Shamana Chikitsa is the conservative or palliative treatment by the administration of suitable drugs, diets and regimens or massages for subsiding vitiated Doshas. This treatment is mostly suitable for the diseases of children, old people, weak people, injured and those who cannot undergo the strong expelling Shodhana Chikitsa and also when the aggravation of the Doshas are only little.
Shamana Chikitsa can also be done when the Doshas are decreased in the body. This also comprises of medicines, diets and regimens. Those diseases cured by Shamana Chikitsa may recur when the disease causing factors aggravate in the body and the immunity power of the body decreases.
Shirodhara is the procedure of pouring specific liquid over the forehead continuously for a specific period of time. This is one of the excellent therapies for the treatment of several imbalances connected with head, neck, eyes, ears, nose, throat and nervous system like nerve disorders, facial palsy, paralysis and ptosis of the eye. Its therapeutic utility for giving cure to patients suffering from long standing insomnia and schyzophrenia is well known. It prevents falling, graying and cracking of hair and headache. It is very nourishing and rejuvenating for the body. It stimulates the nerves giving sturdiness to the body, improves digestion, good for the sense organs, improves the voice, gives strength for neck and head, improves skin texture gives a cooling effect to the body and relieves pain. It maintains the equilibrium of the body and mind and improves memory.
The head massage is one of the most relaxing and pleasurable experiences. The application of oil on the head and massaging the scalp will produce the following benefits:
Mukhabhyanga or Face massage, is a combination of: Mukha = Face and Abhyanga = Oil application.
Face is one of the main part of the body which reflects the physical, mental as well as emotional health.
Mukhabhyanga helps to reduce wrinkles, dryness, dark pigmentation, acne, sagging of the facial muscles, overstretched pores, stiff jaw, headache, weak nerves like in cases of paralysis, etc.
This whole body Ayurveda massage performed by two technicians is a mental and physical relaxation procedure. The massage is finalized with steam to remove the toxins from the body.
This massage, uses powder as the main ingredient and is ideal for kapha aggravated dosha. Two therapists will be working on either side of the body at the same time.
The pregnancy massage can be done from the third month onward till the delivery. From the third to sixth month, massage can be received at least once in two weeks. From the 7th month onward the massage can be done 2 or 3 days a week. All the other days self oil application is necessary. A unique feature of the traditional pregnancy massage is that is performed in the standing position. This helps to improve the strength of the body to undergo strenuous work. You can also receive the massage on a sleeping position for half of the session.
Pizhichil is another rejuvenation therapy used on Vata aggravated conditions. Warm herbal oils are poured all over the body in a rhythmic fashion followed by a gentle massage. This treatment is commonly used as part of rejuvenation therapies because of its great potential in rejuvenation and revitalization of body tissues. Besides Pizhichil is also used in treating Vata diseases, Arthritis, Joint problems, Nero-Muscular conditions, Muscle weakness, etc.
This is a classical Ayurvedic therapy that means "foot massage with medicated oils". It is both a therapeutic and preventive practice in Ayurveda, often prescribed as part of daily self-care (Dinacharya) or administered in clinics with specific herbal oils. Gentle to firm massage is given with fingers, palms, and sometimes using special techniques to stimulate marmas (vital energy points) located in the soles. It relieves pain and discomfort; Improves blood circulation in the feet; promotes overall well-being; relieves stiffness, dryness & numbness of leg and foot; balances Vata dosha and Improves sleep quality.
Elakizhi is performed with a cloth bag containing specially prepared herbal leaves. This is one of the classical Ayurveda massages for the conditions resulting from Vata aggravation. First the client is anointed with suitable oil and massaged with warm bolus bags on affected parts of the body or the whole body. Various medicinal leaves are used for preparing the bolus bags. Elakizhi can Improve the strength of the muscles, bones, joints and associated body tissues. Generally used in treating conditions like arthritis, paralysis, neuromuscular conditions, herniated disc, sciatica, joint pain etc.
This is a classical Ayurvedic therapy that means "foot massage with medicated oils". It is both a therapeutic and preventive practice in Ayurveda, often prescribed as part of daily self-care (Dinacharya) or administered in clinics with specific herbal oils. Gentle to firm massage is given with fingers, palms, and sometimes using special techniques to stimulate marmas (vital energy points) located in the soles. It relieves pain and discomfort; Improves blood circulation in the feet; promotes overall well-being; relieves stiffness, dryness & numbness of leg and foot; balances Vata dosha and Improves sleep quality.
