Kativasti

This central portion of the body is called ‘Kati’. Vasti implies a container. Kati vasti is an effective therapy for Katisula, which is the term for lower backache stiffness or pain felt along the back. 

A small receptacle of black gram dough is made on the lower back, around the lumbo- sacral area. After ensuring that this is leak- proof, lukewarm herbal oil, which alleviates pain and strengthens the bone tissues, is slowly poured into it. The oil and receptacle are removed after about half an hour. The affected area may be gently massaged with the same oil. The patient then advised to take rest for a short while. 

For the severe conditions of gridrasi (sciatica) and osteo- arthritis of the hip, a disease condition characterized by severe pain radiating down the leg, a combination of shamana (palliative) and shodhana (eliminatory) measures is necessary if a relapse is to be avoided.

Shirovasti

Shirovasti is considered more of a palliative (Shamana) treatment than an eliminative (Shodhana) one. 

The treatment is usually preceded by oleation (snehanam) and Sudation (Swedana). 

A leather sleeve of about six to eight inches in length is placed on the shaven head of the patient and a band (vartty) tied around the forehead to keep it in place. Kneaded dough is used to line the inside of this sleeve and ensure that it does not leak. Oil is then poured into the sleeve and allowed to remain on the head for a while. The oil commonly used if Ksheerabala or Dhanwantaram. The length of time the oil should be kept there is determined by the severity of the disease. Usually it is upto fifty minutes for diseases caused by severe Vata disorders. 

The treatment is prescribed for disorders like facial paralysis, cataract, deafness earache in somnia and other diseases that afflict the cranial nerves. 

Patient is seated in a upright position, and medicinal oil is poured into a leather sleeve of about six to eight inches.

Talapotichil

Talapotichil : Tala Potichil (covering medicines over the head)

Covering of the head with medicinal paste is known as Talapotichil. It is an important treatment for many minor and major diseases that afflict the head. The hair on the head should be completely shaven or cut short. The paste is applied on the crown to a thickness of 3 cms. After a prescribed time the paste is removed and a fresh coating applied. The duration of the treatment is specified by the physician. Very effective for hair fall and dandruff.

Thakradhara

Thakradhara (Dripping of Medicated buttermilk over the head) .

Pouring of medicated buttermilk over the forehead and scalp continuously in an oscillating rhythm for 45 to 60 mts., for a period of 7 to14 days Rejuvenates brain cells and improves memory Effective in sleeplessness and mental tension Can be used for all types of headaches Very effective in premature graying and hair falling Shows immense response in skin diseases like psoriasis.

Sirodhara

For carrying out shirodhara-dhara on the for head, a droni alone is not enough. Structure similar to a drip stand is used to suspend the vessal that holds the dhara fluid. A vessal with a hole at the bottom is used. For a gentle, continuous flow, a small device made of the shell of a coconut to which a cotton wick has been tied, is fixed inside. The wick, which hangs down through the hole at the bottom, guides the flow. 

To begin with, some oil suited to the patient’s dosha condition is applied on the crown. This is a prerequisite in almost all oil treatments. A head band (vartti) is tied just above the ear level to prevent oil from flowing into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on his back on the droni with the head rested properly. The position of the head should be such that the stream from the vessel false at the center of the forhead. The therapist then fills the vessel. When the oil that trickles down the wick start to fall on the patient’s forehead, the therapist moves the vessel to and fro gently to ensure that oil covers the entire region between the temples while he gently massages the area with his other hand. 

The duration of a dhara is usually between 25 and 75 minutes. However, if the disease is very sever it may take longer. A dhara is generally good for deseases due to a disorder of the tridosha. Herbal oil, tender coconut water, milk, ghee dhanyamlam(a mixture of cereals and citrus fruits) or butter milk may be used for various kinds of dharas. The treatment is inticated for insanity, severe illnesses due to disorder of the vata, chronic cold, sinusitis, deseases of the eyes, ears and so on.

Nijavara Kazi

Navarak kizhi Kerala’s unique contribution to Ayurveda, involves fomentation of the body with a bolus of cooked rice. Shastika or navara, a particular kind of rice known for its nutritional value, is cooked in milk and a herbal decoction made of kurumthotti (sida rhombifolia). Four boluses are made of this cooked rice and tied up in linen bags.

The fomentation continues with the patient on his /her back on the droni. There is also another attendant who supplies new kizhis, which are cept ready in a decoction of warm milk. It is very important to keep the kizhis at a constant temperature. The treatment is over once fomentation has been carried out in all the seven standard positions.

In some cases, one of the three supine positions may be avoided and the patient is made to lie face down. After the specified duration of treatment, the paste is wiped off with palm leaf scrapers.

Ela Kizhi

“Patram”and “illa”mean leaf. ‘Kizhi’ means ‘bundle’. or Patrasweda’ is kind of sudation theraphy using herbal leaves. Leaves of Arka (calotropisgigatea) Karanja (pongamiaglabra) Dhatura (dutura metel) and so on are chopped and mixed with grated coconut mustard and rock salt. The proportion of the ingredients varies according to the symptoms of the disease. The mixture is warmed in a pan smeared with coconut oil and then tied up in linen

bundles to be used for fomentation. Prior to fomentation, oil is applied to the crown. As sudation is the primary aim of fomentation, the kizhis have to be kept at a constant high temperature by warming them every now and then. In rheumatic pains and associated swelling of the joints, fomentation And massage with IIakkizhi (bundles containing leaves) bring relief.