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KERALA SPECIAL TREATMENTS |
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Abhyanga Snana is part
of the purvakarma or preparatory measure of Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda. It is an ancient
oleation therapy, traditionally given by two therapists, who work
in tandem, synchronizing their strokes and massage according to
the circulatory and marma points for sixty minutes.
Detoxifying sesame oils are chosen according to one's illness.
Usually this is done in seven standard positions. It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda,
especially in the Kerala tradition.
This is a form of treatment for various age related
and other common disorders. Some of the advantages are pain relief,
improved circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility,
athletic performance and emotional benefits.
Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the
swelling that accompanies arthritis. With Ayurvedic massage,
deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released
into the system for elimination through natural toxin-release
processes. |
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Benefits : |
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Improves
blood circulation |
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Rejuvenates whole body |
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Beautifies skin |
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Delays aging |
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Induces sound sleep, promotes vitality and reduces
stress |
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Removes toxins |
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This is for persons with problems of obesity, diabetes, skin diseases etc. It is also good for stress relief, better blood circulation, nervous stimulation and muscle toning for general good health. It is also ideal for post delivery/natal care. |
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HERBAL STEAM BATH |
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A gentle application of warm herbal oil is first done over the body. Next the individual is made to sit, keeping the head out, inside a steam chamber that lets out herbal steam from medicinal herbs makes the individual perspire profusely that promote cohesion between cells. The steam will open up the very small pores of the skin thereby removing all wastes and pacifying the three doshas. A great therapy for toning the skin and giving it a special glow. |
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SHIRO DHARA |
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Dhara is a method of Kerala special treatment. Many such distinctive and excellent forms of treatments, not practiced in the other parts of India are conducted by the Kerala Physicians. A continuous stream of medicated warm oil/herbal decoctions/medicated milk/buttermilk is poured onto the forehead for 45 to 90 minutes. This procedure often induces a mental state similar to a trance, which creates profound relaxation of the mind and body. It deeply relaxes and revitalizes the central nervous system. Shirodhara gives the best results when taken after an Abhyangam. Dhara is good for all ailments. Changing the liquid as per the Dosha condition with necessary alterations in the procedure, is useful to alleviate any Dosha.
Shirodhara has been used to treat
a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis,
allergic rhinitis,
greying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia,
hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, and certain types of skin diseases like psoriasis.
It is also used non-medicinally for its relaxing properties. Recent research
studies has shown that Shiro Dhara results in Vaso Dilation (dilation
of blood vessels) in the brain enabling increased supply of oxygen to
the blood cells. |
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Benefits : |
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Strengthens central nervous
system (CNS) |
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Strengthens sensory organs |
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Reduces stress and anxiety |
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Decreases hypertension |
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Offers sound sleep |
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Prescribed in clinical conditions like Epilepsy,
Diabetic, Neuropathy and Paralysis |
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This special treatment is an effective remedy for mental diseases, headache, nervous disorders, insomnia, blood pressure, general weakness, urinary diseases and particularly in the diseases of organs above neck. |
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SHIRO DHARA [
Takra Dhara ] |
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Takra means buttermilk and Dhara means pouring. This therapy calms the individual down by using medicated buttermilk, which is poured onto the forehead to relieve insomnia, depression and other stress related problems. This prevents graying of the hair, reduces headaches, increases digestive power and alleviates anorexia. In cases of psoriasis, Dhara is performed on the affected area to have a curative effect. |
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SHIRO VASTI |
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This is the most important of all external use of Snehana (oil application). Certain lukewarm
Ayurvedic / herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head for 15 to 60 minutes per day according to the patient's conditions for a period of 7 days.This is highly effective for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, burning sensation of head and other vata originated diseases. Certain lukewarm medicated oil is applied to the entire head. A leather cap is then placed on the head to maintain the temperature. Its effects are marvelous in neuralgia,
hemicranias, optic atrophy, deafness, facial paralysis and all diseases affecting the
cranial nerves. |
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Benefits : |
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Reduces Anxiety and Stress |
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Bestows liveliness to the organs.
