Description
45 minutes: $150
Finely ground Ayurvedic herbs and aromatic sandalwood powder are mixed with precious ayurvedic oils and gently massaged into the skin. This results in the stimulation of the energy flow in the body, the detoxification and nourishment of body tissues, the activation of the skin’s natural metabolism and also the improvement of lymph flow.
Upalepa (or Lepa Kalpana) is a traditional Ayurvedic therapy involving the topical application of medicated herbal pastes. When combined with a massage or a compress (such as Upanaha Sweda, where the paste is heated and bandaged over the affected area), it acts as a highly effective localized treatment for pain, inflammation, and skin disorders.
Benefits*
- Pain & Inflammation Relief: Deeply penetrates to reduce swelling, redness, and pain in joints and muscles, often used for conditions like osteoarthritis (Sandhigata Vata) and rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata).
- Skin Healing: Commonly used to soothe eczema, psoriasis, acne, boils, and minor burns by detoxifying and promoting tissue regeneration.
- Detoxification: Draws out impurities and excess fluids. Herbal pastes applied in upward strokes break down fat deposits and improve lymphatic drainage.
Contraindications
- Skin Sensitivities: Should be avoided on open wounds, cuts, severe varicose veins, or severely irritated skin.
- Improper Application: Pastes should never be allowed to completely dry out on the skin, as it can cause irritation, itching, or pulling.
- Allergic Reactions: Because it uses various botanicals, topical application can induce hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals.
- Reapplication: The same paste should never be reused, and one paste should not be applied directly over another.
Scientific Research
- Inflammation Reduction: Clinical studies, such as evaluations on the Dashanga Lepa formulation published in the World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, show a significant reduction in cardinal signs of inflammation like heat, redness, and swelling.
- Osteoarthritis (OA): A clinical trial involving herbal poultices (Upanaha Sweda) for knee osteoarthritis demonstrated significant improvements in pain reduction, joint tenderness, and overall range of motion. The herbs are theorized to cause local vasodilation, increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery to the joint capsule.
- Safety: Modern evidence-based reviews highlight that while topical pastes deliver excellent localized results without the systemic toxicity sometimes associated with oral herbal supplements, it is essential to use standardized products to avoid contamination
*These statements are not evaluated by FDA and the therapy is not intended to diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevent any mental or physical disease.