Treatments
Therapies from panchakarma to simple home procedures — what actually happens, who they suit, and when to stay away.
Abhyanga (oil massage)
Warm-oil self-massage, one of Ayurveda's most valued daily practices. Deeply calming to Vata, nourishing to the tissues, and grounding to the nervous system.
Achara Rasayana (Conduct as Rejuvenation)
The classical teaching that ethical, truthful and calm conduct itself acts as a rejuvenator, promoting health and longevity without any medicine.
Agni Karma (Therapeutic Cautery)
Controlled thermal cautery applied with a heated instrument to a precise point, a classical para-surgical measure for certain chronic pains and lesions.
Anjana (collyrium)
Applying collyrium to the eyes for eye health and clarity.
Anuvasana Basti (Sneha Basti)
An unctuous, oil-based retention enema that lubricates and nourishes the colon and pacifies Vata, usually alternated with Niruha basti.
Avagaha Sweda (Sitz Bath)
Immersion of the pelvic region (or body) in a tub of warm medicated oil or decoction, a soothing sudation especially for the lower body and ano-rectal complaints.
Bashpa Sweda (Steam Therapy)
Whole-body herbal steam given in a steam chamber, a principal form of sudation that opens channels, mobilises doshas and relieves stiffness, usually after oleation.
Basti (medicated enema)
Considered the single most important treatment for Vata, basti introduces medicated oils or decoctions rectally to cleanse and nourish the colon and settle Vata.
Dantadhavana (Herbal Tooth Cleaning)
Cleaning the teeth with a fresh, astringent-bitter-pungent herbal twig or powder each morning to keep teeth, gums and mouth healthy and remove Kapha and coating.
Dhanyamla Dhara
A warm fermented-grain sour liquid is streamed over the body to reduce Kapha and ama, relieve stiffness and inflammatory swelling, and lighten the body.
Dhoomapana (Medicated Inhalation)
Therapeutic inhalation of medicated herbal smoke, classically used to clear the head, throat and chest of excess Kapha after nasal and oral procedures.
Dry brushing (garshana)
Brisk dry brushing with a raw-silk glove or soft brush before bathing, ideal for Kapha to stimulate circulation, lighten the body, and wake up the lymph.
Elakizhi (Patra pinda)
Warm herbal-leaf bolus fomentation for joint and muscle pain.
Foot massage (padabhyanga)
A simple, grounding evening practice of massaging the feet with warm oil, calming to the whole nervous system and supportive of deep sleep.
Greeva Basti
Warm oil pooled over the neck for cervical pain and stiffness.
Hridaya Basti (Uro Basti)
A localised oil-pooling therapy over the heart/chest region using a dough dam, used to strengthen the heart and ease chest tension.
Jalaukavacharana (Leech Therapy)
A gentle form of bloodletting using medicinal leeches, classically regarded as the mildest raktamokshana method and suitable even for delicate patients.
Jambeera Pinda Sweda (Naranga Kizhi)
A warm bolus of sauteed lemon or citrus pieces with herbs is used to fomente joints and muscles, valued for relieving stiffness and painful swelling.
Janu Basti
Warm oil pooled over the knee for knee pain and arthritis.
Karnapurana
Filling the ears with warm oil — for ear health and vata in the head.
Kati basti
A localized therapy in which a dough dam holds warm medicated oil over the low back, deeply soothing for lower-back stiffness and Vata-type discomfort.
Kavala (Oil Swishing)
Holding and vigorously swishing a comfortable mouthful of oil or liquid, then spitting it out, to cleanse the mouth and strengthen teeth, gums and jaw.
Kshara Karma (Alkaline Cautery)
Application of a caustic herbal alkali (kshara) to excise or cauterise lesions without a blade, a classical chemical para-surgical method.
Kshara Sutra (Medicated Thread)
A specially coated alkaline thread used to treat fistula-in-ano and similar tracts by gradually cutting and healing the tract simultaneously.
Ksheeradhara
Medicated milk stream over body/head — cooling and nourishing.
Kutipraveshika Rasayana (Indoor Rejuvenation)
An intensive, secluded rejuvenation therapy carried out inside a specially built cottage, considered the most thorough (but demanding) form of rasayana.
Lepa (herbal paste)
Applying herbal pastes to skin for acne, pigmentation and swelling.
Mardana (Deep Pressure Massage)
A firm, deep-pressure massage that works into the muscles to break stiffness and relieve deep-seated Vata-Kapha tension, stronger than routine abhyanga.
Matra Basti
A small-dose, gentle oil enema that can be given daily without strict dietary restriction, prized as a safe, nourishing Vata therapy for the debilitated and the elderly.
Medhya Rasayana (Nootropic Rejuvenation)
A regimen of intellect-promoting rejuvenating herbs taken to enhance memory, cognition and mental clarity and to support the nervous system over time.
Mukha Lepa (Herbal Facial)
Application of a herbal paste to the face to improve complexion, clarity and skin health, a classical cosmetic and dermatological therapy.