A clear voice and firm jaws and strength to the head |
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Reduces dryness of the mouth and
nose |
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It is prescribed in clinical conditions like Head ache, Ear ache, humming in the ear and ailments connected with Vata
in the head |
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This treatment is effective for migraine, deafness, diseases affecting cranial nerves, facial paralysis, insanity, diseases and wounds etc. In fact this treatment is good for all diseases. |
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KATI VASTI |
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In this process specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept over the lower back with herbal paste boundary. This treatment lasts for 45 minutes to 1 hour. |
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Benefits : |
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Recommended in low back ache and
spinal disorders |
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Relieves pain in sciatica and Inter
Vertebral Disc Prolepses |
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Relieves low back pain |
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Stimulates and nourishes nerves
relieving pain and numbness |
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Kati Vasti alleviates lower back conditions like Lumber Spondylosis, Inter Vertebral Slip Disc, Lumbago (low back ache) and Sciatica. |
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URO VASTI |
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A mixture specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured over the chest and retained inside an herbal paste boundary for 30 to 45 minutes. The healing properties of herbal oils used for this massage enriches the blood and builds and maintains strong muscle and connective tissues. |
| This is a stimulating and therapeutic treatment for muscular chest pain |
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GREEVA VASTI |
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Specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured over the neck and retained inside the black gram paste boundary for the required duration. The healing properties of herbal oils used for this therapy deeply cleans and enriches the blood, builds and maintains strong muscle and connective tissues and lubricates the joints keeping them flexible and pain free |
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Benefits : |
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Loosens stiff joints |
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Helps to cure cervical spondylitis,
neck pain, paralysis and numbness of hands |
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Stimulates and nourishes nerves relieving pain and numbness |
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Greeva Vasti alleviates neck and upper back conditions like Cervical Spondylosis,
Stiff Neck Pain due to over strain etc. |
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JANU VASTI |
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This is a special treatment in which warm medicated oil is retained over the knee joint. This treatment is very effective in treating different conditions of the knee joints like arthritis, degenerative conditions etc. |
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Benefits : |
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Relieves cracking of the Knee joints. |
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Relives pain in arthritis of Knee Joints. |
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Helps in degenerative conditions of the Knee joint. |
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POODIKKIZHI AND ILAKKIZHI
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General treatment in the Ayurvedic
health program, especially for inflammatory conditions of the bones
and joints, arthritis, spinal problems, sportinjuries. Treatment:
herbs, leaves or powder of herbs are being applied along with warm
oil all over the body. Duration: 45 minutes each day for a week up
to two weeks. This therapy is effective for various kinds of arthritis, Spondylosis, muscular pains, back pain, sports injuries and for all other soft tissue inflammations especially joint pains.
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Benefits : |
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Relieves pain, numbness and edema |
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Controls vitiated Vata |
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Improves peripheral blood supply |
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Cures diseases like arthritis, paralysis
and convulsions |
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Stimulates the nerve endings |
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Treatment for Spondylitis and
Sports injuries |
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PIZHICHIL |
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Pizhichil, which literally means squeezing, is a unique contribution of the Kerala tradition of Ayurveda. Here, cloth dipped in warm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body. Trained attendants under the supervision of a physician perform the treatment. The attendants squeeze the oil with their right hand and simultaneously massage with their left hand in down ward strokes. The patient should be made to adopt the seven standard positions so that no area of the body is left uncovered. Though it is actually a process of sudation used as a purvakarma (preparatory treatment), it has also proved to be highly effective on its own for treating diseases caused due to the vitiation of the Vata humour, especially Pakshaghata (hemiplegia), paralysis, muscle spasms and other degenerative diseases affecting muscles. |
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Benefits : |
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Relieves body pain and muscle
spasms |
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Helps preserve and promote optimum health |
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Helps in the healing of fractured bones |
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Increases immunity and prolongs life span |
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Promotes development of muscles |
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Improves skin complexion |
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Anti aging and rejuvenating |
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Ensures better blood circulation |
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Alleviates the burning sensation in the body |
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A soothing and relaxing procedure |
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Prescribed in clinical conditions like Paraplegia,
Hemiplegia and other Vata dominant ailments |
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This treatment is very useful for rheumatic diseases, arthritis, paralysis, sexual weakness, neurological disorders, blood pressure, nervous weakness, diabetes, blood pressure, fits, convulsions, paralysis and helps to arrest the aging process. It is very effective in asthma and even in tuberculosis in early stages. This is mainly a lubricating treatment. |
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NAVARAKIZHI |
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Navarakkizhi, Kerala’s unique
contribution to Ayurveda, is a fomentation of the body with bolus of
cooked rice. Shastika or navara is a particular kind of rice known for its nutritional value. The
rice is first cooked with milk and herbal decoction made of kurumthotti, a herb. Four boluses are made of the cooked rice
and are tied up in linen bags.The fomentation begins with the
patient sitting straight on the droni with legs stretched.
