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Tag: Abhyanga

Karkidaka Chikitsa- Top 4 Ayurvedic Treatments in Monsoon

In the Malayalam calendar, Karkidakam – the last month of the year falls during the monsoon season. It is considered as a month of poverty and diseases and your immunity will be at its lowest during this month. This is when Karkidaka Chikitsa – an exclusive Ayurvedic therapy – plays its part.   This treatment improves your immunity and helps your body prepare for the year ahead.    What is Karkidaka Chikitsa ?   Karkidaka Chikitsa, also known as Monsoon treatment in Ayurveda, is a therapeutic style that originated in Kerala’s traditional healing practices. Karkidaka Chikitsa helps improve your immunity and physical and mental strength. It also helps remove toxins from your body and bring back a healthy, rejuvenated you!   During the monsoon, your Agni (digestive fire) is weak, making your body more prone to accumulating toxins (Ama). This results in sluggish digestion, frequent infections and overall fatigue. Karkidaka Chikitsa helps eliminate these toxins, reset your digestive fire and prepare your body for the months ahead.   Let us look into the depths of  Karkidaka Chikitsa, exploring its essence and benefits.     Common Karkidaka Chikitsa Methods     Here are the common treatment methods of Karkidaka Chikitsa that help build your immunity.   Abhyanga (Oil Massage)   Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic oil massage practice that uses warm herbal oils on the entire body.   Benefits of Abhyanga   Strengthens the nervous system: The warm oil penetrates deep into tissues, nourishing nerve endings and reducing stress. Improved blood circulation: Abhyanga helps enhance blood circulation in the body. Detox the body: Abhyanga helps in loosening and liquefying body toxins and thereby makes excretion easier. Helps your skin glow: Regular use of oil on the skin helps to moisturize and soften your skin, giving it a natural, healthy glow. Decreases Stress: As Abhyanga relaxes your body and mind, it reduces stress.     How to Do Abhyanga ?   Take some oil in your palm and apply it gently on the top of your head – specifically, at the bregma.   Then, use your fingers to massage the scalp (you can also choose to massage the oil along the length of your hair).   Then, massage your face. Follow by massaging your hands, feet, and the rest of your body.   Use gentle, circular motions over joints, but with long strokes on limbs for the self-Abhyanga session at home.   Wash it off with warm water after 20 minutes by taking a shower.   The best oil for Abhyanga is organic black sesame oil. It is Vata subsiding and offers vigour and vitality.    Abhyanga not only strengthens your muscles and joints but also enhances your skin’s radiance.   Here’s how you can do Abhyanga at home:         Swedana   Swedana, or sudation therapy, is, in fact, a part of Panchakarma preparation. There are 13 types of Swedana. In each type, sweat is induced using different methods.     Benefits of Swedana   Alleviates joint pain: The heat from Swedana helps loosen stiff joints and reduce pain. Reduces toxins: Swedana, therefore, opens pores in the skin to help release toxins. Relieves muscle tension: The warm experience relaxes your muscles. Promotes respiratory health: The aroma from herbal steam helps clear sinus passageways and restore easy breathing.     How to Do Swedana ?   You can get it done at an Ayurvedic hospital under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic doctor.   If you want to do it at home, you can try this: Fill your bathtub with hot water. While doing so, make sure that the temperature of the water is neither too hot, nor too cold. Immerse yourself in the water for 15 minutes. This is called Avagaha Sweda.   Avoid your eyes while doing any kind of sweating treatment. Also, avoid Swedana if you are pregnant, consume alcohol regularly, or if you are a diabetic and take insulin.   Make sure you do not consume food within 1 hour of Swedana.   If you have never tried the authentic Ayurvedic way of Swedana treatments, you are completely missing out! You must try it at least once in your lifetime.     Panchakarma   Panchakarma is a full-body cleansing therapy that not only helps detoxify the body but also brings back the balance of the Doshas. It includes five types of Ayurvedic treatments – Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Basti (enema), Nasya (nasal administration), and Rakta Mokshan (blood purification).     Benefits of Panchakarma   Enhances mental clarity: The detoxification process clears brain fog and improves focus. Balances Doshas: This therapy balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas of the body. Improves digestion: Panchakarma improves the digestive fire (Agni) in the body, hence improving digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Improves immunity: When Panchakarma flushes out all toxins in the body, it helps to boost overall immune strength and function.     How to Undergo Panchakarma ?   It is best to have Panchakarma treatment under the guidance of a qualified doctor.   An Ayurvedic doctor recommends the required Panchakarma treatment methods for a patient based on their Prakriti (body constitution) and health conditions.       Nasya   Nasya is the process in which oil is instilled via the nasal route. It is especially helpful in the monsoon as it protects us from recurring respiratory issues.   Benefits of Nasya   Enhances brain function: Nasya has been known to improve memory and concentration. Clears sinus: Nasya can clear congestion and sinus. Boosts respiratory health: It enhances the general function of your respiratory system to a great extent and relieves you from allergies, colds, etc. Great mental health: Nasya helps to obtain mental clarity and also cuts down the recurrence of headaches or migraines. Dosha balancing: It also helps balance the Vata and Kapha Doshas.     How to Do Nasya ?   I recommend using Nasya Oil and Steaming Oil to do Nasya. Massage your face, neck, and chest with Steaming Oil while applying slight pressure on… Continue reading Karkidaka Chikitsa- Top 4 Ayurvedic Treatments in Monsoon

