The term Ayurveda formed of two words Ayur-Life and Veda- Science.its the veda of life which deals with positive way of living.It is more health oriented rather than disease oriented. This science has been in practice for more than two thousand year for the welfare of human being."Lord Dhanwanthari is the God of Ayurveda".

The term “Ayur” is compounded with ayus (span of life) and Veda (Knowledge), which aims at the alleviation of suffering and prolongation of life.The need to protect plants and animals was also felt necessary as man highly depended On them for his well being. It later developed into Vrikshayurveda and Aswayurveda or Hastyaurveda etc.

The science that dealings with the life – Ayurveda. Vedas are the origin of Ayurveda as like other Indian science, among them Atharva-Veda is the origin (base),

[ Brahma ]

[ Daksha prajapathi ]

[ Aswini kumaras ]

[ Indra ]

[ Atreya Agnivesa, Bela, Hritha, ] ... etc.

AYURVEDA the original holistic medical knowledge system. Seeds sown by the ancient Ayurveda seers are bearing fertile fruit, nourished by sincere Ayurveda exponents. .Its been hailed time and again that Ayurveda is a medical system for next generation.

AYURVEDA is a complete and successful system of medicine based upon its eternal basic fundamental theory of Panchamahabhoot and Tridosha (vata, pitta and kapha). It is the most ancient science dealing with every aspect of life.

ABHYANGAM –--- Oil application (60 minutes)

UDWARTHANAM ---- Powder Massage (60 minutes)

SWEDANAM ---- Sudation (30 minutes)

SIRODHARA ---- Pouring Oil on Head (30-45 minutes)

THALAPOTHICHIL ---- Covering the Head (30-45 minutes)

VAMANAM ---- ( Emesis )

NASYAM ---- ( Nasal inhalation )

VIRECHANA ---- ( Purgation )

VASTIKARMA ---- ( Medicated Enema )

RAKTHAMOKSHAM ---- ( Blood Letting )

PROCEDURE : This is a process of applying oil on whole body and rubbing it in a downward direction. The oil is applied on whole body comfortably. This is conducted by keeping the patient on sitting, supine, left laterals, supine right lateral and sitting position. Separate oil can be used to the body and head if necessary. Bath in lukewarm Medicated water is advised after Abiyangam.

PERIOD : 60 minutes

REQUIREMENT : Therapy table, oil, small vessels, heater, towels.

INDICATION : Improves body strength, sleep, good texture, good complexion of skin, promoted resistance and eye sight, prevents premature aging and stiffness of limbs.

CONTRA INDICATION : Fever Diarrhoea, indigestion etc.

PROCEDURE : Massage is done with medicated powder, in this massage is done in upward direction. Bath in Luke warm water is advised after Udwarthanam.

PERIOD : 60 minutes

REQUIREMENT : Therapy table, oil, powder, small vessels, heater, towels.

INDICATION : Gives optimum strength to the body, provide complexion to the skin, reduces obesity and excess fat.

CONTRA INDICATION : Fever, Diarrhoea, Indigestion, edematous conditions.

This is a most ancient from of massage which has been practicing in kerala and Kalariypayattu (Kerala Martial Art).

PROCEDURE : General massage is done over the body after application of medicated oil over head and body. Patient is allowed to lie on his vent and his hands stretched out to upward position and legs slightly protracted, the masseur holding the rope with hands which is fixed on the hook at a height of 10 feet from the floor, apply massage using feet over the back of the body. The feet moves gently in a particular manner through various positions for period of 1 hour.

REQUIREMENT : a long mat, oil, small vessels, towel rope piece.

INDICATION : It reduces the adiposity relieves rheumatic complaints. Gives good complexion to skin, Increase Flexibility of joints.

CONTRA INDICATION : Children, old age people, severe illness, indigestion, fever etc.

This is an important process generally done before Pancha karma (eliminating process) by which sweet is generated either local or all over the body and it increase circulation also. Based on the nature of heat source of Swedam, it is classified into various types.1.Ushma Swedam 2.Avagaha Swedam 3.Upanaha Swedam etc.

