Dhanyamla Dhara
Dhanyamla Dhara is an Ayurvedic treatment for inflammatory diseases and Vata conditions. It is also used to cure diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and eliminate harmful substances that cause improper metabolism. In Ayurveda, these poisonous substances are referred to as Ama.
Advantages of Dhanyamla Dhara
- Getting rid of any inflammation, stiffness, or pain in the joints
- Strengthening the body and getting rid of any toxins
- Musculoskeletal relaxation
- Promoting nutrition and a healthy way of life
- Reduces aches and pains in the body
- It boosts your immunity
- The Dhanyamla Dhara is thought to be the most effective antioxidant treatment.
Shiro Vasti
Shiro vasti is an ayurvedic procedure in which the outer area of the head is covered by a leather cap keeping hollow inside to put oil in it for a certain period in such a way that oil should not be leaked out. Shiro means head and Vasti means container that holds liquids. Therefore, shiro vasthi means holding oil on the head for a specific period of time with the use of a cap fitted on the head in such a way that oil does leak out. Shiro vasti is used for the treatment of diseases concerned with the head, brain, and neurological diseases such as migraine, chronic headache, depression, throbbing pain in the head, hemicranias or recurring headaches.
It is also beneficial for lowering stress and building immunity against psychosomatic diseases. Shiro vasti is categorized in Ayurveda as external Snehana (Oil is used) or external oil application to treat an ailment. It is a part of panchakarma, a sub-branch of Ayurvedic internal medicine.
Kati Vasti
The waist area of the body is called Kati. Holding warm ayurvedic oils on the affected areas is called Vasti. Kati Vasti involves the retention of warm thick medicated oil over the lower back or other parts of the spine for a certain period. The patient is asked to lie face down on the bed and apply medicated oil locally around the lumbosacral region. Then, a reservoir made of black gram dough is built around the lumbosacral area. Ensuring leak-proof, a lukewarm medicinal oil of around 200-300ml is slowly poured into it. The temperature of the oil is maintained by reheating and continuously adding more oil. The oil is kept on for 30-40 minutes.
Once this part of the treatment is over, the affected area may be gently massaged, followed by steaming for 10-15 minutes for better absorption of the medicine. It is usually done in a course of 5 to 7 days as required according to Ayurveda practitioners.
Benefits
- Alleviates numbness due to Sciatic nerve compression & most types of low-back pain.
- Strengthens back muscles which maintain normal curvature of the spine and the bone tissues.
- Effective treatment for any type of back pain & spinal disorders, stiffness, and other back concerns related to spinal disc problems.
- Increases circulation in the region & highly effective in inflammatory conditions.
- Kati Vasti alleviates lower back conditions like Lumber Spondylosis, Inter vertebral disc prolapses, Lumbago (low back ache), and Sciatica.
- Alleviates pain associated with fracture, dislocation, spinal tuberculosis, and tumors.
- Strengthens the joints, muscles, and soft tissues around and enables you to resume back your work and activities.
Januvasti
Januvasti is one of the most effective and time-tested Ayurvedic treatments for chronic knee pain, stiffness, inflammation and injury. The treatment involves retaining pain-relieving warm ayurvedic oils over the affected area for a duration of time using gram flour, followed by a gentle massage or Abhyanga. The ayurvedic oils and medicines for the treatment will be selected based on the patient and the condition
Benefits
- Lubricate joints and improves oxygen and blood circulation.
- Treats sports injuries and prevents degenerative diseases.
- Relieves pains, sprains, ligament tear, inflammation.
- Relaxes and nourishes bones, muscles, ligaments and nerves.
- Protect the cartilage of knee.
- Reduces spasm and rigidity of muscles around knee and calf areas
- Improves mobility
Greevavasthi
Greeva Vasti is important in relieving the strain of the neck, which is the largest portion of the spine (the spinal cord occupying only a minimal amount). This treatment is important to relieve neck pain as it provides a significant and lasting remedy from even the most acute ailment(s). Greeva Vasti helps in alleviating:
- Cervical spondylosis, Whiplash, Sprains and strains, Tension headaches, Migraines with aura
- Wry neck (Torticollis), Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia, Spinal stenosis, Slipped herniated disc
Benefits
- Relief from pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs
- Relief from pain and inflammation
- Increased blood supply to the neck, shoulders, and arms
- Improvement of neck mobility
- Reduced frequency of headaches and dizziness
Takradhara
Takradhara is an effective Ayurvedic sudation therapy performed using medicated buttermilk. The word “Takra” means buttermilk and Dhara mean pouring, so Takradhara is the procedure of pouring medicated Takra either as Shirodhara (pouring the medicated buttermilk over the head) or as Sarvanga Dhara (over the entire body). The treatment is considered to be one of the most effective Ayurveda treatments for Hypertension and stress.
Indications of Takradhara
Takradhara is a unique Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy where buttermilk mixed with medicinal herbs is used as the liquid that is poured on your forehead. A stream of buttermilk will be poured on your forehead in a specific way. Takradhara is mainly availed in the case of psychosomatic disorders. There are different types of Takradhara depending on what condition you wish to tackle.
