Upakarmas
Snehan (Abhyanga)
It is a massage of the body with large amounts of warm
oil. The oil is often pre-medicated with herbs for specific conditions. Abhyanga can
be done as part of the steps of panchakarma therapy, especially in the first stage:
Purva Karma (pre-treatment), or as its own therapy . Many times abhyanga is
performed by two or more massage therapists working in sync but it can also be done
by oneself. Oils used can vary depending on the season and the individuals
constitution (prakruti ), disease condition (dosha)
Medicated Grit (cow gee) also can be used in pittapradhan diseases
Benefits :-
- Vatapradhan diseases
- To delay old age (anti aging treatment)
- To release fatigue. (shramhar)
- Relieves Pain in body
- Increases the capacity of eyes (vision)
- Promotes all tissues-i.e. increases body strength.(bal)
- Aayushyakaranam
- Brings normal sleep
- Strengthens Skin
- Protects skin from infection.
- Increases Immunity.
- Beneficial to skin colour
- After delivery to normalise the vata dosha (sutika paricharya)
- Soothens & enables the nerves & pulse to function properly
- Varicose veins
- reduces swelling
Swedan
Swedan
The word Sweda is derived from Sanskrit swid, meaning ‘to sweat or to perspire’. it
is the process of inducing sweat with the help of steam, generated from medicated
herbal decoctions. It is the pre-operative procedure in various panchakarma. where
the objective is to dilate the channels of the body to detach the toxins from the
tissues. Swedan is usually given after snehan.
Types :-
Bashpa Sweda:
The fomentation is done by making the person to sit in the
chamber where steam emanates from boiling herbal decoction.
Naadi Sweda:
Naadi sweda is penetrating heat. It is a more penetrating type of wet heat than Bashpa Sweda. This is given to whole body, using a tube; importance is given to thick and complex structures of joints. It is also given to one part of body e.g. joint
Benefits :-
- Balances Vata and Kapha dosha in the body
- Detaches toxins; expels them through the tiny pores of the skin along with sweat
- Increases circulation; reduces inflammation
- Revitalizes and rejuvenates the skin
- Improves digestion
- Removes stupor
- Acts on fat tissues
- Relieves stress
- Eases sore muscles
- Reduces numbness, stiffness, rigidity, heaviness; improves mobility Vataj vyadhi
- Hemiplegia
- Arthritis
- Parkinsonism
- Motor Neuron Disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Low back ache
- Sciatica
- Asthma and cough
- Sinusitis
- Chronic constipation
Pindasweda
Patra Pind Sweda is a type of swedana performed by
specially prepared bolus of medicinal leaves. In this process leaves of vataghna
herbs are cut into pieces and fried with rock salt and suitable vataghna oil. This
hot mixture is tied in cotton as boluses for application over the body.
Benefits :-
- Neuro muscular disorders
- Rheumatological conditions
- Hemiplegia
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Whole body joints pain
- Cervical pain
Shirodhara
It Is gently pouring medicated liquids over the
forehead. The name comes from the Sanskrit words shiro (head) and dhara (flow). The
liquids used in shirodhara depend on what is being treated, but can include
medicated oil, milk, buttermilk.
Benefits :-
- Mental stress
- Hair fall (khalitya)
- Eye diseases
- Greying of hair(palitya)
- Neurological disorders
- Memory loss
- Insomnia,(nidranash)
- Hearingimpairment
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Psoriasis.(shirogat kushta)
- Relaxing therapy's
Types :-
1. Taildhara[3] , 2. Takradhara[3] , 3. Ksheerdhara
Dhara
Specially medicated liquids are poured over the body in
a rhythmical pattern. When applied over the body, it may be over a specific area or
the entire body.
Benefits :-
- It has an extremely soothing and relaxing effect.
- In painful neuro-muscular conditions(vataj), arthritis, skin rashes, swelling , fracture , trauma
Basti / Tarpan
Medicated oil or ghee is heated to a comfortable
temperature and retained over a specific body part by a wall of thick, herbal
paste(mash ) The temperature is maintained throughout the procedure to facilitate
absorption of the oil's medicinal properties into the body part. It is generally
used over the lumbar area, knee joints, abdomen and back for musculo-skeletal
disorders.
It is very effective at reducing pain and increasing mobility.
Types :-
- 1. Shiro basti - medicated oil kept on the head
- 2. Manya basti - medicated oil kept on the neck
- 3. Hridaya basti - medicated oil kept over the chest
- 4. Kati basti - medicated oil kept on the lower back
- 5. Kati Prushta basti - medicated oil kept on the back
- 6. Janu basti - medicated oil kept on the knee
- 7. Akshi tarpana - medicated oil kept on the eyes
- 8. Karna purana - medicated oil kept in the ears
Uttarbasti
Uttarbasti is an Ayurvedic procedure in which specially
prepared Ayurvedic sterile Oil or Ghrut administered transvaginally with a syringe .