This is performed by the application of steam for which various modalisation are described as given below.

i ]. Pinda Swedam: the body is made up to sweda by the application of boluses tied in a cloth made of medicinal leaves or pudding. This contents of the boluses various according to the condition of the patient. It can be fried leaves of medicinal leaves, lemon pieces, horse gram, ceasum, black gram, wheat, rice, meat,etc.

a } . Patrapodala Swedam (Elakizhi): Boluses are made with leaves of sida cordifolia, Ricinus communis, pongamia glabra, Arka, two ripe lemon and coconut scrapes.

Procedure : prescribed medicated oil should be first applied over the body and boluses, which are warmed in medicated oil, are gently applied simultaneously by the two therapists. They relay of warm boluses wit cold one should be continuously done until the person perspires considerably. This is conducted by keeping the patient in sitting, supine, left lateral, right lateral and sitting position.

Requirements : therapy table, oil, towel, heater, leaves of pongamia glabra, Ricinus communist, Sida rhombifolia, Arka etc. Ripe lemon-2, coconut scarpes-150 gm.

Period : 60 minutes

Indication : In arthritic, neurological disorder, asthma, cough.

Contra Indication: Fever, indigestion, burns, toxicity, alcoholic.

b } . Sashtika Pinda Swedam (Navarakizhi)

Boluses are made with navara rice, which is cooked in Bala decoction is prepared by putting 700gm. of powdered roots of Bala in 16 litres of water +4 litres of milk and boiled over mild heat until it is reduced to 4litres and then filtered and used.

Procedure : Prescribed oil should be first applied over the body and boluses, which are warmed in milk decoction should be applied simultaneously over the body until the person perspires considerably. At the end the body is wiped with a towel, oil is applied and the patient is allowed to take rest.

Requirement : Therapy table, oil, towel, heater, milk decoction, Bala decoction-2.5 litres., Navara rice-900gm to reduced to 2.5 litres, Cow’s milk-2.5 litres.

Period : 60 minutes

Indication : In musculo skeletal disorders and in neurological disorders.

Contra Indication: I conditions of Amadosha, fever etc.

c } . Choorna Kizhi (Podikizhi).

Procedure : as in elakizhi

Requirement : Therapy table, oil, small vessels, heater, towel, powders like kolakulathadi, jadamayadi, upanaha choornam, Ripe lemon-2, 250 gms of coconut scrapes, preparation of boluses is made depending the condition of patient.

Period : 60 minutes

Indication : Swelling and pain in joints, neurological disorders.

Contra Indication : fever, Indigestion

ii ]. Nadi Swedam

a } . Ksheera Dhoomam (Palpuka): This is a form of Nali swedam

Procedure : equal quantities odf decoction and cow milk are poured in a vessel and heated. The vapour coming out of the vessel is directed through a pipe. The patient is anointed with prescribed oil and made to sit on a stool and cover his eye with lotus petal. The vapour from the pipe is allowed to spread comfortably over face and part of the body for a period of 60 minutes in a uniform manner.

Requirement : Chair, oil, vessel, bed sheet, stove, Nalee, lotus petal, decoction made of Bala, Eranda or Arka-1/2 litre cow milk 1/2litre.

Indication : In facial paralysis , Jihwa stamba

Contra Indication : In burning sensation, unconscious stage, general weakness.

Fomentation by taking bath in a tub or a vessel with vatha alleviating decoction, milk etc.

Procedure : The prescribed decoction in tolerable warmth is poured in a tub and the duly anoited patient is made to sit in the tub for a prescribe time. Decoction in the tub should be a above the level of umbilicus and decoction should be maintained in same temperature by changing with warm decoction.

Period : 15-20 minutes.

Requirement : Tub, oil ,stove, vessels, decoction.

Indication : Low back pain, Moothra Krichara vikara (Dysuria), piles.

Contra indication : In fever, indigestion.

Fomentation is done by the applying medicated paste in the joints.

Procedure : paste of the prescribed powder should be made by one tsp. Saindhava, juice of lemon, Dhanyamla and warm it. At a tolerable warmth the paste is spread over Eranda leaves (ricinus Comunis) And apply over the affected area and covered with cotton cloth and with a thread.

Period : 12 hours.

Requirement : Eranda leaf, thread, cotton cloth, stove, vessel, Saindhava, lemon, Dhanyamla.

Indication : In swelling and pain over joints.

Contra Indication : In skin diseases.

It is a type of Swedana Karma known as Dhara Sweda.

