Kerala And Ayurveda - Your Perfect Unwind Package
20 May 2020

According to Ayurveda Wholesome nutrition by including all foods available in the right proportion is crucial to boost your immunity. A person’s daily intake of vegetables and fruits has to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to build immunity. This would mean including at least 40gm of vegetables and fruits in a daily diet. It is the best to eat what is seasonal. *The break-up* While carbohydrates provide the body with fuel, proteins add to the body’s capacity to grow, repair and rejuvenate and vegetables give the body the ability to fight back invasion.

*Water intake * Enough water intake and exercise will keep the body ready to deal with any attack, according to nutritionists. A gooseberry, ginger and a mint drink, all of which are easily available, gives the body a good mixture of vitamins and minerals. Papaya is a rich sourced beta cartons, a precursor of vitamin A. Watermelon has iron and vitamin A. Leafy vegetables are sources of vitamins and fibre. Parboiled rice has minerals like riboflavin and thymine. Sprouts have proteins as well as vitamin E. Fats are important too, about 500ml a month, which is about 15-20ml a day. In the absence of any of these components in food, the body’s function gets compromised. Malnutrition is a major cause of low immunity and does not imply lack of food. Even obese people can be malnourished. It is also important to remember that during lockdown and in its aftermath, when a person’s physical exertion is limited, food should be taken to fill only half the stomach.

Coronavirus: Ayurveda can boost immunity and safeguard yourself from virus infections.

Holy basil or tulsi is a traditional Indian herb which has amazing medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Basil contains strong expectorant and antitussive properties, which work from the root to get rid of phlegm, irritants and suppress the cough, thereby treating chronic respiratory problems. Tulsi water also contains several anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties which can take care of cold and related infections.

Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical systems of the world, with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Based on ancient writings that focus on a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, Ayurveda remains one of the traditional health care systems in India.

 

The origins and history of Ayurveda can be traced back to around 5000 years ago in India. It is one of the four parts of the Atharva Veda and is further divided into eight sections called the Ashtavaidyans. The Ashtavaidyans also called as the limbs of Ayurveda, received generous patronage from the royal families between the 13th and 17th centuries. It was also the time when scholarships and scientific researches were nurtured and promoted in the field of medicine and related areas. It is believed that the culture of Ashtavaidyan was practised in 18 families in Kerala. Each family had developed their unique and specialised procedures of treatment, which was passed on from one generation to the next. Stories also have it that the Ashtavaidya families were Brahmins brought to Kerala by Lord Parashurama, who allocated the eight branches of Ayurveda to them.

Other legends claim that Vagbhata, a physician who followed the Ashtangahridayam treatment methodology, started the tradition of Ashtavaidya in Kerala. Vagbhata came to be known as the original Ashtavaidyas.

The Eight Limbs or Branches as Determined by the Ashtavaidyas are:

La plage is situated in the marari beach district of mararikulam.The la plage marari is right on the sea shore and has a private access to the beach. These stunning villas are located on the sands overlooking to the Arabian sea. La plage consists of 15 rooms equipped with a private bathroom with free toiletries. All villas come come with a king/queen sized bed .Away room the hustle and bustle of metropolis, the property offers guests a perfect opportunity to spend some quality time in the lap o the nature. A continental breakfast available at each morning at the property. This resort is a fabulous haven for peace and quiet.

• Kaya Chikitsa – General Medicine
• Bala Roga Chikitsa – Paediatrics
• Graha Chikitsa – Eradicating evil spirits
• Urdwanga tantra – E.N.T. and Opthalmology
• Shalya Chikitsa – Surgery
• Visha Chikitsa – Toxicology
• Rasayana Chikitsa – Rejuvenation Treatment
• Vajeekarana Chikitsa – Identifying Aphrodisiacs

Ayurveda and Kerala

The following are some of the Ayurvedic Treatments in Kerala:

Abhyanga Snana or Medicated oil Massage

For Abhyanga Snana, hot medicated oil is used to massage the body. The oil is selected according to the condition to be treated while ensuring the temperature of the oil is optimum. The massage is designed based on the primal and basic instinctive need of touch for a living being. The oil penetrates deep into the skin, relaxes the mind and body, and breaks up impurities. The pressure applied on certain points on the body stimulates various energies and enhances the ability of nutrients to reach the cells.

Abhyanga is quite beneficial for soothing the nerves, ridding the body of deep-seated toxins, increasing blood circulation, stress, muscular tension and stiffness, pain and swelling, tension headache and eye strain

Udwartana

Udwartana involves the use of herbal powders for enhancing blood circulation and the removal of stagnant lymphatic toxins from the body. The deep penetrating powder massage is usually performed in an upward direction. It can be highly beneficial for people with high cholesterol levels, obesity and Kapha Dosha. As Udwartana promotes active blood flow, it revitalises the body to preserve its strength, skin texture and natural elasticity. Other benefits of the massage include:

• Exfoliates the skin and reduces any itching or burning sensations
• Removes subcutaneous fats from the body
• Improves mobility of the bone joints
• Increases the metabolic activity
• Tones up the loose muscles

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is a kind of head massage which is done by pouring a constant stream of warm and medicated herbal oil on the scalp or forehead. It stimulates the nerves in the head and helps in coordinating and calming the mind, body and the spirit. Shirodhara is good for revitalising the central nervous system, improve mental awareness, and regulate hormonal balance. Additionally, it can effectively treat stress, insomnia, chronic headache, depression, paralysis, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disorder and other diseases associated with the central nervous system.

Kativasti

Kativasti is one of the best treatments for several degenerative disorders of the lower back. In Kativasti, a certain amount of warm and medicated oil is retained on the lower back to cure and manage diseases like sciatica, backache, lumbago, weakness of lower limbs, etc.

