Ayurveda. Kim Inglis

      A Keralan therapist at the atmospheric Ayurmana facility at Kumarakom Lake Resort pours warm medicated oil on to the skull of a client. Prior to this therapy, which is thought to relieve stress and regulate brain function, it is recommended the head be shaved.

      Vasthi is one of the five main procedures of the famous (or infamous) panchakarma therapy (see page 46), but it may also be used in localized areas for neck complaints (greva vasthi), knee joint conditions (janu vasthi) and heart disease or asthma and respiratory diseases (hrid or uro vasthi). In Indian spas, a couple of vasthi therapies are offered for one-off “try-outs”:

      Siro Vasthi

      Usually offered for conditions such as facial paralysis, depression, insomnia, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat illnesses and severe headaches, siro vasthi is on some Indian spa menus as a relaxing, stress-relieving and hair-conditioning therapy. Siro vasthi (siro means “head”) involves the application of lukewarm herbal oils poured into a cap fitted on the head for any time between 15 to 60 minutes. The oils are left to stagnate on the scalp for the time required; according to one’s dosha, current imbalances and/or medical conditions, medicated herbs will have been added to the oil. An antioxidant medicated oil called dhan wantharam that contains 28 herbs and an earthy fragrance is often used as it has rich pain-relieving properties.

      Kathi Vasthi

      A vasthi treatment that concentrates on the sacro-lumbar region of the back (kathi), this is a curative treatment useful for lower back problems. It is also used for complaints that affect the abdomen, such as irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, menstrual and urinary tract disorders. It involves the pouring of warm medicated oil into an enclosed area of the lower back, created with a reservoir of dough (see right).