Women Health Exploration Through Ayurvedic Lenses

Did you know that according to recent statistics, India faces significant health challenges among women? Women’s health is a treasure that must be maintained with the utmost attention. From reproductive issues to mental health concerns, women often bear the brunt of societal pressures and biological complexities.    About 30% of women in India experience reproductive health issues and mental health disorders affect around 20% of women.  A woman’s body undergoes incredible modifications and variances from the time she reaches adolescence until the life-changing stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.    Unfortunately, disrupting this delicate balance can lead to a variety of women’s-specific health difficulties. However, with the support of Ayurveda, women may embark on a path of healing and rejuvenation, regaining their well-being with grace and vitality.   Ayurveda shines a ray of hope in a world where stress, the environment, and hormone imbalances may all harm women’s health. The system of medicine recognizes that women need special care as they navigate the tangled web of their lives.    Ayurveda provides women with the skills they need to embark on a life-changing journey toward robust health by balancing the Doshas and supporting overall well-being. As an Ayurvedic doctor, I’ll shed light on how Ayurveda can be a game changer for women’s health. So, let’s dive in.    Let’s talk about women’s health first!   When we discuss women’s health, we recognize that it encompasses various issues at different stages of a woman’s life. Every woman goes through several massive changes over her lifetime. Menarche, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause are vital changes.    The uterus, ovary, and breast are the three organs that carry out these physiologic functions. The vagina is another organ that is essential to a woman’s overall health. Female hormones are vital in many physiological and emotional changes, making them equally important factors.    Women have unique health challenges, ranging from pregnancy and menopause to gynaecological disorders such as uterine fibroids and pelvic floor abnormalities. Only women are impacted by the following health conditions. While some other ailments afflict males, they affect women more severely.     Gynaecological issues affecting women include menstruation and menstrual irregularities, urinary tract health, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders, and ailments such as bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, uterine fibroids, and vulvodynia.     Pregnancy-related issues include prenatal care, miscarriage, early birth, preterm labour, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), breastfeeding, and birth challenges. Uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and primary ovarian insufficiency are some of the disorders associated with infertility.     An add-on is the societal expectations of a woman centred on her weight and looks, in which she continually stresses herself out to try to achieve the perfect figure, unaware that it indirectly impacts their mental health as well.    How does Ayurveda come to the rescue?   Ayurvedic beliefs highlight that every woman is unique, and her health is affected by her distinct constitution, or Dosha, which might be Vata, Pitta or Kapha dominant. Menstruation, pregnancy, parenthood, and menopause are all distinct life stages that women will experience over their lives.   The ancient method also clarifies the importance of diet, natural medicines, and lifestyle choices. They are created exclusively for a woman’s requirements. These practices also highlighted the value of self-care, stress management, and emotional balance.   Hormonal Balance Ayurvedic medicines and treatments assist in managing the hormonal fluctuations that women regularly experience. They treat conditions including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular periods, and menopausal symptoms.   Fertility and Reproductive Health Ayurveda offers extensive recommendations for increasing fertility and improving reproductive health. It’s accomplished by food recommendations, natural remedies and lifestyle changes.   Menstrual Health Ayurvedic medicines for monthly discomfort include particular herbs, warm oil massages, and heat therapies to relieve cramps, bloating, and mood swings.   Pregnancy and Postpartum Care Ayurveda encourages a healthy pregnancy and a quick postpartum recovery. It offers advice on a healthy diet, prenatal yoga, herbal medicines, and complementary therapies for the mother and child’s health.   Menopausal Support Ayurveda uses herbal supplements, changes in diet, and relaxation techniques to assist people manage menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, nocturnal sweating, mood swings, and insomnia.   Ayurvedic Practices for Women’s Health   Now, let us look at some ayurvedic techniques that advise for improving women’s health.   Abhyanga Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage, is one of the most beneficial ways for women to care for their minds and bodies. The mild ritual, therefore, consists of applying warm oil to the body.  It has several benefits in addition to relaxing.    The process also helps to improve blood circulation and calm the nervous system. Abhyanga is particularly effective for women facing discomfort or menopausal symptoms. The therapy also helps to keep the joints lubricated and the skin healthy. Abhyanga promotes a profound connection with one’s body and increases self-awareness daily/anytime you desire some self-care.   Yoga and Pranayama Yoga and pranayama (breathing exercises) are two of the most effective methods advised by Ayurveda for women’s health. These activities promote body-mind harmony, making them crucial for emotional and physical well-being. Yoga positions, or asanas, can help with common conditions, including menstruation cramps and back discomfort.    They increase flexibility, strength, and posture for women of all ages. In contrast, pranayama focuses on breath control. Practising these strategies can be beneficial. They are a great way to relieve tension and relax your thoughts. One can readily adapt these techniques to any age group and can perform them with or without the assistance of an ayurvedic doctor.   Herbal Remedies Ayurveda offers a wealth of herbal therapies for addressing typical women’s health concerns. Several herbs give significant health advantages to women. They help promote hormonal balance, making them ideal for menstruation irregularities and menopausal symptoms.    Turmeric and ginger are well-known home treatments for digestive and inflammatory disorders. They identify as the root cause of a variety of women’s health issues.  Herbal drinks such as chamomile and peppermint might help relieve tension and anxiety.  … Continue reading Women Health Exploration Through Ayurvedic Lenses

