Ayurveda Treatments

Each treatment is individually adapted to the host, the longer the duration of the treatment, the better the fine adjustment and the result obtained. Due to this degree of individualisation, many hotels, resorts or clinics offer a single programme, which is generally called "Classical Ayurvedic Treatment". However, as not all visitors understand exactly how the individualisation of treatments works and therefore want to know in advance "exactly what they have booked", many hotels have started to directly advertise different programs. The most common are:  

1. Panchakarma Treatment - the fivefold Ayurvedic purification, also called detoxification treatment
2. Rasayana Treatment - also called wellness, rejuvenation or relaxation treatment. 
3. Langhana Treatment - Ayurveda Treatment for weight reduction

In addition to these main foci, there are of course countless other focus areas of Ayurvedic treatments, as diverse and individual as people. Therefore, our advice to you is not to feel irritated by the names of the treatments, the Ayurveda houses that offer a single programme do everything well if this programme is a "classic Ayurvedic treatment". 

By "Ayurvedic applications" we mean the individual components of Ayurvedic treatments. These are the daily curative treatments, of which there are a large number. Well-known examples are the pouring of oil on the forehead (Shirodhara) or the different oil massages (Abhyangas). For more information on individual Ayurvedic treatments, please visit our Ayurvedic treatments gallery.

The decision about which Ayurvedic treatment is best for you rests with the Ayurvedic physician. He also determines the number and order of Ayurvedic treatments. This occurs after the so-called "initial consultation". This can be compared to the "anamnesis" when you visit a new doctor. Together they talk about their medical history, their current health problems and what they expect from the Ayurvedic treatment.

Tip: Be prepared, open, and honest. If you don't tell the doctor that you’re suffering from lower back pain, he won't be able to help you get rid of this pain.

The treatment plan established by the doctor is usually not carved in stone, and the doctor will usually talk to you every few days to ask how the current treatment is affecting you, what is good for you, and what is not. The plan will be adjusted according to your comments. The longer the treatment, the better the outcome.

Attention: In India and Sri Lanka in general men treat men and women treat women. If men should massage women (because they have more strength), then women are asked beforehand and should agree. For cultural reasons, women never massage or treat men. Nor is it appreciated when men explicitly ask women to massage them.

As an experienced Ayurvedic physician once explained to us, Doshas are actually like glasses through which one looks at certain aspects of a person to learn something about their health. There is absolutely no question of dividing people into groups and no Dosha is better than another. The highest goal of Ayurveda is the healthy balance of all the Doshas with each other.

During Ayurvedic treatment, Dosha is used to determine certain herbs and oils that have a high probability of being beneficial and are meant to rebalance the body.

In addition to these considerations, which for the host usually take place almost invisibly in the background, the type of Dosha is usually relevant at mealtime. In most hotels there is an Ayurvedic buffet and dishes are labelled according to Doshas, for example with colours. The Ayurvedic doctor will tell you which dishes are suitable for you.

When are Ayurvedic treatments particularly medically effective?

The most important aspect is moisture. The more humid the air, the better Ayurvedic oils can get into the skin and do their job. Therefore, many experts recommend Ayurveda in the rainy season. Since the occupancy rate in hotels is usually not as high at this time, doctors and therapists often have a little more time for each guest.

What is the best time to combine Ayurvedic treatments with a holiday?

Most guests do Ayurvedic treatments in India and Sri Lanka from November to March. Christmas and New Year's Eve are especially popular. It's just so much fun to escape the cold and grey winter and let yourself be pampered at almost 40 degrees.

When are Ayurvedic treatments particularly economical?

The Ayurvedic low season coincides with the rainy season. Although a treatment in a humid climate is better for the body, most guests simply don't want tropical rain during their vacation. Therefore, the months from May to August are often the cheapest and tend to cost half as much as December/January.

Yes, sometimes, but only a little. With the classic 2-3-week Ayurvedic treatments there is a phenomenon called "memory pain" in the first phase, which usually lasts 2-3 days. Through special applications in this phase, everything that is not in balance appears in the body. It's perfectly normal that you don't feel so good these days.

As soon as the next phase of treatment begins, all these things are immediately balanced and improved. At the end of the treatment, the guests feel revitalized and in great shape.

Tip: Does Ayurvedic Massage Harm You? Every person is unique when it comes to massage. Some like it really firm, others just like to be gently stroked. The feeling is just different. If the Ayurveda therapist massages too hard or too weakly, just let them know. He likes to adapt to what is pleasing to you.

