Therapies for Whole Body

1 Abhyanga

Abhyanga (whole body oil massage) is one of the most popular Ayurvedic therapies for the preservation of health. It involves full body warm oil massage. The type of oil used is individual specific depending on their body constitution. It can also vary according to the seasons. Few of the oils used for Abhyanga include sesame, coconut, sunflower, mustard and almond. Sometimes oil medicated with herbs are used for specific conditions.

Charaka Samhita mentions about Abhyanga that the body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age. A daily Abhyanga practice restores the balance of the doshas and enhances well-being and longevity. Abhyanga is relaxing, comforting and gears up your body and mind. It is a powerful recharger and rejuvenator of mind and body.

There are two inputs in an Ayurvedic massage – The Medication and The Technique

• The type of medication used can be oil, powder or paste.
• The type of medication used can be oil, powder or paste.

Benefits – Abhyanga has a positive impact on the whole body physically, mentally and emotionally while balancing the individual doshas. Its rhythmic motion helps to relieve joints and muscles from stiffness and makes all body movements free. This stimulating treatment increases blood circulation, which in turn encourages quick removal of metabolic wastes, fatigue, circulatory disorders, rheumatic and arthritic problems, backaches and injuries. Synchronized massage is also beneficial in preventing wrinkles and scales, improving skin texture and complexion, curing spondylitis, sleep disorders, paralysis, improving physical consistency, inducing sound sleep, increasing general sense of well-being and life span.

Duration – 60 minutes.

2 Herbal Steam Bath

Method – Herbal Steam Bath treatment starts with a gentle application of warm herbal oil all over the body. Next the individual is made to rest inside a steam chamber that lets out herbal steam from medicinal herbs, making the individual perspire profusely; this promotes cohesion between cells. The steam helps open up the very small pores of the skin thereby removing all wastes and pacifying the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Benefits – Herbal Steam Bath is a perfect therapy for toning the skin and giving it a special glow. It helps reduce skin acne by cleansing and dilating the pores and washing out toxin accumulation. A steam bath also eliminates toxins from the body, clearing the respiratory system and has an overall calming effect that relaxes your mind. It helps to slow down aging process and drooping of the skin by stimulating it.

Duration – 15–20 minutes.

3 Pizhichil

The word Pizhichil means ‘to squeeze’. During Pizhichil, oil is squeezed from a cloth dipped in warm medicated oil on the whole body and hence the name. Pizhichil, also known as kayaseka, forms a part of Purvakarma in the panchakarma therapy. It is an ayurvedic whole body therapy using lukewarm medicated oil and accompanied with co-ordinated massage therapy. It rejuvenates the nervous and muscular system of the body and stimulates blood circulation. Pizhichil therapy is an ideal combination of two classical Ayurvedic treatments – Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation). Oleation is the oil therapy and is subdivided as external oleation and internal oleation. Sudation is the heat therapy. The combination of snehana and swedana combines the goodness of both oils and heat. In ancient times it was only prescribed to the rich and hence referred to as the treatments for kings.

Procedure- In this treatment, the whole body is bathed in streams of lukewarm medicated oil with simultaneous soft massage. Copious amount of medicated oil (almost 3 litres) is used for this treatment. The oil or the medicated oil as prescribed is warmed and kept in two or three bowls depending on the number of masseurs. Usually, there are two masseurs present on both the sides. Cloth dipped in lukewarm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body and gently massaged all over. The duration of Pizhichil therapy is decided by the doctor after the body constitution of the individual has been determined. Normally the treatment may last from fourteen to twenty-eight days.

Benefits- Pizhichil therapy protects the body from illnesses and builds up immunity for a healthier life. From relaxation and health point of view and regulating blood pressure and relieving body pains. It is especially beneficial for ailments like rheumatic diseases, alleviating arthritis symptoms overcoming paralysis, curing sexual weakness and reducing neurological disorders. From a beautification perspective, it is excellent for keeping skin young and also prevents aging.

Duration- 60 minutes.

4 Kaadi Dhara

Method – Kaadi Dhara begins with the application of suitable medicated oil to the entire body. A special self-fermented, warm, medicinal preparation made of different kinds of grains, lemon, horse gram, etc. is poured continuously on to the whole body. Benefits – Kaadi Dhara is very effective for ‘Kapha Vata’ predominant conditions of arthritis, paralysis, obesity, and muscular pains; and widely used in inflammatory disorders, insomnia, mental disorders, neurasthenia, memory loss and certain skin diseases.

Duration – 45 minutes.

5 Njavarakkizhi

Method – Njavarakizhi therapy involves a generous amount of medicated oil being applied to the whole body. The body is then massaged with small cotton cloth boluses filled with cooked Njavara rice. The boluses are dipped in this regenerating mixture of cow’s milk and a brewed herbal decoction, and then applied all over the body to induce sudation (sweat). Njavara in Malayalam stands for the rice that grows in 60 days; Kizhi stands for bolus. Njavara is an indigenous variety of rice grown in Kerala, having medicinal properties.

Benefits – Njavarakizhi treatment is highly rejuvenating, nourishing and prepares the individual to bear the stresses and strains of a busy lifestyle. It enhances physical consistency, strengthens the nervous system and improves the overall appearance of the skin. This is a strengthening treatment employed in neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis and malnutrition of limbs.

Duration – 45 minutes.

6 Podikkizhi

Method – Podikizhi is a Ayurveda treatment in which the whole body or certain parts of the body are fomented and made to sweat, by the application of medicinal powders. Specific herbs (black gram, horse gram, gingely seeds, and herbs) are tied in muslin pouches and the warmed herbal formula is gently “pounded” and pressed into the skin by the therapists in a synchronized, rhythmic motion. These boluses are re-heated frequently and gently massaged over the body. The treatment ends with a warm bath.

Benefits – Podikizhi helps in curing ‘Kapha-Vata’ predominant conditions of arthritis, back pain, paralysis, and muscular pains. This treatment is useful for relieving deep seated tension, increasing circulation, loosening built up toxins, strengthening muscle tissue and ridding the body of excess Kapha. It is prescribed for diseases where there is vitiation of kapha, heaviness of body, extremities and obesity.

Duration – 45 minutes.

7 Udwarthanam

Method – Udwarthanam is typically a deep tissue and dry massage using herbal powders. This massage stimulates hair follicles and subcutaneous fat tissue to break down subcutaneous fat storage. The treatment involves upward stroking, where the powder is rubbed with gentle force on the body.

Benefits – Udwarthanam reduces blood cholesterol, obesity, skin problems, imparts mobility to the joints, strengthens muscles and refreshes the body. The most promising effect is the slimming of the body. This treatment softens and exfoliates the skin, improves muscle tone, and is a favoured treatment for those with sensitive skin. In addition, Udwarthanam improves blood circulation and is also known to be effective against certain skin diseases.

Duration – 60 minutes.

8 Lepam

Method – Lepam involves the application of herbal paste externally over the affected area. The herbal powder and the liquid to make the paste are selected as per the individual’s condition.

Benefits – Lepam has a wide range of usage from cosmetic purpose to severe skin conditions. It proves very effective in psoriasis, pimples, marks on skin, pigmentation, arthritis with swelling and pain, injuries and skin infections.

Duration – up to 30 minutes- individual specific.