Page 30 - NAMAH-Jul-2019

Namah Vol. 27, Issue 2, 15th July 2019

gums, memory issues, epilepsy, brain tissue texts. AAyurveda suggests that application of
damages, paralysis, cervical pathologies and medicated fats on the body pacifies vaatadosha.
headaches as well as hair problems (20). By virtue of medicines used for processing
oils, ghee or bone marrow, they can also act
Raktamokshan (blood-letting) on pitta and kaphadosha. Fomentation directly
pacifies vaata and kapha and helps to relieve
This course relieves itching, burning, redness, pain, swelling, stiffness and improve mobility
swelling and pain. Hence it is indicated in of body parts.
skin diseases, herpes, abscess, etc. and to
reduce hypertension. It is used as a means Abhyanga (massage)
of acute pain relief even in cases of sciatica,
headaches or plantar fasciitis, etc. Application of medicated oil or ghee is a must in
almost all pañcakarma therapies. It rejuvenates
Nowadays, the food and water that we the body by improving circulation. Many
consume have become highly polluted and neuro-transmitters (serotonic, dopamine,
the immunity of people is in a compromised endorphins) are released in the body due to
state. As a result, a variety of lifestyle disorders massage therapy and it also helps to activate
as well as infectious diseases have popped the parasympathetic state, reducing levels of
up. Though life-expectancy has increased epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol,
due to a modernised lifestyle, the quality of thus offering psychological well-being as
life is hugely affected. well (23). Massage done for a particular time-
period improves the tone of particular tissues
Thus detoxification therapies like pañcakarma in the body (24). AAyurveda suggests regular
can be a great boon in such situations. Pañcakarma massage for optimal physical and mental
is a preliminary qualification for rasaayana functioning. At least the scalp, ears and feet
(rejuvenation) and vaajnkaranna (infertility and should be regularly anointed (25).
sexual disorders) therapies (21). The main
aim of pañcakarma therapies is to maintain SSiroabhyanga, SSirodhara
patency of bodily channels on macro and
microscopic levels for smooth functioning SSira is considered as an uttama (highly organised)
of dossa, dhaatu and mala. body-part as it is the seat of the brain. Svedana
therapy is particularly useful in relieving
Preparation of the body with snehana (anointing) stiffness, heaviness and pain in the body-
and svedana (fomentation) is essential before parts, including muscles and joints. It can
pañcakarma as they separate removable dossa be done locally or for the whole body and
from dhaatu and mala for removal (22). with or without abhyanga. Svedana is given
by using the steam of herbal decoctions, direct
Many allied therapies are included under and sensory organs. SSira is the region of
‘pañcakarma’ which are not eradicators but many vital points (marma) which are a
which help in numerous health issues. junction of important joints and circulatory
These are extensions of snehana and svedana and neurological tissues. Pathologies in the
therapies described in classical Eyurvedic scalp and head region can be treated using

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