The details of treatments available in the Samajam

ABHYANGAM (Oil Application)
Procedure : This is a process of application of medicated oil on head, then to the ears, palms and soles. The oil is applied on whole body comfortably. This is conducted by keeping the patient on sitting, supine, left laterals, supine, right lateral and sitting position. Separate oil can be used to the body and head if necessary. Bath in lukewarm medicated water is advised after abhyangam.
Period : 60 minutes
Indication : Improves body strength, sleep, good texture, good complexion of skin, promotes resistance and eye sight, prevents premature aging and stiffness of limbs.
Contra indication : Fever, Diarrhoea, and Indigestion etc.

UDWARTHANAM (Massage)
Procedure : Gentle massage is done over the body after applying of oil in the body as prescribed in the process of abhyangam. In certain cases, instead of oil, medicated powders are used. Bath in lukewarm water is advised after udwarthanam.
Period : 60 minutes
Indication : Gives optimum strength to the body, provide complexion to the skin, reduces obesity and excess fat.
Contra Indication : Fever, Diarrhoea, Indigestion, edematous conditions.

CHAVITTI UZHICHIL (Massage using Feet)
This is most ancient form of massage, which has been practicing in Kerala under the guidance of experts in Ayurveda and Kalaripayattu (Kerala Marital Art).
Procedure : General massage is done over the body after application of medicated oil over head and body. Patient is allowed to lie on his vent with hands stretched out to upward position and legs slightly protracted, the masseur holding the rope with hands which is fixed on the hook at a height of 10 feet from the floor, apply massage using feet over the back of the body. The feet moves gently in a particular manner through various positions for a period of 1 hour.
Indication : It reduces the adiposity relieves rheumatic complaints. Gives good complexion to skin. Increase flexibility of joints.
Contra Indication : Children, old age people, severe illness, indigestion, fever etc.

SWEDANAM (Sudation)
This is an important process generally done before Pancha Karma (eliminating process) by which sweat is generated either local or all over the body and it increases circulation also. Based on the nature of heat sources of swedana, it is classified into various types. 

1. Ushna Swedam 
This is performed by the application of steam for which various modalisation are described as given below:

I) Pinda Swedam : The body is made to sweda by the application of boluses tied in a cloth made of medicinal leaves, lemon pieces, horse gram, ceasam seeds, black gram, wheat, rice, meat etc.

   a) Patrapodala sweda (Elakizhi) Boluses are made    with leaves of Sida corifolia, Ricinus communis, Pongamia glabra, Arka, two ripe lemon and coconut scrapes.
Procedure : Prescribed medicated oil should be first applied over the body and boluses, which are warmed in medicated oil, are gently applied simultaneously by the two therapists. They relay of warm boluses with cold one should be continuously done until the person perspires considerably. This is conducted by keeping the patient in sitting, supine, left lateral, right lateral and sitting position. 
Period : 60 minutes

Indication : In arthritic, neurological disorder, asthma, cough.

Contra Indication : Fever, Indigestion, burns, toxicity, alcoholic.

   b) Sashtika Pinda Swedam (Navarakizhi)Boluses are made with navara rice, which is cooked in Bala decoction and the decoction is prepared by putting 700 gm. Of powdered root of Bala in 16 liters of water + 4 liters of milk and boiled over mild heat until it is reduced to 4 liters and then filtered and used.
Procedure : Prescribed oil should be first gently applied over the body. Boluses which are warmed in milk decoction should be applied simultaneously over the body until the person perspires considerably. At the end, the body is wiped with a towel, oil is applied and the patient is allowed to take rest.
Period : 60 minutes

Indication : In musculo skeletal disorders and in neurological disorders.

Contra Indication : In conditions of Amadosha, fever etc.

    c) Choorna Kizhi (Podikizhi)
Procedure : As in elakizhi
Period : 60 minutes
Indication : Swelling and pain in joints, neurological disorders.
Contra Indication : Fever, Indiigestion

ii) Nali Swedam : Comes under ushna swedam.

Kheera Dhoomam (Palpuka) : This is a form of Nali Swedam.
Procedure : Equal quantities of decoction and cow’s milk are poured in a vessel and heated. The vapor coming out of the vessel is directed through a pipe. The patient is anointed with prescribed oil and to sit on a stool and cover his eye with lotus petal. The vapor from the pipe is allowed to spread comfortably over face and part of the body for a period of 60 minutes in a uniform manner.
Indication : In facial paralysis, Jihwa stamba.
Contra Indication : In burning sensation, unconscious stage, general weakness.

2. Avagaha Swedam 

Fomentation by taking bath in a tub or a vessel with vatha alleviating decoration, milk etc.
Procedure : The prescribed decoction in tolerable warmth water is pours in a tub and the duly anointed patient is made to sit in the tub for a prescribed time. Decoction in the tub for a prescribed time. Decoction in the tub should be above the level of umbilicus and decoction should be maintained in same temperature by changing with warm decoction.
Period : 15 to 20 minutes.