Nabhi Basti (Chakra Basti)
Warm medicated oil is pooled over the navel within a dough ring to support digestion and relieve abdominal and Vata-type discomfort.
Nasya (nasal therapy)
Administration of medicated oils or powders through the nostrils to clear and nourish the head, sinuses, and senses. A gentle daily version (pratimarsha) can be done at home.
Netra tarpana (eye therapy)
A soothing eye treatment in which warm medicated ghee is pooled over the eyes within a dough ring, nourishing and cooling for tired, dry, or strained eyes.
Niruha Basti (Asthapana Basti)
A cleansing, decoction-based enema that is the principal Vata-pacifying purification of Panchakarma, drawing out accumulated doshas from the colon.
Njavarakizhi
Medicated-rice bolus fomentation that nourishes and strengthens tissue.
Oil pulling (gandusha/kavala)
Swishing oil in the mouth to support oral health, strengthen the gums and jaw, and freshen the mouth as part of the daily routine.
Padabhyanga
Foot massage with oil — grounding, sleep-promoting, eye-supportive.
Parisheka Sweda (Warm Stream Fomentation)
Warm medicated oil or decoction is repeatedly poured or sprinkled over the body or a part as a form of sudation that relaxes muscles and eases pain.
Pinda sweda (bolus massage)
Massage with warm herbal boluses (poultices of rice, herbs, or leaves) that combine heat, oil, and herbs to relieve stiffness and strengthen muscles and joints.
Pizhichil
Warm-oil bath (kaya seka) — luxurious vata-pacifying full-body oil pour.
Podikizhi (Churna pinda)
Warm herbal-powder bolus for kapha, stiffness and swelling.
Pratimarsha Nasya
A gentle daily nasal oleation using just a drop or two of oil in each nostril, safe for routine home use to lubricate the nasal passages and support the head and senses.
Prishta Basti
Warm oil is retained over the back within a dough boundary to relieve back pain, stiffness and spinal Vata disorders.
Raktamokshana (bloodletting)
A specialized panchakarma therapy that removes a small, controlled amount of blood (e.g., via leeches) for certain Pitta and blood-related conditions. Strictly practitioner-only.
Samvahana (Gentle Soothing Massage)
A light, pleasant stroking massage of the limbs and body that relieves fatigue and induces relaxation and sleep, distinct from deep therapeutic pressure.
Shiro Abhyanga
Head and scalp oil massage for hair, sleep and mental calm.
Shirobasti
Warm oil held on the crown in a cap — for the head, scalp and mind.
Shirodhara
A profoundly calming therapy in which warm oil is poured in a steady stream over the forehead and 'third eye', used for deep relaxation, anxiety, and sleep.
Shiro Pichu
A cloth pad soaked in warm medicated oil is kept over the crown of the head to nourish the head and calm the nervous system, a gentle member of the murdha taila group.
Swedana (herbal steam)
Therapeutic sweating using herbal steam to open channels, relieve stiffness, and mobilize toxins, usually following oil massage. Gentle home steam is a milder version.
Takradhara
Medicated buttermilk streamed on the forehead — deeply cooling for pitta.
Talapothichil (Shiro Lepa)
A cooling herbal paste applied over the crown of the head and retained under a leaf-and-cloth wrap to calm the mind and relieve heat in the head.
Tongue scraping
A quick morning practice of scraping the tongue to remove overnight coating (ama), freshen the mouth, and gently stimulate digestion.
Udvartana (herbal paste massage)
An invigorating upward massage with dry or paste herbal powders that reduces Kapha, exfoliates, and supports healthy metabolism and lymphatic movement.
Upanaha Sweda (Herbal Poultice Wrap)
A warm herbal paste is applied over a painful joint or area and bandaged in place to give sustained, localised sudation for stubborn pain and swelling.
Utsadana (Herbal Rubbing / Cleansing Scrub)
Rubbing the body with fragrant unctuous herbal pastes to cleanse, nourish and beautify the skin and improve complexion, a counterpart to the drying udvartana.
Uttara Basti
A specialised medicated instillation into the urinary bladder (or uterus) used for urogenital and gynaecological disorders, performed under strict aseptic conditions.
Vajikarana (Reproductive Rejuvenation)
The classical branch of therapy aimed at nourishing the reproductive tissue, improving vigour, fertility and healthy libido through specific foods, formulations and conduct.
Vamana
Therapeutic emesis, the primary kapha-cleansing procedure.
Virechana (therapeutic purgation)
A supervised panchakarma purification that clears excess Pitta and toxins from the small intestine and liver through therapeutic purgation, preceded by careful preparation.
Vyayama (Therapeutic Exercise)
Regular bodily exercise to half of one's capacity, classically recommended to build strength, lighten the body, improve digestion and reduce Kapha and fat.
Educational information about Ayurveda, Siddha and Yoga — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified professional before starting any herb, supplement, or therapy.