Abhyangam is application of oil on head and body followed, by gentle massage of body by a trained therapist. The patient will be on the special table and will take seven positions like sitting, lying on back and side etc. during the treatment. Abhyanga is done as a single treatment and as a preparation for or along with major treatments. The treatment lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a bath using green gram powder, in order to remove the oil. A qualfied physician decides the suitability of the patient for this treatment and the oils suitable for him/her. This treatment may require one or more sittings, as prescribed by the physician on assesment of the patient.

Pichu is also an external oil application, that’s superior in potency compared to Abhyangam. Pichu is performed only on the affected parts, like head, low back etc. It is performed as a major treatment. A simplfied version is performed along with other oil treatments like Abhyangam. A dry cotton cloth is taken. It is then folded to match the size of the affected area. The thickness of this folded cloth should preferably be similar to that of the palm. A hole is then made in the center of the folded cloth and oil is poured periodically. Duration of the treatment varies according to the condition. This treatment may require one or more sittings, as prescribed by the physician on assesment of the patient.

Pizhichil (squeezing) is a process where pieces of cotton cloth dipped in warm medicated oil are squeezed onto the patient’s body. The patient is first smeared with appropriate medicated oils on the body and head. Then two therapeutic assistants on either side of the specially designed wooden table dip the clear cotton cloth in warm medicated oil and squeeze it onto the patient’s body. Like Abhyangam, Pizhichil is also done with patient in seven positions. This process is followed by a bath using a green gram wrap and warm water for the body and lukewarm water for the head.

Thakradhara involves pouring of medicated buttermilk on the forehead. The treatment begins with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth is tied around the patient’s forehead to prevent oil from dripping into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on the treatment table on his/her back. The tip of the wick hanging from the Dhara pot is adjusted to a height of 4 fingers above the forehead. The medicated oil is then midly heated and poured into the Dhara pot. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and allowed to fall on patient’s forehead. This is continued for the specfic duration. Oil massage is given to the patient along with Dhara.

In this form of treatment medicated fluids- oils, milk or buttermilk are poured onto the patient’s forehead in a special way. The most common method is used with medicated nd body. Then a cloth is tied around the patient’s forehead to prevent oil oils. The treatment begins with the application of oil on the head a from dripping into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on the treatment table on his/her back. The tip of the wick hanging from the Dhara pot is adjusted to a height of 4fingers above the forehead. The medicated oil is then midly heated and poured into the Dhara pot. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and allowed to fall on patient’s forehead. This is continued for the specfic duration. Oil massage is given to the patient along with Dhara.

Sirolepa is the application of herbal paste on the patient’s head. The most commonly used herb is pericarp of the fruits of Indian gooseberry cooked in buttermilk. The patient must sit on a stool facing east after applying oil on the head and body. A piece of cloth is tied around the forehead just above the ears. Then the medicinal paste is applied on the head to a thickness of one fnger. A gap is made at the center of the head by removing medicinal paste. A cone made out of Banana leaf is then kept over the head. A mild massage is performed on the body and neck during the treatment.

Kizhi is bundle in Malayalam. This treatment is performed to induce perspiration. Bundles are made out of herbal powder, leaves and a special variety of rice. Kizhi treatments begin with oil application. Patient is made to lie on a wooden table and given an oil application on the head and body. Then the Kizhi is heated on a pan and applied on the patient’s body by the therapeutic assistants standing on either side of the table. Usually eight or four or two Kizhis are prepared as per the requirement. While one half of the Kizhis is being heated, the other half is applied on the patient’s body as fomentation. The Kizhis are alternated at regular intervals. This continues until the Kizhi covers all parts of the body, except face and head.

In Elakizhi, fomentation involves herbal leaves forming the Kizhi.

Fomentation is done using a Kizhi filled with herbal powder.

Navara rice is boiled and cooked in the mixture of milk and a decoction of herbs. This is then packed in cloth and tied into bundle. The patient is made to lie on the table on his/her back and oil is applied on the head and body. The Navarakizhi is then heated in the same mixture and applied on the patient’s body, at a suitable temperature. The therapy is administered until the Kizhi becomes empty.

