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DESTINATIONS |
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KERALA - GOD'S OWN COUNTRY |
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HEALTHCARE |
 | Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants) and the cool monsoon season (June-November) are best suited for rejuvenation of the mind and body. The season is the perfect breeding ground for adventure and a bit of soul searching and tranquility.
The monsoon is the ideal time for rejuvenation. Traditional texts reveal that the monsoon is the best season for restoring |
programmes,particularly Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. The atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.
In fact, today, Kerala is the only state in Indian which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Ayurveda evolved around 600 BC in India. This new system of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them.
Kerala also has specialised Beauty treatments for cleansing the body and weight loss.
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 | Ayurveda is believed to be divine origin. Legend says that Lord "Brahma" the creator of the world, compiled Ayurveda along with the other Vedas in a 1000 chapter book with 100,000 stanzas. Ayurveda later branched into two schools - the 'Bharadwaja' or 'Atreya' School of Physicians and the 'Dhanwantary' School of Surgeons. There is ample evidence to prove that the basic principles of medicine were first preached in West Asia by Indian physicians. |
| Throughout the ancient times, and until the invasion of Alexander the Great, Ayurveda was the only authoritative science of medicine, says Dr. Max Neuburgher in his "History of Medicine." |
| Ayurveda treatment is classified into two: the 'Sodhana' (evacuatory of eliminatory) and the 'Samana' (pacificatory). Much importance is given to the former treatment, which incorporates the Pancha Karma therapy. |
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Ayurveda and Medicines |
| The guiding motto of Ayurvedic Pharmocology is 'Jagathyeva Manamshadam', meaning there is nothing without any medicinal value in this world. So Ayurveda uses everything from medicinal plants,
trees, and foodgrains, to metals like gold and silver. Medicines are made in the form of 'Kashayas' and 'Arishtas' (potions), 'Lehyas' and 'Rasayanas' (viscous components), 'Choornas', or oxidised powders of elements, and a wide range of medicated oils. |
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| The underlying principle of Ayurveda medication is based on the belief that five "reals" constitute the material world.
The first of the "reals" is mere "space" and the fifth is the resultant mass. The remaining three - air, heat and water are the energies. The determination of the properties of drugs is also based on the study of characteristics, which indicate the proportion of the conservation and combination of these three energies in any particular substances.
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'Keraliya Panchakarma' is a simplified form of the classical 'Panchakarma' mode of therapy. Panchakarma is always practised during the rainy season especially because this is when the 'Vatha' or the neuro and bio-motor functions, is affected most. |
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BEAUTY TREATMENT
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 | Many of the herbal potions, remedies, oils and unguents used in Ayurvedic medication have been adapted for use in skin and hair care by modern day beauticians. One major advantage with Ayurvedic Materia Medica is that it can be used on almost anyone without the risk of causing reactions or allergies. Coconut oil, either plain or boiled with a few whole peppercorns thrown in, has been the traditional hair oil of the Kerala woman. |
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'Thaali' is the traditional shampoo. It can be any herb-usually the soapy paste of crushed Hibiscus rosa leaves or Cheevakkai (Seekakai) powder, made into a paste and rubbed into the hair during the bath. Plain boiled rice soup rubbed into the scalp for ten minutes prior to the bath is an excellent cure for dandruff. Moong green gram paste is a good hair and body scrub. 'Mylanchi' (Henna or Egyptian Privet) is widely used as a hair dye.
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Adding 'Amla' (dried and powdered gooseberry- Phylanthus embilica) and beating in an egg yolk makes the dye fast. Unlike chemical dyes, this is quite harmless. A mixture of coconut milk and lemon juice can prevent hair loss. Yoghurt, eggs and lemon juice rubbed into the scalp is said to accelerate hair growth while cucumber has excellent astringent properties. Pastes of cucumber, sandalwood, papaya and pineapple fruit are used for making face masks. Honey acts as a powerful moisturiser.
Turmeric paste is another popular skin care herb, applied both as a face pack as well as all over the body, to improve the skin tone and prevent skin disorders. A mixture of lemon juice and honey too is used in skin care. A paste of 'Raktha Chandanam' (red sandalwood) in honey, applied once or twice a day for about a fortnight, has a magical effect in erasing scars. |
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