Kizhi – A Special Panchkarma Therapy

As a medical treatment, Ayurveda includes a combination of therapies, special diets, massages, herbal medicines, and yoga. The treatments are usually long and demand lifestyle changes for better results. It’s always good to have Ayurvedic treatment under the supervision of experts, especially in a relaxing environment. Harivihar offers many exclusive Ayurvedic packages as per individual needs. These packages are attentively curated and aim to provide complete relief for a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

That being said, now let us explore one of the unique treatments provided at Harivihar: Kizhi.

What is Kizhi?

Kizhi is a special Ayurvedic treatment and a part of the Panchakarma therapy, which includes the use of “Poultice”. Practitioners use it to manage pain-related disorders impacting the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems. In both Kalari Chikitsa and Ayurvedic treatments, Kizhi is a combination of massages focused on increasing pain-relieving benefits.

Kizhi is a Malayalam word for Poultice, and in Sanskrit, it means Pinda Sweda. The Poultice refers to a bundle of herbs packed in a piece of muslin cloth. This bundle includes herbal powders, leaves, rice, and sometimes even sand.

Procedure:

The Poultice, which contains a unique mixture of herbs, leaves, and powders, is then warmed. A masseuse or therapist uses this bundle to massage the patient’s whole body or specific body parts as prescribed by the practitioner.

Each specific ailment requires an exact amount of mixture of herbs, and the physician prescribes a particular application format. The warm Poultice dipped in herbal oils allows the body to absorb the essence of the herbs and allows the body to sweat from the bag’s warmth. This allows the body to get rid of toxins. As per the ailment, the therapist applies the Poultice to the desired body parts for a specific period and with gentle pressure.

Conditions Requiring the Treatment:

Kizhi can be very useful if undergone after the proper diagnosis of disease based on the parameters of Ayurveda. It helps treat injuries, neuro-muscular-skeletal disorders, other neurological disorders, or other degenerative conditions. It also increases blood circulation and infuses vigor.

Ayurvedic physicians advise Kizhi to people with Vata and Vata-Kapha Doshas disorders. These ailments include muscular cramps, osteoarthritis, sprains, obesity, diabetes, spondylosis, neuralgia, swelling, and low back pain. However, Kizhi is not advisable in illnesses associated with Pitta Dosha as it might disturb pitta.

Types of Kizhi:

Elai Kizhi

Elai Kizhi is also known as Patra Pinda Sweda and involves the use of herbal leaves. Practitioners advise using leaves with anti-degenerative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The leaves are first heated or fried in vatahara oils to an endurable temperature. They are then tied into a bundle. The therapist heats it on a pan or dips it in heated oil, and the temperature is maintained constantly. Elai Kizhi aims to relieve inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness of joints or bones.

Podi Kizhi

Podi Kizhi or Churna Sweda uses herbal powders. It aims to relieve joint pains, inflammation, and stiffness of the muscles and joints, as well as other musculoskeletal pains. Patients suffering from gout, sciatica, osteoarthritis, or other ailments related to the Vata-Kapha imbalance seek the help of this treatment. Herbal powders like Jatamayadi Churna, Kottamchukkadi Churna, Gruhadhumadi Churna, etc., are used for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Navara Kizhi

Navara Kizhi, or Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda, uses herbal rice called ‘Navara’. The sweat-inducing massage improves muscle strength and re-energizes the body. It is best for people suffering from musculoskeletal and neuromuscular diseases. These diseases may be associated with the Vata, Pitta, and Rakta imbalance.

Therapists heat the rice bundle by dipping it in the herbal milk decoction. The cool bundle is replaced with the heated one whenever required to maintain the temperature. The procedure involves the whole body. This treatment improves peripheral blood circulation, gives good skin, and soothes nerves.

Manal Kizhi

Also called Valuka Sweda, this Kizhi uses heated, clean sand. It is used to treat conditions like Urustambha- immobility of thigh and lower limbs, Amavata- Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Medoroga- ailments displayed due to disorders in fat metabolism. With its dry heating property, Manal Kizhi melts the morbid Kapha and ama, facilitates good circulation, and removes the blocks. It enhances fat metabolism.

Mutta Kizhi

Mutta Kizhi uses boiled eggs and herbal powders. The Poultice is submerged in oils, and the masseuse applies it to the whole body. This Kizhi benefits people with muscular weakness, joint pain, sports injuries, or stiff joints. It is also very effective in hemiplegia and facial paralysis.

Naranga Kizhi

Also known as Jambeera Pinda Sweda, this Kizhi treatment uses wild or regular lemon, herbal powders, and oils to pacify Vata Dosha. The therapy works wonderfully on patients suffering from cervical spondylosis. The physician often prescribes it in combination with Abhyanga and Greeva Basti for best results.