Two pre-operative procedures should be completed before beginning any panchakarma treatments thease are.

1. Snehana karma (Oleation Therapy)
2. Swedana karma (fomentation Therapy)

Elakizhi is classified as fomentation therapy, which is the second category.

What is Elakizhi?

In ayurveda Patrapotala Pinda Sweda, also known as Elakizhi (ilakizhi), is an ancient Ayurvedic sudation therapy that uses a variety of medicinal leaves (herbs). Elakizhi is a type of swedana that belongs to the Pinda Swede genre (bolus fomentation). We use heated or oil-fried medicinal plant leaves wrapped in a bolus to deliver heat to the pain-affected joints or body parts, especially in diseases like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lumbar spondylosis, Cervical spondylosis, and so on.

• Patra refers to medicinal plant leaves.
• Potala means Bundle
• Pinda means Bolus
• Sweda means fomentation therapy

Elakizhi Preparation

When compared to other forms of Kizhi, Vatahara leaves play a crucial role in Elakizhi. The leaves used in the Kizhi Completely depending on the patient conditions & stages of illness.

The Leaves Mainly used in preparing Kizhi

Name	Botanical name
Nirgundi	Vitexnegundo
Chincha	Tamarindusindicus
Arka	Calotropisgigantea
Eranda	Riccinuscommunis
Vasa	Adathodavasica
Dattura	Daturametel
Agnimantha	Premnaserratifolia
Shigru	Moringaterrigosperma

The herbal leaves are cut into small pieces and placed in a vessel with a round bottom. Kizhi should be prepared by adding the necessary amount of vataharataila.

Initially, Abhyanga [oil therapy] should be performed in all seven places recommended in Ayurvedic texts.

• The therapists then apply kizhi to the complete body or a specific portion of the body, depend on the patient condition.
• Several post-operation activities are also included for a better result after the treatment.

Diseases/conditions where Elakizhi Indicated

• Osteo Arthritis
• Chronic stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Cervical spondylosis
• Frozen Shoulder
• Hemiplegia
• Neurological disorders
• Sports Injuries
• Post traumatic dysfunctions
• Sprains
• Stroke
• Lumbar spondylitis
• Chronic backpain
• Joint pain
• Detoxification
• Cramps

benefits of elakizhi

• Pain, stiffness, and inflammation caused by arthritis and other unpleasant disorders are reduced.
• Vata, Pitta, and Kapha morbidity in the afflicted joints, muscles, and soft tissues are relieved.
• Forms an efficient combination with local therapies such as Kati Vasti, Greeva Vasti, Abhyanga, and others, enhancing the results in terms of pain alleviation and other diseases.
• Removes joint effusion and water retention in the tissues.
• Patra Pinda Sweda, when combined with Nitya Virechana and/or Vasti, eliminates body toxins, restores health, and tones up the joints.
• Increases the range of motion of the joints.
• Improves blood circulation and calms nerves.

Elakithi massage course duration

The number of days of treatment ranges between 7 and 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the ailment.