Traditional Medicine in Asia

Coimbatore, are the pioneer institutions in
the field of Keraliya Panchakarma.
Pizhichil
In this therapeutic measure, warm
medicated oil is poured all over the body,
followed by massage, in seven positions
in a systematic manner for the treatment of
diseases of the nervous system like paralysis,
sciatica, osteoarthritis, musculo-skeletal,
neuro-muscular and degenerative diseases.
Pizhichil is very useful as a health restorative
measure for elderly persons when it is
regularly used once a year or so. This
treatment cleanses the minute channels in
the body of morbid substances.
Shirobasti22 This is an oil treatment applied to the head
in which a leather belt is tied to the cleanshaven
scalp. The junction of the scalp
and leather belt is sealed with paste
prepared from wheat flour or black gram.
Medicated oil is then poured into it and
kept for the stipulated time. This is
recommended for headaches, myopial
conditions, insomnia, psychiatric illnesses,
epilepsy, hair fall, etc. It improves the
functioning of the sensory systems and
removes exhaustion.
Shirodhara23 This therapeutic measure is carried out by
pouring oil or medicated liquids on the
forehead for treating headaches, vertigo,
insomnia, anxiety, etc. It is also useful in
many psychosomatic disorders and
hypertension.
Ksharasutra24 This Alkaline Thread Therapy is a
popular herbal treatment for ano-rectal
diseases like fistula-in-Ano and
haemorrhoids (piles) under the speciality
of Shalyatantra. The medicated threads
Shirobasti treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurveda
are prepared from plants like Arka and
Snuhi by using their milk or herbal alkaline
material and tying it at the site. The
advantage of this therapy is that the
patients may remain mobile during the
treatment. It can also be carried out on
patients for whom modern surgery is
contra-indicated.
Role of Ayurveda in Primary
Health Care
Ayurveda has laid due emphasis on the
preventive and promotive aspects of
health, in which dietetics and way of life,
according to Prakriti (psychosomatic
constitution), play an important role. The
balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha leads to
a healthy state and disturbance in this
equilibrium leads to diseases. If one
follows the daily routine and seasonal
routines as prescribed under personal
hygiene and socio-behavioural conduct,
then health can be preserved and diseases
prevented by developing the capacity to
adapt to the cosmic changes which have
an impact on the human biological
system. The violation of these principles
disturbs the equilibrium of doshas
increasing susceptibility to diseases.
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