Avagaha Swedana involves fomentation in a tub filled with medicated decoctions etc. After anointing the body with medicated oils, the patient is asked to lie or sit in a tub filled with luke warm decoctions up to the neck level.

Snehapaana means drinking the Sneha / unctuous material like ghee (clarified butter), sesame oil, animal fat or marrow etc. However, ghee (clarified butter) is the most commonly used material. This is the first step in the preparing a person for intensive cleansing of the system. It can lead to Vamana (induced vomiting) or Virechana (induced purgation). Snehapaana helps destabilizing the doshas (causative factors for diseases) that are pathologically accumulated. Swedana (induced perspiration) that follows, makes the destabilized doshas to flow to the intestines for elimination.
A prescribed dose of medicated ghee is administered in the morning on empty stomach followed by a cup of hot water. Food, in prescribed quality and quantity, is allowed only after manifestation of proper hunger. The dose of ghee is usually minimal on the first day and increased everyday based on the response to the previous dose. This treatment is administered for a maximum of seven days or until the appearance of physical and mental symptoms of the saturation of ghee in the body, whichever is earlier.

Swedana is administered using a steam chamber. Oil os gently applied on the body and the patient is made to sit in the chamber where steam emanates from boiling a herbal decoction. The treatment is continued until the forehead and abdomen sweat well. Eyes must be protected and wrapped with a piece of cloth while doing sudation. Eyes, feet, palms, chest and testicles should not be heated very much. The patient must bathe only after when the sweat has completely dried using slightly warm water. Food can be consumed after one hour. It must be warm, unctuous and light.

Virechanam (including purgation) is a method of sodhana/ purification treatment. The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach. This is usually done after proper snehapanam and 3 days of fomentation. The medicine may be in any form, either liquid or powder or oil or jam or decoction. The patient should drink hot water frequently after taking the medicine, until the bowel movements begin. No other food shall be taken. The patient may rest lying on the left hand side. Bowel movements begin with evacuation of solid stools first. It changes to semi-liquid after a few times. More hot water may be administered if the bowel movements are not satisfactory.

Vasti (administration of medicine through the rectum) is another sodhana/purification treatment. Herbal medicines like medicated oils/ decoctions/ medicated milk/ ghee are administered through rectum using an instrument called Vasthiyantra. Vasti is of three types Kashayavasti, Snehavasti and Uttaravasti.
Kashayavasti and Snehavasti are the most commonly practised forms of treatment. Uttaravasti is relatively rarer and is administered through the urethral or vaginal tract. A full course involves both Kashayavasti and Snehavasti. Kashayavasti is called a Sodhana - it purifies the body by expelling the impure doshas from the body. And Snehavasti is Brimhana - it nourishes and lubricates the body. These two treatments are always used in combination, producing a balance of purification and nourishment in the body. In the usual procedure Snehavasti is administered before Kashayavasti.

The medicine for Kashayavasti is prepared by mixing honey, rock salt, oil, a herbal paste and decoction. First honey and rock salt are mixed in a vessel. Then oil is added and mixed well. This is followed by the paste and then the decoction. The homogenous mixture is filled in a leather sac that has been warmed by keeping in a hot water. The sac is then tied at the end of the vastiyantra (instrument of vasti). The patient should have consumed food the previous night, evacuated and done ablutions in the morning. The patient has to lie down on a wooden cot. His/her body must be massaged with oil and abdomen should be warmed up. The Patient should lie down on his/her left side, flexing the right leg and extending the left leg. The nozzle of the instrument and anus of the patient are lubricated first by applying oil. Then the nozzle is carefully introduced into the anus, keeping the patient relaxed and breathing out. The leather sac is then pressed firmly once and thus medicine is injected into the rectum. A little of the medicine is retained in the sac to prevent air entering the rectum. Then the patient is made to lie down on his/her back after completion of the vasti. His/her abdomen should be massaged gently. When there an urge to pass stools, the patient may go to the toilet and evacuate. If he/she gets clear bowel movements then the treatment may be considered successful. Afterwards he should take bath in warm water and have food.

