Ayurvedic Medicine in Kerala

Ayurveda is the art of long duration of life and balance for the body of a human being. It aims at integrating a balance between the body, spirit and mind. Different Ayurvedic medicines contribute towards promoting wellness in a different way. Let us know about a few of them.

Arishta

Made from the essence of medicinal herbs, Arishta is taken to increase appetite, improve digestion and discharge toxic waste out of the body. In addition to this, Arishta also influences disorders of the respiratory system and nervous system. Arishta is also used to treat people suffering from asthma, arthritis, epilepsy, stammering, numbness, anemia, heart disorders, liver disorders, psychosis, depression, insomnia, back pain, loss of memory, etc.

Asavam

Asavam is an extract obtained by boiling herbs in water. Asavam is quite similar to Arishta. Both medicines cure you from the same diseases. Unlike in Arishta, herbal juices used for preparing asavam are not fermented before they are boiled.

Ghritam

Ghritam, also called Ghrit, is an Ayurvedic medicine with high fat content. The name Ghritam itself means medicated ghee. Ghritams are prescribed by Ayurvedic physician for patients suffering from weakness or for restoration of physical health and vigor.     

Lehyam

Lehyam is another Ayurvedic medicine used to treat patients suffering from digestive and respiratory disorders. This herbal extract is also consumed as a general tonic for the body. The components Lehyam is composed of are absorbed by the body easily. 

Kashayam

Kashayam, also called Kashaya, is the most common medicine in Ayurveda. Kasahyas are prepared after boiling a combination of herbs in water at specific heat. In order to obtain the best quality medicine, medicated herbs are added to this at regular intervals of time. Kashaya may be simple like  a herbal tea or complex like a mix of hundred herbs.

Choornam

Choornam is a herbal powder that can be stored for a long period of time without the addition of any preservatives to it. Ayurvedic choornam is used for cleaning of teeth and in nasya (nasal) therapy.

Gulika

The Malayalam word 'Gulika' literally means 'pill'. The procedure of making this medicine has been prescribed by the Ayurveda acharyas. These herbal combination pills are prepared in a way that they can be stored safely for a long time. 

Thailam

Thailam are of different types and each type is meant to treat a different purpose. Thailam is basically an Ayurvedic massage oil. Its massage is as good as injecting of a medicine. Almost all the ingredients of Thailam are absorbed by the blood by the means of a massage. Consequently, the injured areas of the body are cured. 

Kuzhampu

Kuzhampu are ointments quite similar to Thailams. Unlike Thailam, Kuzhampu is viscous in appearance. It is chiefly used in sports medicine to cure the injuries. In addition to this, it is also used to treat people having pain in the body or joints and for certain beauty therapies.

Rasayana

Rasayana is made up of two words – rasa meaning nourishment and ayana meaning travel. Rasayana therapy mobilizes nourishments to the whole body. The therapy aims at retaining optimal performance of a body by nourishing the damaged tissues and alleviating the growth of new cells.