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Kerala is all set for the ‘monsoon magic’ of ayurveda. The god’s own country is welcoming people around the globe for rejuvenation programmes based on the traditional texts of Ayurveda.
The traditional texts of ayurveda suggest that monsoon is the best time to revitalize body. During this season, pores of the skin permit maximum absorption of ayurvedic medicines and oils. Experts in this field say the geographical specialties of Kerala also add to this monsoon magic. From the first week of June, that is when normally monsoon hits the region, Kerala starts receiving perpendicular sunrays. The peculiar situation with sun on one side and the rain on the other side is, no doubt, the most ideal for ayurvedic therapy. As we all know, ayurveda considers the individual as a whole and it does not believe in the treatment of just affected part of the body. It believes in eliminating toxic imbalances from the body so as to regain resistance and health. It follows the natural way of refreshing human body. Somebody who is totally new to the experience may think that there is only one set of treatment in ayurveda for each and every disease. In fact, the ayurvedic physician may suggest individual programmes for every person after a methodical evaluation. It may be of very short duration for minor problems like back pain or muscular pain and of longer duration for other complicated diseases.
Importance of Kerala in the field of ayurvedic treatment increases when we are considering the treatments like Uzhichil (massage treatment) and Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy). These methods in the ayurvedic treatment are the contribution of Kerala itself and are more effective when done in Kerala, especially during the monsoon due to the reasons sited above. Uzhichil paves good blood circulation and removes causes of fatigue. Basically, Uzhichil is a type of massage in the Kalari (an ancient martial art of Kerala) Marmani treatment. Wastes accumulated in the body are eliminated through uzhichil. The activated blood vessels and the nerves in the skin through uzhichil help to receive benefits from the sun and the nature. Not only the sensory nerves in the skin and the blood circulation system but also the related systems and the whole body itself get activated through this traditional massage. It also stimulates the mind.
The Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy) is the way to achieve good health and longevity by strengthening and rejuvenating the tissues. It involves massage with medicated oils, internal rejuvenating medicines, medicated steam bath etc. It increases the resistance power of the body by developing the primary vitality (ojas) and mental clarity (sattva).
The kayakalppa chikitsa includes special ayurvedic medicines with special diet and comprehensive body care. Panchakarma treatment is another method that aims at mental and physical well being of the body with a five-fold treatment. It tunes the body, organs, mind, breath and nerves. It also purifies blood. The Panchakarma treatment requires preconditioning of the body. The pre-treatment includes the process of thalam, snehanam and swedanam. Thalam is the process performed before any external treatment. Herbal powder and medicated oils are applied on the upper portion of the head in this process of thalam. It helps to overcome problems related to ENT, migraine etc. Snehanam is the process of applying medicated oil. It may be through massage or oral intake. And in swedanam, the body is sweated through medicated steam bath to eliminate impurities. All these are aimed at de-toxication of the entire body. According to ayurvedic philosophy, every disease is due to the accumulation of waste in the body. Therefore every treatment begins with de-toxication of the body.
The treatments in ayurveda can be divided into three viz. rejuvenating, preventive and curative. Among these three, the rejuvenation programmes are more popular among the people who visit Kerala during monsoon. The most common rejuvenation therapy is the massage with two oils selected to suit the person. Light and firm massage throughout the body, head, back, thighs, and limbs tones up the whole body. The massage is normally followed by a medicated steam bath.
Another speciality during the monsoon in Kerala is a special porridge called Karkkidaka kanji. This special food consumed during the Karkkidakam month of Malayalam era (July-August) supplements nutrients and also has medicinal effect. It is considered to have ability to control factors which are viewed as toxic by ayurveda. This may be due to the ingredients with medicinal values. Karkkidaka kanji consists of cereals and medicinal plants.
Even in this age of modern medicine, Kerala is able to attract people from all over the world towards the Indian system of medicine. The ayurvedic clinics in Kerala are getting a large number of domestic as well as foreign visitors. Some tour operators have come up with monsoon packages for visitors from foreign countries. According to the Kerala Tourism authorities, these special monsoon packages are attracting more and more people. A boom time indeed for health tourism in Kerala as it’s raining hopes. (PIB Features)
**Information Assistant, PIB, Cochin
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