What are Ayurveda Treatments?

Ayurveda Treatments are the procedures that help either eliminate or normalize morbid doshas or work as a palliative in action. Ayurvedic treatments intend to enhance the healing procedure by eliminating the accumulated morbid doshas.

The treatments in Ayurveda can be classified into two categories depending on their mode of action

1. Shodana – Cleansing procedures
2. Shamana – Palliative remedy

The purpose of shodhana therapy is chosen depending on many factors like age, disease, the state of dosha, etc… Shodana therapies are intended to cleanse the system to attain the maximum benefits of the medications used in the treatment. These therapies are also known as panchakarma treatment.

Shamana therapy is advised when the doshas can be treatable with medication and other therapies. Again this also depends on other factors like those who are not fit to undergo shodana therapy, aged persons, children and in pregnancy, etc…

Commonly practiced Ayurveda Treatments

Ayurveda treatments are advised depending on the severity of the disease and considering the state of the patient. When the disease is severe and if the patient is fit to undergo purificatory procedures then panchakarma or purificatory treatments are advised.

When the patients are unfit to undergo purificatory procedures and in milder diseases, many Ayurveda treatments are advised to cure the disease.

The purificatory procedures have a set of protocols to follow these ayurvedic treatments are done in an ayurvedic hospital where the patient is admitted during the process. This helps in preventing any complications of the procedure and helps in better monitoring the patient during the course of the procedure.

Other external treatments are done in an Ayurvedic clinic which does not need any admission of the patient. Here a patient can daily visit or as advised take ayurvedic treatments and return home after taking treatment.

Here are a few ayurveda treatments which do not need any hospital stay unless it is advised.

Abhyanga – Ayurvedic Oil Massage

Abhyanga or the Ayurvedic Oil Massage is one of the common ayurvedic treatments practiced widely. Abhyanga is a procedure where medicated oil is anointed all over the body and massaged for a specific duration. Abhyanga is advised for anyone who wishes to be healthy in Ayurveda. Therapeutic Abhyanga is done with specific objectives like diseases, conditions, seasons, etc… Abhyanga is also a pre-procedure for many other treatments for example in Panchakarma treatments. Ayurvedic texts have explained the benefits of Abhyanga in detail and advise everyone to do it on daily basis to prevent many diseases and to be healthy. Regular abhyanga also works as a rejuvenator. 

Aschotana

Achotana is a procedure where medicine is installed as drops in the open eye. This is a procedure done as the first line of treatment for all eye diseases. Medicines are dropped from a prescribed height (2 angula). This procedure has to be done in the daytime. It can be done before administering purificatory procedures. It is indicated when there is pain, itching, irritation, burning sensation, and redness in the eyes.

Agni Karma

Agni karma is a procedure where the prescribed material is heated and applied over the place of the disease. Agnikarma is considered as the superior therapy among the other treatments Because it is simple, fast, cost-effective, and gives an immediate result. The various materials are used as instruments in the agni karma such as metals, pippali, etc…

Anjanam

Anjana is a special procedure of application of medicines in the Eye by using a Shalaka(probe). Anjana can be used in different conditions of eye diseases. As the eye is the seat of Tejas and it has the changes getting accumulated kapha to produce diseases it is advised to apply Rasanjana once a week to drain the Kapha from the Eyes.

Avagaha Sweda

Avagaha means to immerse or dip. This is a sweating procedure where the patient is made to sit or lie in a tub till the proper symptoms of sweating are seen. The Warm medicated liquid is poured in a tub will induce sweat. This procedure either can be done to the whole body or to any specific part depending on the condition. One should not apply avagaha sweda above the neck level.

Choorna Pinda Sweda(Podi Kizhi)

This is one of the procedures which helps to induce sweat. Here choorna means medicated powder and Pinda means bolus. This is also popularly known as Podi Kizhi in Kerala. Medicated powders are heated and tied with a cloth and this bundle is applied over the indicated part to all over the body below the neck. This is mainly indicated in kappa-predominant diseases or Vata and kapha diseases.

