Ayurvedic Therapies

In Ayurveda there are two types of treatment areas, each with a specific purpose. The therapies and procedures required are determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition and the nature of the disease.

Treatments can include:

1. Shaman Chikitsaor symptomatic treatments The name "shaman" comes from the verb "to oppress". Symptomatic treatments alleviate or weaken the symptoms of illness, improve well-being by suppressing the effects of ama - toxins and toxins accumulated in the body. They do not eliminate the causes of the disease, but prevent it from progressing. Shaman includes palliative medicine methods: lifestyle modification with herbs, diets and procedures to improve or alleviate the condition.

2. Shodhana Chikitsa, or the elimination of disease Shodhana (Sanskrit: to leave) therapy aims to eliminate the causes of disease. In Ayurveda, every illness indicates that the toxic effect of ama has reached a critical point. Panchakarma purification procedures are used to remove it from the body.

What is Panchakarma?

Panchakarma (Sanskrit word; the word pancha means five, karma means action) consists of five purification procedures:
- Vamana - therapeutic emesis, which allows the removal of excess mucus, ama from the respiratory system and the nasal and oral cavities
- Virechana - laxative therapy to cleanse the liver and small intestine and remove excess bile
- Nasya - nasal and oral cavity cleansing with herbal remedies and inhalations
- Vasti - enema treatment to cleanse the colon with herbal oils, herbal decoctions, honey solutions, salt, etc.
- Rakta moksha - blood draining (blood purification for certain indications)

All of these procedures aim to correct the imbalance between the dosa and its associated ama. The purification procedures take into account both natural and daily cycles. Each time of the day corresponds to the activity of the integrated forces of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

We have made our herbal preparations for the most common problems and prevention, which can be used without a prescription, available on the retail market. These are biologically active food additives (BAA) classified as food supplements to optimise metabolic processes, improve organ and body function, reduce the risk of disease and normalise the gastrointestinal microflora.

The three stages of Panchakarma:

1. preparatory phase: Purvakarma, which consists of procedures and therapies that bind toxins, speeding up metabolism.
2. cleaning phase: vamana, virechana, nasya, vasti, rakta moksha - as described above
3. restorative phase: paschatkarma, i.e. restoration of digestive fire (agni), rejuvenation of tissues (dhatu), strengthening the immune system

What is Rasayana?

Rasayana is a specific medical direction of Ayurveda, whose therapy prevents cellular ageing, nourishes and restores "exhausted" tissues and extends the function of the reproductive system. This is achieved through massage, special diets, rasayana preparations and baths.

At CALENDULA Clinic, the paschatkarma period includes Rasayana therapy. We have also developed a special Rasayana-Vajikarana programme, which we offer to our patients according to specific indications.

Ayurvedic treatments

Within the therapies detailed so far, Ayurveda offers different types of
1. massages
2. oil baths
3. heating procedures and
4. applies wraps.

Each therapy has its own specific role, which can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the patient's specific type, condition and duration of treatment.

1. Types of massage

From Abhayanga a traditional Ayurvedic oil massage. During the massage, herbal oils are rubbed into the skin using special techniques. The massage movements are directed from the head to the feet. The oil and the massage together increase peripheral circulation, which improves the absorption of the active ingredients, directing them to the necessary organs through the blood and lymphatic system. Regular oil treatment strengthens the immune system, improves digestion, normalises bowel movements, rejuvenates the body, helps smooth wrinkles and prepares the body for cleansing.

The Marma massage affects the biologically active zones (marma), which are the projections of the vital centres of the body. The marmas are connected by numerous nadi (350 channels). During the massage, the therapist redistributes and balances the energy acting on the marmas.

A Pad Abhayanga oily foot massage to help improve soft tissues and joints, vision, eye health and control the Vata dosha. It relieves pain in the feet, activates the immune system, improves hearing, relieves restless leg syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease), relieves PMS symptoms and numbness/spasms in muscles, tendons, nerve endings.

A Patra Potli, Pinda Svedana a procedure in which the whole body is vigorously massaged and rubbed with bags of special herbs, cereals or heated oils. The pouches can be filled in different ways, the composition depending on the patient's physique, the accompanying symptoms and the aim of the treatment. Compared to Abhayanga, it is a more intense massage, during which the body is gently tapped and rubbed with slightly heated oily pouches. This type of treatment contributes to an increase in thermal activity, leading to an acceleration of metabolism in the skin cells, subcutaneous fat and muscle tissue, and also dilates the pores and increases the adsorption of fat solvents. This procedure helps to treat weak muscles and joints. It is indicated in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, spinal disorders, neuralgia and paralysis affecting certain parts of the body.

The Pizhichil a type of massage in which the therapist uses 4-5 litres of medicated oil for the treatment. The oil is poured onto the body in a special way and then rubbed into the skin in synchronised movements. The procedure is therapeutic and rejuvenating in cases of Vata dosha disorders (nervous system, joint diseases, paralysis).

