Some Treatments @ Kensville

Abhyanga

It is the basic medicated herbal oil application prescribed by Ayurveda. It is a program where the application on the body with the prescribed oil for the said duration on a regular basis will give benefits like good appetite, alert during the day, good sleep at night, reduced stress levels, removes fatigue and simple pains and gives a glowing skin.

Udvartana

Udvartana is the application of herbal powders in combination with oil or ghee. It reduces the fat and the aggravated kapha of the system, smoothes and cleanses the skin, and imparts firmness to the limbs.

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is a process in which medicated oil, milk, buttermilk, etc. are poured in a continuous stream on the patient's head. The patient is smeared with appropriate medicated oils on the body and head and made to lie on the wooden bed (Droni). A wide mouthed earthen vessel with a small hole at the bottom is hung above the head of the patient, so that the fibre wick hanging from the vessel is just above the forehead. The medicinal fluid poured into the vessel is made to flow in a continuous stream through the wick on to the upper part of the forehead. A clean piece of cloth is tied around the forehead to prevent the oil from dripping into the eyes. The oil is collected and poured back into the vessel and the process is continued for about 45 to 90 minutes based on need. After the treatment is over, the patient is given bath in warm water.

Pizhichil

Pizhichil is the continuous pouring of medicinal oil all over the body. The patient is made to lie on the wooden bed and the prescribed warm medicated oil is applied to his head and body. Clean cotton cloth is dipped in medicated oil and squeezed all over the body. Two to four attendants, two on either side of the patient, pour the oil continuously for 45 to 90 minutes based on need. After the treatment is over, the patient is given bath in warm water.

Svedana

Svedana or inducing of sweat by different methods like the steam chamber increases the digestive capacity, improves the texture and complexion of the skin, increases hunger, cleanses the pores, makes one alert, and improves the movements of the joints.

Shashtika Pinda Sveda (Navarakizhi)

This is one of the svedana (described above) treatments which is however more intensive and powerful, and is used in conditions like hemiplegia, muscular wasting and other vata conditions. Here a rice variety is appropriately cooked with specific herbs and milk and tied up in cloth to create small bundles. And then these bundles (which are kept hot in boiling milk-herbal decoction mixture) are used to massage the body of the patient. The time duration, the period of treatment and the restrictions are all similar to dhara.

Patra Pinda Sveda (Elakizhi)

Here fomentation is done by using bundles of medicinal leaves which are prepared together in neem oil/castor oil. And then these bundles (which are kept hot in warm medicated oil) are used to massage the body of the patient. The treatment is particularly effective in aches and pains, swelling, sports injuries.

Choorna Pinda Sveda (Podikizhi)

Here the whole body or specific parts are made to sweat by using bundles of certain medicinal powders And then these bundles (which are kept hot in warm medicated oil) are used to massage the body of the patient. Podikizhi is indicated in diseases where there is vitiation of kapha, heaviness of body/extremities and obesity, etc.

Shirolepa

Another treatment for the aggravated vAta in the head, here, a specially prepared herbal paste is carefully applied all over the head and removed after 30-45 minutes. The period of treatment and the restrictions are all similar to dhara.

Pichu

This is especially useful to reduce pain in specific areas like the lower back, the thighs, the head etc. Here a cloth piece is soaked in warm medicated oil and applied to the particular part which is in pain. It is repeatedly soaked from time to time during the duration of the treatment which lasts from 30-45 minutes.

Panchakarma

This is a series of five highly intensive purification procedures which primarily aim at removal of the toxins from the body. The five treatments in this procedure are emesis, purgation, oil enema, decoction enema, and nasal therapy. Each of these treatments has clearly prescribed preparatory and post-treatment procedures which have to be properly applied to ensure the maximum benefit and also to avoid side effects.