Dhanyamla Dhara

Dhanya means grains, Amla means sour and dhara means pouring. Dhanyamla is a liquid prepared by using many drugs. It is prepared in similar to the procedure of preparing Asava/Arishta. It is also one type of sweat-inducing procedure where dhanyamla is poured all over the body till the proper symptoms of sweating appear.

Dhanyamla can be used internally also. This is indicated mainly in Kapha and Vata predominant diseases.

Dhoomapanam

Dhooma means smoke paana means intake. Here medicated herbs are burnt and the smoke is inhaled through the nose or mouth through a special instrument. It is usually done the kapha predominant diseases especially related to the respiratory system. It helps in clearing the pathways. It can be performed as an individual procedure or done after Vamana or Nasya treatment. It is indicated in cold, cough, diseases of mouth, etc…

Patra Pinda Sweda (Ela kizhi)

Patra means leaves and pinda means bolus. It is also known popularly as Ela kizhi in Kerala. Prescribed medicated leaves are collected and chopped into small pieces. These are then fried mildly adding medicated oil. Other ingredients like garlic, lemon, etc.. are added during the preparation. Once they are prepared they should be tied with clothes to make a bundle. This bolus is heated and used to induce sweating. This therapy is a combination of dry(ruksha) and unctuous(snidga) together. It is indicated various diseases predominantly where Vata and Kapha are involved.

Greeva Vasti

Greeva means neck and vast is a procedure of retention of medicated oil or ghee in it. This procedure is a combination of snigda and swedana together. A boundary is constructed using the paste of a black gram with a specific height. The warm medicated oil or ghee is poured into it and retained for a specific period. It is indicated in neck pain, cervical spondylosis, etc…

Uro Vasti

Uro Vasti or Hrudaya Vasti is a procedure where medicated oil or ghee is retained in the chest region. This is also mild sudative and unctuous in nature. A boundary is created with a specific height using the paste of black gram to retain the medicated ghee or oil. It is indicated in breathing difficulties, asthma, cardiac problems, etc…

Janu Vasti

Janu means knee and retaining medicated oil or ghee is called Janu vast or basti. Here also paste of black gram is used to construct a boundary with the specific thickness. This procedure induces mild sudation along with an unctuousness effect. It is indicated for knee joint pain. The medicated oil is selected according to the dosha predominance.

Jalaukavacharana

Jalauka means leech. It is a widely practiced method to eliminate the vitiated blood from the localized area. It is one among the bloodletting procedures which are considered too easy, safe, with an excellent result. The non-poisonous leeches are used to remove the vitiated blood. It is one of the purificatory procedures that help in cleaning the vitiated doshas from the localized part.

Kashaya Dhara

Kashaya dhara literally means pouring the medicated decoction. A warm decoction is prepared according to the condition and poured in a specific manner all over the body except above the neck. This is a form of wet sedation therapy which is in various diseases conditions.

Kati Vasti

Kati vasti is a procedure where medicated oil or ghee is retained in the lower back. It is a type of unctuous sedation. It is indicated in low back pain, sciatica, stiffness in the back, disc problems, etc…

Kashaya Vasti

Kashaya Vasti is also known as Niruha Vasti. It is a procedure where medicated decoction is administered through the anus. Kashaya Vasti is indicated in various conditions like eliminating the aggravated dosha’s, as palliative treatment, as a nourishing treatment. Kashaya’s are prepared according to the dosha conditions and mixed with honey, saindhava salt, and herbal paste. It is mainly used to treat Vata predominant diseases like arthritis, paralysis, neuromuscular problems, etc….

Ksheera Dhara

Ksheradhara is a procedure where herbs are boiled with milk. The medicated milk is poured all over the body in a specific manner. This is also used for the Shirodhara. This is mainly used in pitta predominant conditions.

Ksheera Dhooma

Ksheera doom is a variety of sweating therapy. Medicated milk or milk alone is boiled in a closed container having a pipe to direct the steam. This steam is used to the desired area of the body to induce sweat. It is used in treating facial paralysis, stiffness in the neck or scapular region, etc…

Kshara Sutra

Kshara treatment is a para surgical procedure where specified kshara is applied directly to the required area. Kshara treatment is considered one of the best curative treatments for certain diseases. Kshara sutra is a thread that is treated with kashara. The kashara sutra is tied to a part that has to be removed. Kshara sutra is widely practiced in diseases related to any rectal region. Some of the common conditions like piles, fistula, fissures are treated using kshara sutra.