Here is a list of diseases or symptoms that can usually be treated with Ayurveda:

• Rheumatic complaints and pains of the musculoskeletal system
• Symptoms of menopause
• Psoriasis
• Stress and exhaustion
• Migraine and sleep disorders
• Overweight

The classic contraindications of Ayurvedic treatments are the following:

• Severe acute infections
• Open wounds
• Cancer (if chemotherapy is not completed)

In any case, it makes sense to prepare for the initial examination with the Ayurvedic doctor. Make a list of your most important health problems and consider what you expect from the treatment. Since doctors often speak English, it is also a good advice to have the most important medical terms in English. If you have recently had surgery or broken bones, x-rays will also help your doctor.

For travel clothing during an Ayurvedic treatment, the following applies: naturalness and relaxation. Ayurveda vacations are not a beauty contest and hotels are rather natural and casual. Wear comfortable, wide clothing made of natural fibres such as cotton. Remember that especially underwear can become very greasy due to massage. For yoga and meditation, which usually take place in the morning at dawn or at night at dusk, you should also plan on comfortable and flexible clothing and a light jacket (if the sun is gone, it often cools quickly). You can take extra yoga clothing with you if you already have it, but you don't need to buy it.

Also consider mosquito repellent or mosquito spray. Since mosquitoes are usually active at dusk, the wide, light clothing that covers the arms and legs also helps here. We invite you to see our detailed list of what to bring to your Ayurveda trip.  

Due to the popularity of Ayurvedic treatments, offers have increased considerably in recent years. Unfortunately, not all of these offers are serious and reliable. Therefore, we will give you some tips that will help you identify serious and authentic offers:

• Ayurveda hotels in India and Sri Lanka must be inspected and certified by the respective government authorities.
• Upon request, you should receive information about the Ayurvedic doctors and, if applicable, their training and professional experience.
• At least one Ayurvedic doctor and several therapists should be permanently in the house and not just come for treatments.
• Ayurvedic treatments will only be determined after the initial consultation with the doctor. (If the applications have already been determined in advance, it will be a wellness stay, not authentic Ayurveda).
• In addition to treatments, Ayurvedic cuisine should also be offered. (This is sometimes not valid for European hotels, when it comes to Ayurveda wellness)
• A truly effective Ayurvedic treatment should include daily yoga (and/or meditation), but at least 4 times a week.
• Taking Ayurvedic (herbal) medications may be part of the treatment, but it is never mandatory. If Ayurvedic medicines are available, the hotel should be able to provide information on their provenance and production.

By the way: When you book with SpaDreams, of course we have already checked the hotel for you and you can be sure that both the hotel and the reserved Ayurvedic treatments actually exist. 

After we've explained earlier how to recognise good programmes, here's a list of tips you should be suspicious of: 

• There is no Ayurvedic doctor in the hotel. 
• The website seems very dubious, is poorly translated and the information is sometimes contradictory. 
• Emails to the hotel are not answered at all, incompletely, maliciously or only after several days. 
• Only the Ayurveda hotel can be found on the hotel website itself, it is not mentioned or listed anywhere else. 
• You will not receive any information about certification by Ayurveda authorities in India or Sri Lanka.

It is impossible to give a general average here. The following factors have a decisive influence on the price of Ayurvedic treatments:

1. Seasonality: In the rainy season (usually from May to August) it is very possible that you will pay only half of what you would pay during the high season (December to March).
2. Hotel facilities: There are many very small and very simple Ayurvedic houses. Often with less than 20 rooms. The equipment is therefore rather rustic, much wood and not particularly luxurious. In these hotels the Ayurvedic treatment usually costs considerably less, which does not mean that it does not have to be of absolutely good quality. Tip: Take a close look at the photos of the simple hotels, so you can check details such as cleanliness.
3. Hotel comfort: If you want a little luxury, you have to pay something for it, also in Asia. There are luxurious Ayurvedic dream hotels and some of them still offer good and authentic treatments despite all the luxury, but these also have their price. Where 5-star Ayurveda is offered at a discounted price, you should be sceptical.
4. Prestige of hotel or doctor: Some Ayurveda houses and/or their doctors enjoy a great reputation all over the world. This leads to a strong demand and, therefore, higher prices.