Karkidakam month is the last in the traditional Malayalam calendar as well as the final phase of the Monsoon season in Kerala.
The specific month is considered the period when humans drain energy from their body at an exact rate. Therefore Karkidakam is significant as it comes to healing, detoxification and rejuvenation.
The use of Karkidakam is suitable for rejuvenation treatments and therapies as the air is moist with the monsoon. The humid air spreads, pores in the body to expand and enables Ayurveda medications to become effective.
Based on the concepts of Ayurveda, the complete year is divided into two. Two parts are Aadana and visarga Kala that carry six consecutive months.
Uttarayana or Aadana Kala is the period that includes the first six months of the year. Likewise, Dakshinayana or Visarga Kala has the last six months of the year.
Based on Vagbhata, the season of Uttarayana reduces the mild qualities of earth leading to the loss of strength in humans. As the second season of Dakshinayana begins the energy gets absorbed into the human bodies.
The significance of Karkidaka is the season of Uttarayana or Aadana Kala ending. It is the time where the humans lost most of their energy from their body. Therefore the human body becomes vulnerable, less immune and weak. Diseases easily attack in this season, which could be termed as the treatment period of the year based on Ayurveda.
Karkidakam is a challenging month when coming to mental, physical and spiritual health. In Karkidakam, human health feels low, and immunity of the body gets reduced. The body becomes susceptible to diseases. Several Ayurveda practices are done to facilitate energy and to improve health.
Ayurvedic practices are done at the time of Karkidakam called Karkidaka Chikitsa, or Rithu Charya when Chikitsa means Treating based on Ayurveda and Rithu charya relates to Seasonal Practices. Karkidaka Chikitsa heals the entire well-being of physical, spiritual and mental ways that include healthy diets, spiritual gatherings and
healing routines.
The main components of Karkidaka Chikitsa
Using Hot Oil Massages
Using medicated hot oil massages such as Snehapana and Abhyangam restores the strength and rejuvenates the body. The hot oil massages reduces swelling and the tension of muscles by conditioning them. Hot oil massages enhance immunity, also helps in attaining good defence against diseases in the Karkidakam period.
In Sukha Chikitsa
The Sukha Chikitsa is the other vital treatment to prevent the attacks of diseases and illnesses. The practise helps in keeping the Kapha and Vata in balance. It prevents certain lifestyle diseases. This therapy incorporates massages with the use of medicated oil and can consume special food supplements.
Detoxify with Panchakarma
Panchakarma is the best solution for detoxification in the season of monsoon as it is more effective. The combination of five processes includes Vamana, Virechana Nasya, Purvakarma, and Basti. The five practices combine to eliminate the toxins from the body and improve your health.
Ayurvedic Diet
Karkidaka Chikitsa cannot become complete without the special Karkidaka Kanji. The ayurvedic food is served with rice porridge and medicated herbs in it. The porridge is made of njavara rice that is boiled with ingredients such as grambu, cumin seed, fenugreek, aniseed, mustard seed, ayamodakam and dry ginger. A good amount of Coconut milk is added to this supplement. Having a high medicinal value, it revitalizes the body from the inside.
Using Karkidaka Chikitsa serves best for detoxification, rejuvenation and for the beautification of the mind and body. On the practise of Karkidakam Ayurvedic therapy regime, your mental, physical, mental and spiritual health can be restored.
