Ksheera Dhooma or “Palpuka Swedam,” is a traditional practice unique to Keraliya Panchakarma methods. It is a type of fomentation technique (Swedana).
This procedure is mainly practised for diseases affecting above the neck region. During the procedure, the person is advised to slowly inhale the vapours coming a tube attached to a vessel having boiling medication, through his mouth. His mouth should be wide open, so as to expose the tongue. Though Ksheera Dhooma is considered as a type of Sweda, it is termed as “Dhooma” because steam is inhaled with gaping mouth.
Preparatory procedure:
Decoction of herbal medicines and cow’s milk are mixed, heated and the emitted vapours are directed through a tube of appropriate length attached to the vessel in which the medicine is boiled.
The patient subjected to Abhyanga(massage) is made to sit comfortably on the chair and Talam is applied over the vertex with appropriate oil or medicine. Abhyanga(massage) should be done over face, forehead , neck , shoulder and chest. The eyes should be covered with cotton cloth. The head and neck portion is covered from the back with a blanket.
Procedure:
The steam from the vessel is directed to the required part like joints or face according to necessity, by the tube attached to the vessel.
Special care is taken, to avoid burns and to get uniform steam. The procedure is continued up to the appearance of sweat. Intermittent opening of mouth should be done.
Duration :
It is done for approximately 5- 15 minutes or till sweat appear over the forehead.
Post treatment procedure:
After the procedure, the steaming tube is directed away from the patient and the contents are discarded. Sterile cloth or tissue papers are used to wipe off sweat from the face. The Talam from vertex of head is removed and the patient is advised to relax for a while. Warm water gargling or gargling with medicinal liquid is done. The patient should avoid exposure to wind, excessive heat and cold weather.
Benefits of Ksheera dhooma :
With the vapours of milk decoction, the body part sweats, and this opens up the pores. This helps in relieving the inflammation and stiffness of the affected parts. Ksheera Dhooma has multi-fold benefits like facilitating proper blood circulation of the body and relaxation of the mind, lubrication of the joints, relief from pain, spasms and stiffness of the muscles and joints
Indications
This treatment is used mostly for Vatha related disorders like facial palsies, speech disorders, ptosis, inter palpebral muscle palsy, lock jaw, seizure diseases and also in ENT conditions, but after a thorough analysis of the health condition by the physician.
