Upakarma

Here warm medicated oil is allowed to stand on back of the neck. A reservoir made of Wheat flour / black gram dough is built up on the neck and lukewarm medicated oil is slowly poured into it. When the oil cools down, it is taken out with cotton gauze, reheated and again put in the reservoir. This procedure is repeated for 20-30 min. After removing this reservoir, the affected area may be gently massaged with the same oil followed by mild fomentation. Later the patient is made to take rest for a short while.

This procedure is indicated in :

• Pain and stiffness in neck
• Cervical spondylitis
• Referred pain in hands
• Head ache and giddiness
• Shoulder pain etc

Specially prepared warm medicated oil is poured over the lower back and retained inside the reservoir prepared with wheat flour / black gram paste for the required duration. Other procedures are similar as listed under Greeva basti procedure. Kati Basti alleviates lower back conditions like low back ache, Lumber Spondylosis, Inter vertebral disc prolapse, and Sciatica.

This therapy begins with the application of suitable medicated oil on the face, neck and chest. Then the face and neck are subjected to exude profusely through steam generated from a combination of cow’s milk and herbal decoctions. This therapy is effective for facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, pimples and other skin problems.

Luke warm medicated oil / milk / buttermilk are poured in a continuous stream over the forehead. This therapy relieves stress related problems (insomnia, depression, anxiety, hyper tension etc), delays aging process, improves memory and is helpful in paralysis and other neurological conditions.

Luke warm medicated oil is poured and retained in a cap made over the head for 20 – 30 minutes per day. It is beneficial in paralysis, insomnia, depression etc.

Special powder is mixed with medicated oil applied on the top of the head. This improves sleep, eye sight, migraine etc.

Talapodichil is a traditional treatment of Kerala which is effective in conditions like insomnia, anxiety and stress disorders, mental retardation etc.

Patient is made to sit in a chair. Paste is prepared with medicinal drugs (according to the condition of patient). For mixing, medicated buttermilk is commonly used. Oil is applied all over the body and prepared paste is applied thickly over the scalp, the paste is covered with plantain leaf. Duration of the treatment may vary from 20-40 minutes.

External application of herbal paste over the affected area is called Lepam. Herbal powder and liquid medium (to make the paste) are selected as per the condition. It is very effective in

• Arthritis with swelling & pain
• Injuries (may be fractures) and
• Many of the skin infections like psoriasis, pimples, marks on skin, pigmentation etc.

Medicated ghee is retained in a reservoir made over the eyes with wheat flour / black gram paste.

This procedure helps to relieve eyestrain, improves eyesight and many of the eye related problems.

A thick layer of cotton soaked with warm medicated oil is applied over the affected area.

This therapy is very effective for some of the degenerative and painful problems like Back pain, Osteo-arthritis, Spondylitis, injuries etc.

Ears are filled with medicated oil which lubricates the ear canal, dislodges impurities and improves hearing (as ears are the seat of Vata).

This method of treatment involves inhaling and exhaling of medicinal fumes. Fume is to be inhaled through nose / mouth; but must be exhaled through mouth only.

It is very helpful for various sinus and respiratory diseases (like acute sinusitis, asthma, sneezing, infections of the lower respiratory tract, cough etc).