Uttarbasti is a non invasive procedure with minimal or no pain, so anesthesia is not
required. Procedure is carried out by an expert, under all aseptic precautions and
sterilized medicine is used, so there are no chances of introducing any kind of
infection. In case of female infertility the procedure is done before the period of
ovulation i.e. 5, 6, 7th day of menses, in each cycle, for 3 to 6 consecutive
cycles.
Indications of Uttarbasti :-
- 1. Granthi - Uterine Fibroids
- 2. P.C.O.D or P.C.O.S.
- 3. An-ovulatory Cycles.
- 4. Endometriosis.
- 5. Aniyamit Rajapravrutti - Irregular Menses.
- 6. Avarodha - Fallopian Tubal Block.
- 7. Cervical Polyp.
Kaval-Gandush
Sufficient amount of medicated fluid inside mouth such
that the mouth cannot be moved is called Gandush. When a lesser amount of fluid is
taken in mouth such that the mouth can be moved easily, it is called Kaval.
Benefits :-
- Strengthens the jawbones.
- Makes the tone sweet and sharp.
- Nourishes the face.
- Enhances interest in food and enriches the sense of taste.
- Prevents dryness of throat and cracking of lips.
- Strengthens the teeth
Kawal useful in :-
- Headaches
- Ear conditions
- Eye diseases
- Sinusitis
- Thirst
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Anorexia
- Excessive salivation
- Throat problems
Gandush improves :-
- Jaw and chin strength
- Strength of face
- Appetite
- Sense of taste
- Voice and speech
- Cure Dry lips
- Strength of gums and teeth
Agnikarma
Agnikarm is a Anushastra karma (para surgical procedure)
i.e. management of various afflictions by inflicting burns on the tissue surface
directly by using different materials known as ‘Dahanopakaranas’(tools of
cauterization) like Dahan Shalaka - Suvarna, Tamra, Loha, Kansya or Panchadhatu
Shalaka. Also Medicinal Dahankarma by use of Pippali (Piper longum), Aja Shakrit
(feces of Goat), Godanta (Teeth of Cow), Shara (Arrow), Suryakanta (Variety of
stone) etc. In deeper and strong tissues like bones, ligaments, tendons, vessels
etc., Madhu (Honey), Guda (Jaggery), Vasa(Fat), Ghrita(Ghee), Taila(Oil),
Madhucchishta(Beewax ) are used.
Now a days an electric thermal cautery machine are substituted in the place of
shalaka in many conditions.
Mukhalepa
It is a application of medicated fine paste of natural
herbs on face.
Benefits :-
- Gently cleanses and tones delicate skin.
- Enhanses the texture of the skin,
- Useful in insomnia
- Relieves stress
Shirolepa
Paste of various herbs and medicinal powders are mixed
with medicated Oils or Ghee and applied on the scalp.
The scalp is then covered and tied with medicinal leaves.
The scalp is then covered and tied with medicinal leaves.
Benefits :-
- To reduce headaches
- Heaviness of head
- Stress
- Graying and falling hair
- Diseases of scalp
- Cure headache
- Relieve tension and fatigue
- Improves memory
- Reduces mental stress
- Prevents graying of hair
- Prevents hair fall
- Improves vision
- Useful for skin diseases
- Control dandruff
- Refreshes mind and body
Talam
Thalam is the Malayalam name for Shiro Vasti (Shiro
Basti). Medicated powders mixed with water or decoction to from a Flat Round and
added oil in central part and put on the forehead.
Benefits :-
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Tension and different kind of mental conditions
- Prevent mental abnormalities.
Pizhinchil
Treatment in Ayurveda, is a combination of oil Dhara and
Mild Massage.
In this Procedure - a gentle, synchronized massage of up and down is carried out on
all parts of the body other than the head. Two to four doctors or trained
para-medical Staff perform the massage. It is administered in seven standard
positions, so that no area of the body is left uncovered.
Benefits :-
- Highly rejuvenating treatment that enhances muscular tone and retunes the entire nervous system.
- Sarvanga Vata, Vata dosha types, muscular aches and pains, osteo arthritis, insomnia, depression, sexual problems.
- It tones and rejuvenates the skin, promotes relaxation, blood circulation, nourishes muscles, nerves tissues, inner balance.
Udvartan
Application or Massage of Medicated powders for whole
Body or Specific Organ is called Udwartan.
The Ayurvedic powder massages are used in three ways : Utsadana, Udgharshana and Udvartana.
The Ayurvedic powder massages are used in three ways : Utsadana, Udgharshana and Udvartana.