Guide to Ayurvedic Treatments: List of Treatments, Benefits and How they Work

The ideology of Ayurveda views the human body as part of its environment, which means any changes in the environment will manifest in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual faculties of the human body.

This holistic ideology furthermore extends to how Ayurveda treatments are performed. Ayurvedic treatments target the root cause of the problem rather than merely suppressing the symptoms. It focuses on achieving the perfect harmony between the mind, body, and soul to live a disease-free, active life.

What is Ayurvedic Treatment/Therapy?

Ayurvedic therapy or treatment is administered as a combination of herbal concoctions and lifestyle changes that help balance the three principal energies of the body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These principle energies or doshas are present in every individual with varying strength and magnitude. The one dosha that is predominant among the rest determines the overall constitution of the individual, also known as Prakriti.

According to Ayurveda, diseases arise when these doshas become vitiated because of an external or internal stimulus linked to eating habits and the amount of physical exercise you get in a day.

Ayurvedic treatments ensure all three doshas are at their optimum levels. The duration and method of the treatment may vary depending on the Prakriti or inherent constitution of the individual.

Contrary to the modern medicine system, Ayurvedic treatments harness the power of nature and the body's inherent qualities to heal itself. The treatments are performed in a certified Ayurveda center under the supervision of experienced practitioners and nurses. As far as oral medications go, it is recommended to seek the advice of your Ayurveda practitioner to avoid major side effects and disappointment because of poor results.

Diagnosis

The most common techniques of diagnosing an illness in the Ayurvedic system are Naadi Pariksha and Ashtavidha Pariksha. Naadi Pariksha translates to checking the pulse, whereas Ashtavidha Pariksha is more elaborate and involves checking the pulse, urine, faeces, tongue, voice, skin, eyes, and overall body appearance. A knowledgeable and well-trained Ayurveda practitioner can determine the underlying condition using these methods. It helps understand an individual's basic physiological and psychological makeup, ‌providing insight into the dosha imbalance.

Treatment

Your Ayurveda practitioner will consider your symptoms, Nadi pariksha, dominant dosha and overall constitution to create a tailored treatment for you. Then, the practitioner will prescribe herbal remedies, diet, exercise, and certain lifestyle adjustments to start the healing process and effect positive changes in your body.

It's a misconception that Ayurvedic treatments cannot work alongside modern therapies. If your doctor allows, you can seek Ayurvedic treatments in a supplementary manner to expedite healing and recovery.

List of Ayurvedic Treatments

We have described some popular Ayurvedic treatments that work holistically to balance doshas and ensure perfect harmony between your mind, body, and soul to start self-healing.

Abhyanga Massage

Abhyanga is a traditional full-body massage performed by oneself using medicated oil. The oil is slightly heated before applying to the entire body, from head to toe, followed by gentle strokes to release stress, improve circulation and relieve inflammation. The oil is infused with specific herbs, and the ingredients may vary depending on the target ailment.

Let’s look at some of the variations of Abhyanga and Swedana therapies.

Kati Vasti Treatment

Traditional treatment for back pain and inflammation in the lumbosacral region, Kati Vasti, is performed by retaining warm medicated oil over the lower back for a specific duration. Think of it as a small frame or a well made of gram dough to keep the oil—the heated oil puddles over the target region to provide external stimulation for a soothing effect.

Elakizhi Treatment

Perspiration is good for you. It helps open up skin pores and eliminate toxins as sweat. If your day-to-day routine doesn't involve —physical activity, you might need this treatment to break a sweat. Elakizhi therapy induces perspiration by massaging the body with a bundle of herbs packed in a muslin cloth and soaked in warm oil. The treatment helps relieve stress, sore muscles, and body ache.

Njavara Kizhi Treatment

It's a traditional Ayurvedic massage therapy using boluses of cooked rice, milk and herbal extracts to induce perspiration. This massage therapy benefits arthritis patients or anyone suffering from acute or chronic musculoskeletal discomfort.

Also read: Complete Guide To Ayurvedic Massages

Panchakarma Treatment

It's a holistic treatment performed over a week to naturally send the body into overdrive to get rid of toxins. Panchakarma treatment has been around for centuries, designed and prescribed by ancient sages to nurture healthy living.

Let's understand the five therapies that makeup panchakarma treatment.

