the body in a uniform rhythmic way continuously in specific direction along with gentle massages. Duration of the treatment is 30 – 45 minutes. Helps to relieves body pain and muscle spasm, imparts great relaxation and calmness to both body and mind. This treatment is effective for rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, weakness of muscular and nervous systems and skin diseases like psoriasis eczema etc.
After applying the medicated oil over the whole body or any specific part, the medicinal rice (Njavarayari) and the root of Sidaretusa extract are processed with milk and to be made in the form of paste and apply over the whole body or any specific part along with massage. This is done for 30 – 45 minutes. This treatment renders strengths to nerves and muscles and purifies blood and is beneficial for all types of rheumatism, joint pain, emaciation of limbs, high blood pressure and it improves general body weakness, the skin colour and complexion.
Retention of lukewarm medicated oils in a leak proof boundary made up of green gram powder paste over the upper back-cervical (Greevavasti), in the lower back – lumbar(Kati vasti) and in the upper middle of the chest – thorax (Urovasti), in the knee joints (Januvasti) is beneficial in localized and radiating pain of different orgin like Cervical spodylosis, sprain and strain, headches, Low back ache, Lumbar spondylosis, Sciatica, Respiratory complaints like Bronchitis, Asthma, heart diseases and pain in knee joints respectively.
In this treatment, medicated warm oil is applied on the head externally. It is also done to a local area which is affected. Pichu can be directed on a person as a main treatment for head and spine. It done externally with folded dry cotton cloth or wool soaked in warm medicated oil to cover the concerned area, throughout the treatment procedure; the oil is heated periodically and kept lukewarm. The duration for this treatment can vary from patient to patient depending upon the nature of his/her physical condition.
Local application of medicinal herbal paste mixed with herbal decoction, medicated oils etc particularly in skin and joints. It reduces pain, swelling, redness and local temperature. This is useful for various types of inflammatory conditions, arthritis, gout, skin diseases and eczema. Duration of the treatment is 30 – 60 minutes.
Eye wash with special herbal decoctions. It helps to clean your eyes. This treatment is for eye infections and refreshing the eyes. It is also considered as a pre-procedure for some eye treatments.
Nasyam is one of part of panchakarma in Ayurveda treatments. It is a medication done through nose. Nostrils are the door way to head. This is a treatment for cleansing the areas above the shoulder basically nose, throat, sinuses and head. The main benefit of Nasyam is improving the circulation and it nourishes the tissues and improves the sense organ perceptions. It improves vision, preventing hair loss and hair greying, helpful in diseases like facial paralysis, migraine, sinusitis etc.
The head is covered with Amla (Indian gooseberry) paste mixed in buttermilk or medicated decoction according to the condition and head is covered with a banana leaf. Effective for dealing with stress, anxiety, headache, sleep disorders and hair loss.
Shirovasti is the head therapy, which is one of the major external oil procedures in Ayurvedic treatment. The term 'Shiro' means head and 'vasti' means container holding liquids. The medicated oil prescribed, is warmed and poured into a hollow cap placed on the head and can stand for certain duration. It is effective in neurological disorders, Head and Neck disorders, insomnia etc.
Medicated oil mixed with some herbal paste and salt, is administered through the anus. The quantity of material will be decided according to the strength of the patient and disease. One with the lowest dose of oil is called Mathravasthy. It is nourishing and strengthening. Beneficial in chronic nervous disorders, joint problems etc.
Enema done with a mixture of honey, salt, herbal paste, herbal decoction and medicated oils. This will be preceded by one or two Snehavasthy according to the condition of the patient. It is one among the Panchakarmas. Combination of Sneha and Kashayavasthys are helpful in some chronic rheumatic problems, spinal disorders, nervous disorders and in some gynaecological conditions.
Well melted and strained medicated ghee will be collected in a leak proof boundary around the eyes with black gram paste. This helps to clean the eyes, gives a cooling effect and strengthens the muscles and optic nerves. Beneficial for refractive errors and degenerative diseases of the eyes.