Massaging the body gently, after applying medicated oil is known as Abhyangam.The massage will be according to the state of circulation, origin & insertion of muscles,vital parts etc. Oils are selected according to the nature of the body of a patient. Massage is done in 7 Postures for a time of 45 to 60 mins. Abhyangam helps for relaxation as well as for giving tone to the muscles. It removes the roughness and dryness of the body, the principle feature of sareera vayu ie;mainly for the vatic disorder and aillied conditions.
Nasya is pouring medicated oil into both nostrils ie; nasa dwara so as to help in purification or evacuation of the head.Head is being the seat of brain and nose being the pertinent opening, the classical statement – “Nasa hi siraso dwaram ”.Nose are the portals of head. Accordingly, Nasya is the simplest but most vital therapeutic intervention in Panchakarma. Nasya is indicated in diseases of head and other organs situated above shoulder ie;urwajathrugata rogas ie, all types of headaches, stiffness of head,neck,teeth & jaw, chronic corrhyza, uvultis, tonsillitis, seminal disorders, cervical spondylitis & spondylosis, painful shoulders etc.
It is a site specific treatment of oilated fomentation therapy where warm oil is kept at the Katee pradesa (low back). For keeping the Medicated oil Circular wall or band is constructed by using black gram flour . Katee vasthi helps for Sciatica, Low back ache, spinal disorders,IVDP cases, traumatic back pain etc
Sirovasti is one among the keraleeya kriya karmas.Here the head is provided with a scuff of leather like cap with open base. This is tied with long cloth piece and paste of blackgram flour.This base is filled with medicated oil which is allowed to stand for an indicated period of 45 to 90 mins. This helps in Facial Parailsis, Head aches, Eye disorders, Insomnia, Parkinsonism, Hemiplegia, MND, Generalised cerebral atrophy etc
Sirodhara is one among the keraleeya kriya karmas. In dhara karma liquid medicaments like medicated oils,milk,ghee,thakra(buttermilk) or kwatha(decoction) etc, placed in a dhara pot hanged on an appropriate height are allowed to trickle slowly through Dhara Vartika on the forehead of the patient lying below on a dhroni. In this treatment th dhara dravya is selected in consideration of the nature of the patient. This treatment is found to be very effective in patients of mental diseases like psychosis,epilepsy,neurosis,confusion, and disease of eye,ear,nose, and throat. It has also been found good for diseases like facial palsy, vatavyadhis,insomnia,loss of memory,alcoholism,coma etc.
Udwarthanam is reverse massage.This can be done as dry or wet method. By using medicated powder the body of the patient is massaged reversly ie, towards heart. This is mainly indicated for obesity, hemiplegia, paralysis, skin diseases, impaired circulations and also for kapha predominant diseases.
Agnikarma is done with heated metallic rod ie,Shalaka.This shalaka is heated till redhot and placed over the affected part.Dahana is done there and the part is rubbed with medicated ghritam or pulp of aloe vera. Treatment Points are different for different diseases. This is mainly helpful for corns, pain on heels,sciatic pains and all types of pains.
Njavarakizhi is one of the most popular therapies in Keraliya Panchakarma. Kizhis are mainly considered as a preparatory procedure for samsodhana therapy.but in kerala it is a main treatment procedure. Kizhi is prepared by cooking the new coarse rice(Shastika Sali) in milk and decoction.This is tied in the form of potali(boluses) in cloth.This is applied over the body by dipping it in decoction & milk. It enhances physical consistency, strengthens nervous system. This is highly effective in rejuvenating, nourishing & prepares the individual to bear the stress & strain of a busy life style. This treatment is largely employed in the treatment of neurological disorders, chronic rheumatism, arthritis, degenerative diseases, mal nutrition of limbs & recovery from broken bone. Very effective in polio & paralysis.
Snehapanam is one among the Purva Karma procedure for Panchakarma Therapy. Medicated ghritham should be given orally early morning mainly for 7 days.The amount of medicated ghritham should be increased per day as per the kostha of the patient. This is mainly indicated in Infertility, gynaecological disorders, sexual exhaustion,anxiety, raktha kshaya, alcoholism etc.
Rakthamoksha aims to eliminate vitiated raktha(blood) as a therapeutic measure.This includes siravyadha,jalaukavacharana,alabu(cupping) etc .According to the dosa,raktha and patient’s condition the type of rakthamoksha is selected. Siravyadha is venepuncture. This blood letting is done by puncturing the vein with the metallic instruments.This helps in circulating dosas and raktha dushti. Jalaukavacharana is done by the application of leech. Jalauka is applied over the skin of the patient and it will suck the impure blood from the body.This is indicated mainly skin diseases, gout, leucoderma,vitiligo, eczema, dusta vrna(non healing ulcers), erysipelas, abscess, pigmentations etc. Alabu(cupping) is another method of rakthamosa which sucks blood on the principles of cupping.it can suck blood from a distance of 12 Angula from skin.Cups with different sizes are used in different paces.Cup in which vaccum is created with negative pressure which sucks blood towards the surface after which it is incised for blood letting. These are indicated for erysipelas, abscess, kustha, obesity, gout, splenomegaly, itching, etc