The masseurs on either side perform the fomentation process in an
identical manner. The movement of the hands during both fomentation
and massage should always be downwards. This therapy is done in
seven standard positions. This is a strengthening
fomentation employed in all kinds of neurological disorders,
rheumatism, arthritis congenital deformity of the limbs,
dislocation of bones and joints etc.
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Benefits : |
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Strengthens the body |
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Rejuvenates the tissues |
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Improves muscle tone |
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Improves blood supply by cleansing the channels of circulation |
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Effective in curing diseases of the nervous system and others such
as chronic rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout, emaciation of
muscles, numbness and diseases caused by vitiation of blood |
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Makes the body strong and sturdy |
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Nourishes the body and increases immunity |
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Promotes sharpness of vision and functions of other sense organs |
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Slows down aging, premature graying of hair, baldness, appearance
of wrinkles over the body and other ailments caused by aging |
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Gives softness to the body by
improving the health of the skin |
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A special treatment in which the eyes are bathed in pure medicated cow's ghee. This procedure takes 15 minutes. |
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Benefits : |
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Relieves the strain due to constant
glaring to the computer & TV screen |
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Helps in preventing early formation of Cataract |
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Reduces pain and burning sensation in the eyes |
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Offers a good relaxation and cooling effect to the eyes |
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is very useful in conditions like Dry Eye |
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Syndrome, Chronic Conjunctivitis,
Corneal Ulcer and Glaucoma |
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This is a specialized herbal treatment for weight reduction. A herbal paste or powder is applied all over the body and deeply massaged with specific movements by two therapists for one hour. |
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Benefits : |
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Toning the skin and muscle after
child birth |
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Removes Cellulite |
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Weight reduction |
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Imparts good complexion to the skin |
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Revitalizes the sense of touch |
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Removes Kapha toxins from the body |
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A herbal paste is applied to the entire head for 45 minutes. |
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Benefits : |
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In Insomnia and Depression |
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Hyper active conditions |
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Burning sensation in the eyes and headache |
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Dermatitis of the scalp, Dandruff |
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A thick layer of cotton wool soaked with warm medicated oil is applied over the affected area. The oil is recycled periodically to make it warm. This therapy is very effective for degenerative and painful problems like Back pain, Osteo-arthritis, Spondylitis, injuries, etc. Medicated oil is applied to the head for 45 minutes in a special manner. |
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Benefits : |
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Improves memory |
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In
Dermatitis of the scalp, Dandruff |
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Recommended for Neurological disorders like Paralysis, facial palsy etc. |
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SHIROBHYANGAM (Head Massage) |
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A soothing massage of the head, neck & shoulder for 15 minutes using warm herbal oils. |
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Benefits : |
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Brings sound sleep, profoundly
soothing and relaxing |
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Gives cooling to the eyes |
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Gives relief in Insomnia, Headache, Pre-mature graying & hair loss |
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Relaxes the head |
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Helps to spread natural oils produced by the scalp thus protecting
and conditioning the length of the hair |
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Improves blood circulation |
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Nourish the hair from the roots |
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Drains any accumulated toxins |
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Gives cooling to the eyes |
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Promotes thick and shiny hair |
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LEPAM |
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This is the application of herbal paste externally over the affected area. The herbal powder and the medium to make the paste are selected as per the condition. |
| This therapy is having a wide range of usage from cosmetic purpose to severe skin conditions. Very effective in Psoriasis, Pimples, Marks on skin, pigmentation, Arthritis with swelling & pain, injuries and skin infections. |
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