How to Prepare Navarakizhi Body Massage

Njavarakizhi is also known as shashtikashali pinda swedam. Njavara in Malayalam stands for the rice(Shashtika Shali in Sanskrit) that grows in 60 days ; Kizhi (Pinda in Sanskrit) stands for bolus. Njavara is indigenous variety of rice grown in Kerala, having medicinal properties. It is a unique treatment procedure practiced by Kerala Ayurveda physicians (Vaidyas). It is a procedure by which the whole body or any specific part is made to perspire , by the application of certain medicinal drugs with Njavara rice puddings externally in the form of boluses tied up in a muslin bag.

Procedure: A generous amount of medicated oil is applied over the head and body. Then the body is massaged with warm muslin bag bolus containing njavara rice puddings cooked in the herbal decoction. The boluses are dipped in the mixture of warm milk and herbal decoctions when they cool down thus inducing sudation. The procedure is done in seven different postures. At the end of the procedure , the rice paste sticking over the body is removed using coconut leaves. A gentle massage is given with warm medicated oil once again. The person is made to rest for 30 minutes.

Duration of the treatment: 90 minutes.

Benefits

Makes the body supple and removes stiffness Calms the mind and reduces the stress Promotes sound sleep Boosts immune system and slows the aging process Enhances body nourishment and rejuvenates Improves lustre and texture of the skin Sharpens the sense organs Pacifies Vata Dosha Strengthens and nourishes the nervous system The procedure is found effective in:

Blood borne diseases Spasticity Reduced mobility Rigidity Low back ache Sciatica Scoliosis Kyphosis Perthe’s disease Cervical myelopathy Hemiplegia Arthritis The conditions involving muscle dystrophy and emaciation