Ayurvedic Massage

Ayurvedic massage involves the application of warm herbalised oils to rejuvenate and balance your body. The herbal oil is selected according to your condition and is applied with sweeping flowing strokes. The correct choice of oil is what determines the effectiveness of a traditional Ayurvedic massage.

Ayurvedic massage involves the application of warm herbalised oils with sweeping flowing strokes. Kizhi (Pinda Sweda) application is also combined with the massage when required.

The external application of warm herbalised oil plays a major role in Ayurvedic treatment. Herbal oil is a transport mechanism for delivering herbs into the deeper tissues. When the warmed herbal oils are applied in a treatment, the pores of the skin are opened due to the warmth. This allows the healing properties of the herbs to more deeply penetrate the affected tissues. When herbs are used in this manner, they also help to pull impurities out of your body.

Ayurvedic herbal oils are made by cooking selected herbs in a base oil, like black sesame or coconut oil. It is the particular combination of herbs used and their ratio that determines the specific actions of the herbal oil.

Kizhi means poultice in Malayalam (the language of Kerala in South India). In Sanskrit, it is known as Pinda Sweda.

A Kizhi is a poultice that is densely packed with herbal ingredients and heated in warm herbal oil throughout the treatment. The Kizhi is massaged over the affected area or the whole body as required.

The warmth of the poultices, combined with the active ingredients of the herbs and oils, improves circulation and reduces body stiffness and pain.

The Kizhi ingredients, herbalised oils and massage techniques are all selected according to the type and cause of your pain.

There are many varieties of Kizhi and the name is given based on the ingredients tied within the poultice. The type of Kizhi used is chosen according to what is most suitable for your particular condition. Some of the Kizhis applied during an Ayurvedic massage are:

This Kizhi contains fresh leaves of medicinal plants that are fried with other herbal ingredients. The Kizhi is then dipped into warm herbalised oil and applied to the affected body parts.

Depending on the purpose of the Ayurvedic massage, various treatments can be given along with this massage to enhance the effects such as:

Udvartana is a treatment in Ayurveda in which specially prepared herbal paste or herbal powder is massaged over your body. It is a treatment used to support weight loss or detoxification programs.