Kerala Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a traditional system of healing that has been practiced in India, especially in Kerala for centuries. This system of Ayurveda, which has evolved in India around 600 B.C. takes a holistic approach and treats the entire body and not just the condition. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word, derived from two roots: ayur, which means life, and veda, which mean knowledge. Hence Ayurveda is called the science of life, which is concerned with not just the physical state of mind but also the mental well being as well.

An Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala will bring a harmonious state of balance within the body, mind and the consciousness. According to Ayurveda, there are three doshas within the body, namely vata, pitta and kapha, seven dhatus- the blood, plasma, fat, muscle, bone, nerve, and reproductive and three malas that are feces, urine and sweat. Diseases within the body occur only when there is an aggravagation of any dosha within the body.

The Ayurveda treatment is based on the premise that every person has an individualized constitution and medicines have to be tailored to suit the individual, hence it is common to see that two individuals with the same malady are given prescribed different treatments.

The Ayurvedic approach to health, stresses on the need for all toxins to be eliminated from the body to improve the overall health of the body. The monsoons of Kerala are the best season to undergo ayurvedic treatments so as to improve resistance and eliminate the causes of illness, to ensure a state of good health.

Some of the popular Ayurvedic treatments that you will come across in Kerala are:

Rasayana Chikitsa
It is a rejuvenation therapy that uses herbal oils, baths and herbal massages to treat the body so as to improve the overall immune system.

Kayakalpa Chikitsa
This is the Body Immunization and Longevity Treatment to reverse the processes of ageing. During this treatment, the patient has to consume special food items that consist of particular herbs and medicated plants to improve the resistance of the body.

Sweda Karma
This process involves the use of medicated steam baths to combat diseases such as obesity and chronic pain and is also used to flush out the toxins from the body.

A Journey to India would provide you with the opportunity to experience a soothing Ayurvedic massage during your Kerala Ayurveda Tour. However there are some precautions to be kept in mind while undergoing an Ayurvedic treatment. These are:

• Oil massage is not recommended for persons with serious liver and renal problems.
• Blood parameters should be checked and kept at a safe level before starting any of the intensive treatments.
• Whole body 'Navarakizhi' treatment is not recommended for patients suffering from diabetes and obesity or for serious cardiac, hepatic and renal patients.
• Sirodhara' (Head bath with medicated milk or oil) is not recommended in case of cerebral thrombosis.
• Intensive Steam baths should be done under the guidance of the physician.

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