Karkidaka Chikitsa- Top 4 Ayurvedic Treatments in Monsoon

Rainfall is a welcome respite from high temperatures, being quite cool for most of July-September.   In the Malayalam calendar, Karkidaka – the last month of the year falls during the monsoon season . It is considered as a month of poverty and diseases.   Your immunity will be at its lowest during this month. And this is when Karkidaka Chikitsa –  an exclusive Ayurvedic therapy – plays its part.     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!   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 helps 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     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 moisturise and soften your skin giving it a natural, healthy glow.   Decrease 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 – 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.       Swedana     Swedana or sudation therapy is a part of Panchakarma preparation.    There are 13 types of Swedana. In each type, sweat is induced using different methods.     Benefits of Swedana     Reduces toxins: Swedana opens pores in the skin to help release toxins.   Relieves muscle tension: The warm experience relaxes your muscles.   Detoxification: Sweating helps remove toxins.   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.      Panchakarma     Panchakarma is, in fact, 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     Detoxification: Panchakarma enables deep cleansing, removing toxins found in tissues and deeply embedded throughout the body.   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 it improves 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 the treatment under the guidance of a qualified doctor.    An Ayurvedic doctor recommends the required Panchakarma treatment methods for a patient based on the patient’s  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     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 sinus areas.    Now, apply steam on your face, neck and chest, while covering your eyes using a blindfold.    Lie back with your face raised upwards. Now, apply 2 drops of Nasya Oil in each nostril. Hold the position until you feel the oil enter your nasal cavity.   The next step is very important – spit out the mucus.      During Karkidaka month, Ayurveda hospitals and clinics in Kerala offer Karkidaka Chikitsa.   It is an Ayurvedic therapy that includes a combination of Ayurvedic treatments and diet, especially of medicated rice gruel.    This treatment is great for boosting your immunity and detoxifying your body.   Read also: Monsoon Seasonal Care   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can 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 helps you . If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit.

Shirodhara – the treatment and benefits

Shirodhara is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment that involves pouring a continuous stream of warm oil or other liquids onto the forehead (the “third eye” or “Ajna chakra” point), in a rhythmic and gentle manner. The term “Shirodhara” is derived from the Sanskrit words “shiro” (head) and “dhara” (flow).    Throughout this process, the oil is carefully drizzled onto the forehead, coating the hair and everything with a thick layer of oil as it trickles down. At the outset, it might seem unusual and cause a tingling sensation on your forehead. Even though it may be challenging for a few individuals, it should never cause them distress.    Occasionally, having oil drizzle onto your forehead can be quite enjoyable. Many individuals claim that the Shirodara treatment is akin to a massage for your brain. When the oil seeps into your forehead and hair, it can nourish the hair roots and alleviate problems with dry scalp and hair. It also helps to hydrate and nourish the skin on your scalp, neck, and forehead. Regularly doing this can greatly benefit your hair, especially if you do it at least once a month or more frequently.    The oil is heated before application to improve the body’s absorption of it. This results in treatment being more comfortable and less complicated. The temperature of the treatment can vary depending on the client’s preferences, but it is generally a safe temperature for skin contact. Altering the temperature can provide a sense of well-being for the client and bring equilibrium to the body.   What are the benefits of Shirodhara?   Shirodhara holds significant importance in Ayurveda and holistic wellness for several reasons:   Deep relaxation Shirodhara induces a profound state of relaxation by calming the nervous system and promoting the release of stress and tension. This relaxation response has numerous benefits for overall health and well-being, including reducing anxiety, improving mood, and enhancing sleep quality.   Balancing the Doshas According to Ayurvedic principles, imbalances in the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) can lead to various health issues. Shirodhara helps restore balance by pacifying excess Doshas, thus addressing the root cause of many ailments and promoting holistic healing.   Mental clarity and focus Regular sessions of Shirodhara are believed to enhance mental clarity, concentration, and cognitive function. By calming the mind and promoting relaxation, Shirodhara can help individuals achieve a heightened sense of awareness and focus.   Stress reduction In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a prevalent health concern. Shirodhara offers a natural and effective way to manage stress by promoting deep relaxation and releasing tension stored in the body and mind.   Support for sleep disorders Shirodhara is often recommended for individuals struggling with insomnia or other sleep disorders. The calming effects of Shirodhara help prepare the body and mind for restful sleep, leading to improved sleep quality and overall well-being.   Nourishment for hair and scalp The warm oil used in Shirodhara provides nourishment to the scalp, strengthens hair roots, and improves the overall health and appearance of the hair. This aspect of Shirodhara contributes to both physical and cosmetic well-being.   Holistic approach to wellness Shirodhara exemplifies the holistic approach of Ayurveda, addressing not only the physical symptoms of illness but also the underlying imbalances in the body and mind. By treating the individual as a whole, Shirodhara promotes long-term health and vitality.   Overall, Shirodhara is an essential therapy in Ayurveda for its ability to promote deep relaxation, balance the Doshas, and support overall physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.   How is Shirodhara performed?   Shirodhara, a specialized Ayurvedic therapy, begins with careful preparation of a warm, comfortable space free from distractions. The client reclines on a comfortable surface, usually on their back. Suspended above their forehead is a vessel containing warm oil or a chosen liquid, carefully selected based on the individual’s Ayurvedic constitution and therapeutic goals. Before the therapy commences, the therapist may perform a gentle head massage to relax the client and prepare the scalp. Then, with steady hands, the therapist pours the warm oil or liquid onto the client’s forehead in a continuous, rhythmic stream. The fluid flows in back-and-forth or circular patterns, covering the entire forehead and often extending to the scalp.    The duration of the session varies but typically lasts around 30 to 60 minutes, during which the therapist maintains a consistent flow of oil or liquid. After the session, the client will be allotted time to rest. Depending on the type of oil used, they may leave it on the scalp and hair for absorption or wash it off after a specified period. Follow-up sessions may be recommended for optimal results, along with complementary Ayurvedic treatments or lifestyle adjustments to support overall well-being. Shirodhara is a gentle and deeply relaxing therapy that requires skill and attention to detail to ensure a safe and effective experience for the client.   I perform this procedure using different combinations of medicines. Sometimes, it is oil; sometimes, it is a combination of oils; sometimes, it is just a decoction. Decoctions are much more effective than oils. We prepare the decoctions of the oil, we pour it, and the patient will be lying down here. From the nozzle, the medicated oil goes into the forehead of the patient.   Health conditions Shirodhara is used for   For people suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, memory loss, parkinsonism, people with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, psychosis, neurosis, and all those kinds of situations, this treatment is super effective. Even in psoriasis and in some cases of ulcerative colitis, where the mind is also involved, and in certain diseases of the gut, where the mind is also involved, we give this treatment.   In general, if you don’t have any health conditions, you can still use this treatment, but the medicines will be different. It is amazing for cooling down, calming you down, making you relax, rejuvenating and improving the overall health of this area.   Shirodhara treatment for… Continue reading Shirodhara – the treatment and benefits