Kerala heals with herbs A visit to Kerala is sine qua non with a languid Ayurvedic massage therapy. Be it to cure that old-knee pain that has been troubling you ever since or for simple pleasure, something so invigorating is best tagged "out-of-the-world". Lored to be the hometown of this ancient Indian system of medicine, Kerala has peppered herself with a legion of world's best Spa resorts replete with Ayurvedic doctors, beauticians, shops, training programs and so on.


What is Ayurveda? IIndian subcontinents ancient heirloom that created ripples in the international medical map is Ayuveda - a form of alternative medicine that means "Science of Life" when translated. True, to its name, Ayurveda, invovles herbal therapies and healing techniques that networks the body, mind and soul to cure infirmities. Ayurveda believes that the human body is a compund of three fundamental elemants or doshas. Accordingly, it works on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being by rectifying any imbalances in the three doshas: vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (water). And to master this science, that is, to become an Ayurvedic Doctor is tedious actually. Some five years or more go into the making of an Ayurvedic physician, who is then authorised to prescribe medicine and herbal therapies. The first three years, however, have the same study of anatomy like western medical science.


Tried and tested for over 3000 years, it is only lately that the Tourism industry and the Resorts have rediscovered this excellent cache that gets tourists across the globe bee-lining to India. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine involving surgery.



Ayurvedic Treatments and Therapies Ayurveda says: "You are what you eat". Hence, a lot of emphasis is laid on diet regime. Since natural herbs form the base of every medicine, the scope of side-effects is completely ruled out. Which, if compared to the allopathic medicines, otherwise subjected to side-effects and fatal outcomes incase of wrong-treatment, would seem a veritable respite. The treatment is basically two-fold: Samana and Sodhana. Samana has oral medicines for minor diseases, while Sodhana is very extensive and specially recommended for those with chronic ailments. The latter aims at transforming the sick body completely to its original state. Kerala's Ayurvedic therapies are unique and special in their own way, and somewhat different from the rest of India. The 'Kerayurveda' specialities are: Pizhichil (oil Bath), Navarakizhi (rice bundle massage), Ilakizhi (leaf bundle massage) and so on, recommended for ailments like acute infective poly neuritis, spinal problems, motorneuron disease, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, paralysis, facialpalsygastric or peptic ulcers and so on. Other diseases targeted and cured are arthritis, paralysis, obesity, sinusitis, migraine, premature aging, skin ailments etc. Traditional texts reveal that the monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation programs.


Temptations.... Now, this one called the 'sirodhara treatment' is recommended to feel what it means to have an Ayurvedic-high! About 5 to 6 liters of warm herbal oil (selected according to the body constitution) are poured steadily onto your forehead ('third eye') followed by a massage that is believed to retard the aging process (by arresting the degeneration of cells) and drains all stress out of the body. So ritualistic is the whole process that it would feel as if your body is being worshiped while you lie there in your birthday suit. Note that in strict accordance with Indian piety, you will be assigned a same-sex therapist. Another therapy, called Thirummal, consumes comparatively lesser time (25-30 min) and leaves you bursting with energy, that actually manages to last for several days. Quick therapies for pimples, sagged skin, hair fall, glowing complexion, fatigue, poor eye sight work wonders, you will have to try once, to believe.


The Ayuvedic Resorts in India » Kerala
Taj Malabar (Willingdon Island), Vythiri Resort (Wayanad), Somatheeram Resort (Kovalam), Ashok Beach Resort (Kovalam), Manaltheeram Health Resort (Kovalam), Hotel Swagath Holiday (Kovalam), Taj Residency (off Kozhikode), The Muthoot Plaza (Trivandrum), Keraleeyam Heritage Home and Ayurvedic Resort (Alapuzzha), Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort (Palakkad), Hotel Aquaserene (Kollam), Taj Malabar (Kochi), Malabar House (Kochi),Club Mahindra Lakeview Resort (Munnar), Spice Village (Periyar), Taj Garden Retreat (Periyar), Coconut Lagoon (Kumarakom), Ashtamudi Resort (near Kollam)


» Goa
Park Hyatt Sereno Spa, Leela Palace, Taj Holiday Village, Marriott Resort


» Bangalore