Mukha Lepa

Application of medicated paste over the face is called Mukha leapa’s. The medicines are selected according to the dosha are made into a paste. This paste is applied on the face with a specified thickness and kept there for the prescribed time. The Mukha leapa’s are classified into three categories. They are

• Doshagna mukha lepa which helps to clear the dosha’s vitiated,
• Vishaghna lepa which helps to remove the toxins from the place of application,
• Varnya lepa which helps to improve the color and complexion of the face.

Navara Kizhi

Navara Kizhi is also known as Shashtika shali Pinda Sweda(SSPS). Here Shashtika variety of grain is taken to make bolus. The Shashtika rice is cooked with milk and bala moola decoction to thick consistency then bolus is prepared. This bolus is applied over the desired area. It can be done to the specific part of the body or all over the body below the neck. It is indicated in degenerative diseases, Vata and Pitta-associated diseases, neurological problems, joint pains, paralysis, etc….

Navara Thepu

It is also known as Shashtika Anna lepa. The procedure is similar to that of shashtika shali preparation. This is a mild variety of sedation therapy. Here the paste of shashtika shali is applied over the desired area and retained for a specific period. It can be used all over the body below the neck or to a part. It is done to the patients who are old, children who can not withstand the procedure of shashtika shali Pinda sweda. It has the same indications where shastika shali pinda swede is advised.

Naranga Kizhi

Naranga Kizhi is also called Jambira/Lemon Pinda Sweda. It is a sudation procedure done using the Jambira fruit(lemon) as the main ingredient. The bolus prepared using Jambira and other prescribed ingredients is heated with a specific oil. This bolus is applied to the desired area to induce sweat. It is mainly indicated in Vata and Kaphaja diseases like joint pain, frozen shoulder, neck pain, etc…

Netra Tarpana

Medicated oil or ghee is kept over the eye is known as Netra tarpana or Akshi tarpana. This can be used for both treating the diseases as well as a preventive therapy. This is done by constructing a boundary with the paste of a black gram. Then the medicated ghee or oil is filled in it till the eyelashes are immersed.

Pindika

The medicated herbal paste is applied over the eyelids excluding the eyelashes and bandaging is known as pindika. When the paste is getting dry it should be removed by using wet cotton. In vata predominant diseases mild-warm pindika is applied and in pitta dominant conditions cold pindika is applied.

Pizhichil

Pizhichil or Sneha dhara is a special procedure widely practiced in the Kerala Ayurveda tradition. The warm medicated oil or ghee is dripped over the body with a specific height. It is a therapy that combines both unctuous and sudation in action. This can be used as a curative or rejuvenate therapy. It is indicated mainly in Vata predominant diseases and also in Vata kaphaja diseases.

Parisekam

Pariseka is a procedure where warmed liquids are poured over the body to induce sweating. The liquid materials can be chosen according to the diseases. Medicated decoctions, medicated oils, medicated ghee, medicated milk are commonly used in this procedure. These are warmed and poured over the body in a specific manner with a specific height. Parisekam can be used as a curative procedure as well as rejuvenate therapy.

Putapaka

This is done in a similar way as tetra tarpana. But here instead of medicated ghee or oil, the liquid extract is used. The preparation of liquid is done according to putapaka procedure. It is usually done after Netra tarpana. It is indicated in treating eye diseases.

