One of the most important elements of our Kerala Ayurvedic Health Retreat is the ancient healing practices of Ayurveda. The authentic process begins with the growth of Ayurvedic plants to the delivery of oil treatments by your therapist and medicines prescribed by your Ayurvedic doctor during your retreat.
Ayurvedic herbs are grown in the flourishing herbal garden on site, and also a larger garden not far from the retreat. They contain more than 600 varieties of Ayurvedic herbs, some of which are rare species. From here, medicines, oils & tinctures are prepared using traditional techniques in the most authentic way.
30 years ago, Dr Raman, the head doctor at the retreat and Director of Ayurveda for the state of Kerala at the time, created their own facility to ensure the genuine production of Ayurvedic medicine. The facility is close to the retreat and under close supervision by the team of doctors. We are lucky enough to visit this facility at the beginning of the retreat, to see how these nourishing medicines are made in the most traditional way.
Herbs are hand-sorted and sun-dried on the rooftop to utilise the natural elements in the process. They are prepared over open fires using sandalwood, for its steady, consistent heat.
As an example, one of the medicines is hand-stirred consistently for 48 hours over a sandalwood fire. It takes a team! It is then scooped out and pressed through gauze. The tincture is then pressed again in a huge manual hand-press requiring 2 people to extract the purest oil without any sediment. The precious oil is then decanted into smaller jars and taken to the retreat to be used during your treatment.
Watch our video of the traditional process here.
It is so soothing to know where the herbs, medicines & tinctures used in your treatment come from and that they are prepared in the most authentic way, allowing a deeper appreciation of the healing benefits for you.
Discover more about our Kerala Ayurvedic Health Retreat here including upcoming dates.
Namaste,
The Journeys Team
