What can Ayurveda do for you?
Ayurveda can teach you about yourself on a deeper level.  It can open up and clear away mental fog so that you understand better.  It will teach you about how you are unique and why certain foods and "healthy" items have not worked for you.  You will feel better just by implementing a couple of Ayurvedic principles into your life.  You will learn that your personality and illnesses are directly related to what you eat and what you think.  You will also learn how it feels when you are starting to go out of balance so you can avoid colds and flu's.  Ayurveda brings you back to health.

How does it work?
Ayurveda looks at the physical human body as basic elements.  These elements are ether, air, fire, water and earth.  We all have these 5 elements within us to varying degrees.  We need these elements for proper functioning of the body.  To what degree these elements are within us is what makes us unique and different than others.  These elements are paired up to create what is called a Dosha.  A Dosha by its very nature fluctuates and moves depending on many factors.  These Doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  

VATA
The Vata Dosha is made up of the elements ether and air.  The qualities of ether and air are cold, light, dry, unstable, and mobile.  When our physical body is made up of mostly ether and air (Vata) it looks like this:

• Long, thin bones or very short, thin bones
• Kinky, curly hair or course hair that’s dark in color
• Long, oval shaped face
• Thin, dry skin
• Small, thin lips
• Crooked, gray teeth
• Hard to gain weight
• If they do gain weight it is usually around the stomach area
• Small breasts
• Small appetites
• Fast talker that jumps from subject to subject
• General coldness in the body
• Early wrinkles

Personality characteristics include:

• Artist or highly creative individual
• Likes to be the centre of attention
• Loves to travel

Prefers warm, moist climates
Most diseases of the western world stem from having too much Vata (ether and air) in our bodies.  This is because Vata increases as we age and we do many activities that create air in the body without balancing it out.  Some ways of creating Vata in our bodies are:

• Travel
• Watching television
• Computer work
• Eating on the go
• Eating too fast

When Vata goes out of balance in the body meaning that the ether and air qualities within the body are high than you see:

• Insomnia
• Dry skin
• Worry, anxiety and fear
• Constipation
• Scattered mind
• Forgetfulness
• Hair that falls out
• Painful joints
• You feel spacey
• Tremors or uncontrollable shaking
• Cold hands and feet
• Loss of appetite

Long term illness related to high Vata includes Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. You can treat any or all of the above out of balance conditions using Ayurveda.  Ayurveda uses qualities that are opposite to the qualities of the elements.  For example ether and air have the qualities of cold, light, dry and mobile.  Ayurveda treats someone with too much of these qualities using heat, heavy, moist and stable treatments.  Ayurveda uses only natural ways of balancing the body.  When you treat naturally you create harmony within the body and the condition goes away without coming back.  Once harmony is within the body you will not need to continue to take a medicine to keep the condition away.  Simply through adjusting diet and lifestyle you can take care of most Vata conditions. 

PITTA
The Pitta Dosha is made up of fire and water.  The qualities of Pitta are hot, light, dry, unstable and mobile.  When our physical body is made up mostly of fire and water (Pitta) it looks like this:

• Medium thickness bones
• Medium thickness skin
• Angular face
• Medium size lips
• Straight hair of blond or red in color
• Yellowing teeth
• Easy to gain weight and easy to lose
• Big appetite
• Medium to full breasts
• Very direct with their talking and answers
• Red flushed face
• Generally hot in body temperature

Personality characteristics include:

• Workaholic
• Addictive personality
• Tends to criticize others
• Competitive
• Thrill seeker
• May be an overachiever and perfectionist

Prefers cool, moist climates.
Common diseases stemming from Pitta have to do with their fiery nature.  They tend to like hot spicy foods when they are out of balance and tend to shy away from them when they are in balance.  They are extremist in what they do and love to get a thrill.  Some ways of creating Pitta in our bodies are:

• Eating spicy foods
• Spending too much time in the sun
• Alcohol
• Salt or salty foods

When Pitta goes out of balance in the body, meaning the fire and water qualities are too high than we see:

• Anger
• Irritable
• Overly critical
• Flushed face (hot headed)
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diarrhea
• Heart attack
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Infection
• Mucous of yellow or green
• Skin rashes
• Red eyes

Long-term illness related to Pitta include stroke and heart problems.

