PATRA PINDA SWEDA/ILA KIZHI AND ITS BENEFITS IN MUSCULO SKELETAL DISORDERS
Patra Pinda Sweda and its benefits
Kizhi is a massage therapy offered for the treatment of problems associated with muscles, bones and joints.l n Ayurveda, Swedana or fomentation is a treatment procedure that involves inducing sweat in an individual by heat application in the form of steam or other heated medicaments. As the body starts sweating in the Swedana treatment, stiffness, heaviness, and coldness are eliminated In Patra Pinda Sweda, leaves of medicinal plants and other drugs are tied up in the cloth and applied to the body while frequently heating it.Elakizhi (Ilakizhi) , or Patrapotala swedam, is commonly done as part of the Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment
What It Helps With?
Patra pinda swedana is well-regarded for its efficacy in treating back pain and reducing vata imbalance.
The benefits of this classic massage with medicated leaves includes relieving stiffness of muscles and joint pains, especially backache, lubricating joints, improving peripheral blood circulation, cleansing the channels of circulation and expelling toxins from the body.
How to make it?
For Patra Pinda Sweda Ayurvedic treatment, the following medicinal leaves are generally used.
Eranda (Ricinus communis), known for its vata pacifying properties, is often used in medicated oil preparations.
Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) Arka (Calotropis gigantean) Chincha (tamarind) Dhatura (Dhatura metal)
Shigru (moringa leaves)
Other ingredients that may also be used are lemon, coconut grating, Saindhava Lavana, Methika, Rasnadi churna, etc., all of which can be part of a patra pinda swedana therapy. For the procedure, fresh leaves are collected and cut down into small pieces. They are then heated in a non-stick pan in an herbal oil, along with other ingredients. After the mixture is fried, it is tied in a clean cloth to form a bolus of Patra Pinda.
Procedure
The heating apparatus is maintained at a constant temperature, and the bolus is frequently dipped in the warm oil while rubbing the body with mild pressure. The fomentation given in Patra Pinda Sweda therapy is carried out in seven postures like that of Abhyanga massage so that all the parts of the body are equally fomented.
The working concept of this process is to let the body sweat more and more through a series of soft massages over the affected area. Eventually, this sweating (sweda means fomentation) may be able to relieve the person of the toxins that might have accumulated over a long period of time, employing the principles of sudation.
Also, the leaves used for the process are said to have positive, healing effects on the body, helping it with nourishment and easing down any swellings or inflammatory conditions.
Post-procedure
The procedure completes after sweating is induced. After that, Rasnadi Chumna is applied to the individual and they are advised to take rest for an hour and bathe with warm water, a practice that complements the detoxification effects of medicated oil applications. A light diet after the procedure is recommended to support the body's natural healing process post sudation.
Benefits of incorporating herbal leaves and medicated oil in treatments include anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to pacify vata, and offering relief from back pain through sudation techniques.
Patra pinda sweda proves to be beneficial in the following ways:- Increases blood circulation
Strengthens and rejuvenates bones, muscles, tissues and nerves Helps reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness of the muscles Induces good sleep
Delays the age-related degeneration of joints
Improves the range of movements of the joints
Prevents water retention in the joints, a common benefit of therapies aimed at balancing vata.
Soothes the nerves and offers relief from neuralgic pain caused by nerve disorders
Helps to eliminate toxins from the body through sweating
Improves the sensory and motor functions in people with paralysis
Contraindications:
When It Should Be Avoided?
People with skin allergies/sensitive skin are not recommended to undergo Patra Pinda Sweda therapy. Fomentation should be avoided on the parts that have an acute inflammation, especially since the procedure involves the application of herbal leaves and heated boluses. Patra Pinda Sweda is contraindicated for pregnant women and people with diabetes. certain cardiac problems,
hemorrhagic disorders, indigestion, fractures, and extreme fatigue.
What is Jambeera Pinda Sweda used for?
It's a type of potali which involves the application of heated herbal boluses filled with special mixture of lemon, coconut shreddings etc, emblematic of the patra pinda swedana technique using herbal leaves.
The primary uses are listed below
Commonly used to alleviate joint pain ,stiffness ,inflamation amd tensions
It can improve circulation ,reduce inflammation ,musle strain .sprain etc
It can also be used in some neurological conditions like neuropathy ,hemiplegia etc
It can help to strengthen and nourish a debilitating joint, making it one of the best ayurvedic treatments for back pain and joint issues.
What is Patra in Ayurveda?
Patra in Ayurveda refers to the use of leaves, particularly in practices like patra pinda swedana where their medicinal properties are harnessed for therapeutic purposes.
The term patra means leaf in ayurveda. In ayurveda, various leaves are used widely for their medicinal uses. It's been an integral part in ayurveda pharmacology and herbal medicines, with practices like ela kizhi exemplifying the therapeutic use of herbal leaves.
What is the concept of Swedana?
In ayurveda ,swedana refers to the therapy of inducing sweating or perspiration which is nothing but a detoxification ,relaxation and promoting over all well being
Its considered one of the main poorva karma in panchakarma which is performed to loosen toxins and facilitate their elimination from the body
There are several methods of fomentation like sudation, which is a vital procedure in the best ayurvedic treatment practices.
· Herbal steam bath
· Steam chamber
· Exercise induced sweating etc