AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS
A Complete List of Ayurvedic Treatments, Benefits and How they Work
What is Ayurvedic Treatment/Therapy?
Ayurvedic therapy or treatment is administered as a combination of herbal concoctions and lifestyle changes that help balance the three principal energies of the body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These principle energies or doshas are present in every individual with varying strength and magnitude. The one dosha that is predominant among the rest determines the overall constitution of the individual, also known as Prakriti.
According to Ayurveda, diseases arise when these doshas become vitiated because of an external or internal stimulus linked to eating habits and the amount of physical exercise you get in a day.
Ayurvedic treatments ensure all three doshas are at their optimum levels. The duration and method of the treatment may vary depending on the Prakriti or inherent constitution of the individual.
Contrary to the modern medicine system, Ayurvedic treatments harness the power of nature and the body’s inherent qualities to heal itself. The treatments are performed in a certified Ayurveda center under the supervision of experienced practitioners and nurses. As far as oral medications go, it is recommended to seek the advice of your Ayurveda practitioner to avoid major side effects and disappointment because of poor results.
Diagnosis
The most common techniques of diagnosing an illness in the Ayurvedic system are Naadi Pariksha and Ashtavidha Pariksha. Naadi Pariksha translates to checking the pulse, whereas Ashtavidha Pariksha is more elaborate and involves checking the pulse, urine, faeces, tongue, voice, skin, eyes, and overall body appearance. A knowledgeable and well-trained Ayurveda practitioner can determine the underlying condition using these methods. It helps understand an individual’s basic physiological and psychological makeup, providing insight into the dosha imbalance.
Treatment
Your Ayurveda practitioner will consider your symptoms, Nadi pariksha, dominant dosha and overall constitution to create a tailored treatment for you. Then, the practitioner will prescribe herbal remedies, diet, exercise, and certain lifestyle adjustments to start the healing process and effect positive changes in your body.
It’s a misconception that Ayurvedic treatments cannot work alongside modern therapies. If your doctor allows, you can seek Ayurvedic treatments in a supplementary manner to expedite healing and recovery.
List of Ayurvedic Treatments
We have described some popular Ayurvedic treatments that work holistically to balance doshas and ensure perfect harmony between your mind, body, and soul to start self-healing.
- Abhyanga Massage
- Kati Vasti Treatment
- Elakizhi Treatment
- Njavara Kizhi Treatment
- Panchakarma Treatment
- Vamana Therapy
- Virechana Treatment
- Basti Treatment
- Nasyam Treatment
- Raktamokshana Treatment
- Varicose Veins Treatment
- Psoriasis Treatment
- Shirodhara Treatment
How does Ayurvedic Treatment work?
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that translates to ‘knowledge of life. It’s an age-old tradition that has existed for over 3,000 years. Ayurveda’s holistic approach to well-being suggests specific lifestyle adjustments and natural therapies to balance all three doshas and ensure perfect harmony between the mind, body, and spirit.
Ayurveda treatment begins with an internal detox, followed by dietary recommendations, herbal medicines, massage therapies, and meditation to manage symptoms, treat the root dosha imbalance and build resistance to illnesses.
Ayurveda delivers positive results when combined with standard medical care. However, it is essential to seek your doctor’s advice to avoid the risk of drug interaction with Ayurvedic therapies.
Benefits of Ayurvedic Treatment
As discussed above, Ayurveda is a way of life prescribed by ancient sages after an extensive study of the human body about its environment. Although western medicine has progressed by leaps and bounds, there are several reasons you should practice Ayurveda.
Let’s have a look at the various benefits of Ayurveda.
1. Weight Management
Ayurveda helps maintain an ideal body-mass index, ensuring a healthy weight according to age and height. Whether overweight or underweight, Ayurveda’s balanced approach promotes healthy metabolism to get your body weight back to normal.
2. Healthy Skin and Hair
Chronic stress, poor eating habits, and irregular sleep patterns can take a toll on your skin and hair. Following Ayurveda-recommended dincharya can help you get in sync with nature. When you wake up at sunrise, go to bed before midnight, eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and manage everyday stress through yoga, the results will manifest in glowing skin and healthy hair. It’s a common belief that planning your day, according to Ayurveda-recommended dincharya, can delay the signs of aging, helping you look 5 to 10 years younger than your age. You can also include herbal remedies in your routines, such as Nalpamaradi Keram , to reduce sun damage and tanning, and Kesini hair oil for increasing hair length.
3. Stress Management
Stress is part and parcel of the modern lifestyle–you cannot avoid it, but you can learn to manage it and preserve your peace of mind. For example, people who feel stressed out at work or in their personal life can rely on Ayurveda practices or herbal remedies, such as Ashwagandhadi Lehyam, to manage stress and improve their mood.
Ayurveda’s holistic approach to stress management combines therapeutic massages, breathing exercises,, and herbal remedies for improving the autonomic nervous system. As a result, you can divert your focus from ‘stressing out’ to ‘figuring out.’ Some popular stress management treatments include Shirodhara, Abhyanga treatment, Shiroabhyanga, and Padabhyangam.
4. Body Cleansing
Ayurveda recommends a thorough cleanse and detox to promote efficient bodily functions and overall wellness. Traditionally known as Panchakarma, this treatment enables your body to get rid of toxins through bloodletting, enemas, and purgation.
5. Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Fluctuating blood pressure and high cholesterol levels can be life-threatening after a certain age. Ayurveda’s techniques and dietary recommendations can help prevent plaque build-up in the inner lining of the arteries, reducing the risk of cardiac arrest and strokes.
6. Prevent Immunity Disorders
Because of poor eating habits and irregular sleep patterns, your immune system may lose critical ground against diseases. If you fall sick frequently and struggle to recover from an illness, taking Ayurveda’s recommended immunity boosters can help. With various herbs, Ayurvedic immunity boosters can help fight immunity-related concerns when administered in the right dosage and duration.
Ayurvedic Treatments & Therapies for Various Diseases
The traditional Ayurveda system uses a permutation and combination of various therapies to treat specific health concerns.
For instance, if you are grappling with chronic pains and other musculoskeletal issues, you can benefit from a combination of therapies, such as Shirodhara, Abhyanga, Janu Vasti, Sneha Vasti, Kati Vasti, and Kizhi.
Here are some common health concerns and suitable treatments recommended by Ayurveda.
Chronic Stress
Combining Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Nasyam, and Pizhichil can help soothe tense nerves and naturally reduce stress levels.
Chronic Pain
Back and neck pain is common among young and middle-aged people, and it worsens with age. Ayurveda provides a wide range of massage-based treatments to relieve pain and stiffness in the back and neck area. Some examples are Abhyangam, Kizhi, Kati Basti, Janu Basti and Sneha Vasti.
Gastric Issues
Combining Sneha Vasti, Padabhyanga, Vaman, Kashaya Vasti and Virechana can help clear your metabolic pathways, improve digestion and prevent gut-related issues. If you have constipation, taking Triphala Tablets or Abhayarishta can help you find relief.
Obesity
When used in a supplementary manner, Udvartanam and Kashaya Vasti can help you shed those extra kilos and get back in shape.
High Blood Pressure
Ayurveda recommends yoga and various home remedies, such as Amla, garlic cloves and watermelon, to control high blood pressure.
Hair and Skin Problems
Nourish your skin and strengthen your hair naturally with therapies like Ubtan, Soundarya, Shringara, Udwarthanam, Thalapothichil, and Mukha Lepam. These therapies can help reduce acne, prevent dark spots and improve scalp health.