POTLI ( Kizhi)
What is Potli ?
Potli Massage Therapy is done using heated herbal medicine in a muslin cloth in form of poltis, that are used Rasayana (rejuvenate), nourish and they have a anti inflammatory effect on body. Herbal medicine which are using for Potli therapy depend on individual body condition and disease.
Types of potli
Podikizhi
In this kind of Potli herbal powder is used in muslin cloth for therapy.
1. Ingrident of Podikizhi
- Pushkaramoola
- Viswa
- Vacha
- Suradruma
- Lasuna
- Sigru
- Rasna
- Kamsamara
- Sarshapa
- Chinchapatra
- Kola
- Kulattha
- Suradaru
- Rasna
- Atasi
- Kushta
- Vacha
- Shatahva
- Yava
- Tailaphala
2. Elakizhi
In this kind of Potli, we use fresh herb in crushed form in muslin cloth.
- Fresh leaves of Nirgundi (Vitex nigundo)
- Fresh leaves of Arka & eranda
- Muslin cloth
- Vessel for frying herbal leaves
3. Navara kizhi
In this special rice is cooked along with decoction of other drugs and milk, then cooked rice place in poutice for therapy.
Ingredient:-
- Navara rice
- Balamoola decoction
- milk
How does it work?
Potli massages work on philosophy of Ayurveda which is based on the elements of mahabhutas (fire and water) combined with specific herbs. When the heated Potli is massaged on the body, it opens the pores and channels of the body, blood circulation get improve because of this improve circulation, tissue of that region get more oxygen that helps in healing process and relaxes the muscles and person feel better after therapy.
Uses of Potli :
- It Reduces inflammation
- Improve circulation
- Relieves pain and stiffness in joints and muscular spasm
- Improves mobility and flexibility
Science behind potli :
In Ayurveda pain is due to Vata aggravation by different factors, in ayurveda they also explained that vata is present in bones. So while treating any joint pain 1st thing what we have to do is vata shamana chikitsa(treatment).
In Elakizhi (patra pinda), fresh herbs and ayurvedic oil like Sahacharadi oil, dhanwantaram oilwere used. Herbs like Nirgundi have anti inflammatory property (Kapha-Vata Shamaka), Rejuvenation (Rasayana).
Oil has gunas (properties) like Snehana, Rasayana. Before doing Potli (Podi kizhi and Elakizhi) most of the time abhayangam is done. Abhyanga karma has property like Snehana, Kledakara, Paushtika, and reduce Kapha-Vata.
Oil which is used for abhyangam, reach Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (Bones), Majja (marrow) and so on through “Reverse Osmosis”. Then give nourishment to body, improve circulation, gives strength to muscle and body.
After abhayangam on the affected region of body we use Potli which is Srotoshodhak (open channels), reduce Ama condition, and open path for vata. Potli reduces the stiffness (stambana), pain, relaxed the muscles by activation of the local metabolic process. Potli increases blood flow, and because of this absorption of oil increase through the skin.
