The whole body is oleated with medicated oil and synchronised massage is done. This process helps to improve blood circulation, pacifies doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina of muscles and flexibility to joints, enhances the complexion of skin, increases mental and physical alertness, helps to eliminate impurities of the body, provides sound sleep and nourishes all parts of the body.
This is one of the most important sweating processes in Ayurveda where a cotton bundle is filled with Njavara (rice cooked in milk) and dipped in a medicated decoction and applied to the whole body. This process enhances strength, vitality, and improves complexion. It is useful in hemiplegia, wasting of muscles, sports injuries, painful joints, in some rheumatic complaints and skin diseases.
A steady flow of medicated lukewarm milk is maintained over the head or body of the patient to induce perspiration. Ksheeradhara may either be for the head alone (Shirodhara) using a dhara pot or for the whole body except the head (Sarvangadhara) with the nozzled pitcher, and is performed in seven standard massage positions It is good for nourishing the skin and its complexion, is effective in certain cases of arthritis and neurological conditions. It is helpful for people with psychological diseases, stress, insomnia, headache, and migraine.
Pizhichil is combined with Snehana (oil massage) and Swedanam (sweating). Warm medicated oil is squeezed all over the body using a piece of cloth dipped in medicated lukewarm oil. This process enhances blood circulation, helps to remove toxins from the body through sweat, maintains the flexibility of joints and quick healing of fractured bones, improves muscle development, and is effective in treating nervous and rheumatic disorders.
Medicated lukewarm oil is used for the massage of the leg and foot, which bear the weight of our whole body, thus keeping it strong and flexible. It helps in neuromuscular relaxation and promotes better sleep. Daily foot massage helps reduce swelling over the foot, controls the balance of body, reduces the stiffness and dryness of foot, cracked heels, numbness, and tingling of foot and leg.
Lukewarm medicated oil is used for the massage of the head. This induces relaxation and stimulates optimal blood flow which will help to reduce stress anxiety, provide clarity in vision, reduce headache, and also promote clarity of all sensory organs. Head massage will stimulate blood flow and oxygen to hair follicles leading to healthy hair growth.
