Blessed with a unique treatment method Kerala is one of the only states to the south which is known to practice the ancient form of treatment, Ayurveda. Being a state which known to practice Ayurveda for the last 5000 years, Ayurveda has become a part of the tradition of the state. The state now being blessed with rich Ayurvedic history houses a number of treatment centres which offers the patients with the best effect of herbal treatment. With the change in lifestyle and the way of living, the new generation is getting greatly affected by a number of ailments. Depression, hormonal imbalance, sleeplessness are all part of the change in lifestyle of the younger generation. Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are one such ailment which is mostly caused due to the unhealthy lifestyle which is followed now by the younger generation. Ayurveda being one of the most effective herbal treatments with a number of therapies offers different treatment methods for thyroid related ailments. The Ayurvedic treatments offered in Kerala for thyroid related ailments does not just aim at treating the main cause of the ailments but also aims at strengthening the overall health condition of the patient. The thyroid is an ailment which directly affects the metabolism rate of the patient and slows down or fastens the functioning of heart-brain muscles and other body parts. But in some cases, the thyroid gland produces a large number of thyroid hormones which is referred to as hyperthyroidism and when the gland produces a lesser amount of thyroid hormones it is referred to as hypothyroidism. According to Ayurveda, there are a number of reasons for the cause of the thyroid related ailment. Some of the main reasons and treatments are listed below.
Hypothyroidism – Main Symptoms and Treatments
As per Ayurveda, the main reason for the cause of Hypothyroidism is the dis-functioning of Kapha and Pitta Doshas. Some of the symptoms of this ailment include a decrease in pulse rates, sluggishness of bodily functions, constipation, and hoarseness of voice, dry skin, and depress muscular activity, sensitivity to cold and recurrent infections. Treatment for Hypothyroidism mainly includes the intake of a number of medicines in which Kaanchanaara Guggulu and Punarnawaadi Guggulu are the most effective Ayurvedic medicines. In mild cases, patients will be treated with the bark of Kaanchanaara Punarvana plant twice a day. Food material which contains higher iodine content is more preferred like white onion, potatoes, fish, asparagus, shellfish etc. are more preferred. Patients affected with Hypothyroidism should avoid the use of food like sweet potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, mustard greens and cabbage as it slows down the functioning of thyroids.
Ayurvedic Therapies and Treatments offered
Kerala being a land that houses a number of Ayurvedic treatment centres offer a number of different therapies to treat thyroid related ailments. Some of the most included therapies in Ayurvedic packages offered to treat Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are listed below.
- Head Massage
It is mostly seen that the people who are affected with Hypothyroidism develop gout. This ailment results in the production of uric acid which in turn would hurt the joints and results in arthritis. Most of the Ayurvedic treatment centres like Aura Spa make use of Ricinus Communis Linn or the root of Eranda to treat this ailment. A herbal medicine named Amrutadi Taila is made with the root of Eranda which is used for external application on head and is used orally.
- Nasya Therapy
The therapy better known as Nasya Karma is one of the most used methods to treat thyroid related ailments. The treatment involves the use of medicated powder and oil which is allowed to pass into the nasal passage. Nasyam is a part of Panchakarma treatment and is one of the best Ayurvedic therapies which are used to detoxify the body and increase the immunity to restore the balance of the body. A special vessel called Neti pot is used in this treatment method to pour the medicated oil into the nostrils. By tilting the head at a particular angle the oil is allowed to move through one nostril and comes out from the other nostril. According to the Ayurvedic inscriptions children, elderly and pregnant women who are affected by ailments like fever, diarrhoea and inflammation are not allowed to undergo this treatment.
- Dough Basti treatment
A container which is made from the black bean is called Dough Basti in which warm herbal oil is allowed to stay over the thyroid glands. This treatment is not just effective in treating the thyroid related ailments but is also effective in treating the blocked throat chakra. Different oils are used to treat the ailment depending on the body constitution and the types of a thyroid problem.
· Foot Massage
According to Ayurvedic practitioners, there are points in your feet that are directly connected with the throat and Vishuddhi chakra. By massaging those particular points with medicated oils for about min you could manage the thyroid related ailments to an extent. These points are located on the inner edge of your feet ball which is massaged in a circular motion with medicated oils.
- Dhara and Shirodhara
The treatment method where medicated oils are allowed to pour down through the affected area using the Dhara pots is referred to as the Dhara treatment. While treating thyroid with Shirodhara warm medicated oils is poured through the forehead of the patient as a continuous stream. This treatment is very helpful in promoting the proper functioning of the immune system, the nervous system and the psychological processes of the body. The treatment would we useful by changing the number of hormones released by the thyroid and also improves the symptoms that come with the ailment.
· Foods to avoid
The imbalance of water and fat is considered as the main reason for the enlarged thyroid according to Ayurveda. food products like sweet potatoes, cabbage, maize, broccoli, soy, pearl millet, lima beans and cauliflower should be avoided by people who are affected with hypothyroidism while people affected with hyperthyroidism should avoid vegetable oil, red meat, added sugars, enriched milk, caffeine and iodine rich foods.
- Ayurvedic medicine for Thyroid
In Ayurveda one of the most effective herbs to treat for thyroid is purple mountain ebony which is mostly known as Bauhinia variegate in Ayurveda. Punarvana, Gokshura, Googol, Jatamansi, Kanchanar, Brahmi, Shilajit and Guggulu are some of the other effective Ayurvedic herbs used.
With the Ayurvedic centres in Kerala offering herbal treatments for almost every ailment, the Kerala tourism department is now promoting Ayurvedic tourism by introducing new Ayurvedic packages which include treatment packages on the basis of ailments. Ayurvedic treatment packages for thyroid are one of the most seen in treatment centres. As being a state which offers the best effective Ayurvedic treatment for a number of major and minor ailments, Kerala would be one of the preferred destinations for people who wish to cure thyroid and such ailments with best effects and no side effects.