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.
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.
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.
Medicated mild warm oil is poured over the head by rhythmic oscillation. This process is good for the vasodilation of the brain, nourishing the brain functions and nervous system. It is also beneficial for insomnia or sleep disturbances and helps refresh sensory organs and migraines.
Medicated buttermilk with oil is poured on the forehead and scalp of the person in a lying down position by rhythmic oscillation. It is effective in rejuvenating brain cells, reducing sleeplessness, and decreasing mental tension. The treatment is also good for ophthalmic problems, sinusitis, sleep disturbances, memory loss, migraine, central nervous system disorders, stress-related problems, and some mental illness.
A steady flow of medicated lukewarm milk is maintained over the head or body of the patient to induce perspiration. Ksheeradhara may either be for the head alone (Shirodhara) using a dhara pot or for the whole body except the head (Sarvangadhara) with the nozzled pitcher, and is performed in seven standard massage positions It is good for nourishing the skin and its complexion, is effective in certain cases of arthritis and neurological conditions. It is helpful for people with psychological diseases, stress, insomnia, headache, and migraine.
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.
Medicated herbal oil is instilled through both the nostrils after oleation and fomentation of the face. This helps in the removal of the mucus clogs and clears the channels to stimulate the brain cells and the central nervous system. It is commonly used to treat paralysis, acute sinusitis, headaches, head and neck diseases, epilepsy, eye diseases, cervical spondylitis, sleep problems, smell disorders and some memory problems.
