sri lanka’s traditional form of medicine, ayurveda uses plants, herbs and oils in its treatments. translated as the “science of life”, it works on the premise that the body is ruled by three doshas (humours): vata (air), pitta (bile or fire) and kapha (phlegm or earth). in
medical terms, these refer to the nervous, digestive and immune systems, respectively. toxins, poor diet, bad digestion, lack of sleep and excess stress cause an imbalance of the doshas and lead to poor health. ayurvedic treatments aim to balance the doshas and, thus, restore
health. ayurvedic physicians prescribe customized treatment plans that include a special diet, while ayurvedic centres in midand top-range hotels offer practices aimed at relaxation, such as massages and skin treatments.
Panchabhutas,
according to Hindu philosophy, are the five basic elements that make up the universe and all individuals. These are prithvi (earth), jal (water), teja (fire), vayu (air)
and akash (ether).
Ayurveda in Sri Lanka Today
Originating in neighboring India, the ancient science of
Ayurveda continues to play an important role in the Sri Lankan healthcare
system. Ayurvedic practitioners are trained in government approved institutions
and are registered under the Sri Lankan Ayurveda Medical Council. Besides local
physicians, several resorts are dedicated to Ayurveda and many hotels also offer treatments.
Ayurvedic centres can be found across the island. Some cater mainly for tourists
and offer relaxing treatments. Ayurvedic resorts, however, are for those in
need of intensive curative treatments that are supervised by physicians.
Several resorts also offer a wellness combination of Ayurveda, yoga and
meditation.
Ayurvedic products are ubiquitous in Sri Lanka. These vary from medicines to beauty
Ayurvedic Treatments
Ayurveda aims to eliminate the body’s toxins and balance its
energy. Herbs, plants and oils are used to achieve this through treatments such
as oil massages and steam baths. Ayurvedic therapies are believed to be
beneficial for a range of medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood
pressure, arthritis and skin ailments. They are also said to improve digestion
and eyesight as well as slow the ageing process. Facial or head massages, steam
baths and body wraps are ideal for reducing stress and detoxing. One of the
best-known treatments is shirodhara,
which offers relief from stress and insomnia.
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A massage with
medicinal, herbal oils
is one of the oldest Ayurvedic treatments and is tailored for different
ailments. It is believed a massage returns balance to the body’s three doshas. De-stressing massages are a great way to relax the muscles after a day of sightseeing. Head, foot and full-body massages
are particularly popular.
Marmapuncture,
or Ayurvedic acupuncture, is an ancient art in which needles are inserted into
the skin at marmas (points) that correspond with the 14 nadis (main energy channels). This aims to restore
balance to the body by unblocking the nadis, as it is believed that an
imbalance of energy leads to illness. It is often used in conjunction with
other treatments.
Ayurvedic baths are
considered highly therapeutic. Herbal and steam baths are believed to open the pores
and rid the body of toxins. Flower baths, on the other hand, close the pores
and are often taken at the end of a treatment.
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