With the ageing process, we certainly look for prevention of body ailments and simpler way to heal.

Ayurveda was evolved around 600 BC in India. It is a complete naturalistic system depending upon the diagnosis of body’s humours to balance – vita, pitta and kapha. Most of the ailments are caused due to chronic stress, poor diet and lack of sleep. The balance between mind, body and soul is disturbed and it causes dis-ease.

Ayurvedic therapy suggests simpler ways to gain relaxation and rejuvenation of the body through a mix of cleansing toxins from the body, modified diets, particular herbal medicines, yoga and meditation.
Let us understand more about Ayurvedic therapies:

1. Rejuvenation therapy: It is a treatment for the mind and the body. Massages with oils and powders are given by palms and/or soles of the feet It is followed by steam baths and a few herbal medicines. It rejuvenates the mind and body.

2. Body immunisation therapy: A system of diets, medicines, and body care ensures the strengthening of the immune system and delays the ageing process. This is best for the persons who have crossed fifty years of age. The process protects the body from further degeneration.

3. Body slimming therapy: The diet plan of fruits and juices, massages with powders and iols help in reducing the fat content of the body.

4. Pancha karma therapy: It is five-fold therapeutic treatment for anybody’s well being. The basic belief is of panchakarma is that the body needs to be cleaned prior to emerging as healthy, energetic and youthful. The therapies and treatments are varied.

To name a few:
(i) Snehapanam: This involves internal administration of medicated ghee, daily, in increasing doses and strict restrictions on diets and activities. This is the primary preparation for all the panchakarmas. This is an internal Shehana (oleation) procedure. It is helpful in treating allergic asthma, psoriasis, eczema, low immunity, hyper acidity, peptic ulcers, digestive disorders and all kinds of mental illnesses.
(ii) Vamanam: This is medically induced vomiting. It is the cleansing process for the upper respiratory tract and upper digestive tract. It is effective skin disease like Leukodarma.
(iii) Nasayam: Medicines are administered through nose in the form of drops or powders. It is highly effective for headaches, sinusitis, migraine, chronic cold, paralysis, depression, stress, pain around neck, and shoulders and eye disease.
(iv) Sneha Vasthy: Medicated oil mixed with some herbal paste and salt, is administered through anus. This is beneficial in chronic nervous disorders, joint problems and skin diseases.
(v) Kashaya Vasthy: Enema done with a mixture of honey, salt, herbal paste, herbal decoction and medicated oils. This is very effective for Urinary stones, nervous disorders and in some gynaecological problems.
(vi) Abyangam: Special oils are rubbed on the body in various specific strokes for a period of 45-minutes, daily for two weeks It is specially done for Diabetes.
(vii) Shirodhara: It involves a continuous stream of oil that is gently swayed on the forehead. It completely relaxes the nervous system and the mind. It is beneficial in conditions like hypertension, anxiety and insomnia.
(viii) Choornaswedam: A linen bag filled with churna(medicated powder) is used for fermentation, the duration of which varies according to the disease condition. This is effective for ailments due to vata and kapha disorders as itr produces a therapeutic sweat, which relieves neurological disorders, rheumatism and arthritis.
(ix) Nethra Tharpanam: A special ayurvedic treatment to set right the degenerative changes in the retina and the lens of the eyes, to strengthen the optic nerve, ciliary muscles and tp correct the refractive errors in diabetic retinopathy.
(x) Ksheera Dhoomam: A traditional Kerala Ayurvedic treatment meant for disorders of facial nerve and different neurological disorders of facial muscles. This is very important in treating facial palsy. It involves holding warm Ayurvedic oils on the affected areas that help immensely in cases of lower back problems, cervical problems, arthritic knees and cardiac related conditions.
(xi) Lepanam: Herbal pastes are applied over the effected parts. This is usually done to reduce swelling, pain or inflammation of the joints. This is also used for treating some skin diseases.

Article adopted with courtesy: The Ayurvedic Spa, The times of India,13/03/10 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/