Abhyanga - means massaging the body with any snehas (fats) in the same direction of hair follicles. Abhyanga is one among the dinacharyas and is an ancient Indian Ayurvedic approach adopted for healing, relaxation and treating various diseases. Ayurveda says abhyanga (oil massage) should be performed daily or if not daily, atleast applying oil to the head, ears and foot is must to lead a healthy life thus showing the importance of massage to the most important parts such as shira (head), sravana (ears) and paada (foot). By oil massage the sarira (body) becomes strong and gains resistance to exhaustion caused by stressful jobs.
In Sanskrit, “Bashpa” means steam and “Swedana” means to sweat or perspire.Bashpa Swedana is a traditional herbal steam therapy in Ayurveda to relieve pain and stiffness and detoxify your body. Bashpa Swedana consists of applying herbalised steam evenly to your body as you lying down comfortably in a wooden steam box. With this method, your body can be fully steamed while your head remains cool. In Ayurveda, it is believed that the eyes and head should be protected from overheating. This treatment often follows a massage to further relax your body, reducing pain and stiffness. It also promotes the elimination of impurities through the sweat.
Patra Pinda Sweda is a type of Pinda Sweda in which leaves of medicinal plants along with other conventional drugs are roasted in a pan with little oil and a bolus is prepared by tying in the cloth. Pinda means bolus, Sweda means sweating. Thus the medicaments, generally tied in a cloth in the form of bolus are heated upto a tolerable temperature and Swedana is done by gently rubbing the bolus over the painful area. It gives better results especially in diseases like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cervical spondylosis, Lumbar spondylosis, musculoskeletal pain as well as in neuro-muscular diseases,Reduction in stress and insomnia, Soothe and restore dry skin,Stress relief,Management of inflammation, swelling and pain.
Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda is a form of sweat inducing massage treatment. Milk processed with medicinal herbs and a special type of rice are combined together to be used as an effective external therapy. This treatment is used to provide strength and nutrition to the body tissues, especially bones, muscles and other soft tissues.
Valuka Sweda or Baluka Sweda is a form of swedana which is included under the category of Pinda Sweda (bolus fomentation). In this procedure we use heated sand tied in a bolus to provide heat to the afflicted joints or body parts, especially in diseases like Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis), Urustambha (stiffness of thigh and lower limbs), Medoroga (diseases manifested due to disturbances in fat metabolism) etc.
The word ‘Shirodhara’ is derived from two Sanskrit words – ‘Shiro’ meaning the head and ‘Dhara’ meaning stream, pour or flow. Together, it means to pour or drip lukewarm herbal oils on the forehead in a continuous stream. During the therapy, the oil is poured from a certain height for a specific time to allow it to run through the scalp and into the hair. It stimulates a vital point on the head called the ‘Ajna Marma’ or the ‘Maha-Marma’, which brings stability in the mind and consciousness. Shirodhara is an ancient method of Ayurvedic healing that can help one find harmony within the mind, body and spirit for holistic wellbeing. It is one of the most essential therapies mentioned in Ayurveda that can not only rejuvenate and purify the body but also relieves stress, mental fatigue and treats several disorders. It can be carried out with different liquid material like
Shiroabhyanga means applying oil to head, all over the scalp & doing mild massage. Shiroabhyanga everyday reduces dryness, itching & dirt. It is a part of Snehana therapy. As it nourishes the senses of mind and gives strength. Shiroabhyanga is the most ideal form of ‘Indian head massage’ smearing the herbal medicated oil by specific manoeuvres & strokes on the head, neck, shoulders. Depending on the desired results ,the oils are selected which includes releasing the stress from the upper body, improvement of circulation of the blood to the brain, vision enhancement, migraine reduction, headaches, insomnia, chronic depression, anxiety occipital neuralgia & scalp related diseases. It improves memory & concentration.
Shiro Pichu means an Ayurvedic treatment procedure which includes keeping a sterile cotton pad dipped in herbal oils on the crown of the head and wrapping it up with a bandage cloth. Pichu is one of the palliative treatments in Ayurveda used for neuropathic conditions in- involving the head region or headache and disorders of spine.
It is specialized procedure in Ayurveda, especially indicated for Janusandhigata Vata(knee joint pain). Janu Vasti means a treatment in which medicated oils are poured and pooled for a fixed duration of time in a compartment or a cabin constructed around the knee joint / joints using wet flour of black gram.The quantity of oil and its warmth pacify Vata dosha. It helps to lubricate the joints, strengthens the ligaments and tendons, relaxes the musculature and improves tone. . It helps to reduce pain and stiffness in knee joints. It is also helpful to improve restricted movements of joints. Indications-Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis & other diseased conditions of Knee joint.
In this process specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the neck with black gram paste boundary. This treatment lasts for 45 min to 1 hr and is good for any type of Neck pain, cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder or other pain related to the neck and shoulder.
Kati Basti is a procedure in which comfortably warm medicated oil is kept over the lumbosacral area or any adjacent part for a certain period of time with the help of a specially formed frame ring prepared from black gram powder. It is a traditional ayurvedic treatment for lower backache and disorders of lumbosacral region including slip disc, sciatica, spinal problem etc.
Netra means eyes and tarpana means nourishment. Netra tarpana is a procedure where in lukewarm medicated ghee is made to stay stagnant in the eyes for a speculated time in a specific formed frame. This procedure is useful in healthy as well as diseased person. It cools, lubricates and rejuvenates the eyes. It helps in the clarity of the eyes as it expelled out the impurities. This procedure strengthens eye sight and increases the blood circulation. The medicines having the quality to get into minute channels of the body, when applied to the eyes enters deeper into the layers of dhatus.
