KERALA's AYURVEDIC TRADITION

Myth about the origin of Kerala is related to Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Sage Parasurama. He threw his axe from 'Gokarna' of South Karnataka towards ocean and the Sea Lord withdrew himself upto Kanyakumari. The research into Kerala's history is still in nascent state so as per our present understanding, many scholars classify the Ayurvedic legacy of Kerala in three distinctive phases.

	Stage I or PRE SANSKRIT ERA

Many scholars opine that Kerala, years back was intimately related to African mainland through a good chain of small island strips. If we accept the concept of Aryan - Dravidian races, this part of world was supposed to be occupied by Dravidians. The story of the legend Sage Parusurama, may be a Dravidian chieftain, who established the Dravidian supremacy on this land. History says that Keralites had age-old trade with Persia and Egypt and even the Chinese who also came here. Such a highly evolved social system will certainly be having a very good medical system. This must have been later amalgamated later with the Sanskrit Ayurvedic tradition of the North.

	SANSKRIT ERA

It is difficult to ascertain when did the Sanskrit and Vedic culture has began influencing the land of Kerala. It is presumed to be after the coming of the Aryans. The language used by the present day Malayali and Tamilian has descended from a common language which is similar to Tamil, a Dravidian language. According to some historians, the Sanskrit language made its grip in this land from onwards. The land had a lot to contribute to that Aryan tradition, while accepting the wisdom of that Divine language. This very fact is substantiated by the fact that Kerala still possesses such dynamic systems like the Vishachikitsa or toxicology, the treatment of smallpox and other infectious fevers, marmachikitsa, gajachikitsa (Treatment for elephants). The tablets like gorochanadi Kompanchade used for fever, epilepsy etc. are not found elsewhere. Dhara, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi are the modification of Kerala's Acharyas who practiced the shodhana therapy. The introduction of 'Dharapati' is a contribution of Kerala. Moreover, Kerala was secular in its health care system like the present day health scene; Kerala in the past was successful in transcending the caste barriers in the medical field scenario. Elsewhere in India health care were dominated by Brahmins. Kerala successfully overcome the exclusive Bramin attitude. Certain christan families in Kerala patronized ophthalmology traditionally. Again the Astavaidya (many times translated as 8 families doing traditional treatment which is an incorrect translation), were well versed in all the eight branches of Ayurveda, but at the same time they specialized only in any one of the eight and they kept the traditional art of healing alive and dynamic.

Probably due to the influence of Buddhism, many temples of Kerala were centres in healing many ailments. Marcopolo notes the physicians and astrologists of Kerala with great reverance. The Dutch work, Hortus Malabaricus - published in between 1686 - 1703 B.C. from Amsterdam also a contribution of Vaidhyas (physicians) of Kerala.

Special Treatment procedures of Kerala

	NJAVARAKIZHI

This is one of the most important specialized procedures in Ayurveda therapy of Kerala. The process includes application of certain medicinal puddings externally, in the form of boluses tied up in cotton bag (Kizhi). Application of this can be limited to a specific part or whole of body itself. The net result expected is to make the part perspire with loosing the sanmya bhavas of body. Astanga Samgraha and Charakacharya gives a passing reference about this procedure.

Njavara, a variety of paddy is one of the main ingredient of the bolus preparation. In Sanskrit Njavara is called Shastika that comes under Vrihi class that means the crop is ripened within 60 days. In the southern districts of Kerala, a whitish red variety is used while in Northern districts; the practitioners use a darkened variety of Njavara. In order to preserve the medicinal quality, this rice is dehusked without boiling or even if boiled, special procedures are adopted for the boiling process. The paddy is soaked in boiled water for about 4 hours and the utensil for this must be made of copper and it must have small mouth. It should be taken out of the water and kept in shadow for 2 hours and get dried and dehusked using wooden or stone made traditional mortar (urals).

This sastika or Njavara rice is the best one in vrihi variety of dhanyas. It is advised to be taken daily by Charaka. Astangahridayakara wants every one to take this during the time of pathyacharana (observing strict time-schedule and keeping special rules and regimen normally after undergoing ayurvedic treatments, especially the Panchakarma). This has a wide range of benefits including aphrodisiac. The oil prepared out of this is used for a wide range of aches and painful conditions like the Cervical spondylosis, Low back ache, paralysis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (in some stages), etc.

Generally Njavara is cooked in Sidarectusa. Lin. or Bala decoction. But this varies according to the conditions of the patient. Dolicusbiflorus, Alpinagalanga, Dasamoola etc. are used for this purpose.

One kg of Siddha roots cut into small chips and crushed well is decocted in 40 litres of water and it is reduced to 10 litres. This decoction is well strained and half the decoction is kept for use at a later stage. To the first half, equal quantity of milk is added and 230 - 300 g of Njavara rice is added and cooked until is becomes a semi solid paste or pudding state. This is transferred to special cloth pieces and poultices are made. Before applying this to the patient, it is properly prepared and oleation to head and body is done according to disease. The duration of the process varies from disease to disease and season to season. The effect of this process, if properly done, makes the body supple, removes stiffness of joints due to various vitiated vata dominant conditions, cleans the body channels, and brings about better blood circulation. It improves complexion, increases appetite, improves digestion, restores relish for food, and corrects the mental irregularities. This makes the body strong and steady, rejuvenated with well-developed musculature. Judicious application of this is very effective in hypertension, skin diseases and prevents premature ageing.

Woods taken for its preparation are the following (Their scientific names are given)

v	Ficus racemosa		v	Mangifera indica
v	Michelia Champaea		v	Terminalia arjuna
v	Santalum Album		v	Stereospermum personnatum
v	Cedrus deodara		v	Ficus bengalensis
v	Ficus retusa		v	Calophyllum inophyllum
v	Strychnos nux vomica		v	Atrocarpus integrifolius
v	Aeglemarmelos		v	Pterocarpus marsupium
v	Gmelina arborea		v	Azadirachta indica