Ayurveda at Harivihar

at the body as some kind of a machine with different parts and functions. The great sages ofseers who developed this system could see beyond the physical framework.

The body - made up of the five great elements earth, water, fire, air and ether..or the 'Pancha bhoothas' The three Doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha which are forces in the body produced by normal metabolic processes and not physical substances. The six tastes - of sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent that influence the balance of the doshas in the body. The seven dhatus - or classes that are rasa, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, shukra into which all body tissues are divided Prana, tejas and ojas which are not doshas…

These basic elements dwell with in the system and it will make us realize that the body is not just a sum of its parts. Ayurveda is not just a science for the simple reason that it has an expanse, which is beyond ordinary science or physiology..

What we eat and drink play an important role in our well being. It is not only what we eat, but the way we eat it, the setting in which we eat, the internal setting during the time of consumption and the attitude of the person who prepares the food too should be considered. According to Ayurveda incorrect food habits is the main physical causative factor of diseases.

There is no standard diet for everyone, or any minimum daily requirements. Its concern is that the food we take in and the way we take it is in harmony with our own body constitution and it should be adjustable for seasonal variations as well as the various stages in an individual's life. ' We are what we eat holds a lot of truth here…

There are various branches in Ayurveda because each sage saw things from a different viewpoint and it was augmented by personal experience. But the overall treatment includes removal of the cause, purification to eliminate excess doshas, balancing the doshas, rejuvenation to rebuild the organism and of course no treatment is complete without complete faith in the system as well as in the self. It teaches you that your health is a dynamic condition and redesigning our belief system is the key towards individual development.

Ayurvedic treatment is broadly of two types, Pancha Karmam and Shamanam Panchakarmam, or Shodhanam, is a five-step purification treatment for the body through Vamanam (emesis), Virechanam (purgation), Basti (enema), Nasyam (nasal medication) and Raktha Moksha (blood letting). Shamanam is a treatment that purges the disease and it's symptoms through Kshut (fasting), Trit Nigraham (restriction of fluids), Vyayamam (exercise), Atapaseva (sun rays), Maruta Seva (breeze of air), along with herbal medicines.

Basthi
A good solution for Paralysis and Arthritis. Basthi administers medicine through the rectum.

Nasyam
Drops of medicated oil are administered in each nostril of the patient. This treatment clears the head and neck and is useful in curing headaches, migraine, cervical spondylosis and Facial Palsy.

Raktha Moksham
This treatment drains the body's impure blood. It cures all skin ailments and psoriasis.

Shiro Dhara ( Duration - 7 to 21 days )
Medicated oil is poured slowly over the forehead. Shiro Dhara is highly beneficial in treating headaches, mental tension, Insomnia, Stress and disorders of the central nervous system. Medicated oil is also poured onto the body, which is beneficial in curing neuromuscular disorders, rheumatism and general debility.

Pizhichil (Duration - 7 to 21 days)
A piece of cotton is soaked in medicated oil, squeezed and poured over the body. This is highly beneficial in curing spondylitis, hemiplegia, and arthritis. It is immensely rejuvenative.

Navarakkizhi (Duration - 7 to 21 days)
This is a massage treatment using a bundle of cooked rice. It is a great revitaliser particularly useful in emaciated conditions like muscular degeneration associated with neuromuscular disorders, rheumatism, burning sensation of the body etc.

Shirovasti (Duration - 7 days)
Medicated oil is poured into a tall leather cap that retains the oil on the head. This cures headaches, hairfall, and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

Kizhi (Duration - 7 to 21 days)
A cloth bundle containing medicinal leaves and powders is used to massage the body. It is useful in muscular - skeletal disorders, other degenerative disorders and neurological problems. It boosts blood circulation and infuses brightness and vigor.

This ancient and time - tested system of healing is on a path of revival with that of medication and yoga. The inherent beauty of these various process are that it is not imposed up on anybody but a resource to be drawn upon freely and to used according to the unique needs of the individual in his or her particular environment. Our task is to work continuously towards completeness.. completeness of body mind and spirit..let it be through Ayurveda..

The Ayurvedic treatment at Harivihar is managed by a team of Ayurvedic health care professionals, who have rich experience in this field. The team is led by Dr. K.K.V. Mali.,B.A.M.S, who has more than 12years of work experience in this field. He graduated from the prestigious Coimbatore Arya Vaidya Pharmacy where he studied under the gurukulam system. He hails from a traditional Ayurveda Vaidya family and his father and grandfather illustrious vaidyans in their own right. His areas of special interest include Panchakarma chikitsa, Uttaravasty chikitsa which is very effective for infertility and sexual dysfunction and sizo vedam.

Apart from Dr. Mali, the other Ayurvedic visiting consultant at Harivihar is Dr. Ramakrishnan, B.A.M.S. who is very well experienced in his own right.

The Ayurveda doctors are ably assisted by a team of Ayurveda therapists, both male and female. Mr.Narayana Menon, who had a very long stint at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Mr.Biju and Mr.Sajeevan as well as Mrs.Swapna and Mrs.Reeja are all quite well trained for imparting quality Ayurveda treatment.