Wellness through Ayurveda

Seth Siri Arana is one of the pioneers of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka, having been established in 2016. At that time Ayurveda was not a widely understood concept in the western world, however once western guests began to seek out Ayurveda, a lot of work was needed in order to make the process acceptable to their needs and standards. It also had to retain its authenticity whilst being ‘refined’. At Seth Siri Arana, we took a number of measures to ensure this transition was successful.

Specialist Ayurveda doctors & fully train our staff in the correct application of various treatments such as Nasyam, Akshitharpana etc and the most effective sequence of cleansing treatments.
Western management systems were introduced so that the improved Ayurveda treatments could be administered in an organised manner.
A school medicine doctor with international working experience became head of our medical department, providing the trust and competence expected by our guests.

The Ayurveda centre at Seth Siri Arana is currently run by an experienced, competent and particularly sensitive team of doctors and therapists. The doctors are graduates with many years of practical experience both at home and abroad, who have been specially trained in Seth Siri Arana Ayurveda system – a program of treatments which carefully follow the original Panchakarma traditions. Every guest is different, and as such the Ayurveda Doctors conscientiously select the treatments and therapies that would provide an optimal result to each guest.

Similarly, therapists have been hand picked from among the best in Sri Lanka – many have been at Seth Siri Arana for over 5 years. All therapists have been trained in-house, and receive regular training at our Ayurveda centre.

In this way, Ayurveda at Seth Siri Arana evolved into a highly respected, transparent and comprehensive cure, appreciated by a high percentage of repeat and recommended guests

Pules Diagnosis

Any Ayurvedic Treatment for a person is decided by an Ayurvedic physician after Pules diagnosis. Pules diagnosis is one of Ayurvedic clinical examination method out of eight clinical examination method (Ashtavida Pariksha). Ayurvedic physician can identify altered and vitiated doshas through feeling radial pulls pattern.

Types of Treatments offered

Lilara Ayurvedic Resort offers an array of treatments to the guests. The most common and popular treatments offered at the Resort are as follows.

Relaxation Foot Massage / Reflexology

Relaxing Foot Massage is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet with specific thumb, finger techniques. It is based on the system zones and relaxes areas that reflex an image of the body on the feet with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body. The main benefits are relaxation, pain reduction, rejuvenation of tired feet, improvement of blood flow, enhancement of medical care, adjunct to mental health care.

Head Massage

Head massage is a massage that is designed to relax the mind and encourage circulation. Quite frequently, tension is felt within the head and neck. Warm oil is massaged throughout the scalp, working to relax tight muscles in the temple and neck regions. The benefits of head massage are: Detoxifying the body by stimulating lymphatic drainage, relieving from migraine, curing symptoms of sleeplessness, restlessness and insomnia, boosts memory capabilities, better breathing, slowing down the heart rate and reducing blood pressure & improving blood circulation. Additionally, the massage helps with emotional stress and hormone fluctuations, increasing the range of motion and healthy hair growth.

Full Body Massage

This massage makes use of anatomy and physiology concepts and follows traditional Asian disciplines. Therapists who perform the whole-body massage use techniques that stimulate circulation and flush out the circulatory system. It loses tight muscles and relieves patients of pain, improves blood circulation, improves energy levels, metabolism and boosts the lymphatic system.

Face Massage

Facial massage is a very popular treatment to slow down the aging process and achieve a younger looking and healthier skin. Ayurvedic facial massage with herb-infused oils and packs tailored to one’s skin type supports the reduction of acne and acne scars, dark patches on the face and minimizes their appearance.

Herbal Bath / Drasvasveda

Herbal bath is another type of treatment where herbal leaves and roots are boiled and the water is poured onto your body while you sit in a warm herbal bath. Herbs used in preparing the bathwater have healing properties.

Sheirodhara (Oil pouring onto the Forehead)

Shirodhara is a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead and can be one of the steps involved in Panchakarma. Main benefits of Sheirodhara therapy are that it counteracts the effects of stress, reduces anxiety, awakens intuition, improves sleep quality and pacifies Vata Dosha (effects of elements of air and space). Whether you are looking to address a specific ailment or simply hoping to turn down the volume of the external world for an hour, shirodhara therapy benefits offer a relaxing approach to one’s wellness goals.