The Udvartanam an intense, rubbing, full-body massage using herbal grinds to help cleanse the skin's pores and contribute to the deep absorption of the herbs' active ingredients through the skin. This type of treatment is used for damaged Kapha dosha (swelling, obesity, carbohydrate and fat metabolism disorders). Massage movements are from head to toe. This procedure has an erasing effect, improving skin texture and restoring the normal tone of muscles and ligaments.

A Shiro Abhayanga a head massage to relieve accumulated muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, face and head. A specially selected oil is rubbed over the scalp and hair, and the rubbing gradually progresses to a massage during the treatment. This procedure improves blood circulation to the brain, eliminates headaches, insomnia, improves memory and gives you a boost of energy and energy for everyday life.

2. Oil baths and treatments

A Vasti a bath applied topically to different parts of the body, using warm oils and herbal decoctions. The therapy involves the creation of a kind of raw dough nest to hold the oily or herbal liquids. The nest is, of course, a specially prepared dough which is laid on the part of the body to be treated and then the warm oil is poured into it.
- For Kati Vasti is the name given to the procedure when it is used to treat osteochondrosis in the lumbar region, radiculitis or pelvic organ disease and sciatic nerve inflammation;
- Uro Vasti-nak is called for bronchopulmonary pathologies;
- Prishta Vasti-nak when used to treat joint diseases. The warm oil improves circulation, relieves pain and nourishes the affected parts of the joints and organs.

A Kati Vasti a topical oil bath applied along the lumbar spine for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, radiculitis, pelvic disorders and sciatic nerve inflammation. Uro Vasti is a topically applied therapy on the chest used for the treatment of bronhopulmonary pathologies, scoliosis, kyphosis.

A Prishta Vasti oil bath for joints. The warm oil improves circulation, relieves pain and nourishes the affected parts of the joints and organs.

The Netra Vasti an oil bath to nourish the eyes and treat eye diseases, as well as to relax the brain. During the therapy, a nest of dough is placed along the line of the eyes, reinforced with bandages so that the structure is airtight. Warm ghee is poured into it. During the warming process, the eyes are opened and various exercises are performed - rotating the eyes, looking left and right.

A Shiro Vasti the process of oiling the head using a special cap. A warm, individually selected mixture of herbs, butter and milk is poured into it.

A Shiro Dhara in Sanskrit, "shiro" means head and "dhara" means flow. Butter or milk with herbal infusions is poured on the patient's forehead in a special way. It is recommended for chronic headaches, insomnia, mental stress, anxiety, ear-nose-throat disorders and memory improvement.

The Gandusha cares for the oral cavity with oily rinses. In the Charaka Samhita, it is described that regular practice of gandusha can cure about 30 ailments ranging from headaches to asthma. It is used to prevent tooth decay, bleeding gums and strengthen teeth. It is an integral part of the morning routine.

The Nasya during which medicated oils are passed through the nose to help clear the head, treat nasal congestion and improve concentration. The head is the area of concentration of Kapha (mucus). Medicated oils cause irritation of the mucous membranes and therefore increase the secretion of mucus. After the procedure, the body's oxygen supply and cellular uptake of nutrients are improved. The procedure is indicated for the treatment of diseases of the head, neck, hair, scalp, brain and spinal cord.

3. Procedures involving increased heating

A Svedana a process of heating in a special steam room using steam with a herbal composition. The process causes intense sweating, which allows toxins to be removed from the body through the skin. Sveadana' translated from Sanskrit means sweat. Sweating balances the Vata and Kapha dosha, opens the body's channels and increases blood circulation, improves metabolism and increases agni (digestive fire). After svedana, skin colour and condition improves.

There are more than 20 types of healing svedana. However, three of them are the most commonly practised.

A Prastara Svedana the process whereby the patient sits inside a box-like structure while the head is outside. Steam of medicinal herbs is released inside (the concoctions are prepared based on the constitution or imbalance of a particular dosha). During the steam bath, a cold compress is applied to the head to prevent overheating and dizziness. During the procedure, the patient drinks herbal tea to avoid dehydration. The temperature inside the svedana is 35 degrees Celsius. The duration of the procedure is 10-30 minutes (as prescribed by the doctor).

Nady Svedana while the steam generated by boiling the herbal decoction is emitted by a special device ("nadi" - "pipe"), which can be used to treat the desired part of the body locally. The procedure takes 5-7 minutes.

A Parysheka Svedana the process of irrigating the body with hot oils and herbal decoctions.

From Avagahana Svedana immersion of the body in a hot bath with a decoction of herbs.

A Bhu Svedana treatment by hot earth. Traditionally, the treatment is preceded by burning a mixture of roots, herbs and woods on the ground until the smoke is gone and only the burning charcoal remains, after which these charcoal pieces are removed from the ground. Water is then used to cool the ground on which the patient lies to a tolerable temperature. The abhayanga oil massage is performed on the patient while lying on this specially preheated ground.

4. Compressions

A Lepanam a paste of herbs that is applied to the injured body part and then wrapped. It is useful for treating various types of inflammation, skin diseases, arthritis, urate arthritis.