The term ‘ayurveda’ literally breaks up to mean the knowledge (veda) of life (ayu). It is a comprehensive system of medicine that believes in preventing body ailments along with curing them. It also aims at treating the entire body as distinguished from the modern system where stress is laid only on curing the affected part.
Though the origin of Ayurveda is wrapped in mystery, yet if you believe legends, then ayurveda was the creation of Lord Brahma himself. Ayurveda finds mention in the ancient vedas and he was the one who created the four vedas – Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Legends apart, the fact is that ayurveda has, since ages, managed to establish its credence despite the growth and development of modern treatment.
In India, Kerala is the only place where ayurveda is practised in the same previous way. The ayurvedic doctors here, unlike the rest of India, are fairly well aware of the Sanskrit language. This enables them to understand the ancient system of treatment much better than others (since the early ayurvedic books were written in Sanskrit). Moreover, the salubrious climate of Kerala and abundance of herbs and medicinal plants add to the effective treatment. 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 Ayurveda’s curative and restorative programs. In fact, today Kerala is the only state in India, which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication. Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul by taking Ayurveda treatment atleast once in your life time.
Ayurveda, harmony of body, mind and soul : Ayurveda evolved around 600 BC in India. This newsystem of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been practised ever since. Today, it’s a unique, indispensable branch of medicine – a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body’s humours – vata, pitta and kapha – to achieve the right balance.
Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to refresh yourself, eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain resistance and good health.
Kerala, the land of Ayurveda : 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 Ayurveda’s curative and restorative packages.In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practises this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Monsoon, the ideal time for rejuvenation : Traditional texts reveal that the monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation programmes. 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.
REJUVENATION THERAPY (RASAYANA CHKITSA) :
Tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases ‘Ojas’ (primary vitality) and improves ‘Sattva’ (mental clarity) and thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and face massage with medicated oils and creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand and foot, internal rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.
Body Immunisation And Longevity Treatment (Kayakalpa Chikitsa) : Prime treatment for retarding the ageing process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunisation of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50.
Body Sudation (Sweda Karma) : Medicated steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily. Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles.
Body Slimming : Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, an Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.
Beauty Care : Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifies the body.
Mental And Physical Well Being (Meditation and Yoga) : Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the body and mind – designed to hone your concentration, improve health and help attain peace of mind through eight stages of training :
- Disciplined behaviour (yama)
- Self purification (niyama)
- Bodily postures such as the lotus position (asana)
- Control of breathing (pranayama)
- Control of the senses (pratyahara)
- Fixing of the mind on a chosen object (dharana)
- Meditation (dhyana) and
- Samadhi – a state of being where you experience absolute tranquility and well being.
Overall Fitness (Panchakarma Treatment) : A five fold treatment for mental and physical well being – tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.
THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMMES :
Treatment for chronic headaches, insomnia, mental tension and cases of hysteria, hallucination and insanity. (Dhara) : Herbal oils, medicated milk or butter milk and decoctions are poured on the forehead/whole body in a special manner. Variations include Oordhwanga Dhara (good for diseases of the eyes, ears and skin), Takra Dhara (for those suffering from memory loss, severe headache or insanity) and Sarvanga Dhara (for both head and body).
Treatment to alleviate osteoarthritis, leukemia etc. (Snehapanam) : Medicated ghee is given internally in a gradually increased quantity for specific periods.
Treatment for dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, facial paralysis and burning sensation in the head. (Sirovasti) : Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for specific durations as per physician’s recommendation.
Treatment for spondilosis, rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, nervous weaknesses and nervous disorders.(Pizhichil) : Lukewarm herbal oil is applied with fresh linen all over the body by trained masseurs in a rhythmic manner for a period of 1 to 1. 5 hours daily for 7 to 21 days.
Treatment for diseases like hemiplegia, paralysis, obesity and certain rheumatic ailments.(Udvarthanam) : Therapeutic massage with herbal powders.
Treatment for musculo-skeletal ailments due to trauma or accidents.(Marma Chikitsa) : Treatment that works on the extremely sensitive vital points of the body (the 107 marmas).
Treatment for nasal ailments. (Nasyam) : Inhalation of medicated herbal preparations, decoction oils, ghee etc. to eliminate the morbid factors from the head and neck area.
Treatment for ear ailments. (Karnapooranam) : Medicated oils are applied to the ear for 5 to 10 minutes daily to clean as well as treat specific ailments.
Preventing cataract and strengthening vision. (Tharpanam) : A treatment for the eyes effective in preventing cataract and strengthening the optic nerve.
Treatment for wasting of muscles, rheumatism, sports injuries, pain in the joints, emaciation of the body or parts of the body and certain kinds of skin diseases. (Njavarakizhi) :
The whole body is made to perspire by the external application of medicated rice packs in the form of boluses tied in muslin bags.
POPULAR AYURVEDA CENTRES IN KERALA
KALARI KOVILAKAM : A centuries old palace, once home to the kings of Vengunad, Kalari kovilakom is steeped in history. Today it provides the ideal setting for the age-old traditions of Ayurveda, offered with absolutely no compromises. Which makes life at Kalari Kovilakom a unique blending of two different worlds, one that quietly balances luxury and austerity – to bring about harmony of the outer, material world and the inner, spiritual world.