The patient should take light food before being given an oil massage and bath. Soon after he/she should be laid on a comfortable cot, neither too high nor too low, leaning on his leftside, folding his right thigh and extending the other. The enema nozzle is lubricated with oil and some oil is applied on the anus as well. The instrument is then filled with the medicated oil and introduced into the rectum in the following manner. It should be pressed without shaking the hands in the direction of the vertebral column, neither too fast nor too slow neither with great force nor very mildly, in just one attempt. After the administration, the person should lie facing upward. Then he/she should be massaged in the abdomen, hand and feet. He/she must lay extending the entire body with a pillow under the heels. Oil should then be smeared all over the body so that the sneha does not come out early. In normal cases, the enema liquid will be expelled after an hour or two. If the sneha is expelled at the right time, the patient should fast at night and may only have breakfast the following morning.

Nasyam is meant for cleaning the head region. In order to administer the nasyam, the patient is asked to lie down on his/her back on a wooden cot placed in a room devoid of breeze. The head should be placed slightly lower and the legs in an elevated position.The body especially head, neck and chest should be massaged with oil and fomentation is given Nasyam is of three types:
Virechana Nasyam: This type of Nasyam treatment purifies by expelling Doshas from the head region. In this type of Nasyam strong medicines are used to expel out the Doshas instantaneously from the head region. Brimhana Nasyam: This Nasyam treatment nourishes and strengthens the head region, senses and intellectual functions. It builds up the weaker parts and is indicated in Vata diseases.

Achilies Tendinitis, Calcaneal Spur, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Cervical Spondylitis, Frozen Shoulder, Herniated Disc, Lumbar Spondylitis, Osteo Arthritis, Plantar Fasciitis, Spinal Stenosis, Tennis Elbow.

Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders, Chronic Cough, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Amoebiasis, Anal fissure, Anorectal Fistula, Chron’s Disease, Dyspepsia, Gastritis, Fatty liver, Gall Stones, Hepatitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Jaundice, Liver Cirrhosis, Piles (Bleeding and non-bleeding), Ulcerative Colitis, Vomitting.

Conjunctivitis, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma.

Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Polyp, Laryngitis, Sinusitis, Tinnitus, Tonsilitis.

Diabetes, Thyroid Disorder, Hormonal disorders, Obesity.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, Dysmenorrhoea, Female and Male Infertility, Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease, Uterine Fibroids, Leucorrhoea, Cervicitis, Post-menopausal Syndrome, Pre-menopausal Syndrome.

Bell’s Palsy, Epilepsy, Migraine, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke (Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, quadriplegia), Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gouty Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Systeic Lupus Erythematous (SLE).

Acne Vulgaris, Corns, Eczema and Fungal Nail Infection, Pruritis, Lichen Planus, Psoariasis, Urticaria, Vitiligo.

Prostatomegally, Nephrotic Syndrome, Urinary Calculi, Renal Colic, Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Tract Infection.

For diseases like Cancer, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s Disease, Chronic Renal Failure, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis.

Some health insurance plans may offer coverage for Ayurveda treatments, but it varies among different insurance providers and policies. It's essential to review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider to understand the specifics of coverage for Ayurveda treatments.

Coverage may differ, but generally, health insurance plans may cover consultations, therapies, medicines, and treatments that fall under the scope of Ayurveda. Commonly covered treatments might include Panchakarma, detoxification therapies, etc.

Some insurance plans offer coverage for alternative or complementary therapies like Ayurveda, while others may not. It's crucial to check the policy details before purchasing to ensure it includes coverage for Ayurvedic treatments.

Insurance policies often have limitations on coverage amount, duration, or the number of sessions for specific treatments. Some plans may also require pre-authorization or documentation before covering Ayurvedic treatments.

Depending on your insurance policy, you may need a doctor's referral or recommendation for Ayurvedic treatments to be covered. Some policies may require proof of medical necessity to approve coverage.