AYURVEDA IN KERALA
body there by increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Sirodhara, Pizhichil, Navarakizhi, Thalapothichil, Pachakizhi and Podikizhi are some of the kerala special ayurvedic procedures.
The fundamentals of Ayurveda being practiced and taught in Kerala are not different from those of the rest
of the country, in their essence and philosophy. But in the present days, there indeed is a notable difference in
certain aspects of Kerala tradition of Ayurveda. This difference pertains to the importance given to
Vagbhata’s Ashtangahridayam in preference to other classical texts by Kerala traditional physicians, the
uninterrupted history of practicing the classical panchakarma therapies in all their authentic fidelity, the
innovative development of the reputed Kerala preparatory therapies and finally the wide variety of exclusive
herbal based formulations overshadowing the use of metal and mineral based drugs.
The development of Ayurveda in Kerala is particularly noted for its origins in non-brahminical traditions even
before the entry of classical Ayurveda in the early centuries of the Christian era. These two streams
subsequently blended so well that it gave a unique strength to the health care tradition of Kerala. Selected
few Brahmin households, named generally as Ashtavaidyas, were bestowed with the responsibility of
maintaining the Ayurvedic tradition by practicing it as a health care service as well as by teaching its principles
in the unique gurukula tradition
The traditional practitioners of Ayurveda considered Ashtangahridayam as a primary text. Several commentaries were written by experts here. More importantly, new texts were written in Kerala both in Malayalam and Sanskrit. Sahasrayogam, Chikilsamanjari, Vaidyamanorama are just a few examples. These and similar other Kerala texts still remain sources of very useful information on formulation, medicinal plants and therapies.
Another very important contribution by Kerala physicians is the continued practice and enrichment of the panchakarma therapy. Even when they became defunct in the rest of the country due to socio-political
reasons, Kerala retained this therapeutic wealth in all its pristine essence. Texts were written here on its
practical aspects. More importantly, the famous Kerala special therapies were evolved by the practitioners
here. They are essentially preparatory in nature. Dhara, mukkippizhichil, navarakkizhi, etc are typical
examples. As the practice of Ayurveda expanded in popular acceptance in the recent past, these treatment
modalities have also become more prevalent
.
There are several unique herbal formulations described in Kerala texts. Many of them have now received
national level acclaim and they are included in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. One important aspect of
Kerala formulations is that the stress is more on herbal components rather than on metals or minerals. There
is also the history of Ayurvedic physicians developing some areas of specialisations like pediatrics, ophthalmology, martial therapy, etc.
The ideal geographic location of Kerala and its salubrious climate has made external purification and rejuvenation therapies most effective for treatment of many psychosomatic disorders. The high humidity in
Kerala helps to open up the body pores and the medicinal oils used in massaging get easily absorbed into the body there by increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Sirodhara, Pizhichil, Navarakizhi, Thalapothichil, Pachakizhi and Podikizhi are some of the kerala special ayurvedic procedures.
The fundamentals of Ayurveda being practiced and taught in Kerala are not different from those of the rest
of the country, in their essence and philosophy. But in the present days, there indeed is a notable difference in
certain aspects of Kerala tradition of Ayurveda. This difference pertains to the importance given to
Vagbhata’s Ashtangahridayam in preference to other classical texts by Kerala traditional physicians, the
uninterrupted history of practicing the classical panchakarma therapies in all their authentic fidelity, the
innovative development of the reputed Kerala preparatory therapies and finally the wide variety of exclusive
herbal based formulations overshadowing the use of metal and mineral based drugs.
The development of Ayurveda in Kerala is particularly noted for its origins in non-brahminical traditions even
before the entry of classical Ayurveda in the early centuries of the Christian era. These two streams
subsequently blended so well that it gave a unique strength to the health care tradition of Kerala. Selected
few Brahmin households, named generally as Ashtavaidyas, were bestowed with the responsibility of
maintaining the Ayurvedic tradition by practicing it as a health care service as well as by teaching its principles
in the unique gurukula tradition
The traditional practitioners of Ayurveda considered Ashtangahridayam as a primary text. Several commentaries were written by experts here. More importantly, new texts were written in Kerala both in Malayalam and Sanskrit. Sahasrayogam, Chikilsamanjari, Vaidyamanorama are just a few examples. These and similar other Kerala texts still remain sources of very useful information on formulation, medicinal plants and therapies.
Another very important contribution by Kerala physicians is the continued practice and enrichment of the panchakarma therapy. Even when they became defunct in the rest of the country due to socio-political
reasons, Kerala retained this therapeutic wealth in all its pristine essence. Texts were written here on its
practical aspects. More importantly, the famous Kerala special therapies were evolved by the practitioners
here. They are essentially preparatory in nature. Dhara, mukkippizhichil, navarakkizhi, etc are typical
examples. As the practice of Ayurveda expanded in popular acceptance in the recent past, these treatment
modalities have also become more prevalent
.
There are several unique herbal formulations described in Kerala texts. Many of them have now received
national level acclaim and they are included in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. One important aspect of
Kerala formulations is that the stress is more on herbal components rather than on metals or minerals. There
is also the history of Ayurvedic physicians developing some areas of specialisations like pediatrics, ophthalmology, martial therapy, etc.