Synchronized Body Massage

Abhyanga is a unique form of massage, originating in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known to benefit the mind, body, skin and the immune system. Abhyanga is a synchronized massaging of the body towards the direction of the movement of arterial blood.

Pinda Swedha

Pinda Sweda is a unique treatment offered that combines massage and sweat therapy using the standard heat and oil process. This is usually recommended for the aching joints and muscles commonly associated with arthritic conditions, back pain and muscle stiffness. It can also be used to delay the ageing process and help manage and treat Insomnia, multiple sclerosis and muscle weakness and paralysis.

Vashpa Sveda

The body is treated with a medicated steam introduced into a specially designed steam chamber below the neck. This treatment addresses problems such as Vititated‘vata’ dosha, pain, stiffness in whole body, sciatica problems, arthritis, neurological disorders like paralysis, motoneuron disease, muscular contractures. In Ayurveda, this therapy also uses as a method to detoxicate the body by liquidizing the toxic and removing them through the skin. Being in the steam chamber allows passive sweating in which sweat toxin comes out of the body.

Sarwanga-Dhara

Sarwangadhara (Oil pouring onto the whole body) is a treatment process in which herbal oil, medicated milk, buttermilk etc. is poured in a continuous stream all over the body. This helps to sooth the frayed nerve ends, promotes circulation, relieves stress and strain, relaxes muscles and induces sleep. The treatment is intended to alleviate memory loss, lack of vitality, migraine, ENT disorders, neurological cases, spondylosis, and paraplegia.

Siro Lepam

A complex & famous Ayurvedic treatment, Siro Lepam is very effective in treating Insomnia, chronic sinusitis and migraines. The treatment begins with application of a blend of very rare herbal oils on the head, followed by a unique head-pack of herbal paste applied uniformly over the head. The entire head is then covered with a plantain leaf and tied using a varthi (special cloth). It is also beneficial for treating problematic hair conditions such as dandruff, premature graying & non-genetic hair loss.

Siro Vasti

Siro Vasti takes a main part in Ayurveda and is very useful. Siro Vasti is meant for nerve problems and it ensures an effective elimination of many types of nerve disorders. Warm medicated, specially made oil is used for Siro Vasti. This oil is retained over the head for about half an hour and therefore it takes little time and needs patience for this treatment. The ingredients in this oil are gingerly oil, caster oil, ghee and common milk and with some herbal extracts. To get maximum result and to enrich with medicinal power, the herbs and oil are to go under a special heating process.

Tharpanam

Tharpanam is an Ayurvedic treatment that has a special meaning as retention of the medicines over the eyes. It provides great relief to eyes and to prevent from eye diseases and eye nerve problems. Medicated oil is the main substance used for Tharpamnam. It creates the power to prevent eye diseases and to improve eye’s ability to stop strain to the eyes and irritation etc. It is a process of keeping the Snehan (oil and ghritas) in the eye.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma is the most effective and ultimate mind-body healing experience in Ayurveda for detoxifying the body, strengthening the immune system and restoring balance and well-being/ rejuvenation. Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means “five actions” or “five treatments” (Snehan, Swedan, Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya). This is a process used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease and poor nutrition. Normally the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials, including the vitiated doshas. However due to one’s repeated dietary indiscretions, poor exercise patterns, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition the digestive enzymes, metabolic co-factors, hormones, and organs which regulate the body’s internal homeostasis become disorganized. This can lead to the accumulation and spread of toxins throughout the physiology resulting in disease. This waste matter is called ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a foul-smelling, sticky, harmful substance that needs to be completely evacuated from the body. Panchakarma will remove ama / dosha out of the system and correct imbalances in them. Panchakarma purifies the tissues at a very deep level. It involves daily massages and oil baths, herbal enemas, nasal administrations. It is a very pleasurable experience. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance.

Kativasthi

Katibasti is a specialized therapy of Panchakarma treatment. This will assist to strengthen the lower back muscles; reduce low back ache, Sciatica, Lumbar spondylitis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Slip disc, Degeneration of vertebral disc & Paralysis of lower body; and to improve the functioning of the back, especially vertebral muscular activities like bending. This treatment is absolutely safe and gives quick relief to patients who suffer from pain, stiffness and inflammation in the lumbar region.

