Abhyangam is a Sanskrit word, which means application of oil all over the body. It is relaxing and refreshing full body massage with medicated herbal oils to take care of physical, mental, emotional well being of the person while balancing the doshas. Ancient Ayurvedic text books recommend this as an integral part of the daily routine to all who wish good health and longevity of life.

Procedure

Abhyangam is performed over a specially designed wooden table (Droni) by trained masseurs. The sesame oil processed with various herbs is selected based on person’s doshic type. An Ayurvedic physician can access this and decide the appropriate oils and exact way of massage. After the procedure the person is directed to take herbal steam bath.

Benefits of Abhyangam:

• Subsides ailments caused by Vata dosha and Kapha dosha
• Removes fatigue
• Pacifies Vata dosha
• Improves eyesight
• Induces longevity
• Induces sleep
• Provides resistance against diseases
• Improves complexion and lustre of the skin
• Increases physical strength
• Delays ageing

Swedanam is a traditional steam therapy designed to open tissues with the saturation of heat and moisture. Deep seated toxins are released through the pores of the skin, thereby reducing inflammation, improving circulation. It promotes healing & restoration.

Note: Generally Swedanam is done after Abyangam.

Procedure:

It is the pre-operative procedure in various Ayurvedic detox therapies where the objective is to dilate the channels of the body to detach the toxins from the tissues.  Herbs are selected depending on the condition and doshic predominance. Treatment is continued till the forehead and abdomen sweat very well.

Types:
There are many different varieties of Swedana. Some of them are as follows:

Bashpa Sweda (Chamber steam): The fomentation is done by making the person to sit in the chamber where steam emanates from boiling herbal decoction.

NaadiSweda: Naadi Sweda is penetrating heat. It is a more penetrating type of wet heat than Bashpa Sweda. This is given to affected parts, using a tube; the importance is given to thick and complex structures of joints.

Benefits:

• Balances Vata and Kapha humours in the body
• Detaches toxins; expels them through the tiny pores of the skin along with sweat
• Increases circulation; reduces inflammation
• Revitalizes and rejuvenates the skin
• Improves digestion
• Acts on fat tissues
• Relieves stress
• Eases sore muscles
• Reduces numbness, stiffness, rigidity, heaviness; improves mobility

Kaya Seka or Sarvanga Dhara or Pizhichil is a special treatment procedure followed by traditional vaidyas (physicians) of Kerala. The word Pizhichil in the Malayalam language literally means “squeezing”. Here the whole body is bathed in streams of lukewarm medicated oil with a simultaneous soft massage. This Ayurveda’s Royal Treatment is famously called the “treatment for aristocrats” because the treatment was especially offered to the king in ancient times.

Benefits:

• Relieves body pain and muscle spasms
• Helps in healing bone injuries
• Increases immunity and prolongs life span
• Promotes normal development of muscle mass
• Improves skin complexion
• Has anti-ageing treatment
• Improves blood circulation
• A very soothing, relaxing and rejuvenating treatment

It is very effective in the following conditions:

• Neurological disorders
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Burning sensation all over the body
• Nervous weakness
• Sexual weakness
• Rheumatic diseases
• Arthritis
• Paralysis (Hemiplegia and paraplegia)
• Parkinson’s disease

Navara in Malayalam stands for the rice (Shashtika Shali in Sanskrit) that grows in 60 days; Kizhi (Pinda in Sanskrit) stands for bolus. Njavara is an indigenous variety of rice grown in Kerala, having medicinal properties. It is a unique treatment procedure practised by Kerala Ayurveda physicians. Kerala Ayurveda massage therapy for back pain in Dwarka is a procedure by which the whole body or any specific part is made to perspire, by the application of certain medicinal drugs with Njavara rice puddings externally in the form of boluses tied up in a muslin bag.

Benefits

• Makes the body supple and removes stiffness
• Calms the mind and reduces the stress
• Promotes sound sleep
• Boosts the immune system and slows the ageing process
• Enhances body nourishment and rejuvenates
• Improves lustre and texture of the skin
• Sharpens the sense organs
• Strengthens and nourishes the nervous system

The procedure is found effective in:

• Spasticity
• Reduced mobility
• Rigidity
• Low backache
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Cervical myelopathy
• Hemiplegia
• Arthritis

It is an amazingly relaxing therapy that uses a steady stream of warm medicated oils (Tail Dhara) or medicated buttermilk (Takra Dhara) using special devices to flow rhythmically across the forehead. This is usually done after Abhyangam. This therapy provides considerable relief from mental stress & psychosomatic disorders. It soothes your body and mind & induces sound sleep.

Duration of treatment: 45 minutes

Beneficial for the following conditions:

• Premature greying of hairs
• Fatigue
• Infirmity and emaciation
• Head-ache
• Lack of vitality
• Pricking pains of palms and soles
• Diabetic neuropathy
• ENT diseases
• Alleviate Vata, pitta & kapha
• Improving the power of all sense organs
• Insanity