Karkidaka Chikitsa
Karkidaka chikitsa is a special monsoon ayurvedic treatment given during the month of Karkidakam. It is a tradition in Kerala which is being practiced for centuries. This month is considered to be perfect to re-energize and rejuvenate the cells. Karkidakam is the month falls from mid-July to mid-August. During this month, Kerala receives heavy rains. According to the studies conducted by researchers, the human body will be highly responsive to ayurvedic treatments during this period. The body gets healed soon from ailments if you take up monsoon treatment.
Karkidaka month effects on health
Unfortunately, the monsoon is when our tridoshas (Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha) become unstable. If these imbalances are not taken care of for a long time can cause health problems. After the hot summer, the heavy rains increase the food consumed, which causes imbalance by pitta dosha, which causes digestive problems and fever. During monsoon, people suffer from fever, cold, cough, and skin diseases due to the imbalance created by Kapha. Restoring the balance of tridoshas is crucial because it is the root cause for the unhealthy condition. You can restore physical and mental health by opting for monsoon treatment. Ayurvedic Karkidaka chikitsa is a natural way to regain the immunity of the body. This treatment includes physical activities and dietary regulations that will lead to a healthier lifestyle.
The treatment procedure of Karkidaka Chikitsa
The monsoon treatment focuses on flushing out the toxins out of the body. The therapy helps to prevent illness and restores the health and immunity of the body in a natural process. The softened skin due to the humid climate during the monsoon times makes it easy for the therapy to eliminate toxins from the body. Thus we can reduce the negative energy from the body and mind.
To understand the procedure of the Karkidaka chikitsa at first, we need to know the concept of Tridoshas that regulates the body condition. Each season will affect these doshas differently. During the days of high temperatures, the body produces toxins, and these toxins would get accumulated during the rainy days, i.e. during monsoon times. These piled-up toxins in the body is the root cause of the sickness.
The ancient sages are well aware of the illnesses during the monsoon. They passed down the knowledge about the ayurvedic procedures and medicines and their action on the human body. Kerala is the place where the treatments are still in practice.
Based on the conditions of the doshas and past medical history, experienced doctors suggest a specific diet to each individual. As the digestive system will be most affected, they reduce the load on that system. If not, that can affect immunity.
Here we are giving you the information about the general diet regime followed during Karkidaka chikitsa.
- Food must be prepared using old grains, including wheat
- Hot seasoned vegetable soup
- Ajamamsa Rasayana (A soup prepared using goat meat)
- Easily digestible food items
- A special porridge, i.e. Karkidaka Kanji, made using exclusive medicinal herbs.
In Karkidaka chikitsa or monsoon, treatment brings a change in the lifestyle. Diet alone cannot keep us healthy we need to follow a good daily routine. We are providing some Dos and Don’ts during the treatment procedure.
Do’s
- Fumigate the house in the evenings to make it moisture-free
- To bring peace to mind spiritual recitation is recommended
- Expose clothes to fumigation
- Use perfumes
- Use footwear and an umbrella to avoid drenching in rains
Don’ts
- Strenuous physical activities and exercises
- Exposure to the sun
- Sleep during daytime
- Exposing the body to cold
- Eating fish
- Eating potatoes, curd, excess garlic and grams in the diet
The monsoon treatment also includes Panchakarma. Panchakarma is a procedure to detoxify the body. The monsoon climatic conditions keep the dathus, seven tissues of the body, soft and relaxed. This provides an excellent condition to apply oil externally (Snehana) and steam treatment (Svedhana) and makes it easy to detoxify the body.
Like every ayurvedic treatment, diet control and healthy routine with exercises, yoga and meditation sessions, Karkidaka treatment heals the body both physically and mentally.
Benefits of Karkidaka Chikitsa
- Immunity boosting or Increasing the level of Ojas
Higher the level of Immunity, healthier the human body. When the Ojas (Immunity) level comes down, the body would be affected by bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens. The Karkidaka Kanji or Oushada Kanji given in the treatment process boosts immunity and is considered a good detoxifying agent.
- Detoxifying the body
The modern lifestyle exposes us to pollution and harmful chemicals; an unbalanced diet and decreased quality of food can cause accumulation of the toxins. This accumulation can disturb the natural balance of the body. Karkidaka Chikitsa elevates the oxygen intake capacity of the cells, stimulates the energy points and improves the health condition. The Snehana and Svedhana treatments detoxify the body. Detoxing can establish a calm mind.
- Weight Loss
Ayurveda says obesity is a condition in which the body stores excess energy in the body in the form of fat. Excess weight can cause chronic illnesses. The monsoon treatment can break down the fat deposits in the body. The increased effectiveness of the digestive system can make the body lose weight naturally.
Ishani Ayurveda Yoga Heritage in Munnar, Kerala offers the perfect monsoon treatment to boost immunity and helps you in the journey of weight loss. We have experienced specialists to take care of you. Visit our facility during the monsoon and avail of our exceptional services.