MARARI BEACH : Sprawled expansively across 25 acres of land, Marari Beach resort, like its namesake, is separated from the sea by a windbreak of stretching palms. There are a mere 52 cottages, so the sense of space here is much more dramatic. The cottages are separated by generous stretches of open parkland, dotted with fruit-laden trees. The winding village pathways are a faithful echo of the originals.
THE TRAVANCORE HERITAGE -AYURVEDA CENTRE : Travancore Heritage is located just 23 kms from Trivandrum, the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala, known as ‘god’s own country’ in the southern most part of India. The nearest international airport is Trivandrum. The resort is situated by the side of the Kovalam – Poovar road, and is only 40 minutes drive from the airport. 
AQUASERENE : Tucked away in a peninsula surrounded by water. Aquaserene is a green, green planet of shimmering lagoon, meandering canals, whispering palms and the tang of the ocean. Aquaserene. It’s another world. And it’s waiting for you in God’s Own Country – Kerala. 
POOVAR ISLAND RESORT : Located in Kerala, India which was recently chosen by the National Geographic Traveler as one of the 10 paradises found on earth and one of the 50 ‘Must See’ places of the world. Get away from the Noise and Pollution of the Big cities and have a Holiday in the lap of Mother Nature. 
KUMARAKOM LAKE RESORT : Nestled in the mangrove woods surrounding the Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom, the Lake Resort offers you a getaway of a lifetime. 
VAGAMON HIDE OUT : This man made heritage hideout is located at Vagamon, (Idukki), barely 100 kms away from Cochin International Airport. 
ESTUARY ISLAND : is world class resort located at Poovar, near Trivandrum in the state of Kerala, India. The uniqueness starts from the natural setting – where a lake, river, sea and beach meet. 
THE LEELA KEMPINSKI KOVALAM BEACH : 15 kms from Trivandrum (Thiruvanathapuram) Airport, Kerala’s largest resort with 194 guest rooms and suites is spread over 44 acres. The Leela Kovalam Beach, Kerala built on a rock-face, is cradled between two wide sweeping beaches and has a panoramic view of the famous Kovalam coastline.
COCONUT LAGOON : Coconut Lagoon is our attempt to capture the essence of the Kerala experience and then offer it in a unique setting. We like to believe that this is the reason why Condé Nast Traveller rated Coconut Lagoon among the 25 best getaways in the world. 
SOMATHEERAM AYURVEDIC BEACH RESORT : is the first of its kind for holidayers to combine the threesome; a Beach Resort with Ayurveda and Yoga. Somatheeram, sitting atop a hill spreads over an area of 15 acres of lush greenery. Its accommodations are widely scattered down the contoured hills amongst the verdant coconut groves and other naturally preserved plants.
UDAY SAMUDRA : The ayurvedic philosophy says, an individual bundle of ‘spirit’, desires to express itself! uses the subjective consciousness or Satwa to manifest sense organs and mind. Spirit and mind then introduces themselves into the physical body, which consists of the five (pancha) great (maha) eternal elements (bhutas) together called the Panchamahabhutas which arise from Tamas (inertia). 
KAIRALI AYURVEDIC RESORT : Situated in the scenic town of Palakkad in Kerala, the famed southern state of India, Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort is the perfect retreat for the discerning traveler.Palakkad is well connected by rail, road and air. Palakkad is just a 6 hour drive from Bangalore .The nearest airport is Coimbatore which is just an hours drive away.
TAJ GARDEN RETREAT : Located at the Taj Residency, Calicut, the Taj Ayurveda Centre offers the perfect combination of comfortable luxury and authentic Ayurvedic treatments. Rated as the number one Ayurvedic centre in the country by the U.K. newspaper “Guardian” and winner of the “Green Leaf Award” by the India Department of Tourism, this Centre adheres to the highest standards of Ayurveda principles as well as guest satisfaction.
ASTHAMUDI AYURVEDA RESORT : Ashtamudi Resorts is a family concern run by the owner-couple, Lekshmi and Venu, who lived outside India for over 15 years. The Resort is a dream-come-true project of the couple. The theme of this resort is the re-creation of a South Travancore kingdom and the guests who come here will have the comforts of a Maharaja to enjoy.
KERALEEYAM LAKE SIDE AYURVEDIC RESORT : Heritage style air conditioned rooms with modern private facilities attached. The facility has a panoramic backwater frontage.Interiors reflect ambience of traditional Kerala homes.
LAKE PALACE BACKWATER RESORT : Lake Palace is a luxury resort located in Alleppey at the banks of Vembanadu Lake, adjacent to the venue of the legendary Nehru Trophy boat race.
SWASWARA : Life… the journey that takes you beyond the sun, the sand and the sea to the soul of the beach. And to experience this in a better way is the journey through Yoga.For More Information on Ayurveda & Ayurvedic Packages , Visit
- http://www.nagarjun.com/
- http://www.ayurvedatourpackages.com/
- http://www.ayuryog.com/
- http://www.ayurveda-in.com
