Karkidaka Chikitsa
Ayurveda considers Karkidaka the most favorable time for treatments and therapeutic health care routines. The month of Karkidaka, the last month according to the traditional Kerala calendar, usually falls between June and August and is the peak of the rainy season in Kerala. The monsoon season in Kerala experiences heavy clouds and rainfall, strong cold winds which often comes after very hot summer.
Month of Karkidaka and Health
According to the ancient texts of Ayurveda, the increase in the humidity during the monsoon season disrupts the balance of Tridoshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To overcome the health challenges during the month of Karkidaka, the people in Kerala have been practicing Karkidaka Chikitsa (treatment), a therapeutic and restorative measure for the general well-being.
It is strongly believed that the rates of death and illness are very high especially during the month of Karkidaka. The sudden shift in the season increases the chance of diseases and health issues in the most individuals such as digestive, respiratory, arthritis, allergies and many other water-borne diseases.
Panchakarma
The detoxification of the human body in Ayurveda comes under Panchakarama treatment, which helps to improve the natural immunity and resistance to many ailments. The month of Karkidaka is considered ideal for this treatment as the humidity and moisture during the monsoon season , leaves the Dhathus, the seven tissues of the body, relaxed and soft. This provides the perfect condition for external oil application (Snehana) and steam treatments (Svedhana) making the detoxification and removal of excess Doshas, effortless and effective.
Weight Loss
Sthaulya or Medoroga, as per Ayurveda is a condition where the body stores excess energy in the body stores excess energy in the body in the form of fat. Obesity or weight gain is a common problem dealt by people all over the world making people vulnerable to many chronic illnesses; deprive many of the quality of life. Karkidaka Chikitsa helps to break down the fat deposits in the body, tones the body and improves the digestive functioning which results in naturally losing the body weight.
Benefits of Karkidaka Chikitsa
Boosting Immunity
In the books of Ayurveda, the immune system is named as ‘ Ojas ‘. Higher the level of Ojas, healthier the human body. When the level of Ojas goes down, the human body becomes vulnerable to the attack of viruses, bacteria or disease –causing pathogens. Negative emotions, stress, lack of sleep and exercise , addiction to substances, malnutrition, lifestyle, pollution , ageing and genetic factors etc. can also negatively influence this Ojas or Immunity. Oushada Kanji (Medical Kanji), as special diet in Ayurveda during Karkidaka Chikitsa has proven to be a great detoxing agent and immunity booster.
Detoxing the Body
According to Ayurveda and modern medicines, our lifestyle, the food we consume , the air we breathe, the exposure to various chemicals and pollutants through various means underlying diseases all results in accumulation of toxins in our body and can affect the natural balance of our body. These imbalances can cause health issues and the way to overcome this is flushing out these harmful impurities and toxins out of the body. Karkidaka Chikitsa could help the body to unblock the energy pathways by stimulating the energy points , naturally improve the oxygenation of the cells and tissues, flushes out of the toxins, cleanse body thereby, improving health.
Karkidaka Kanji
One of the basic things, most of the Kerala households do in the month of Karkidaka as a precaution to many common illnesses is making change the diet to naturally boost the immunity. The main component in such diet is Karkidaka Kanji/Oushada (medicine) Kanji (porridge) which can be made at home and followed by any one. Taken from the ancient texts of Ayurveda, Karkidaka/Oushada Kanji is a unique blend of medical plants and herbs , spices and grains, special therapeutic Ayurvedic diet that can boost immunity against most of the common diseases , improves the digestive system, detoxifies and rejuvenates the body.
Here we are providing you with a common dietary regime.
- Food items made of old grains including wheat
- Seasoned vegetable soup
- Ajamamsa Rasayanam ( Soup made from goat meat)
- Masthu mixed with induppu and other concoctions.
- The food you consume must be easily digestible
- Karkidaka Kanji (Porridge) made with exclusive herbal and medicinal preparations.
Karkidaka Chikitsa is a natural process in the process in the body. it involves flushing out the toxins that are present in the body.
It restores 3 Doshas – Vata , Pitta and Kapha doshas in the body.
