In this treatment, first the face is gently massaged is with a medicated oil which is followed by steaming with herbally treated steam. Then, a medicated paste is applied on the entire face and retained till the paste is completely dry. This therapy is used to treat acne (pimples) and to remove acne scars. It is helps to make the complexion soft, smooth and glowing. In this therapy, only the affected part of the body is massaged (abhyanga) and a medicated steam is then applied to that part. This treatment is useful in relieving pain , regenerating tissue, toning up muscles and generally strengthen the affected part of the body. In this procedure medicated ghee or oil is kept over the eyes. It is helpful in treating various eye disorders and it also generally tones up the eyes.
In this treatment, medicated oil is kept on the back of the neck for 30 minutes and the treatment repeated for 7 to 15 days This therapy is useful intreating neck pain, cervical spondylitis, frozen shoulder, etc. In this therap, medicated oil is kept on the knee joints for 30 minutes and the treatment repeated for 7 to 15 days. It is used to treat knee joint pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative disorders of the knees, etc. In this procedure, medicated oil is kept on the lower back for 30 minutes and the treatment repeated for 7 to 15 days. This therapy is recommended for backache, lumber spondylitis, musclar strains, slip disc, sciatica etc.
In this treatment, medicated oil is kept the scalp in a sealed cap for 30 minutes, repeated over for 7 to 15 days. This therapy promotes the proper functioning of all the sense faculties. It is used to treat insomnia, cerebral palsy, dryness of eyes and nose and other psychoneurological disorders. In this procedure, lukewarm medicated liquid is poured in a stream over the patient’s forehead. This therapy soothes and relaxes the mind and is especially recommended to treat all stress related conditions like mood fluctuations, insomnia, hypertension, etc. In this procedure, the person is made to sit in a bathtub filled with a medicated decoction for about 20 minutes. The level of the decoction in the tub can be up to navel region or the neck, depending upon the condition of the patient. This therapy is useful in treating many vata disorders, body aches and pains, stiffness in the joints etc. and is also very relaxing and invigorating.
In this therapy, the entire body is given a medicated steam bath by making the patient sit inside a steam chamber until there is sweating. This procedure is useful in detoxifying the body and reducing weight reduction. It also loosens the joints and induces feelings of lightness and invigoration. In this treatment, the body is massaged with herbal powders in the direction that is in reverse to the direction of the hair growth. So, unlike most massages, it is stimulating rather than soothing. It is helpful in weight reduction and also improves blood circulation in the skin. This procedure is extensively used in obesity and in Kapha disorders and diseases of the fatty tissue (meda).
In this therapy, the entire body is massaged with medicated oils by several massuers in a synchronized manner. It helps to relax the body and strengthen it, improves blood circulation, tones up the muscles, dislodges and mobilizes toxins, relieves pain. The relaxation also induces sleep. It is an excellent is therapy for both the healthy and the sick. For the healthy, it maintains good health and treats various diseases like skin disorders, muscular pains and dystrophy, body ache, arthritis and the diseases of vata. It is generally done in empty stomach. In this therapy, medicated leaves are used to apply fomentation for the whole body. It has the ability to reduce the vata and hence used in most painful conditions and disorders created by an excess of vata.
This is one of the popular rejuvenating therapies that originated in Ayurvedic practices in Kerala. A special variety of medicated rice is cooked with herbs. This is then applied in a synchronized manner to different parts of the body as a fomentation. This therapy tones up muscles and nerves and therefore is highly recommended to treat ailments where there is atrophy of muscles and for neurological disorders. It also helps to rejuvenate the body and so is used in Kaya Kalpa treatments. This is a rejuvenating procedure of synchronized pouring of medicated liquids like oil, milk and medicated decoctions (kashayam) etc. all over the body for over half an hour. This process (parisheka) helps in eliminating toxins and nourishing the body tissues. It also improves circulation and is especially useful in diseases where general weakness and muscle dystrophy is seen.
Specially selected and medicinally treated leeches are applied to the affected part of the body to eliminate the toxins of the skin and blood Therefore this therapy is used to treat eczemas and for unhealed ulcers and wounds, as it improves the circulation and so promotes faster healing. This therapy involves nasal insertion of medication. First, the face, scalp, forehead, temple, neck, soles of the feet and palm are gently massaged. Then, a facial steam bath is given, followed by insertion of a stipulated quantity of medicated oil as nasal drops into both the nostrils. This therapy is recommended in the disorders of the head and neck in general and specifically to treat chronic cold, headache, sinusitis, nasal allergies, migraine and facial paralysis. This therapy also improves the functions of sense organs.
Enema therapy focuses on medication through rectum and there are two types of basti. The first type is a retentive treatment, aiming to build up and nourish the body while the second type aims at eliminating or evacuation of body toxins. After abhyanga (massage) and swedana (inducing of sweating through fomentation), medicated liquids and oils are introduced into the rectum. This therapy is recommended for diseases of vata in general and specifically for neuromuscular ailments, gastrointestinal disorders like gastritis & colitis, degenerative disorders like osteoporosis, menstrual disturbances, genitor-urinary disorders, etc.
This treatment is the process of eliminating toxic waste of the body through purgation. As in Vamana treatment, it involves snehana (both internal and external lubrication of the body) and swedana (inducing of sweating through fomentation), followed by inducing purging on the last day. This therapy is recommended for pitta disorders in general and specifically used to treat in chronic arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, liver disorders, skin affections, asthma, paralysis, etc. This treatment is the process of eliminating toxic waste of the body through vomiting. this involves snehana (both internal and external lubrication of the body) and swedana (inducing of sweating through fomentation), followed by inducing vomiting on the last day. This therapy is effective in the diseases of kapha in general and specifically in chronic cough, asthma, acid-peptic ailments like gastritis, indigestion, bloating, skin infections, migraine, etc.