KARKATAKA CHIKITSA( VARSHA RITU CHIKITSA)
The Ayurvedic treatments done in Monsoon (Varsha ritu) season have great importance, called as KARKATAKA CHIKITSA in Kerala.
According to Ayurveda, body is made of 7 different types of tissues called dhatu. These body tissues are nourished through food materials that get digested by action of digestive fire( Agni ).The digested materials are carried to different tissues through srothas (channels).At each tissue level, there is a digestive fire that works on food material to activate absorption of nutrients into the corresponding tissue.
There is a general thinking that Panchakarma removes the toxic materials. But it has to be understood that Ayurveda does not mention these materials as visha ( toxins) but they are considered as Ama. Ama refers to the material that is a drop out of body’s metabolic process. Impairment in the function of digestive fire, nourishment of body tissues does not happen and this results in indigestion of food.
“Sheethodbhavam dosha chayam vasanthe vishodayan greeshmajan abhrakale
Ghanathyaye Varshikam aashu samyak praapnothi rogan ritujaan na jaathu”
-Astanga Sangraha Roganuthpadaniya
Astanga Sangraha, one of the classical texts ,says that Panchakarma has to be applied to remove the waste materials accumulated in the body in different seasons for preventing diseases caused by seasonal changes. It is mentioned that waste materials accumulated in the body during winter would be eliminated in spring, those accumulated in rainy season should be cleared in autum. In Kerala ,during the month of KARKATAKA ( July – August ) oil treatments is very popular .This is to alleviate the Vata accumulated in the body during summer and aggravated in rainy season.
The Vata dosha which was already vitiated but not shown its impact breaks out into diseases by sudden rains and cold climates causing all painful conditions to aggravate.
Rain falling into hot summer earth increases acidity in all food materials and vegetables aggravating Pitta dosha causing fevers, acidity, digestive problems as well as inflammations.
The contaminated water and food with cold climate aggravates Kapha dosha in turn causing cold, cough and allergy and skin diseases.
To prevent this the time tested and traditional system of Ayurveda advices the seasonal therapy protocol known as KARKATAKA CHIKITSA to be taken during this period .
The therapy includes a combination of oil massage( Abhyangam) ,sudation( by medicated powder and leaves boluses),and enemas( Vasthi) to remove the wastes from body .This KARKATAKA CHIKITSA is prescribed in Ayurveda to ensure prevention of diseases and to improve energy,vigour and longevity of life….It also prevents arthritis,spondylitis,back pain,insomnia,strain,muscular pain,stress,depression etc…
Duration of Karkataka Chikitsa is 45min daily for 14days
Choorna Swedam 3days
Patra pottala Swedam 4 days
Pizhichil 7days
Mathra vasthy 2days
Kashaya vasthy 1day ( Shodhana)
Pathra Pottala Swedam : A technique in which a heated cloth bag containing herbal leaves are softly punched on he affected area. This therapy is effective for various kinds of arthritis, spondylitis,back pain, sports injuries and for all other soft tissue inflammation especially joint pains.
Choorna Swedam : Same as Patra Pottala Swedam but herbal powders are used instead. This therapy is curing inflammatory predominant conditions of arthritis, back pain,paralysis,muscular pains etc.
Pizhichil : Continuous stream of lukewarm medicated oil is poured & simultaneously massaged on the full body. Extremely benefited for arthritis, paralysis and rheumatic diseases as well as alleviating anxiety,strain,insomnia and depression. A king among the traditional technique and a speciality of Kerala.
Mathra Vasthy : This is best form of therapy for disorders such as constipation, neurological ailments,paralysis,flatulence,gout and rheumatism. The results nourish and rebuild the body tissues, strengthen their activities, restore and strengthen the body immunity. This is very nutritive while removing accumulated wastes from the colon.
Kashaya vasthy : This is medicated decoction enema. The speciality of this treatment is that it can be administered in both a healthy and diseased person. When a healthy person subjects himself to this ,it restores energy and rejuvenates the body. By this treatment all the waste materials(Ama) from body is flushed out.