Vamana Therapy

This therapy involves administering medicated oil or ghee for a few days to agitate doshas and eventually induce vomiting. Vamana is ‌performed to treat illnesses caused by elevated Kapha doshas by eliminating toxins from the tissues.

Virechana Treatment

This therapy involves administering herbal laxatives to evacuate the bowel, eliminate toxins from the GI tract and treat the ailments caused by elevated Pitta dosha.

Basti Treatment

This therapy involves administering a herbal enema into the rectum to clear the colon. Although this technique is ‌used to treat vitiated vata dosha, it's an essential step in panchakarma treatment for gut cleansing and detox. The therapy is minimally invasive and mostly painless.

Nasyam Treatment

This therapy involves administering herbal nasal drops into the nostrils to help the recipient find relief from Kapha affiliations above the head.

Raktamokshana Treatment

This traditional therapy removes blood impurities by letting a leech suck up blood from key areas or letting the blood out by making a minor cut using a metal instrument.

Varicose Veins Treatment

Varicose Veins are a common condition among middle-aged women but can also affect young women. Varicose Veins Treatment in Ayurveda uses a combination of herbs and massage oils, such as Sahacharadi thailam, Pinda thailam, etc. The treatment can be performed at home or by an Ayurveda practitioner.

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is an autoimmune syndrome that causes itchy, dry, and flaky skin. The patches may appear on the scalp, neck, or body. Psoriasis treatment in Ayurveda is usually performed by a certified practitioner using a variety of herbal pastes.

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Shirodhara Treatment

It's a restorative therapy administered by a certified practitioner in a purpose-built facility. The process involves pouring warm, medicated oil over the forehead. The treatment lasts 60-90 minutes and includes a gentle head massage to ease headaches, stress, and anxiety.

Also read Shirodhara Therapy: Benefits, and Important Details!

How does Ayurvedic Treatment work?

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that translates to 'knowledge of life. It's an age-old tradition that has existed for over 3,000 years. Ayurveda's holistic approach to well-being suggests specific lifestyle adjustments and natural therapies to balance all three doshas and ensure perfect harmony between the mind, body, and spirit.

Ayurveda treatment begins with an internal detox, followed by dietary recommendations, herbal medicines, massage therapies, and meditation to manage symptoms, treat the root dosha imbalance and build resistance to illnesses.

Ayurveda delivers positive results when combined with standard medical care. However, it is essential to seek your doctor's advice to avoid the risk of drug interaction with Ayurvedic therapies.

How Much Time it Takes to Show Effect

It is generally believed that Ayurveda therapies take longer than standard medicines to show positive results. To some extent, it's true. But it is essential to understand that Ayurvedic medicines aren't intended to suppress the symptoms for instant relief. Instead, these therapies are administered in a supplementary manner to treat the root cause of the problem, which usually takes time.

Ayurvedic medicines and lifestyle interventions ensure all three doshas are at their optimum levels, stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself and build resistance to diseases.

If you are taking Ayurvedic remedies to treat a digestive disorder, joint pain, headache, or sinus problem, it is essential to look at the bigger picture instead of expecting immediate results.

Note: In case you are suffering from a debilitating illness and require immediate intensive care, it is recommended to consult a physician.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Treatment

As discussed above, Ayurveda is a way of life prescribed by ancient sages after an extensive study of the human body about its environment. Although western medicine has progressed by leaps and bounds, there are several reasons you should practice Ayurveda.

Let's have a look at the various benefits of Ayurveda.

1. Weight Management

Ayurveda helps maintain an ideal body-mass index, ensuring a healthy weight according to age and height. Whether overweight or underweight, Ayurveda's balanced approach promotes healthy metabolism to get your body weight back to normal.

2. Healthy Skin and Hair

Chronic stress, poor eating habits, and irregular sleep patterns can take a toll on your skin and hair. Following Ayurveda-recommended dincharya can help you get in sync with nature. When you wake up at sunrise, go to bed before midnight, eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and manage everyday stress through yoga, the results will manifest in glowing skin and healthy hair. It's a common belief that planning your day, according to Ayurveda-recommended dincharya, can delay the signs of aging, helping you look 5 to 10 years younger than your age. You can also include herbal remedies in your routines, such as Nalpamaradi Keram , to reduce sun damage and tanning, and Kesini hair oil for increasing hair length.

