Duration: 45 minutes

Number of days: Based on the individual’s condition and specific needs.

Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic therapy known for its meditative and relaxing benefits. Shirodhara is derived from two Sanskrit words, where shiro means ‘head’ and dhara means ‘flow’. This treatment involves pouring a continuous stream of liquid, such as warm oil, milk, herbal decoctions or buttermilk, over the forehead and scalp. The vessel containing the liquid used for the treatment is suspended at a specific height, and the liquid flows continuously for a specified time without any interval in between. Before undergoing Shirodhara, the Ayurvedic practitioner will assess the individual’s health conditions and determine the suitable type of oil or liquid for the treatment. This treatment targets healing the body at the hypothalamus level by stimulating the nerves, which are responsible for regulating the hormones in the body in response to stimuli, either physical or emotional. Shirodhara helps bring balance to the body as the hormones are regulated to trigger a suitable response.

This treatment is recommended for mitigating stress, recovering from the effects of stroke and for individuals with conditions such as psoriasis, dandruff, insomnia, diabetes etc. It is also beneficial in providing overall rejuvenation and wellness.

Types of Shirodhara:

Shirodhara uses different types of oils or liquids to treat specific conditions related to the body and mind:

1. Kshiradhara: It uses milk infused with selected herbs.
2. Kashayadhara: It uses decoctions made out of different Ayurvedic herbs.
3. Tailadhara: It uses herbal oils mixed with herbal extracts.
4. Takradhara: It uses buttermilk infused with Ayurvedic herbs.

Benefits:

• Promotes better sleep
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Helps relax the mind and provides mental clarity
• Nourishes hair and scalp
• Promotes detoxification

Podi Kizhi

Podi Kizhi, known as Choorna Pinda Swedam in Sanskrit, is a form of Ayurvedic herbal massage that involves using herbal powders tied in a bundle or bolus. The term Podi Kizhi originates from two Malayalam words, where podi means ‘powder’, and kizhi means ‘bundle’.

Ayurveda practitioners select the herbal powders used for the treatment based on their therapeutic benefits and the specific needs of the individual. This treatment is recommended for neuromuscular conditions, arthritis, sports injuries, paralysis, and other painful diseases.

Procedure:

Before starting the Podi Kizhi treatment, the herbs are finely ground into a choornam (powder), fried in different herbal oils and tied into a bolus inside a fine muslin cloth. The treatment requires several such boluses for its entire duration.

During the Podi Kizhi treatment, the bolus is gently heated by dipping it into a pan with warm herbal oils or applied without oil if dry heat is recommended, and then gently pressed on the affected parts. The combination of rhythmic strokes, circular movements and tapping techniques allows the herbal powders to release their active compounds and penetrate deep into the tissues, which helps in healing the affected areas.

The warmth from the heated bolus increases sweating, which facilitates the process of detoxification. The herbal powders used for the treatment contain anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties that help to reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation.

Benefits:

• Improves blood circulation
• Enhances flexibility in the joints
• Strengthens body muscles and alleviates pain, inflammation, stiffness and spasms
• Removes toxins to provide a youthful appearance to the skin
• Stimulates and strengthens the nervous system
• Relieves stress and promotes relaxation

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Ela Kizhi

Duration: 45 minutes

Number of days: 3, 5, 7, 9 (depending on the individual’s condition)

Ela Kizhi, known in Sanskrit as Patra Pinda Swedam, is an Ayurvedic treatment that utilizes the healing properties of medicinal leaves and Ayurvedic herbal oils to treat various ailments. The term Ela Kizhi originates from the Malayalam words: ela, which means ‘leaves’ and kizhi, which means “bundle/bolus”.

The Ayurveda practitioner selects the medicinal leaves used for the treatment based on the condition and constitution of the individual. The specific herbal leaves are fried in herbal oils with other herbal ingredients, processed and tied in a bolus, and then heated and applied to the body during this treatment.

This treatment is recommended for various degenerative ailments affecting the joints and bones, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylitis, and other conditions like back pain and sports injuries.

Procedure:

Before applying the bolus to the body, a gentle massage is given to the individual, using warm herbal oils to prepare the body for the treatment. Then, the heated boluses are dipped in warm oil and gently pressed on the entire body or the affected parts, as needed.

The circular movements and stamping strokes allow the anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties of the herbs to penetrate deep into the tissues. This treatment induces sweating within the affected areas, which helps eliminate toxins and prompt the body’s healing process.

Benefits:

• Reduces inflammation and stiffness of muscles and improves muscle strength
• Lubricates joints and alleviates joint pain
• Improves peripheral blood circulation
• Eliminates toxins
• Moisturizes the skin and slows down the aging
• Reduces anxiety and stress
• Promotes relaxation and rejuvenation

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Naranga Kizhi

Duration: 45 minutes

Number of days: 5, 7 (depending on the individual’s condition)

Naranga Kizhi, known as Jambeera Pinda Swedam in Sanskrit, is a form of Ayurvedic fomentation therapy that combines the healing properties of lemons and medicinal herbs with herbal oils to alleviate various ailments and promote wellness. The term Naranga Kizhi comes from two Malayalam words: naranga, which means ‘lemon’, and kizhi, which means ‘bundle’ or ‘bolus’.

