Ayurveda in Kerala
Treatments in Ayurveda
Ayurveda has been practised for thousands of years in India. In ancient times Rishis were involved in making of medicine and treating people. Several researches and studies have been undertaken in this field of medicine. Today, these treatments are very popular all over the world.
Shodhanam : Various therapeutic procedures are followed to facilitate elimination of harmful factors:Vamanam (emesis therapy), Virechanam (purgation therapy), Nasyam (nasal medication), Vaste (enema therapy), Raktamoksham (blood-letting therapy).
Pre-treatments for panchakarma : The panchakarma pre-treatment includes three different processes: Thalam, Snehanam, swedanam.
Thalam : Before any external treatment thalam has to be performed. In this treatment, a special mixture of herbal powder and medicated oil is applied on the upper portion of the head and allowed to remain for 20 to 45 minutes.This treatment helps in conditions associated with ENT, insomnia and migraine.
Snehanam : This is a process of oleation . The medicated oil may be applied externally on the body or given orally.
Swedanam : Swedanam, or the sweating treatment is carried out through various procedures .
Branches in Ayurveda
Kaya Chikitsa : The Ayurvedic equivalent to general medicine, this branch deals with the routine diseases that are likely to affect human beings, and their treatment.
Bala Chikitsa : This branch, equivalent to pediatrics, deals with prenatal and postnatal baby care as well as the care of a woman before and during pregnancy. It also covers various diseases of children and their treatment.
Graha Chikitsa : This Ayurvedic branch is the same as Psychiatry in modern medicine. It focuses on the detection and effective treatment of mental disorders. It also treats psychosomatic disorders.
Salakya Chikitsa : Corresponding to the E.N.T. field of modern medicine, this branch of Ayurveda diagnoses and treats diseases affecting organs like the ear, nose and head.
Salya Chikitsa : The great Maharishi, Susruta was the inventor of this branch of Ayurveda. He even wrote a book on surgery titled 'Salya Chikitsa'. This book describes various surgical operations and the devices associated with them.
Visha Chikitsa : This branch deals with the toxins that enter the body from vegetables, minerals and animal origins. It is equivalent to toxicology in modern medicine. Pollution is said to be the cause of various epidemics.
Rasayana Chikitsa : In addition to do's and don'ts for better living, this branch of Ayurveda contains various treatments for improving beauty, health and intellectual power. Rasayana Chikitsa is equivalent to rejuvenation therapy in modern medicine.
Vajeekarana Chikitsa : Equivalent to the aphrodisiac treatment in modern medicine, this branch of Ayurveda helps to stimulate the production of sexual hormones in one's body, thus increasing sexual activity.