Indication : Low back pain, Moothra Krichara vikara (Dysuria), Piles.

Contra Indication : In fever, indigestion.

3. Upanaha Swedam

Fomentation is done by applying medicated paste in the Joints.
Procedure : Paste of the prescribed powder should be made by one tsp. Saindhava, lemon, Dhanyamla and warm it. At tolerable warmth the paste is spread over Erenda leaves (Ricinus communis) and apply over the affected area and covered with cotton cloth and with a thread.
Period : 12 hours

Indication : In swelling and pain over joints.

Contra Indication : In skin diseases.

4. Kayasekam (Pizhichil)

It is a type of swedana karma known as Dhara Sweda.
Procedure : The patient is made to sit on the dhara table and thalam is applied. A band of cloth is tied around the forehead of the patient. The prescribed medicated oil is warmed by keeping it in water bath. Then the patient is subjected to abhyanga. Cloth pieces are dipped in sufficient warm oil and squeezed with hands on either sides of the bodyFrom neck to downward from a moderate height and medium speed. Mild massage is also done during this oil processing process. The oil which block on the table is collected warmed and again used for the therapy. The process is done in sitting position, supine position, left lateral supine position, right lateral supine, sitting. At the end gentle massage can be done and allow to take rest a few minutes before bath.
Period : 60 minutes
Indication : In neurological disorder, Arthritis.
Contra Indication : Indigestion, obesity, skin disorders, fever, cough etc.

SIRODHARA

This therapy can be done with Kayasekam or separately.
Procedure : The patient is first subjected to Abhyanga. Allow him to lie on his back with the head resting slightly elevated. Eyes are covered with cotton and a band of cloth is tied around his head. The oil is poured over the full length of forehead on the tene from which the hair starts from a height of four fingers. Gentle massage must be done while doing sirodhara. At The end, the head is wiped with dry cloth and allowed to take bath. 
Period : 30 minutes to 45 minutes
Indication : In facial palsy, Insomnia, Mental diseases, Hemiplegia, Headache etc.
Contra Indication : Fever, Indigestion, Diarrhoea, Hypertension.

THAKRA DHARA
Instead of medicated oil, specially prepared buttermilk is used which is made by putting Cyperus rotundus in milk with limejuice.
Procedure : Same as in Sirodhara.
Indication : Disease affecting eyes and ear, Psoriasis, headache.
Contra Indication : Fever, indigestion, diarrhoea, hypertension. 

SIROVASTHY

It is the procedure of keeping the medicated oil on head.
Procedure : The patient is first seated in a stool subjected to Abhyanga. The hair should be shaved and apply oil on the head. A two-inch broad cloth is tied around the head above the ears and fix a rexin sheet or a cap over the head. Black gram is pasted over a long cloth and tie around it, so that there will be no leakage of oil. Pour warm oil inside gently using some cloth. The oil level must be one finger above the seal. Gentle massage must be done while keeping the oil on the head. After stipulated time oil and cap must be removed. Wipe out the oil and apply Rasnadi churnam. Bath in lukewarm medicated water is advisable.
Period : 30 to 40 minutes
Indication : Facial palsy, insomnia, migrane, eye disease, ear ache etc.
Contra Indication : Fever, diarrhoea, Indigestion, Hypertension.

THALAPOTHICHIL (Shirolepanam)
This is the procedure of covering head with medicinal paste.
Procedure : Medicinal paste is prepared by 250 gms. Of old gooseberry which is put in 900 ml butter milk in the previous day and grind it without adding any liquid. Tie the varthi around the head and apply oil on the head and keep the paste about 3 cm thick. A piece of plantain leaf is covered over the medicinal paste. Abhyanga should be done while the process is going on. Remove varthi within one hour.
Period : 30 to 45 minutes
Indication : In Vatha, Kapha, Predominant diseases.
Contra Indication : Indigestion, Fever.

SIROPICHU
Pichu is the procedure of keeping oil soaked in cotton on head.
Procedure : The patient is allowed to sit on a stool. Along piece of cloth is tied around the head above the ear and oil is applied on the head. A cloth piece or cotton with 2 cm thickness is soaked in medicated oil and spread on head. Warm oil can be poured in intervals. At the end pichu is removed and wipe out the oil. This can be done for other local parts also.
Period : 60 minutes 
Indication : In joint pain, arthritis etc. (Local pichu)
Contra Indication : Fever, Indigestion.

THALAM
This procedure is a simplified form of thalapothichil.
Procedure : Medicinal paste is prepared with prescribed powder in medicated oil, buttermilk or water. Paste will be semi solid and put on the head about few inches square.
Period : 60 minutes
Indication : In neurological disorders, headache, insomnia, snake bite etc.
Contra Indication : Fever, Diarrhoea, Indigestion.