| |
|
Treatments of Panchkarma
During your visit you will daily receive 2 1/2 hours of Ayurvedic treatments. After an initial consultation with an Ayurvedic Practitioner you will be offered a two person synchronized warm oil massage called Abhyanga, followed by an aromatherapy steam bath called Svedana which detoxifies your lymphatic system and liver.Then follows Shirodhara, warm herbal oil flowing over the third eye area of your forehead.Shirodhara helps support the nervous system and is excellent to reduce fear, anxiety and worry.
The oils used are specific to your constitution, vata, pitta or kapha. The oils carry the subtle healing essences of the herbs deep into the tissues of the body. (Please read our section on Pancha Karma and Ayurvedic Theory to gain a greater understanding of these therapies).After showering a light lunch will be served. Ayurvedic Kitchari (organic beans, rice, vegetables and spices) is served daily (lunch and dinner) for our guests. During treatments it is recommended to eat a kitchari mono diet--it has a detoxifying effect and is easy to digest. Afternoon is free time to read, journal, meditate or if you like to go to the springs or one of the parks.
Ayurvedic physicians were traditionally supported by their patients and the communities they worked in, with a minority gaining royal patronage. Under the centralized governmental systems established by the Mughals and subsequent British rule in India, many Ayurvedaic physicians were paid small stipends by the state. But when the British government in India began to establish hospitals and organised state-wide health-care institutions (which lead eventually to the Indian Medical Service), Ayurveda was not included. In the early 20th century, Ayurvedic physicians began to organize into professional associations and to promote their case for national recognition and funding. This began to become a reality after Indian independence in 1947. Today, Kerala is the state in India that promotes research and practices Ayurveda the most.[citation needed] There are many Ayurvedic centers (known as Vaidya shala in the local vernacular) all over Kerala.
Today, Ayurveda is gaining lots of interest in the western world, largely due to its promotion by Deepak Chopra [4] [5].
The most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the west are massage, and dietary and herbal advice, due to the strong regulations surrounding medical practice in Europe and America.
Ayurveda classifies patients by body types, or prakriti, which are determined by proportions of the three doshas.
Contrary to scientific understanding of germs, viruses and genetic faults, illness and disease are considered to be a matter of imbalance in the doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or balance to the mind-body system.In some states of India, Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are included in the curriculum of modern medical courses (M.B.B.S). Ayurveda is gaining prominence as an alternative to western allopathic medicine.
The traditional methods of teaching Ayurveda, such as undergoing a rigorous study of Sanskrit in Gurukul, are discarded and the education and training of Ayurveda is now taught as an integrated course with modern medical sciences and Ayurvedic sciences.
These integrated courses are a five and half year degree-level course i.e. B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery), with one additional year of internship in hospital. Standard medical science subjects are taught along with Ayurvedic subjects i.e. Maulik Siddhant, Materia Medica, Kayachikitsa etc.in Ayurvedic medical colleges.The legal status of these Ayurvedic practitioners is equal to modern medical practitioners in India.Research in Ayurveda is under taken by the Federal Government statutory body Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), which have national network of research institutes. Besides this, a large number of non-government organisations are conducting research work on different aspects of Ayurveda. This research expands diagnostic tools and speeds the innovation of new medicines.
|
Types of Treatment
The treatment of disease can broadly be classified as
1. Shodhana therapy (Purification Treatment)
2. Shamana therapy (Palliative Treatment)
3. Pathya Vyavastha (Prescription of diet and activity)
4. Nidan Parivarjan (Avoidance of disease causing and aggravating factors)
5. Satvavajaya(Psychotherapy)
6. Rasayana therapy(use of immunomodulators and rejuvenation medicines)
(a) Shodhana treatment aims at removal of the causative factors of somatic and psychosomatic diseases. The process involves internal and external purification.The usual practices involved are Panchkarma (medically induced Emesis, Purgation, Oil Enema, Decoction enema and Nasal administration of medicines), Pre-panchkarma procedures (external and internal oleation and induced sweating).Panchkarma treatment focuses on metabolic management. It provides needed purificatory effect, besides conferring therapeutic benefits.This treatment is especially helpful in neurological disorders, musculo-skeletal disease conditions, certain vascular or neuro-vascular states, respiratory diseases, metabolic and degenerative disorders.
(b) Shamana therapy involves suppression of vitiated humours (doshas). The process by which disturbed humour subsides or returns to normal without creating imbalance of other humours is known as shamana.This treatment is achieved by use of appetisers, digestives, exercise and exposure to sun, fresh air etc. In this form of treatment, palliatives and sedatives are used.
(c) Pathya Vyavastha comprises indications and contraindications in respect of diet, activity, habits and emotional status.This is done with a view to enhance the effects of therapeutic measures and to impede the pathogenetic processes.Emphasis on do’s and don’ts of diet etc is laid with the aim to stimulate Agni and optimize digestion and assimilation of food in order to ensure strength of tissues.
(d) Nidan Parivarjan is to avoid the known disease causing factors in diet and lifestyle of the patient.It also encompasses the idea to refrain from precipitating or aggravating factors of the disease.
(e) Satvavajaya concerns mainly with the area of mental disturbances.This includes restraining the mind from desires for unwholesome objects and cultivation of courage, memory and concentration.The study of psychology and psychiatry have been developed extensively in Ayurveda and have wide range of approaches in the treatment of mental disorders.
(f) Rasayana therapy deals with promotion of strength and vitality.The integrity of body matrix, promotion of memory, intelligence, immunity against the disease, the preservation of youth, luster and complexion and maintenance of optimum strength of the body and senses are some of the positive benefits credited to this treatment.Prevention of premature bear and tear of body tissues and promotion of total health content of an individual are the roles that Rasayana therapy plays.
|
|
|
