| *Pancha
Karma Treatments*
During
your visit you will daily receive 2 1/2 hours of Ayurvedic
treatments. After an initial consultation with an Ayurvedic
Practitioner you will be offered a two person synchronized
warm oil massage called Abhyanga, followed by an aromatherapy
steam bath called Svedana which detoxifies your lymphatic
system and liver.Then
follows Shirodhara, warm herbal oil flowing over the
third eye area of your forehead.Shirodhara
helps support the nervous system and is excellent to
reduce fear, anxiety and worry.
The
oils used are specific to your constitution, vata, pitta
or kapha. The oils carry the subtle healing essences
of the herbs deep into the tissues of the body. (Please
read our section on Pancha Karma and Ayurvedic Theory
to gain a greater understanding of these therapies).After
showering a light lunch will be served. Ayurvedic Kitchari
(organic beans, rice, vegetables and spices) is served
daily (lunch and dinner) for our guests. During treatments
it is recommended to eat a kitchari mono diet--it has
a detoxifying effect and is easy to digest. Afternoon
is free time to read, journal, meditate or if you like
to go to the springs or one of the parks.
Ayurvedic
physicians were traditionally supported by their patients
and the communities they worked in, with a minority
gaining royal patronage. Under the centralized governmental
systems established by the Mughals and subsequent British
rule in India, many Ayurvedaic physicians were paid
small stipends by the state. But when the British government
in India began to establish hospitals and organised
state-wide health-care institutions (which lead eventually
to the Indian Medical Service), Ayurveda was not included.
In the early 20th century, Ayurvedic physicians began
to organize into professional associations and to promote
their case for national recognition and funding. This
began to become a reality after Indian independence
in 1947. Today, Kerala is the state in India that promotes
research and practices Ayurveda the most.[citation needed]
There are many Ayurvedic centers (known as Vaidya shala
in the local vernacular) all over Kerala.
Today,
Ayurveda is gaining lots of interest in the western
world, largely due to its promotion by Deepak Chopra
[4] [5].
The
most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the
west are massage, and dietary and herbal advice, due
to the strong regulations surrounding medical practice
in Europe and America.
Ayurveda
classifies patients by body types, or prakriti, which
are determined by proportions of the three doshas.
Contrary
to scientific understanding of germs, viruses and genetic
faults, illness and disease are considered to be a matter
of imbalance in the doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring
harmony or balance to the mind-body system.In
some states of India, Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita
are included in the curriculum of modern medical courses
(M.B.B.S). Ayurveda is gaining prominence as an alternative
to western allopathic medicine.
The
traditional methods of teaching Ayurveda, such as undergoing
a rigorous study of Sanskrit in Gurukul, are discarded
and the education and training of Ayurveda is now taught
as an integrated course with modern medical sciences
and Ayurvedic sciences.
These
integrated courses are a five and half year degree-level
course i.e. B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine
and Surgery), with one additional year of internship
in hospital. Standard medical science subjects are taught
along with Ayurvedic subjects i.e. Maulik Siddhant,
Materia Medica, Kayachikitsa etc.in Ayurvedic medical
colleges.The
legal status of these Ayurvedic practitioners is equal
to modern medical practitioners in India.Research
in Ayurveda is under taken by the Federal Government
statutory body Central Council for Research in Ayurveda
and Siddha (CCRAS), which have national network of research
institutes. Besides this, a large number of non-government
organisations are conducting research work on different
aspects of Ayurveda. This research expands diagnostic
tools and speeds the innovation of new medicines.
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