Procedure : The patient is made to the sit on the dhara table and thalam is applied. A band cloth is tied around the forehead of the patient is subjected to abhyanga. Cloth pieces are dipped in sufficient warm oil and squeezed with hands on either sides of the body from neck to down ward from a moderate height and medium speed. Mild massage is also done in sitting position, supine position, left lateral supine position, right lateral supine, sitting. At the end gentle massage can be done and allow to take rest a few minutes before bath.

Period : 60 miutes.

Requirement : dhara table, Medicated oil, vessel, heater, towel.

Indication : In neurological disorder, arthritis.

Contra Indication : Indigestion, obesity, skin disorders, fever, cough etc.

This therapy can be done with kayasekam or separately

Procedure : The patient is first subjected to abhyanga. Allow him to lie on his back with the head resting slightly elevated. Eyes are covered with cotton and a band of cloth is tied around his head. The oil is poured over the full length of forehead on the teen from the which hair starts from a height of four fingers. Gentle massage must be done while doing sirodhara. At the end, the head is wiped with dry cloth and allowed to take bath.

Period : 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

Requirement : Medicated oil, cloth, dhara table, sirodhara vessel, heater etc.

Indication : In facial palsy, insomnia, mental diseases, Hemiplegia, Headache, etc.

Contra Indication : Fever, Indigestion, Diarrhoea, Hypertension.

Instead of medicated oil, special prepared butter milk is used which Is made by putting Cyperus rotundus in milk with lime juice.

Procedure : Same as in Sirodhara.

Requirement : milk, ripe lemon, decoction of offcianalis, specially prepared butter milk.

Indication : Diseases affecting eyes and ear, Psoriasis, headache.

Contra indication : Fever, indigestion, diarrhea, hypertension

It is the procedure of keeping the medicated oil on head.

Procedure : The patient is first seated in a stool subjected be Abhyanga. The hair should be shaved and apply oil in the head above the ears and fix a rexin sheet or a cap over the head. Black gram is pasted over a long cloth and tie around it, so that there will be no leakage of oil. Pour warm oil inside gently using some cloth. The oil level must be one finger above the seal. Gentle massage must be done while keeping the oil on the head. After stipulated time oil and cap must be removed. Wipe out the oil and apply rasnadi churnam. Bath in lukewarm and medicated water is advisable.

Requirement : medicated oil like Dhanvantharam oil, Ksheerabala oil, Rasnadi churam, cloth, cap or rexin, stool.

Period : 30 to 40 minutes.

Indication : Facial palsy, insomnia, migraine, eye diseases, ear ache etc.

Contra Indication : Fever, diarrohoea, indigestion, hypertension.

This is the procedure of covering head with medicinal paste.

Procedure : medicinal paste is prepared by 250 gms of oil gooseberry which is put in 900 ml butter milk in the previous day and grind it without adding any liquid. Tie the varthi around the head and apply oil in the head and keep the paste about 3 cm thick. A piece or plantain leaf is covered over the medicinal paste. Abhyanga should be done while the process is going on. Remove varthi within one hour.

Requirement : medicated oil like Dhawantharam, ksheerabala, Eladi, Thriphaladi, plantain leaf etc.

Period : 30 to 45 minutes.

Indication : In vartha kapha, predominant diseases.

Contra Indication : Indigestion, fever.

Pichu is the procedure of keeping oil soaked in cotton on head.

Procedure : The patient is allowed to sit on a stool. A long piece of cloth is tied around the head above the ear and oil is applied on the head. A cloth piece or cotton with 2cm thickness is soaked in medicated oil and spread on head. Warm oil can be poured in intervals. At the end pichu is removed and wipe out the oil. This can be done foe other local parts also.

Requirement : medicated oil, cloth, cotton, heater etc.

Period : 60 minutes.

Indication : In joint pain, arthritis etc. (local Pichu)

Contra indication : Fever, indigestion.

This procedure is a simplified form of Tthala pothichil.

Procedure : medicinal paste is prepared with prescribed powder in medicated oil, buttermilk or water. Paste will be semi solid and put on the head about few inches square.

Requirements : Powders like rasandi choornam, Kahooradi choornam, thriphala choornam and medicated oil like eranda, butter milk.

Period : 30 minutes.

Indication : in neurological disorders, headache, snake bite etc.

Contra indication : Fever, Diarrhoea, indigestion.