THE ” KARKATAKA CHIKITSA ” OR THE ” MONSOON TREATMENTS ”

In the Indian sub continent, nature has bestowed a vibrant climate that includes the hot and cold seasons that are separated by monsoons that generally dominate in the midyear. These seasons form the basis of life and living and of course the agriculture cycles here. 

However, with such varied spectrum of climate in our subcontinent, the transitions from one to other presents a challenge for the populace that has to cope up with the difference in temperature and humidity conditions. 

Despite being native to such topography and its climate, the inhabitants here suffer from various disorders related to their health. 

Monsoon, in particular, brings in more number of health issues for the common people because the humidity index peaks after falling of initial showers on hot dry earth! The pathogens find conducive environment therefore. 

Ayurvedic experts counsel Panchakarma treatment as part of the karkataka chikitsa that has been specifically developed for monsoon time ailments.

Why seek karkataka chikitsa in monsoon?

Ayurveda, the ancient traditional medicine system from the land of India has been backed by a very authentic knowledge base that was accumulated through the works of sages for centuries. This body of medical knowledge also touched upon the necessary subject of monsoon time diseases that affected people of this region. The ayurvedacharyas developed ‘karkataka chikitsa’ that was a dedicated field towards offering the resurrections against the imbalances caused in three primary doshas – vata, pitta and kapha in the monsoon period. They found a generic reason for the disturbance in these three doshas! Vata dosha, according to them peaks during the summer because the toxins keep accumulating in the body tissues. When the rain falls on hot earth, then it causes the development of acidity in the vegetables and other produce and this, in turn, causes pitta aggravation. The kapha aggravation is pronounced at the height of monsoon when the temperature falls rapidly due to excess rains and cloudiness! 

Various diseases, therefore, develop in the body and Panchakarma treatment has been counseled as for the mechanism towards re-balancing the three aggravated doshas!

The components of karkataka chikitsa –

The karkataka chikitsa has been developed with the fundamental objective of detoxification of the body. Therefore we find the dominance of the concept of Panchakarma treatment in this chikitsa! Another subsidiary dimension of relevance and significance is that of immunity strengthening so that the external pathogens find strong buffer while affecting the body. Main components of karkataka chikitsa include the following –

Abhayangam

This is a kind of massage which is done with medicated oils and forms the main part of the vata dosha treatment. This abhayangam massage is very helpful in vata related disorders like arthritis and spondilysis!

Swedana

This is a heat treatment and could be of the following subtypes –

1. Patrapotli swedana – a bolus of sliced herbs’ leaves is made and dipped in medicated oil to offer the heat treatment.
2. Ruksha swedana – dry heat treatment is delivered in this type of swedana

Basti

This is the enema procedure and medicated decoctions are administered to clear the toxins from the gut. It is an important part of Panchakarma treatment.

Diet precautions

Diet precautions as part of karkataka chikitsa are also equally important! Avoid these –

Leafy vegetables
Maida
Dry meat products
Sour products like curd
Sea foods
Fermented foods
Bitter tasting foods

With these treatments, the monsoon ailments can be kept at bay while the doshas imbalance can be also corrected!