Ayurveda treats Pitta through qualities of cold, heavy, moist and stable which are the opposites of Pitta.  Ayurveda will use foods and lifestyle to bring in these qualities to balance the body.

KAPHA
Kapha is made up of water and earth and is the most stable of the three Doshas. The qualities of Kapha are cold, heavy and stable. When your body is made up of mostly water and earth your physical characteristics will include:

• Round face
• Big round eyes
• Thick, wavy hair
• Big, full lips
• Thick skin
• Short thick bones or long, thick bones
• Very hairy body
• Short square hands with short fingers
• Easy to gain weight and hard to lose

Personality characteristics include:

• A very loving heart
• Quick to laugh
• Quick to cry
• Takes a long time to make decisions
• Once decision is made will not change it
• Stubborn
• Committed to family and close friends
• Doesn’t like to venture too far from home

When Kapha goes out of balance in the body, meaning that water and earth elements are too much, it shows signs of:

• Depression
• Obesity
• Accumulation of things
• Congestion in the body
• Diabetes type 2
• Strong desire for sweet taste

Ayurveda treats Kapha by using opposite qualities that are dry, warm, light and unstable.  Treatments may include a dry herb massage and eating more dry foods that are light.

Stress is rapidly becoming an all pervasive ailment. It needs more than the superficial treatment given to it. The Pancha Karma or the five types of `Sodhana' therapy is more than a cure for stress and strain. By eliminating the waste products (free radicals) from the body, it tones up the nerves, improves the circulatory system and has an additional effect of rejuvenation and increasing vitality. Stress vanishes and the body relaxes in tranquility. It cures as well as prevents degenerative diseases, nervous and mental disorders, paralytic conditions, different types of rheumatism, dyspepsia, diabetes, obesity etc. Kerala has contributed in a great measure to the development of this therapy.

We are living in times of change. The present day life style is pulling man away from the tender caressing and care of nature. People are now weaker than their ancestors used to be, and they are more prone to diseases. Here, we offer you treatments based on our ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga. In addition to Ayurvedic treatments we offer you classes on Yoga by experts.

SPECIAL TREATMENTS AT AYURVEDA HERITAGE
Rejuvenation Therapy (Rasayana - Chikitsa)
Rasayanas are rejuvenating medicines. The Rasayana Chikitsa includes Panchakarma therapy suitable to the body constitution and administration of Rasayanas. It is a specialty evolved to correct immunological imbalances through various preventive,promotive and curative methods. The hands and feet are massaged using medicated oils , head and face using oil and cream. Medicated steam baths and internal administration of rejuvenating medicines are also in the treatment. The duration is 3 to 4 hours everyday for 7 to 42 days.

The therapy is aimed at rejuvenating one's body and mind. Youthful vigour and vitality are attained. It cures various immunological disorders. it helps to overcome stress problems ensuring perfect health and resultant longevity.

Body purification therapy (Sodhana Chikitsa)
The integrity of the three humours (VATA,PITTA&KAPHA) or the tri-dosh mechanism and its capacity to rehabilitate its steady state equilibrium (samyata) determines the state of health. Purity of the mind and body helps the process. For this, conscious purifications, possible through the therapy, may be done. This therapy includes both the Panchakarma and swedakarma modes. This package of treatment, for a period of 7 to 42 days, consists of body massage, sneha panam (drinking of medicated ghee), Vamanam (vomition), Nasyam, Virechanam (medicine induces purgation, Sneha Vasthi, Kazhaya Vasthi, Pizhichil, Navarakizhi, Tharpanam (cleaning of the eyes), Shirovasthi and medicated steam bath. This treatment cleanses the body andmakes it ready for a fresh start.

• Duration of treatments may vary according to the directions of the physician and the rate would also vary proportionately.
  
• Process may change depending upon the patient's body conditions.
  
• Body massage courses and yoga or meditation courses will be conducted as per the request of the patient.

Different rates are applied for a single Pizhichil, Navarakizhi, Thila Dhara, Shero Vasthi etc.