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is a procedure where the prescribed oil/decoction/medicated buttermilk is continuously poured as a stream for a specific period with a specific height. This procedure is simple and effective both in curing the diseases as well as in preventive procedures. This procedure is indicated in diseases related to the head and also in some related conditions. Shirodhara helps in improving sleep quality, helps to reduce stress, improves memory power, improves the functions of sensory organs, etc…

Shiro Vasti

Shiro Vasti is considered superior among all the other procedures like Shiro Abhyanga, Shiro Pichu, and Shirodhara. Here the medicated oil is retained over the head using a head cap for a prescribed time. It is best to do after the cleansing procedure to get the best results. Shiro vasti can also be done directly without undergoing cleansing procedures. It is indicated mainly Vata predominant and other neurological conditions like paralysis, facial palsy, tension headache, insomnia, etc…

Shiro Pichu

This is a procedure where medicated oil or ghee is kept on the head for a specific period. A small cotton pad or cloth is dipped in medicated oil or ghee is kept on the head. It is advised in Vata predominant diseases, graying of hairs, skin problems of the scalp, etc…

Shiro Abhyangam

Shiro Abhyanga is a procedure where medicated oil or ghee is applied to the scalp and gently massaged. This procedure is done in diseased conditions as a treatment or advised as a preventive procedure. It is advised to do Shiro Abhyanga daily with medicated oils to prevent hair fall graying of hairs, dandruff, to have better eyesight, etc…

Talapodichil

Talapodichil is also known as shirt lepa. It is the application of medicated paste over the head followed by bandaging if for a specific period. It can be done alone or as a preoperative procedure to other ayurvedic treatments. It works as mainly a palliative medicine. Talapodichil is indicated in pitta predominant conditions of the head like premature whitening of hairs, stress, anxiety disorder, insomnia, hair fall, eye problems, etc….

Takra Dhara

Takra means buttermilk and dhara mean pouring. Takradhara is a special procedure where medicated buttermilk is poured over the body in a specified manner. It can be done all over the body or to a part. When takradhara is done to the head then it is called Shiro takra dhara. It is indicated in Kapha predominant diseases. Commonly used in conditions like itching, skin diseases like psoriasis, etc…

Thalam

Talam is a procedure similar to the shirt leap or talapodichil. Here the medicated pastes or powders are mixed with prescribed oils or liquid materials and applied on the head or vertex. It is done as a preoperative procedure before doing other ayurvedic treatments. It is mainly practiced in the Kerala Ayurveda tradition. It prevents the complications of the other therapeutic procedures. It is indicated in fever, headaches, insomnia, psychological conditions, giddiness, etc….

Valuka Sweda

Valuka means sand and Sweda means sudation. Here the sand is heated in a frying pan and then tied with a cloth to make a bolus. This is applied over the part desired to produce sweat. Valuka swedana is can be done to the whole body below the neck region or to a local part. It is very economical as well as very effective in the management of pain and inflammation. It is a dry variety of sedation procedures mainly indicated when kapha predominant conditions or data kapha predominant conditions.

Upanaha Sweda

Upanaha swedana is a localized sweating procedure where the medicated paste is applied over the desired area and bandaged. In general herbal paste is prepared and used as a material for upanaha. The medications can be applied either heating or without heating. It is mainly used in treating Vata and Vata kaphaja diseases.

Udwarthana

Udwarthana is an external application of medicated powders or pastes on the body and then with a specific pressure, massage is done. In Udwarthana massage is done in opposite direction to that of Abhyanga (ie in pratilomagati). It is usually indicated in skin diseases and obesity and kapha-predominant conditions. Sometimes it is also done as a pre-procedure to the other therapies.

Uttara Vasti

Uttara Vasti is a procedure where the medications are administered through the genitourinary route. It can be done in males and females. In females, it is done either through the urinary or vaginal route. This can be done for cleansing as well as unctuous purposes. It is indicated in vaginal diseases, diseases of the bladder, diseases of the uterus, infertility, etc…

Yoni Prakshalana

Yoni prakshalana is a procedure of irrigating the vagina with medicinal decoction. It is indicated in conditions like vaginal itching, vaginal discharge, etc…

Conclusion:

Ayurveda Treatments play a vital role in treating a disease along with medicines. One has to keep in mind that everyone may not be fit to undergo ayurveda treatments as it has some prerequisite conditions. During the course of the treatments, there are do and don’t which patient has to follow.

The aim of Ayurveda treatments is to eliminate the disease from its root rather than symptomatically suppress it along with preventing the reoccurrence of the disease by following the right diet and lifestyle.