The Ayurvedic practitioner selects the herbal powders and oils used for the treatment based on the constitution, specific health conditions and needs of the individual. The herbal mixture used for this treatment is prepared using medicinal herbs, with the main ingredient as lemons, which are heated and processed and tied into kizhis or boluses. This treatment is recommended for alleviating pain and inflammation arising from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, frozen joints, diabetic neuropathy, sprains and other musculoskeletal and neurological ailments.

Procedure:

The Naranga Kizhi session begins with a warm herbal oil massage to enhance blood circulation and facilitate deeper penetration of the therapeutic properties of the herbal ingredients. Then, the heated bolus is gently pressed on the body, targeting affected areas or the entire body. The therapist applies the herbal bolus to the body using rhythmic movements and strokes that allow the release of the active ingredients into the body and aid in healing.

Benefits:

• Improves blood circulation
• Reduces pain and inflammation in joints and muscles
• Improves flexibility and mobility in joints
• Enhances detoxification process
• Improves overall skin health
• Promotes relaxation and rejuvenation

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Njavara Kizhi

Njavara Kizhi or Navara Kizhi, known as Shashtika Shali Pinda Swedam in Sanskrit, is an Ayurvedic fomentation therapy used to treat various ailments and strengthen the body. The name Njavara Kizhi originates from the Malayalam words njavara, which refers to a specific type of rice with unique therapeutic properties, and kizhi, which means bundle or bolus.

The preparation of the herbal mixture is a long process, where the special Njavara rice, which is the main component, is boiled in a herbal decoction and cow’s milk, cooked to a semi-solid consistency and then tied into the boluses. These boluses are heated in herbal oils and applied to the body during the treatment. This treatment helps to relax the muscles and offers relief from pain.

Njavara Kizhi treatment is recommended for individuals with conditions such as muscle pain, arthritis, sciatica, spondylosis, cervical myelopathy, scoliosis, hemiplegia, cerebral palsy, emaciation, paraplegia, lower back ache etc.

Procedure:

The Ayurvedic practitioner selects the medicated oils and decoctions used for this treatment after assessing the unique constitution and specific health concerns of the individual.

The Njavara Kizhi session begins with a gentle massage using warm herbal oils to prepare the body before applying the kizhi. The heated rice bolus is dipped in herbal decoctions and cow’s milk and pressed onto the affected areas or the entire body. The rhythmic strokes and gentle pressure of the rice boluses allow the therapeutic properties of the Njavara rice and herbal ingredients to be absorbed deep into the tissues and eliminate toxins from the body.

Benefits:

• Improves flexibility, mobility, and overall musculoskeletal health
• Enhances nerve conductivity
• Strengthens immune system
• Improves skin health
• Slows down the aging process
• Promotes sound sleep

Duration – 5 to 15 minutes (depending on the individual’s condition)

Ayurvedic Herbal Steam Bath, known as Swedana (meaning heat or sweat therapy) in Sanskrit, is a simple and effective Ayurvedic therapy designed to enhance your well-being and promote the process of detoxification. The power of Ayurvedic herbs helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body, thus providing an all-encompassing feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation to your body and mind.

This holistic healing system is an integral part of Ayurveda, and it combines the therapeutic benefits of steam with the medicinal properties of Ayurvedic herbs boiled in water. The warm and humid environment created by the steam from the boiling medicinal water helps open up the pores on the skin and allows the active compounds in the herbs to penetrate the body. The steam also causes sweating, which flushes out toxins from the body.

The medicinal herbs used for the steam bath are selected to target and pacify the specific doshas (Vata, Pitta or Kapha) that are imbalanced. Before the steam bath, herbal oil is applied all over the body, allowing the medicinal properties of the herbs to be better absorbed by the body. The herbal steam bath is advised for various health concerns, which include pain management, obesity and detoxification.

Benefits:

• Detoxifies and improves the skin
• Clears the respiratory system and provides relief from congestion
• Promotes weight loss by reducing fat tissues
• Relieves muscle pain, joint pain, and inflammation
• Improves blood circulation
• Reduces stress and relaxes the mind

Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic massage therapy that helps to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind. The word abhyanga stems from two Sanskrit words, abhi and anga. Abhi means ‘into’, and anga means ‘limbs’, which translates to ‘massaging the body’s limbs’. This Ayurvedic massage involves the application of warm herbal oils on the entire body, from head to toe. Abhyanga has been practiced for centuries, and it is a holistic approach to healing that aims to restore the natural balance and harmony of the body through detoxification and relaxation. The Abhyanga treatment is customized to suit your unique body type or dosha; thus, our ayurveda experts carefully select the herbal oils depending on your specific needs to provide the best results.

Based on the conditions and requirements of the individual’s body type, the number of strokes and the amount of pressure applied during the massage also vary. The use of the herbal oils with the rhythmic massage strokes used during the treatment stimulates your nerve endings and helps to release tension and improve blood circulation as well as the flow of vital energy (prana) throughout the body.

Benefits of Abhyanga:

• Relieves physical and mental fatigue
• Improves blood circulation
• Improves the body’s natural detoxification process
• Reduces stiffness, tightness, spasms, and pain in the muscles
• Reduces pain and inflammation of joints by providing lubrication to the joints
• Promotes better sleep
• Nourishes the tissues and enhances skin health