Ayurveda balances body, mind and emotions, proposing some changes to get a healthier life style, by eliminating what can cause imbalances. In Ayurveda, balance is the key in health.

After a detailed consultation, which will define the natural characteristics (Prakruti) and the present imbalance (Vikruti), an individual treatment is prescribed according to indications.

Therapies involve specific daily procedures to regain health and harmony, which include massages, balanced diet for the Doshas (individual Constitution), meditation, pranayamas (respiratory exercises) and Yoga.

There is a body/mind/emotional interaction in all therapies, which also results in harmonization of the Chakras (subtle centers of energy); beyond soft and preventive treatments, when there is an indication, other deeper detox therapies called Shodana (Panchakarma) can be suggested.

For restoring health, Ayurveda involves some steps and procedures that can contribute for a positive result during the treatment. Check it below:

* To balance digestive power (Jatharagni)
* To digest toxins (Ama)
* The appropriate elimination of wastes (Malas)
* To increase immunity (Ojas)



PurvaKarma (Shamana)
Procedures that can be applied as preparation to Panchakarma treatments or out of it, as preventive and relaxing treatments. There are two important applications of Purvakarma: Snehana and Swedana.

1-Sneha, in Sanskrit means "to lubricate", to soften. Another meaning for Sneha is "Love". There are some internal and external Snehas, through the ingestion of indicated lubricants during the procedures and external sneha. Some external snehana therapies are:
 

Abhyanga: The Ayurveda oil massage. Medicated warm herbal oil is spread on the body through massage, to balance Doshas (Constitution). It relax and tones muscles and tissues. Some more indications and benefits are: To promote longevity, to nourish all areas of body, to lubricate joints, to soften skin, to tone muscles, to promote a deep sleep, to enhance blood and lymphatic circulation, to expel toxins, among many other qualities.

Karna Purana: One way of this cleansing process of ears is the use of oil or another medicated herbal liquid, applied in drops. And another way is the use of medicated smoke. Some indications: Pain in the ear and neck, headache and wax excess.

Udwarthana: Deep dry massage, with herb powder to stimulate all tissues. The main indication is to relieve water retention in the body, which promotes weight loss and a smooth and toning skin.

Shirodhara: Shiro = Head - Dhara = medicated liquid that flows. This warm liquid can be oil, milk or another medicinal formula, which flow continuously on the head and forehead, providing deep physical and mental relaxation and emotional balance. Shirodhara relieves stress, panic, anxiety, sleeplessness, hypertension, revitalizes nervous system, etc. Recent research shows that this therapy induces the opening of vases inside the brain, allowing an increasing flow of oxygen and nutrition of nervous system.

2-Swedana, herbal fomentation methods that provoke sweating. Local or a full body steam with specific medicinal herbs, to treat imbalances and other heating treatments using: rocks, salt, sand, etc, to promote fomentation and elimination of toxins through pores.

Nadi Sweda: Local steam on specific areas.

Complete Swedana: Steamed full body bath therapy. The head doesn’t receive heat, as it must be always protected and fresh.

Pinda Sweda: One kind of swedana made by rice, which is cooked in herbs and milk. It is a full body poultice therapy applied as a massage made with this cooked rice placed in a cloth of pure cotton, creating a bolus, (pinda), which is used to massage the entire body.

Netra Basti: Treatment for eye diseases, by using medicated Ghee (oil of purified butter), which is poured inside of a dough put around the eyes.

Kati Basti: A circle dough made of whole wheat is placed around the area to be treated. Some warm medicated Ghee (or medicated oil) is poured inside the circle. It is an excellent treatment for lumbar and muscle pains.

Panchakarma (Shodana)
Five deep cleansing treatments for purification of body and to restore the balance of Doshas.

Nasya: Nasal cleansing by application of medicated oil in the nostrils. For reduction of Kapha and to balance mainly Vata. Medicated oil nasya may be used for all Doshas types, depending on specific dosha and disorder to be treated. Nasya also can be applied out of Panchakarma.

Basti: Cleansing of colon, tissues and micro-channels of body through the Enema. It promotes reduction of Vata by the nutrition of tissues.

Vamana: Internal cleansing of stomach and lungs, indicated to treat Kapha, when it is increased and in some disorders of Pitta.

Virechana: Laxative treatment, which promotes a cleansing of small intestine, "liver" and blood, through herbs to reduce Pitta.

Raktamoksha: A blood detoxification indicated to reduce Pitta.