This is another form of bolus bag massage in which powdered herbal roots are used. Ingredients like Dry Ginger, Castor Root (Ricinus Communis) Musta (Cyperus Rotundus) Cedar Wood (Cedrus Deodara), Mustard Seeds, Calamus (Accorus Calamus), Dill Seeds (Anethum Sowa), Rasna (Alpenia Galanga) etc are generally used for making powder used in Podikizhi.
Bolus basis prepared from this powder and are used to massage the body after heated with suitable oil. This procedure is also useful in treating Arthritis, Degenerative conditions, Neuromuscular conditions, Muscle weakness, etc.
Kadivasti is a treatment performed on the lower back, mainly for back pain resulting from Herniated disc and Sciatica. Warm medicated oil is retailed on the lower back with the help of a dough ring fixed on the affected area. The warmth of the oil inside ring is maintained throughout the treatment. A gentle massage is performed after the treatment to heat and oil properly over the lower back.
Greva Vasti is a treatment procedure similar to Kadivasti but performed over the cervical area. This treatment is useful in conditions like neck pain, stiffness and discomfort usually associated with cervical spondylosis.
Janu Vasti is another treatment similar to Kadi vasti but is performed over the knee joint for arthritis and other degenerative conditions affecting the knee joint. This treatment helps reduce stiffness and pain over the knee joint and helps restore mobility faster.
Urovasti is the treatment performed over the chest for relieving chest congestion. Specially formulated Ayurvedic oils are retailed over the chest with the help of a dough ring for a specific period of time. This treatment is useful in cough and cold, asthma and weakness of chest.
The Herbal ritual composes 3 processes:
The body wrap is prepared according to the Doshas, where specific ingredients are mixed to form the herbal past. Banana Leaves or plastic is used to cover the body for 20 to 30 minutes.
This body wrap stimulates body relaxation and is beneficial in healing skin problems like blemishes, darkish discoloration, itching, etc. Reduces excess sweat and heat from the body and reduces accentuated smell. Nourishes the body which results is a healthy and glowing skin with improved complexion.
Herbal body scrubs consists of herbs, which are powdered roughly and mixed with a liquid for rubbing the body.
The scrub removes dirt and dead cells accumulated on the skin surface without disturbing the oil balance of the skin; it cleanses and opens the blocked the pores, Stimulate blood circulation, improves skin radiance and reduces excess oil.
In this ritual, fresh herbs are put directly into the bath tube. Appropriate herbal bath can only be prepared after identifying the dominant Dosha present in you. The herbal bath refreshes and relaxes the whole body and mind, reduces tiredness and tensions and provides strength for the body, improves appetite and improves libido.
Contraindications:
Tarpanam is the process of keeping medicated unctuous substances in the eyes for a certain period of time. This therapy can be done for both patients as well as healthy people. For the healthy person, it is very good to increasing the eyesight.
This treatment is used in cases of eye disease like Ptosis, Night blindness, Cataract, blurring of vision, stiffness and roughness of eyes, Glaucoma, eyes pain, decreased secretion of lachrymal fluid and other eye diseases caused by aggravated Vata and Vata Pitha Dosha.
This procedure is basically the filling the ears with medicated oil or herbal extracts specifically designed for ear care and balance of doshas. The medicated oil cleans ear canal, improves hearing, cures neck stiffness and headache, relieves earache and relaxes the mind.
According to Ayurveda, beauty can be acquired by balancing your body and mind. Ayurvedic cosmetics including herbs, fruits, oils, minerals, are used for enhancing your beauty and to slow your aging. The ingredients are selected based on your skin condition.
In Ayurveda, acne (often referred to as Yauvan Pidika or Mukhadooshika) is considered a manifestation of imbalances in doshas — mainly Pitta and Kapha — combined with blood (Rakta) vitiation. The treatment course is not just topical, but holistic, involving diet, lifestyle, detoxification, herbal formulations, and local therapies.
If acne is chronic or severe, Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma therapies to expel aggravated doshas and purify the blood:
Internal herbal medications and formulations are prescribed to balance doshas, purify blood, and reduce inflammation.
Herbal face packs, medicated oils/pastes, and Steam therapy with herbs.
Diet prescription is provided during the treatment period.
Treatment Duration:
The hand and foot care is done by using natural herbs and medicated oils. It includes soak, scrubbing, application of mask and moisturising. The procedure is finalised with 30 minutes of massage.
According to Ayurvedic concept the feet are connected to the eyes. So regular feet massage improves the functioning of the eyes as well as maintains the health of the head.
Additionally it improves relaxation for the hand & foot; reduces stress and other diseases of the head & eyes; improves hand & foot dryness, stiffness, cracking of the heel and palm, burning sensation, excess sweating, numbness, coldness, etc; beneficial in curing nail related or infections; beneficial in dryness, stiffness and pain in the hands & foot. It also improves sleep quality.