SWEDANA

Ayurveda analyzes the uniqueness of an individual human body and utilizes the concept of dosha elements to get an insight into a person’s needs. For the purpose of eliminating doshas and bringing balance to the body, Ayurveda brings with it the traditional steam therapy or Swedana as recognized in the Ayurvedic medical science.

Now, with sweda derived from the Sanskrit word, swid having the meaning ‘to sweat’, the process of Swedana involves sweating to assist with detoxification and establish a balance between doshas in the human body.

In short, everyone has a proportion of three doshas in themselves. According to Ayurveda, when any of the predominant dosha in the body increases, it could lead to the accumulation of toxins and various health conditions. However, the Swedana procedure is believed to help in the removal of bile toxins, along with the toxins piled up in the body.

To elaborate, sweating is induced after or along with lubrication, to prepare the body for Pancha karma. What’s more, Ayurveda recommends thirteen different types of sweating procedures for different conditions, body types, dosha involved and body parts. Broadly sweating can be divided into two; dry sweating and wet sweating.

As you may have noticed, the Swedana procedure implements the opposites qualities of each dosha to maintain the balance. Thus, the sweating process is finalized only after determining a person’s body type.

Most importantly, Swedana comes under the Purva karma procedure which is implemented to achieve better results for the Pancha karma treatment. So, understanding the dosha qualities in one’s body would be of great help in the procedure.

When the patient is subjected to the appropriate sweating procedure, it helps to process the toxins (ama). In addition, sweating promotes relaxation, boosts metabolism, soothes sore muscles, enhances mobility and widens the channels and pores in the body so that toxins can flow towards the gut/ skin. Once the toxins have reached the gut, it is easy to eliminate them via Pancha karma.

Furthermore, sweating also helps clear our minds while relieving us of stress and anxiety, which are the main causes of our physical health issues. Apart from processing toxins, the process of lubrication and sweating helps to relax the body and to carry out Pancha karma easily and effectively.

Above all, balancing the doshas in the human body by taking care of them the right way would help improve health and maintain harmony.

Sweating like steam is highly recommended along with different Ayurveda massage therapies for better cleansing of the body. Besides, Ayurveda massage therapies like Pizhichil and pouch massages involve the use of different forms of heat to induce sweating. This would help improve blood circulation and reduce hypertension as well as help in alleviating nervous disorders, depression and more.