It is a massage of the body with large amounts of warm oil. The oil is often pre-medicated with herbs for specific conditions. Abhyanga can be done as part of the steps of panchakarma therapy, especially in the first stage: Purva Karma (pre-treatment), or as its own therapy . Many times abhyanga is performed by two or more massage therapists working in sync but it can also be done by oneself. Oils used can vary depending on the season and the individuals constitution (prakruti ), disease condition (dosha)
Medicated Grit (cow gee) also can be used in pittapradhan diseases
Benefits –
The word Sweda is derived from Sanskrit swid, meaning ‘to sweat or to perspire’. it is the process of inducing sweat with the help of steam, generated from medicated herbal decoctions. It is the pre-operative procedure in various panchakarma. where the objective is to dilate the channels of the body to detach the toxins from the tissues. Swedan is usually given after snehan.
1)Bashpa Sweda:
The fomentation is done by making the person to sit in the chamber where steam emanates from boiling herbal decoction.
2)Naadi Sweda:
Naadi sweda is penetrating heat. It is a more penetrating type of wet heat than Bashpa Sweda. This is given to whole body, using a tube; importance is given to thick and complex structures of joints. It is also given to one part of body e.g. joint
Patra Pind Sweda is a type of swedana performed by specially prepared bolus of medicinal leaves. In this process leaves of vataghna herbs are cut into pieces and fried with rock salt and suitable vataghna oil. This hot mixture is tied in cotton as boluses for application over the body.
It Is gently pouring medicated liquids over the forehead. The name comes from the Sanskrit words shiro (head) and dhara (flow). The liquids used in shirodhara depend on what is being treated, but can include medicated oil, milk, buttermilk.
1. Taildhara[3] 2. Takradhara[3] 3. Ksheerdhara
specially medicated liquids are poured over the body in a rhythmical pattern. When applied over the body, it may be over a specific area or the entire body.
Medicated oil or ghee is heated to a comfortable temperature and retained over a specific body part by a wall of thick, herbal paste(mash ) The temperature is maintained throughout the procedure to facilitate absorption of the oil's medicinal properties into the body part. It is generally used over the lumbar area, knee joints, abdomen and back for musculo-skeletal disorders.
It is very effective at reducing pain and increasing mobility.
Uttarbasti is an Ayurvedic procedure in which specially prepared Ayurvedic sterile Oil or Ghrut administered transvaginally with a syringe . Uttarbasti is a non invasive procedure with minimal or no pain, so anesthesia is not required. Procedure is carried out by an expert, under all aseptic precautions and sterilized medicine is used, so there are no chances of introducing any kind of infection. In case of female infertility the procedure is done before the period of ovulation i.e. 5, 6, 7th day of menses, in each cycle, for 3 to 6 consecutive cycles.
sufficient amount of medicated fluid inside mouth such that the mouth cannot be moved is called Gandush. When a lesser amount of fluid is taken in mouth such that the mouth can be moved easily, it is called Kaval.
Agnikarm is a Anushastra karma (para surgical procedure) i.e. management of various afflictions by inflicting burns on the tissue surface directly by using different materials known as ‘Dahanopakaranas’(tools of cauterization) like Dahan Shalaka - Suvarna, Tamra, Loha, Kansya or Panchadhatu Shalaka. Also Medicinal Dahankarma by use of Pippali (Piper longum), Aja Shakrit (feces of Goat), Godanta (Teeth of Cow), Shara (Arrow), Suryakanta (Variety of stone) etc. In deeper and strong tissues like bones, ligaments, tendons, vessels etc., Madhu (Honey), Guda (Jaggery), Vasa(Fat), Ghrita(Ghee), Taila(Oil), Madhucchishta(Beewax ) are used.
Now a days an electric thermal cautery machine are substituted in the place of shalaka in many conditions.
It is a application of medicated fine paste of natural herbs on face.
Paste of various herbs and medicinal powders are mixed with medicated Oils or Ghee and applied on the scalp.The scalp is then covered and tied with medicinal leaves.
Thalam is the Malayalam name for Shiro Vasti (Shiro Basti). Medicated powders mixed with water or decoction to from a Flat Round and added oil in central part and put on the forehead.
Treatment in Ayurveda, is a combination of oil Dhara and Mild Massage.
In this Procedure - a gentle, synchronized massage of up and down is carried out on all parts of the body other than the head. Two to four doctors or trained para-medical Staff perform the massage. It is administered in seven standard positions, so that no area of the body is left uncovered.
Application or Massage of Medicated powders for whole Body or Specific Organ is called Udwartan.
The Ayurvedic powder massages are used in three ways : Utsadana, Udgharshana and Udvartana.