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3. Stress Management

Stress is part and parcel of the modern lifestyle–you cannot avoid it, but you can learn to manage it and preserve your peace of mind. For example, people who feel stressed out at work or in their personal life can rely on Ayurveda practices or herbal remedies, such as Ashwagandhadi Lehyam, to manage stress and improve their mood.

Ayurveda's holistic approach to stress management combines therapeutic massages, breathing exercises,, and herbal remedies for improving the autonomic nervous system. As a result, you can divert your focus from 'stressing out' to 'figuring out.' Some popular stress management treatments include Shirodhara, Abhyanga treatment, Shiroabhyanga, and Padabhyangam.

Also read: Managing Stress Naturally: Remedies and Diet

4. Body Cleansing

Ayurveda recommends a thorough cleanse and detox to promote efficient bodily functions and overall wellness. Traditionally known as Panchakarma, this treatment enables your body to get rid of toxins through bloodletting, enemas, and purgation.

5. Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Fluctuating blood pressure and high cholesterol levels can be life-threatening after a certain age. Ayurveda's techniques and dietary recommendations can help prevent plaque build-up in the inner lining of the arteries, reducing the risk of cardiac arrest and strokes.

6. Prevent Immunity Disorders

Because of poor eating habits and irregular sleep patterns, your immune system may lose critical ground against diseases. If you fall sick frequently and struggle to recover from an illness, taking Ayurveda's recommended immunity boosters can help. With various herbs, Ayurvedic immunity boosters can help fight immunity-related concerns when administered in the right dosage and duration.

Ayurvedic Treatments & Therapies for Various Diseases

The traditional Ayurveda system uses a permutation and combination of various therapies to treat specific health concerns.

For instance, if you are grappling with chronic pains and other musculoskeletal issues, you can benefit from a combination of therapies, such as Shirodhara, Abhyanga, Janu Vasti, Sneha Vasti, Kati Vasti, and Kizhi.

Here are some common health concerns and suitable treatments recommended by Ayurveda.

Chronic Stress

Combining Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Nasyam, and Pizhichil can help soothe tense nerves and naturally reduce stress levels.

Chronic Pain

Back and neck pain is common among young and middle-aged people, and it worsens with age. Ayurveda provides a wide range of massage-based treatments to relieve pain and stiffness in the back and neck area. Some examples are Abhyangam, Kizhi, Kati Basti, Janu Basti and Sneha Vasti.

Gastric Issues

Combining Sneha Vasti, Padabhyanga, Vaman, Kashaya Vasti and Virechana can help clear your metabolic pathways, improve digestion and prevent gut-related issues. If you have constipation, taking Triphala Tablets or Abhayarishta can help you find relief.

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Obesity

When used in a supplementary manner, Udvartanam and Kashaya Vasti can help you shed those extra kilos and get back in shape.

High Blood Pressure

Ayurveda recommends yoga and various home remedies, such as Amla, garlic cloves and watermelon, to control high blood pressure.

Ayurveda for Rejuvenation

A thorough cleanse or reset can eliminate toxins and promote healing. Some highly recommended detox therapies include Nasyam, Vaman, Virechanam and Kashaya Vasti. Apart from Abhyangam, Nasyam and Pizhichil, complementary therapies like Shirodhara Takradhara can help boost immunity.

Also read: Immunity Boosting Drinks: Ayurvedic Way of Boosting Immunity

Hair and Skin Problems

Nourish your skin and strengthen your hair naturally with therapies like Ubtan, Soundarya, Shringara, Udwarthanam, Thalapothichil, and Mukha Lepam. These therapies can help reduce acne, prevent dark spots and improve scalp health.

Key Takeaways

• Ayurveda's holistic approach to health and well-being is premised on balancing three principal energies.
• All three principle energies must be at their optimum levels to live an active, disease-free life.
• Some popular Ayurvedic treatments used to treat various diseases are panchakarma treatment, Shirodhara, Abhyangam, Kati Vasti, Nasya treatment, Elakizhi, Njavara Kizhi, etc.
• These therapies are administered by a certified practitioner and may take a little longer to show positive effects.
• Ayurvedic therapies can help you with weight management, stress management, hair and skin, detoxification, and immunity building.