The Ayurvedic treatments done in Monsoon (Varsha ritu) season have great importance, called as KARKATAKA CHIKITSA in Kerala.
According to Ayurveda, body is made of 7 different types of tissues called dhatu. These body tissues are nourished through food materials that get digested by action of digestive fire( Agni ).The digested materials are carried to different tissues through srothas (channels).At each tissue level, there is a digestive fire that works on food material to activate absorption of nutrients into the corresponding tissue.
There is a general thinking that Panchakarma removes the toxic materials. But it has to be understood that Ayurveda does not mention these materials as visha ( toxins) but they are considered as Ama. Ama refers to the material that is a drop out of body’s metabolic process. Impairment in the function of digestive fire, nourishment of body tissues does not happen and this results in indigestion of food.
“Sheethodbhavam dosha chayam vasanthe vishodayan greeshmajan abhrakale
Ghanathyaye Varshikam aashu samyak praapnothi rogan ritujaan na jaathu”
-Astanga Sangraha Roganuthpadaniya
Astanga Sangraha, one of the classical texts ,says that Panchakarma has to be applied to remove the waste materials accumulated in the body in different seasons for preventing diseases caused by seasonal changes. It is mentioned that waste materials accumulated in the body during winter would be eliminated in spring, those accumulated in rainy season should be cleared in autum. In Kerala ,during the month of KARKATAKA ( July – August ) oil treatments is very popular .This is to alleviate the Vata accumulated in the body during summer and aggravated in rainy season.
The Vata dosha which was already vitiated but not shown its impact breaks out into diseases by sudden rains and cold climates causing all painful conditions to aggravate.
Rain falling into hot summer earth increases acidity in all food materials and vegetables aggravating Pitta dosha causing fevers, acidity, digestive problems as well as inflammations.
The contaminated water and food with cold climate aggravates Kapha dosha in turn causing cold, cough and allergy and skin diseases.
To prevent this the time tested and traditional system of Ayurveda advices the seasonal therapy protocol known as KARKATAKA CHIKITSA to be taken during this period .
The therapy includes a combination of oil massage( Abhyangam) ,sudation( by medicated powder and leaves boluses),and enemas( Vasthi) to remove the wastes from body .This KARKATAKA CHIKITSA is prescribed in Ayurveda to ensure prevention of diseases and to improve energy,vigour and longevity of life….It also prevents arthritis,spondylitis,back pain,insomnia,strain,muscular pain,stress,depression etc…
Duration of Karkataka Chikitsa is 45min daily for 14days
Choorna Swedam 3days
Patra pottala Swedam 4 days
Pizhichil 7days
Mathra vasthy 2days
Kashaya vasthy 1day ( Shodhana)
Pathra Pottala Swedam : A technique in which a heated cloth bag containing herbal leaves are softly punched on he affected area. This therapy is effective for various kinds of arthritis, spondylitis,back pain, sports injuries and for all other soft tissue inflammation especially joint pains.
Choorna Swedam : Same as Patra Pottala Swedam but herbal powders are used instead. This therapy is curing inflammatory predominant conditions of arthritis, back pain,paralysis,muscular pains etc.
Pizhichil : Continuous stream of lukewarm medicated oil is poured & simultaneously massaged on the full body. Extremely benefited for arthritis, paralysis and rheumatic diseases as well as alleviating anxiety,strain,insomnia and depression. A king among the traditional technique and a speciality of Kerala.
Mathra Vasthy : This is best form of therapy for disorders such as constipation, neurological ailments,paralysis,flatulence,gout and rheumatism. The results nourish and rebuild the body tissues, strengthen their activities, restore and strengthen the body immunity. This is very nutritive while removing accumulated wastes from the colon.
Kashaya vasthy : This is medicated decoction enema. The speciality of this treatment is that it can be administered in both a healthy and diseased person. When a healthy person subjects himself to this ,it restores energy and rejuvenates the body. By this treatment all the waste materials(Ama) from body is flushed out.
