seasonal preventive treatments ayurveda

Seasonal Preventive Treatment in Ayurveda –Special Karkidaka Chikitsa
According to Ayurveda, the Malayalam month of Karkidaka (Cancer) is time for preventive therapies.
Karkkidaka is known for rains, joblessness and diseases.
Since Kerala (and India) is an agriculture society, the rain also forces people off fields and into their houses.
During this month, the climate is very damp, with lot of rains. People are prone to diseases of various kinds. In other words, human body becomes extremely sensitive to pathogens.
This period has long been identified as the period for preventive treatments and rejuvenation therapies. This is because, during this period human body will also be receptive to Ayurveda medicines.
The major therapies for Karkidaka month ( July 15th to August 15th)
Massages
Oil massages (abhayanga) of various kinds are performed during this season, according to the age of persons. These massages give physical strength of the body. The medicated oil also passes the medicinal content straight into the bloodstream. Massages are part of rejuvenation therapies.
Karkidaka Kanji (the rice porridge)
Karkidaka Kanji is basically rice porridge with medicinally valuable herbs added. Karkikada kanji kit is available for purchase from different Ayurveda centers.
Sukha-chikitsa (preventive therapy)
Sukham means healthy state and chikitsa is therapy or treatment. Sukhachikitsa is given to healthy persons, to prevent diseases from attacking. Massages (abhayanga) and specially prepared kanji (rice porridge) are part of sukhachikitsa.
Rejuvenation therapy
Ayurveda rejuvenation therapy is long process, lasting for many days, from 21 days up to 45 days. During rejuvenation therapy, the body is first cleaned off accumulated toxic materials (excess fat, chemicals, pathogens, etc). The accumulated body waste is called ama or body toxins.
The body is then strengthened with special medicines like Rasayanas and with medicated oil massages (abhayanga).
Rejuvenation therapy can also include full-scale panchakarma treatments. However, according to the age, physical and mental conditions, and other factors, the doctor may decide to omit one or more procedures of panchakarma treatment.
The month of Chingam (Leo) follows Karkidaka. Chingam is time of blooming, gaiety and general healthfulness. However, the month that precedes Chingam (karkidakam) is the month of diseases.
Special Ayurveda packages for preventive healthcare are available in different Ayurveda hospitals and recognized treatment centers in Kerala. Karkidaka kanji kit is also available at many Ayurveda centers across Kerala.



Ramadan Fasting: Health Benefits and Problems
Muslims from across the world stay ordained to the Quran and fast for the whole of Ramadan month. Fasting is a part of pleasing God, in almost all religions. Probably, the health benefits of fasting were known to our forefathers several centuries ago.
Though the primary aim of fasting by Muslims is to conform to religious norms, fasting brings in several health benefits too. While considering health benefits, there are also a few problems to consider and precautions to take while fasting.
Those who suffer from medical conditions like coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc are exempt from fasting. The negative effects of total fasting include hypokalemia (drastic drop of blood potassium levels), cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), etc. Ramadan fasting is not total fasting and believers take nutrients needed for the body, through the systematically planned early morning and evening food.
Lowering of blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure are the first notable physiological changes.
Diabetes patients need to take extra care while fasting. Hypoglycaemia, a condition characterised by abnormal drop of blood sugar levels can cause health problems. Diabetic patients should reduce intake of medicines or insulin injection during fasting. Monitoring of blood sugar levels is also desirable. Conditions like tiredness, sweating, headaches, unconsciousness, etc are the symptoms of abnormally low levels of blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycaemia- this is the reverse of hypoglycaemia, characterised by increase of blood sugar levels. This is mainly due to the medicines you take to sustain blood sugar levels. Increase in blood sugar levels can cause problems to kidney and eyes.
Problems of Acidity and Ulcer – bile can get filled up in stomach, which causes acidity and ulcer.
Healthy individuals have considerable health benefits from Ramadan fasting. It is an effective detoxification therapy. Toxins accumulated in the body break down and pass out of the body.
Fasting is ideal for both overweight and underweight persons. It is commonsense how fasting works to reduce weight. During fasting, deposited fat gets used and burns down and facilitates weight loss.
Fasting also normalizes the digestive system of underweight persons, and equips body to digest and assimilate nutrients from the food they eat.
Fasting can also clear many skin problems. This is because of the elimination of toxic materials from the body and generally cleansing the blood.
Fasting has advantages in getting rid of addictions and unhealthy habits like smoking and taking alcohol.
Ramadan fasting improves the health condition of healthy people. But for people who suffer from any medical condition should monitor their body and physiology more closely.
Pregnant and feeding women are exempted from fasting and they shall not attempt fasting, as it can deprive nutrition to both mother and child.

Seasonal Preventive Treatment in Ayurveda Special
Karkidaka Chikitsa

According to Ayurveda, the Malayalam month of Karkidaka (Cancer) is time for preventive therapies.
Karkkidaka is known for rains, joblessness and diseases.
Since Kerala (and India) is an agriculture society, the rain also forces people off fields and into their houses.
During this month, the climate is very damp, with lot of rains. People are prone to diseases of various kinds. In other words, human body becomes extremely sensitive to pathogens.
This period has long been identified as the period for preventive treatments and rejuvenation therapies. This is because, during this period human body will also be receptive to Ayurveda medicines.
The major therapies for Karkidaka month ( July 15th to August 15th)
Karkidaka Kanji (the rice porridge)
Karkidaka Kanji is basically rice porridge with medicinally valuable herbs added. Karkikada kanji kit is available for purchase from different Ayurveda centers.
Massages
Oil massages (abhayanga) of various kinds are performed during this season, according to the age of persons. These massages give physical strength of the body. The medicated oil also passes the medicinal content straight into the bloodstream. Massages are part of rejuvenation therapies.
Sukha-chikitsa (preventive therapy)
Sukham means healthy state and chikitsa is therapy or treatment. Sukhachikitsa is given to healthy persons, to prevent diseases from attacking. Massages (abhayanga) and specially prepared kanji (rice porridge) are part of sukhachikitsa.
Karkidaka Kanji is a porridge prepared out of the nava dhanyas (nine pulses and cereals). Karkidaka Kanji is consumed in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam. Karkidaka Kanji is best for rheumatic disorders, the occurrence of which is on the increase in the monsoon season.