Various Kinds of Takradhara
- Ekanga Takradhara – The word Ekanga means isolate. So in this particular kind of Takradhara, the therapy is done on a particular area, isolate that area and apply the liquid. In the case of Psoriasis, a limb is affected then the treatment is done only at that certain area.
- Sarvanga Takradhara: Sarvanga means complete or whole in Sanskrit. This type of Dhara is also called Kaya Takradhara. Dhara is conducted on the whole body, unlike Ekanga Takradhara. This is done to relieve stress and release tension from the body and mind. People who take this up are usually experiencing fatigue or lack of sleep.
- Shiro Takradhara: Shiro means head in Sanskrit and as the name suggests, it is done on the head of a person. It is good in cases of hypertension and migraine etc.
Powder Massage (Udwartanam)
Urdhwa refers as Upward and the other word Varthanam means to move. It has got its name “Udwartanam” as in this massage stroke performed in an upward movement or in other words elevation. Udwarthanam is a special type of Abhyanga (massage) in which mostly dry herbal powders are used for massaging ( in some steps; oils are used). It is a massage therapy in which massage is done in an upward direction ( i.e from below to upwards). Udwartanam is significant in its own as it is opposite to the traditional or conventional massage of Abhyanga in which strokes are performed from above to downwards. Udwarthana Massage is conducted opposite to that of the body hairs which is generally pointing downwards, this movement is called “Pratiloma gati” in sanskrit .
Indication
- Abdominal Obesity, Overweight, Cellulite breakdown
- Preventing loosening of skin under a weight-loss program
- After childbirth, if you get some extra weight
- Muscular weakness, Diabetic neuropathy
- Obesity – extremely useful for a fat cutback
- Decrease mobility to joints due to excess Kapha, Ama or rheumatoid arthritis
- Sclerosis of blood vessels
- Removing dead cells from the skin and increasing the glow of the skin
- Sciatica of Kapha origin, Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hemiplagia, cerebral palasy
- Parkinson’s disease, Motor neuron disorders
How Udwartana Massage Is Performed?
Udvartana is an Ayurvedic massage therapy that is used to eliminate toxins from the body. This therapy is beneficial in relieving skeletal disorders and muscular abnormalities.
Besides this, there are many curative goals that are targeted by this therapy. In Udvartana, a special herbal paste is applied to the entire body of the person obtaining the massage. The paste is applied on the body of the recipient, when it dries the mas-sager rubs the paste slowly on the body taking care that the strokes are directed at the heart to remove the lymphatic toxins from the body. The paste is kept for some time on a body so that it gets penetrated deep inside the skin of the recipient. As soon as the massage with the herbal paste is finished the whole body is smudged with herbal oil over the body for some time. The time span of the massage is for about one hour, and it is done regularly for few days. Usually, duration of Udvartana therapy is for one week.
Different Types of Udwartana Massage
According to ancient massage theraphy Udvartana is categorized in different two types:
1. Snigadh or Sneha ( oily)
2. Ruksha (dry)
1. Snigadh Udwartana
Snigadh Udvartana is a powder massage in which herbal paste is prepared with a mix of herbal powder and medicated oils. This herbal paste is massaged onto the skin over the body. This form of Udvartana benefits in improving complexion, the glow of skin, tone and skin texture. The principal purpose of Snigadh Udvartana is to exfoliate skin and rejuvenate the body’s skin to prevent skin ailments. According to the ayurveda text “Charaka Samhita,” Snigadh Udvartana is beneficial to people with sensitive skin and weak people who cannot tolerate rubbing of the dry herbal powders.
2. Ruksha Udwartana
In Ruksha Udvartana only dry powders made from different herbs are used for rubbing and massage. These Herbal powders have ingredients that are rough and dry in nature and used to reduce surplus Kapha. Ruksha Udvartana massage is useful for reducing excess cellulite and fat from the skin. It is also advantageous for diabetic persons with insulin resistance. According to the ayurveda text “Charaka Samhita,” Ruksha Udvartana is most beneficial for obese people.
What is Panchakarma and its benefits?
Panchakarma is the “Five action” for the five procedures used to intensively cleanse and restore balance to the body. In Panchakarma, there are five ways through which toxins are removed from the body.
The five ways are
- Vamana – Induced vomiting
- Virechana – Induced laxation
- Nasya – Nasal medication
- Basti – Medicated enemas
- Raktamokshana – Blood letting
For diseases, all 5 need not be conducted. Depending on the person’s health conditions a combination of 2 or 3 can be conducted. If yoga is the detoxification of the mind, Ayurveda and Panchakarma are the detoxification of the physical body. Panchakarma with its powerful properties has the power to enhance the immune system by removing cellular toxins. The cells then start getting the much needed nutrition and eliminate the waste products. The function of the cell then improves thus accelerating the healing process. The goal of Ayurveda is to obtain and maintain optimum health in a healthy person and improve health in a sick person. In turn, this strengthens resilience and inspires a sense of Joy.