Abhyanga Like a Pro: Master the Art of Self-Massage

Abhyanga or daily self-oil massages are important to live a healthy long life according to Ayurveda. You might think of going to a spa and getting it done. But it is not practical. So, the most useful and effective way to do Abhyanga is in the comfort of your home.        Benefits of doing Abhyanga      Doing Abhyanga offers the following benefits:   Improves strength and flexibility of muscles, bones and joints Slows down ageing Improves skin health Relieves weakness, tiredness Improves sleep Reduces aches and pains in the body Nourishes tissues of the body Rejuvenates the body and promotes longevity      How to do Abhyanga at home?      Here’s how you can do Abhyanga at home:    The first step in performing Abhyanga is to choose the right oil. The ideal oil to do Abhyanga is organic black sesame oil, specifically the darkest or dark organic sesame oil available.    The steps    Ayurveda specifies the body parts you should focus on when you are doing it. These areas include the top of your head, your palms, feet, navel, ears, and face. These are the main areas you should massage.     You can also massage other parts of your body, especially your joints, because they tend to collect Vata, which is the air element. Vata increases when you move your body a lot, so it’s more in your joints. That’s why it is important to massage them with oil.  First, take some oil in your palm and gently apply it on the top of your head. Once you apply the oil, use your fingers to rub your scalp. If you want, you can also massage oil along the length of your hair.     Next, massage your face.     After that, massage your hands and feet, and then continue with the rest of your body. For your joints, move your hands in circular motions, but for other body parts, use longer up-and-down strokes.     When you’re massaging your legs, it’s a good idea to massage them in an upward direction, towards your heart.     When massaging your hands, fold them and use your hands to massage the long bones effectively.    Doing Abhyanga is crucial for maintaining good health, regardless of age. On days when you are really busy, you can, therefore, do a brief 2-to-3-minute Abhyanga.  However, you can do it for at least 5 to 10 minutes if you have ample time.    To know more about Abhyanga, download my ebook or watch my YouTube video.  If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital.

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