This ancient ‘science of life’, forms one
of the foundations of day to day life in Kerala. It helps
us to have a holistic approach to keep our body, mind and
soul together in perfect harmony. Ayurveda is more a way
of life to keep one in harmony with nature than a healing
method for ailments, and perceives the human body as an
integrated whole, going well beyond providing symptomatic
relief.
The
universe is an interplay of the energies of the five elements-Sky,
Air, Fire, Water and Earth. The human body also consists
of these five natural elements and functions with three
properties or forces such as Vatham,Pittham,Kapham.
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Vatham
is the energy of movement, Pittham the energy
of digestion or metabolism and Kapham the
energy of lubrication and structure. All people have vatha, pitha
and kapha, but one is usually primary, one secondary and the third
least prominent. The cause of any disease in Ayurveda is viewed
as the lack of proper cellular function because of an excess or
deficiency of vatha, pitha or kapha and/or the presence of toxins.
So, any major changes in these properties would affect the health
of the person. The properties inside the body could be affected
by the external conditions such as climate, atmosphere, lifestyle
etc.
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One
of these properties would be prominent in each substance.
Trying to be in better external conditions and controlling
the properties inside the body by removing or adding the elements,
perfect health can be achieved. During the treatment, the
excessive elements are removed. Food restrictions help the
process. To supplement the elements, medicines in the form
of decoctions, soups, pastes are given orally and medicines
and oils are applied on the skin by continuous pouring or
massage. Leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and roots of many
plants, stones, metals, minerals, milk, butter etc are used
to prepare the medicines and oils. |
AYURVEDIC
THERAPIES
Sirodhara: Medicated oils,
Butter, milk etc. are used for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Pizhichil
: Application of lukewarm herbal oil all over the body for the treatment
of spondilosis and other rheumatic diseases.
Udwarthanam: Therapeutic
dry massage with herbal powders to relieve excess fat from the body.
Snehavasthi: Medicated
oil enema Nasyam: Inhalation of medicated herbal preparations for
the treatment of nasal ailments.
Takradhara: Pouring in
normal temperature of medicated buttermilk for the treatment of
memory loss, severe headache etc.
Njavarakizhi: Application
of medicated rice packs to induce perspiration. Good for rheumatism,
pain in the joints, etc.
Tarpanam: Application of
medicated ghee on the eyes to prevent cataract and strengthen vision.
Virechana: Oral intake
of herbal purgative drugs or skin disorders, urinary disorders etc.
Abhyangasnanam: An oil
bath and rejuvenating oil massage is given, which preserves youthfulness,
tones the body and prevents skin diseases
Dhanyamaladhara: Warm herbal
liquid is poured over the body to treat hemiplegia, paralysis and
rheumatic diseases. |
