The whole body is oleated with medicated oil and synchronised massage is done. This process helps to improve blood circulation, pacifies doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina of muscles and flexibility to joints, enhances the complexion of skin, increases mental and physical alertness, helps to eliminate impurities of the body, provides sound sleep and nourishes all parts of the body.
In Podikizhi, a cotton-linen bag filled with specially prepared medicated powder is dipped frequently in warm medicated oil to produce perspiration. In Elakizhi, a linen bundle with chopped herbal leaves is warmed with medicated oils and fomented over the affected areas. It is useful in relieving rheumatic disorders, muscle pain, and stiffness, etc. It also helps to tone the skin and can be very relaxing.
This is one of the most important sweating processes in Ayurveda where a cotton bundle is filled with Njavara (rice cooked in milk) and dipped in a medicated decoction and applied to the whole body. This process enhances strength, vitality, and improves complexion. It is useful in hemiplegia, wasting of muscles, sports injuries, painful joints, in some rheumatic complaints and skin diseases.
A fat-burning process or stimulating and exfoliating process using specially prepared finely pulverize herbal powder. The powder is applied all over the body in an upward direction to peel off dead skin. It helps to reduce subcutaneous fat, diminishes body odour and provides better mobility to joints.
Pizhichil is combined with Snehana (oil massage) and Swedanam (sweating). Warm medicated oil is squeezed all over the body using a piece of cloth dipped in medicated lukewarm oil. This process enhances blood circulation, helps to remove toxins from the body through sweat, maintains the flexibility of joints and quick healing of fractured bones, improves muscle development, and is effective in treating nervous and rheumatic disorders.
Shirovasti is derived from two words - shiro means “head” and vasti means “container”. This is one of the most intensive, potent external oil applications, where medicated lukewarm oil is held over the head for 45-60 minutes with the help of a cap fitted on the head. The time duration is fixed according to the patient's condition. This treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis, cataract, deafness, earache, dryness of mouth, nostrils, and throat, chronic headache, insomnia, depression, stress, cranial nerve disorders, and memory problems.
Small dough made with black gram flour is fixed to the back like a reservoir, and medicated lukewarm oil is slowly poured into it. This process is helpful for patients with sciatica, osteoarthritis, severe radiating pain, spondylitis, stiffness, and other disc problems. Greeva vasti and Janu vasti helps to eliminate pain and stiffness in the knee joint and back of the neck (cervical region) respectively.
