THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 30 June 2007 — As the southwest monsoon gains momentum in Kerala, it is time for Ayurveda rejuvenation therapy and the Ayurveda spas are fully booked for the season. The rainy season, experts say, is the best time for Ayurvedic treatment.
The state government’s Tourism Department is aggressively promoting Ayurveda packages through its “dream season” campaign launched worldwide last month. The packages are on offer for the season ending Aug. 30.
Ayurveda specialists say the monsoon season is the best time for treatments as the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, which helps open the pores of the body to the maximum.
This makes the body more receptive to herbal oils and other Ayurveda medicines. Considered a natural way to refresh oneself by eliminating all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain good health, Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but also the individual as a whole.
It offers treatments for skin problems, ailments related to stress and joint pains. “For skin problems, we generally ask patients to stay back for 28 days. And for people who don’t have so much time at their disposal, we give them medicines that they can carry with them,” explains Naveen of Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort at Kovalam near here.
And for those who are on a short holiday, a general oil massage is sure to put the spring back in your step.
“This is the time of the year when the temperature is not very hot or cold. It’s optimum temperature for any type of Ayurvedic treatment,” says Hareendran, head doctor of nearby Manaltheeram.
They all have drawn out specific plans ranging from a few days to even three weeks. The tariffs start from 2,500 rupees ($60) a day for a three-week comprehensive package that includes food, accommodation and the treatment charges.
Almost all resorts now boast of an Ayurveda spa and they all have separate vegetarian kitchens, as vegetarian food is considered a must during the treatment period.
To regulate these resorts, the Tourism Department has drawn out the basic standards to be followed by the industry while offering Ayurveda as a product. The state health department has also put strict measures in place to check fraudulent Ayurveda services and products.
“The Dream Season initiative will go a long way in sustaining the growth rates and transforming Kerala into a land for all seasons,” says Kerala Tourism Secretary Dr. V. Venu. An exclusive micro-site www.keralatourism.org/dreamseason/ was launched as part of the initiative.
Five years back, the Ayurveda tourism industry in Kerala saw a mere five percent occupancy during the monsoons but in most resorts, it is expected to cross 70 percent occupancy this season.
“There is no harm in taking Ayurvedic therapy at any other time of the year, if you take complete rest and do not tire your body. But monsoon is the ideal time any one can go for an Ayurvedic therapy without a second thought,” says an expert.
The oil used for the massage is made of mountain herbs. According to the traditional texts, people of any body type can have Ayurvedic therapies during monsoon and the human body will respond better to therapy during the monsoon, than any other time.
Panchakarma (a detoxification process) involving herbal massage followed by sauna is a good approach to remove toxins. Shirodhara (a herbal oil flow around the head), a diet and some yoga are also advised to relax the nervous system, lower metabolism, integrate brain function and to create brain wave coherence.
As oil is poured on the forehead, the nervous system is deeply stilled. The brain waves slow down and become coherent. Once the brain is relaxed, more life, energy and oxygen and other nutrients flow more freely to the brain.
With each successive Shirodhara treatment that improves brain function, mood stability and stress handling ability, the mind systematically achieves an even deeper state of silence and more healing takes place, they say.