Karnapoorna

Karnapoorana, a unique Ayurvedic treatment for ear problems to ensure caring of one’s ears. Before Karnapoorana, the patient should have to undergo a vibrant head and neck massage. Herbal oils are used for this special Ayurveda treatment and it addresses ear pains and related disorders such as Earache, Earwax blockage, Wax removal or excess wax, Ear congestion, Tinnitus, Meniere’s disease, Hearing loss, Swimmer’s ear, Headache, Migraine, Neck pain, Jaw pain, Pain disorders, Acoustic nerve weakness and Vertigo .

Janubasti

Janubasti is a specific Panchakarma treatment for strengthening the knee muscles and the architecture of the knee. It also helps to improve the functioning of the knee joint and addresses problems such as knee pain, osteoarthritis of knee, rheumatism, subluxation of knee ligament and ligament tear. Janubasti is carried out by placing a mould on the knee joint with the help of kneaded black gram dough. This mould is filled with either medicated oil or the medicine prescribed by the physician, kept warm or replaced by warm medicines every 5 minutes, for 40 minutes.

Manyabasti

Manyabasti is a specific Panchakarma treatment for strengthening the neck muscles and improving the functioning of the cervical vertebrae. This treatment provide relief to those suffering from neck pain, neck rigidity, stiffness and spondylitis and cervical spondylitis. Manyabasti is carried out by placing a mould on the neck region, on either side of the vertebral column and around the diseased vertebrae with the help of kneaded black gram dough. This mould is filled with either medicated oil or the medicine prescribed by the physician, kept warm or replaced by warm medicines every 5 minutes, for 40 minutes.

Oleation

Oleation (Snehana) is carried out as singular therapeutic measure as a preparation for Shodhana therapy (Vaman and Virechana) but addresses many diseases. This addresses problems such as Vata diseases, dryness of the body, constipation, neuro muscular & skeletal diseases part from preparing for detoxification therapy. This also oleates the body, moisturizes the entire body from within outside, improves the elasticity of the body, increases the mobility of the all the systems, alleviates the vata, reduces the pains, aches from the muscle & adjoining skeletal system and removing toxins in the body. It uses medicated ghee selected accordingly to the disease and dosha condition by gradually changing doses upon daily assessments. A combination of various other ingredients such as oil, ghee, vasa, majja or their combinations are also used.

Nasya

Nasya is one of the treatments of five detoxifying/ cleansing therapies broadly known as panchakarma or shodhana therapies. Before the application of Nasya a light massage is carried out on the face & the forehead followed by a light fomentation either by Nadisweda or by a towel dipped in hot water. Then the specially prepared Nasya Medicine is introduced through the nostrils with the help of Nasya Yantra or dropper. It helps in clearing the upper respiratory tract & head and addresses problems such as head ache, insomnia, migraine, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, loss of hair, greying of hair, loss of memory, brain diseases and anosmia. It provides benefits such as lightness of the head, increasing smell sensation, easiness to breath, improving activity of nervous system, elimination of headaches and improvement in the acuity of all the senses specially the vision.

Virechana

Virechana is one of the five treatments of detoxifying/ cleansing therapies broadly known as panchakarma or shodhana therapies. It helps in clearing the lower part of the body and is the best remedy for Pitta dosha. Prior to the Virechana procedure, the person is subjected to oleation and fomentation. The internal oleation is done for three to seven days followed by a medicated steam bath performed for three days. Factors such as body and mind constitution, age of the person, mental condition etc. will be considered before opting for Virechana and is carried out under the supervision of ayurvedic physician. It effectively addresses bronchial asthma, acid peptic disorders, skin disorders, allergies and hepatic disorders. It provides benefits such as Lightness of the body, improved appetite, digestion, metabolism & immunity, reduction of skin patches, plagues and dryness as in psoriasis, eczema & dermatitis, improved and minimizing intensity of chronic diseases.

Other Treatments

Other treatments such as Vamana, Basti and Acupuncture etc. will be provided based on the request of the guests and on recommendation of the Ayurvedic Physician.