Ksheeradhara

Unlike other Ayurvedic therapies that use herbal oil for massage, Ksheeradhara involves the continuous pouring of herbal milk streams on the forehead or over the body. Ksheeradhara works wonders for people dealing with headaches, insomnia, mental tension, etc.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma is truly the rescuer of all physical ailments. After going through Panchakarma therapy, people can see significant improvements in their health conditions.

The stages of treatment and medication procedures in Panchakarma include:

• Basti= Herbalized oil enemas
• Nasya= Nasal passage cleansing
• Vamana= Medically induced vomiting
• Virechana= Detoxifying the body
• Raktamokshana= Blood cleansing

Ayurveda Panchakarma treatment re-energises the mind and soul and is generally prescribed as a primary purification and detoxification procedure. However, the therapy must begin only after proper consultation by a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

Although there is no fixed time to go through a detox and Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy, you must plan your tour to Kerala in a way that brings you the most benefits. The therapies and treatments use herbs which are rare to come by and can only be found in Kerala. Generally, the ideal time to collect the herbs is after the rains when they would be lush. Therefore, you can get the best Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala from June to August.

The tourism season in Kerala starts by September so that you can expect less crowd during the time. If you are planning to visit Kerala for some Ayurvedic treatment, do it during the monsoon.

The Importance of Kerala To Ayurveda

Kerala is often referred to as the paradise of Ayurveda. Every year, over 4 million people come to India for Ayurvedic therapies. The number of tourists that Kerala attracts is in far more than any other state in India. Also, the growth rate of Ayurveda package seekers travelling to Kerala is around twenty per cent.

Nature has blessed Kerala with forests, mountains, and the perfect climate to grow herbs and medicinal plants. Besides, with hundreds of renowned yoga resorts and Kerala Ayurvedic massage centres, one can never fall short of options in Kerala whether they are looking for rejuvenation or a cure for a disease. Kerala is probably the world’s number one in the field of Ayurveda treatments and therapies due to the high and low budget treatment outlets.

Kerala has some of the best Ayurvedic colleges, where entry to the courses is regulated through entrance examinations. Ayurveda is a hot subject in Kerala, and the five-year degree course ideally fuses the traditional Ayurveda knowledge along with scientific results. The course is also followed by an internship of six months.

Detox and De-Stress with Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means “Science of Life”. In ancient times, when the Rishis or Sages discovered the healing and rejuvenating properties of herbs and plants, they tried to record their knowledge and experience on the subject. They used books made of dried palm leaves, also called as “Thaliyola” and then passed them through generations for the benefit of mankind.

The whole essence of Ayurveda is concerned with the prevention of ailments and preserve a healthy body. Ayurveda says that diseases cannot enter or exist in a body if it is kept healthy. Besides, the therapies and treatments involved in Ayurveda majorly focus on balancing the three Doshas of the body, i.e., Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These Doshas rule the body and are complementary to each other. The dominance of one or two Doshas over the other varies from person to person, depending upon their physical and emotional characteristics. Therefore, the Ayurvedic treatments for a particular condition can be different for different people.

Leading a healthy life lies at the core of Vedic philosophy, and Ayurveda makes an enormous contribution to the mind and body for healthy living. Not only it is preventive but also acts as a cure for several ailments. Unlike Allopathy medicines that work fast, Ayurveda medicines are slow and steady. Moreover, they don’t bring any significant side-effects.

Yoga and You

Yoga has now gained widespread success and popularity across the world. While it was followed and practised in the East for many years, Yoga has become even more popular in the West of late. People are looking at the science of Yoga in increasing numbers to solve several ailments resulting from an overly materialistic lifestyle. Moreover, people are coming to the East to learn Yoga at its birthplace, Kerala.

Kerala is the favourite destination for those seeking to further their studies in Yoga and tourism in general. Kerala is famous in India as well for its yoga practices, where numerous seekers, aspirants, sages, and masters come to learn and teach Yoga. It's dense forests, green parks, and beautiful rivers make it more blissful to practice Yoga. To promote healthy living, Kerala also offers specialised training centres, workshops, and programs on Yoga and Ayurveda.

Yoga and Ayurveda programs in Kerala

One of the significant benefits of enrolling yourself for a Yoga and Ayurveda program in Kerala is that most centres allow customising your training. Besides, you will be trained and educated on Ayurveda and Panchakarma from expert therapists and professionals.

The yoga and Ayurveda centres in the state offer various programs starting from beginner levels to advanced. Therefore, Kerala has come to emerge as the pioneer state in Yoga and Ayurveda.

Importance of Yoga

Yoga is a way of life. It focuses on all aspects of your mental and physical well-being and involves activities from breathing to bending and stretching. While most fitness programs have a limited time period, Yoga is a prolonged therapy. It is a vast subject that includes "Kundalini", "Pranayamas", "Hatha", "Vinyasa", chakra balancing, meditation, and many more.

Importance of Ayurveda

Ayurveda and its practices can help anyone to live a life full of peace and health to the core. The centres offering Ayurveda packages and courses have a dedicated setup for it. Many of them design their spaces according to Vastu. The science of Ayurveda is based on the elements of "Kapha", "Pitta", and "Vata", and balancing these elements for good health and happy life. It also involves the use of herbs for various purposes. Ayurveda and herbs go hand in hand to prepare you to fight all the challenges related to any illness. Thanks to its zero side effects, the science is accepted and famous all over the world. As Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda, it's probably the best place to learn the magic of this science.

Kerala: An Ideal Location for Ayurveda Tourism