The ancient Indian life science, Ayurvedic Therapies, has been known for its medicinal effects for centuries. The science of medicine using natural herbs dates back around 5,000 years, with its roots in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda focuses on healing, alignment, and prevention of diseases. This ancient Indian-originated science not only cures physical diseases but is also beneficial in curing mental and emotional health. Without any side effects, the therapies of methods in Ayurveda help in balancing the Doshas.
As per the theory of Ayurveda, every individual carries out their own Prakriti or constitution. Ayurveda helps in finding out Prakriti, the nature of Vikriti or imbalance, and harmony between the three Doshas. These Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurvedic therapies are best for the sanctification of the whole body. The sanctification process is carried out with medicated oils, herbs, and various therapies for each individual.
The Ayurvedic treatments, also known as Ayurvedic Therapies, help in rejuvenating, balancing, and cleansing the individual. The main aim of Ayurvedic treatment is to provide proper balance and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration. From a simple rejuvenation session to permanent relief from chronic diseases, Ayurveda, with its magical treatment therapies, offers timeless wisdom to people of every age and gender. But keep in mind that your therapies and treatments must be done under the guidance of experienced Ayurvedic practitioners. In this blog, you will learn about various Ayurvedic therapies that play a vital role in holistic healing.
Ayurvedic Therapies Oil Massage or Abhyanga
This treatment helps in inducing deep relaxation through warm oil massage. This medicated oil is applied to the full body. Various benefits of Abhyanga are:
Calms Vatta and Reduce stress
Supports Complete Detoxification
Promotes lymphatic drainage and circulation
Provides Nourishment to the muscles and skin
Balances the nervous system
Improves vitality, digestion, and sleep
Oil Pouring on the Forehead or Shirodhara
This is a mental relaxation therapy that uses warm medicated oil or sometimes buttermilk poured on the forehead, particularly on the third eye spot. This is done by a vessel hanging above your head. Various benefits of Shirodhara are:
Useful in Pitta and Vatta imbalances
Perfect therapy for emotional and mental healing
Relaxes the mind deeply
Enhances and alleviates insomnia and sleep
Reduces mental tiredness and anxiety
Balances the nervous system and the pituitary gland
Fivefold Detoxification Therapy or Panchakarma
This technique is termed the most effective sanctification technique of Ayurveda. It starts with some preparatory steps like steam therapy or Swedana and the application of oil or Snehana. These steps followed an overhaul phase. Five therapies or procedures included in this program are
Therapeutic emesis or Vamana for stomach’s toxins removal
Purgation or Virechana clears Pitta toxins from the intestines.
Medicated enema or Basti that cleanses accumulated Vata from the colon
Nasal cleansing or Nasya eliminates toxins from the neck and head.
Bloodletting or Raktamokshana for blood purification
Benefits:
Deep internal cleansing
Overhaul and provide strength to the tissues
Boost immunity
Promotes mental clarity
Root management of chronic conditions
Herbal Steam Therapy or Swedana
This treatment induces sweating through a steam bath. This treatment is done after an oil massage. There are two types of Swedana, Nadi and Bashpa Swedana. Nadi uses a tube for directing steam to the various parts of the body, while Bashpa applies steam to the full body using the steam box. Various benefits of Swedana are:
Removes Toxins via skin
Opens up Stotas or body channels
Improves circulation
Helpful in muscle pain, stiffness, and heaviness
Enhances skin health
Nasal Therapy or Nasya
In this Ayurvedic Therapies, the induction of medicated powders, oils, and herbal juices is done into the nostrils. For the person having respiratory, neck, and head issues, it is the key therapy. You can use the oil (Anul Taila or medicated nasal oil ) daily.
Benefits:
Clears nasal passages and sinuses
Improves mental clarity
Enhances brain function
Alleviates headaches and migraines
Balances Prana, Vata, and Kapha dosha
Medicated Enema Therapy or Basti
It is one of the core elements of Ayurvedic Therapies that fights against Vata disorders in the most effective way. In this treatment, herbal decoctions and oils are introduced into the rectum. The two types of Basti are Niruha Basti (decoction-based) and Anuvasana Basti (oil-based). Various benefits of Basti treatment are:
Treats neurological disorders, constipation, and arthritis
Provides strength and nourishment to the colon
Detoxifies toxins from the lower part of the body
Herbal Powder Massage or Udvartana
It is effective in Kapha-related disorders that use oil or dry massage. Herbal powders or oils are used in this treatment. Various benefits of Udvartana are:
Effective for weight management
Enhances lymphatic flow
Tones and exfoliates the skin.
Reduces body fat and cellulite
Enhances blood circulation
Removes stagnant Kapha
Oil Bath Therapy or Pizhichil
Due to its restorative and royal effect, this Ayurvedic treatment is known as the “King’s Treatment” and is done with warm oil on the body. After the oil pouring, two therapists massage the person in a gentle way. Various benefits of Pizhichil are:
Deep muscle relaxation
Promotes joint flexibility
Beneficial in rheumatic conditions
Enhances nervous system function
Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda or Njavarakizhi
It involves boluses filled with rice, which is cooked in an herbal decoction and milk. It will be massaged all over the body. Various benefits of Njavarakizhi are:
Enhances the strength and tone of muscle
Nourishes tissues
Alleviates inflammation and pain
Revitalizes the nervous system
Best for persons with neurological disorders, arthritis, and post-injury recovery.
Buttermilk Therapy or Takradhara
This is a different form of Shirodhara treatment that includes pouring medicated buttermilk on the forehead, near the third eye area. Various benefits of Takradhara are
Calms Pitta dosha
Treats scalp and psoriasis disorders
Improves mental clarity
Enhance sleep
Soothes stress and hyperactivity
Lower Back Oil Retention or Kati Basti
This Ayurvedic treatment uses medicated warm oil on the lower back area of a person. It is done within a dough ring. The variations are:
Janu Basti (for the knees)
Greeva Basti (for the neck).
Various benefits of Kati Basti are:
Eases sciatica, back pain, and stiffness
Strengthens sacral and lumbar regions
Nourishes spinal tissues
Relieves muscle spasms
Head Massage or Shiro Abhyanga
This is particularly a head massage that uses medicated warm herbal oil for relaxing the shoulders, neck, and scalp. Various benefits of Shiro Abhyanga are:
Enhances scalp circulation
Promotes hair growth
Reduces hair fall
Relieves headaches and stress
Improves sleep and focus
Ideal for mental fatigue
Foot Massage or Padabhyanga
It is an ayurvedic foot massage that uses herbal ghee or oil on the points of the feet. Various benefits of Padabhyanga are:
Calms the nervous system
Promotes sound sleep
Reduces fatigue and foot pain
Helps balance Vata
Possesses a Relaxing effect on the body
Herbal Facial Treatment or Mukha Lepam
This ayurvedic treatment uses a paste of herbs for skin enrichment on the face. Various benefits of Mukha Lepam are:
Improves skin texture and tone
Treats pigmentation and acne
Delays signs of aging
Provides a natural glow
Ideal for both therapeutic and beauty purposes.
