Kizhi

Kizhi is a Malayalam word meaning “a bag filled with”. Here the bag is filled with medicines. The filling can be medicated powder, processed medicinal leaves etc. According to the medicine used inside the bag and the procedure the name of the kizhi changes. In Sanskrit this is named as Pinda Sweda. From the name we can understand that the procedure comes under Swedana type of treatment.

The procedure can be done in many different ways. Let us take a look on different types of Kizhis.

The Kizhis that are commonly used in various treatments are:-

• Churna Pinda Sweda or Podi Kizhi

• Jambira Pinda Sweda or Naranga Kizhi

• Kati Kizhi

• Anda Sweda or Mutta Kizhi

• Pathra Potali Sweda or Ila Kizhi

• Shashtika Pinda Sweda or Njavara Kizhi

• Valuka Sweda or Manal Kizhi

CHURNA PINDA SWEDA

                       This procedure is known as Podi Kizhi in Malayalam. In this type the cloth bag is filled with medicated powders or Churnas, hence the name Churna Pinda Sweda. It can be done either after an oil massage or without oil massage. The requirement of oil massage is decided by the physician according to the conditions of the person.

JAMBIRA PINDA SWEDA

             Jambira means lemon. Here processed lemons are used to fill the bag. Before starting the procedure the person is massaged with medicated oils.

KATI KIZHI

              This is a variant of Curna Pinda Sweda. In this procedure, the powder is processed in Dhanyamla.

ANDA SWEDA

             This is also known as Mutta Kizhi. In this type of kizhi, boiled hen’s egg is processed and filled in the bag.

PATHRA POTALI SWEDA

            In Malayalam, this procedure is commonly known as Ila Kizhi. In this type of procedure processed leaves are used to fill in the bags.

SHASHTIKA PINDA SWEDA

           In this type, the bag is filled with processed rice. The rice used is of medicinal value. Usually the bags are dipped in milk during the treatment.

VALUKA SWEDA

         In this the bags are filled with processed sand.

Now let us take a look on how the procedure is done.

HOW THE PROCEDURE IS DONE?

        The person is asked to lie down on the specially set table. The body may or may not be anointed with medicated oil (this is decided by the physician according to the condition of the person and the treatment prescribed). The bags are heated according to the instructions of the physician and the heated bags are used for the sudation.

Follow the instructions of the physician to attain the full effects of treatment.