Ayurvedic treatments differ from the majority of conventional cures in its unique approach towards healing. The principle of treating the sick and not the sickness is central to all forms of ayurvedic treatments. Rather than trying to cure a disease in isolatation, ayurveda takes into account an individual in his entirety.Ayurvedic treatments lay emphasis on examining the doshas/prakriti or the natural states of individuals before proceeding. The prakriti or the physical constitution, susceptibility to diseases, mental make-up and lifestyle of an individual is ascertained in accordance to the elemental constitution of the larger prakriti or the universe.Ayurveda takes into consideration the body, mind and soul of an individual as the unit for diagnosis. Hence, it recognizes negative emotions like anger, fear, insecurity, jealousy and greed as incorrect thinking on the part of an individual. These can directly create an imbalance in the doshas. Sattva, or peaceful equilibrium, rajas, or excessive activity and tamas, or inertia—the three tendencies or gunas of mind influence the imbalances in the three doshas. Hence the mind-body imbalance impairs the creative functioning of man.

Abhyangam is application of oil on head and body followed by gentle massage of body by a trained therapist. The patient will be on the special table and will take seven positions like sitting, lying on back and side etc during the treatment. Abhyanga is done as a single treatment and as a preparation for or along with major treatments. The duration of this treatment is 45 minutes, followed by a bath using green gram powder to remove the oil. The physician will decide the suitability of the patient for this treatment and also the oils suitable for him/her. This treatment is done for a day or for any number of days as prescribed by the physician to suit the conditions and the treatment taken along with it.

Pichu is an external oil application, superior to abhyanga in potency. Pichu is done only to the affected parts, like head, low back etc. It is done as a major treatment and a simplified version of it is done along with other oil treatments like abhyanga. A dry cotton cloth having the size sufficient enough to cover the area of application, when folded is taken. The thickness of the folded piece should be preferably that of the palm. A hole is made in the center of the folded cloth to pour oil perodically. Duration of the treatment varies according to the condition and the treatment along with which it is done. This treatment is done for a day or for any number of days as prescribed by the physician to suit the conditions and the treatment taken along with it.

Pizhichil means squeezing. Pizhichil is the process where cotton cloth pieces are dipped in warm medicated oil and squeezed onto the patients body. Here the patient is smeared with appropriate medicated oils on the body and head. Then the therapeutic assistants two on either side of the specially designed wooden table dip clear cotton cloth in warm medicated oil and squeeze in onto the patients body. Like Abhyangam, Pizhichil is also done with patient in seven positions. This process is followed by a bath using a green gram wrap and warm water for the body and lukewarm water for the head .

This treatment is pouring of medicated buttermilk on the forehead. The treatments start with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth piece is tied around the patients forehead to protect oil from dripping to the eyes. Patient is made to lie on the treatment table on his back and the wick hanging from the Dhara pot should be 4 fingers above his forehead. Then medicated oil is poured into the Dhara pot after heating to mild warm condition. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and this is allowed to fall on patients forehead and this is continued for the specific duration. Oil massage is given to the patient at the end of this treatment.

In this treatment medicated fluids-oils, milk or buttermilk are poured on the forehead in a special way. The most common method is used with medicated oils. The treatments start with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth piece is tied around the patients forehead to protect oil from dripping to the eyes. Patient is made to lie on the treatment table on his back and tip of the wick hanging from the Dhara pot should be 4 fingers above his forehead. Then medicated oil is poured into the Dhara pot after heating to mild warm condition. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and this is allowed to fall on patients forehead and this is continued for the specific duration. Oil massage is given to the patient along with Dhara.

Sirovasti is the most intensive, potent external oil application. Sirovasti is a special technique to administer medicated oil on the head. The patient is made to sit upright on a wooden stool and medicated oil is applied on the body and head. Then a cap made of flexible leather, open on both sides is fitted on the head and the prescribed medicated oil, slightly warm, is poured onto the cap. The oil is allowed to remain inside the cap for about 45 minutes or till the manifestation of proper signs of efficient treatment, which ever is earlier, and drained out. Afterwards the head is wiped with a clean dry cotton cloth. Again medicated oil is applied on the body and head and the patient is given a body bath in warm water. This treatment is done for maximum seven days and requires equal number of days for preparation and for having the post intensive treatments

The application of herbal paste on the patients head is called Sirolepa. The most commonly used herb is pericarp of the fruits of Indian gooseberry cooked in buttermilk. The patient must sit on a stool facing east after applying oil on head and body. A piece of cloth is tied around the forehead just above the ears. Then the medicinal paste is applied on his head in a thickness of one finger. A gap is made at the center of the head by removing medicinal paste from that part. Banana leaf made into cone shape is kept over his head. Mild massage is done on his body and neck during the treatment.

Kizhi means bundle. This treatment is meant to induce perspiration. Bundles are made out of Herbal powder, Leafs, Special variety of rice. Kizhi treatments start with Oil application. Patient is given oil application on head and body lying on a wooden bed. Then Kizhi is heated in a pan with suitable fluids or oils and applied on patients body by therapeutic assistants standing on either sides of the table. One Therapist is engaged in heating the Kizhi. Usually eight or four or 2 Kizhi are prepared as per the requirement and half of them are heated while the others are used for applying on the patients body. It is applied in such a way that the Kizhi reaches all parts of the body except face and head.

Navara rice is boiled and cooked in the mixture of milk and a decoction . This is then packed in cloth and tied into bundle .The patient has to lie on the table on his back after oil application on his head and body. Navarakizhi is heated in the same liquid mixture and taken in a vessel and are applied on patients body after checking the temperature. The therapy is done until the cloth bundle becomes empty.