Atreya Ayurveda

Atreya Ayurveda is a small, comfortable Ayurvedic clinic in Kerala for those who have decided to restore their health. It is a cluster of buildings in quiet green countryside surrounded by rice fields, near the town of Kottayam, 90 km from Kochi airport. The famous Kerala backwaters are close by. The microclimate nature has created here is ideal for Panchakarma.

The centre has highly qualified Ayurvedic doctors and offers a wide range of programmes for treating serious chronic conditions. It is run by a family of experienced physicians whose line goes back five generations. So they bring not only academic-level knowledge of Ayurvedic research: their guests also benefit from the family’s extensive practical experience, passed down from generation to generation.

Each of the family’s doctors has a different main field of expertise — combining the diagnostic methods of modern medicine with the practice of Ayurveda, for instance, or Kuti Praveshika Rasayana, a recently revived ancient Ayurvedic regeneration treatment. Together they cover a wide spectrum of health conditions.

Types of treatment:

At Atreya Ayurveda the emphasis is on Ayurveda proper, not merely on wellness. Each guest’s treatment plan is chosen with care and adapted to their particular needs — because the doctors here combine full academic study of Ayurveda with the knowledge and experience of more than five generations of Ayurvedic physicians. They give clear recommendations for improving their patients’ health and general well-being.

The classic treatment of a true Ayurvedic centre is Panchakarma, a detox and restorative therapy.

As one of the first Ayurvedic centres in all of India, Atreya offers the ancient and formerly secret Kuti Praveshika Rasayana treatment to people outside the Ayurvedic community as well. Since this special procedure began in December 2015, many guests have already taken the opportunity.

If you are looking for

• Prevention of illness,
• Treatment of any health problem,
• Detox and well-being

Our doctors, genuine Ayurvedic practitioners from a family of five generations, can help you.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma treatment is renowned for its beneficial effect on overall health and well-being. It is a unique programme of detoxification and regeneration of body and mind. Atreya Ayurveda is a qualified clinic and has received the Green Leaf award from the state government’s department of tourism.

Panchakarma cleanses and polishes the body inside and out.

The ideal duration is 2–3 weeks: as a rule the guest goes through a cleansing stage followed by a rejuvenation programme.

Depending on the clinical assessment, cleansing usually involves five internal processes and various external treatments.

Vamana — herb-induced emesis, usually performed once during a course of Panchakarma. It cleanses the upper digestive system and has a positive effect on other systems too.

Purgation, or Virechana, also herb-induced and usually performed once during Panchakarma, cleanses the stomach, intestines and liver and brings other systemic benefits.

Vasti — enemas with a herbal decoction or an oil base, usually given several times. It has a deep cleansing effect on the colon, and with different combinations of medicines it becomes the foundation for cleansing and rejuvenating the body. Its benefits extend to many organs.

Nasya — administering nasal medicines, usually liquid and sometimes powdered, which helps cleanse and nourish the upper passages. It is also combined with herbal smoke therapy. Nasya gives strength to the sense organs in the head, clarity of thought, better resistance to stress, healthy neck and shoulders, and many systemic benefits.

Rakta moksha is an easily tolerated method of bloodletting. It is used only in a particular clinical condition and is not a compulsory therapy.

Rejuvenation is achieved with various Rasayana medicines. The combinations used in Vasti and Nasya, which are part of Panchakarma, are also adapted to produce rejuvenation.

For each person our doctors fine-tune the combinations for Panchakarma therapy and the medicines taken internally after careful consultations held every day except Sunday.

Kuti Praveshika Rasayana

Ancient regeneration

Kuti Praveshika Rasayana is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment that goes back to the secret practice of the Himalayan yogis — masters of resisting ageing — and this knowledge was very nearly lost. The treatment belongs to the category of regenerative therapies, which aim to strengthen the body’s own immunity against disease and to slow the processes of ageing. Its effect rests on almost completely removing external influences on the human senses, which is accompanied by a stronger attention to oneself.

Kuti is Sanskrit for “hut” and praveshika means “to enter”: the treatment is carried out in a special house built for this purpose alone, and is complemented by a strict regime with special medicinal herbs. Performing this therapy traditionally is very demanding; the exact mixture of medicines and the correct scientific process were known only to a few experienced Ayurvedic physicians, as knowledge passed from hand to hand.

After extensive research and in cooperation with a large number of scientists and experts, Dr Srijith of Atreya Ayurveda underwent the Kuti Praveshika Rasayana himself in 2014 and saw to its full scientific documentation. Convinced of the unique and considerable effects of this regenerative treatment, Dr Srijith now has the personal goal of making this form of therapy available to other people outside the Ayurvedic community as well.

For this reason a Kuti was built on the grounds of Atreya Ayurveda in accordance with the traditional requirements. It is a house with three walls, each wall shielding the next one inside it from the outside world. In the innermost of these three areas there is almost no daylight; and because of this particular design the central room always keeps the same comfortable temperature whatever the weather outside.

To undergo Kuti Praveshika Rasayana the patient must be healthy in mind and body. Beforehand it is essential to complete at least two weeks of Panchakarma, in order to clear the body of toxins completely and to cleanse and prepare the mind for the procedure.

After that the patient stays in the hut. The reduction of external influences applies not only to darkness and weather but also to minimal personal contact with the outside world. During this time contact is limited to close medical consultations with the doctor and to the daily supply of an individual Rasayana herbal diet. Fresh bed linen and clothing are provided daily as well.

For the rest of the day the patient remains alone in the innermost treatment room, meditating or taking light walks as exercise. A covered candle may serve as a minimal source of light. The patient may also bring their own music or audiobooks to support this unique time of contemplation and focus.

Kuti Praveshika Rasayana is a demanding therapy for body and mind — not only in its precise execution, but for the patient too. Not everyone is suited to take part, and not every moment is right for taking part. A thorough and honest consultation with the doctor is therefore decisive for the success of this highly effective regeneration therapy. As one of the few people to have completed the traditional Kuti Praveshika Rasayana, the head physician of Atreya Ayurveda can share first-hand memories. At the same time he is an experienced expert in performing this ancient Ayurvedic treatment.

Atreya Ayurveda is recognised by the IFA association and holds the environmental Green Leaf Award, which confirms that the services provided are safe and environmentally sound.

Authentic treatment methods are combined here with modern medical advances; the centre employs some of the best Ayurvedic specialists and doctors in Kerala. Each patient is assigned a dedicated therapy team and an individual treatment programme. The emphasis is on original, traditional Ayurveda rather than light spa procedures. Great care goes into creating comfortable conditions for treatment. The centre is run by a family of hereditary Ayurvedic physicians in the fifth generation.

Cost of staying at Atreya Ayurveda:

• Single occupancy — 115 dollars (the price includes accommodation and treatment)
• Double occupancy — 180 dollars for two (the price includes accommodation and treatment)

Included:

• Daily doctor’s consultation
• Ayurvedic vegetarian meals
• Daily yoga classes
• Personalised Ayurvedic treatment programmes
• A one-off dental check-up
• Free Wi-Fi (15 GB per person)
• Herbal drinks
• Accommodation in a cottage
• Airport pick-up or drop-off (on request)