Ayurveda
Ayurveda evolved in India in the year 600 BC. This age-old system of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been practised ever since. Today, it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine - a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body's humours - vata, pitta and kapha - to achieve the right balance.

Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to refresh you by eliminating all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain resistance and good health.

Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and the cool monsoon season (June - November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practises this system of medicine with absolute dedication.

Some very interesting treatments in Ayurveda that are found to be very effective are:

Body Immunisation And Longevity Treatment (Kayakalpa Chikitsa)

Prime treatment for retarding the ageing process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunisation of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50.

Body Sudation (Sweda Karma)

Medicated steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily. Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles.

Body Slimming

Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, an Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.

Beauty Care

Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifies the body.

Overall Fitness (Panchakarma Treatment)

A five-fold treatment for mental and physical well being - tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.
Abhyangam

Special type of oil massage in which strokes are given according to the diseases for 45 minutes per day. This treatment is very useful for Obesity, Especially for Diabetic Gangrene etc.

Dhanyamla Dhara

Warm herbal liquid is poured all over the body in a rhythmic way through a special vessel for 45 minutes to 1-hour daily. This treatment is very effective for Hemiplegia, Paralysis, Rheumatic complaints etc.

Dhara

In this process, some Herbal oils, medicated milk, medicated butter milk etc. are poured on the forehead in a special method for about 45 minutes in a day for a period of 7-21 days. This treatment is mainly for Insomnia, Vatha Predominated diseases, Mental tension and certain skin diseases.

Kativasthi

In this process specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the lower back with herbal paste boundary, This treatment lasts for 45 minutes to 1 hour and it is good for any type of nback pain and spinal disorders.
Kizhi

Herbal leaves and herbs or herbal powders are applied to the whole body in boluses with hot medicated oils for 45 minutes per day for a period of 7 to 14 days. This treatment is for Osteoarthritis, arthritis with swelling, spondilosis, sports injuries etc.
"Ksheeradhoomam :

This is formentation with medicated cow milk. This treatment is good for facial paralysis. Bell's palsy, speech disorders and other nervous disorders of the face.

Lepanam

This is a process by which medicated herbal paste is applied on the affected part; This is useful for various types of inflammatory conditions.

Nasyam

Herbal juices, medicated oils etc. are applied through nose for 7 to 14 day. This treatment is highly effective for certain kinds of Headaches, Paralysis, Mental disorders, some types of skin disease etc.

Njavarakizhi

It is a process by which the whole body or any specific part thereof is made to perspire by the application of certain medical puddings externally in the form of Boluses tied up in muslin bag. This is applied by two to four therapists for about 60-90 minutes per day for a period of 14 days. This Treatment is for all types of Rheumatism, Pain in the Joints, Emaciation of limbs, High blood pressure, Cholesterol and certain kinds of skin diseases.

Pizhichil

In this treatment, lukewarm herbal oils are applied all over the body by two to four trained therapists i a special rhythmic way continuously for about 60 to 90 minutes per day for a period of 7 to 21 days. This treatment is very useful for Rheumatic diseases like Arthritis, Paralysis, Hemiplegia, Paralysis-Agitanus, Sexual Weakness, Nervous Weakness and Nervous disorders etc.

Sirovasthi

Certain lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head for 15 to 60 minutes per day according to the patient’s conditions for a period of 7 days. This treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis, Dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, and other Vatha originated diseases.

Snehapanam

Mediated Ghee is given internally in a proportionally increased quantity for a period of 8 to 12 days. This treatment is for Osteoarthritis, Psoriasis, and Leukaemia etc.

Thalam

Special powder mixed with medicated oil applying on the top of the head for 20 to 45 minutes. This treatment is helpful for ENT problems, insomnia, migraine etc.

Udvarthanam

This is a typical massage with herbal powder for about 30 to 45 minutes daily for a period of 14 to 28 days. This treatment is for the diseases like Hemiplegia, Paralysis, Obesity and certain Rheumatic ailments.

Urovasthi

Like Kativasthi warm medicated oil is kept over the chest for 45 minutes this is an effective treatment for asthma, other respiratory problems hearth diseases and muscular chest pain

Vasthi

Certain herbal oils, herbal extracts etc. are applied through the rectum daily for a period 5 to 25 days. This Treatment is for Arthritis, Paralysis, Hemiplegia, Numbness, Gastric complaints associated with Rheumatism and constant constipation.

Yoni Prakshalanam

Herbal oils and decoctions are applied through the vaginal route. This treatment is good for gynaecological disorders. It is also a purification process for genital organs.

Why Kerala for Ayurveda ?

Ashtavaidya
Ashtavaidyas the traditional physicians of Kerala, are so called for they are supposed to be prominent in the eight branches of Ayurvedic system of medicine. They are supposed to belong to the legion of disciples of Vagbhata acharya, who was one of the great three scholars of Ayurveda, the other two being Charaka and Susrutha. Contrary to popular belief the Ashtavaidyas do not belong to eight families, they are 18 in number as a matter of fact. It is likely that the word Ashtangavaidya was commutted to Ashtavaidya in course of time.
In early times Ashtavaidyas were not allowed to enter in to matrimonial alliance from Nambudiri families. More over like Nambudiri's only eldest male member of the family was allowed to marry from the same community. For want of male members in the family many families had to merge with others or adopt male members from other families.this has left only 5 families practising ayurveda which are given below with underline.
1. Aalathiyoor Nambi
2. Akalaanath Mooss
3. Chirattamon Mooss
4. Choondal Mooss
5. Eledath Thaikkatt Mooss
6. Kaarathol Nambi
7. Kuriyedath Mooss
8. Kurumbempilly Mooss
9. Kuttancheri Mooss
10. Paduthol Mooss
11. Parappur Mooss
12. Pazhanellippurath Thaikkatt Mooss
13. Peringavu Mooss
14. Pulamanthol Mooss
15. Ubhayur Mooss
16. Vatuthala Mooss
17. Vayaskara Mooss
18. Velladu Mooss

Among Ashtavaidyas except Aalathiyoor Nambi,Karathol Nambi all other are called as Moosses. Ashtavaidyas was accorded a station, slightly inferior to Nambudiries as they had examine dead bodies, perform surgical measures and follow Buddist treatises (Vagbhata is believed to be a Buddhist).This prevented them from entering Yagasalas (The place where Yagyas are performed). The physician who stood in during the yagas was Vaidyamadhom who served as the physician during all yagas of Agnihothri.

For more information on Ayurveda Visit : www.vaidyan.com