Sarvanga Swedana Treatment - Process, Benefits & Effects

Sarvanga swedana is an Ayurvedic procedure that involves inducing sweat throughout the whole body. This procedure has shown significant benefits on the body of people who have various ailments and in healthy people feeling stressed.

The steam that goes in the chamber carries medicated oils. Sarvanga swedana helps treat morbid Vata and Kapha in our bodies and any diseases that might occur due to the same. Read further to understand the procedure and effects of sarvanga swedana.

Sarvanga swedana is a form of swedana, which refers to treatment which induces sweating using steam and heated materials. This type of treatment is given as a part of Panchakarma or specialised treatment. Sarvanga swedana is a common swedana treatment given in Ayurvedic hospitals.  

The procedure takes place in a wooden chamber with insulation. First, the patient lies down horizontally with their face facing upwards and with their head out of the chamber.

The chamber has a retractable lid which allows steam of medicated essence to flow into it. Before entering the chamber, the patient must put on a minimum amount of oil by massaging it onto the body to help them sweat better. Then, he/she is told to lie down in the chamber in a head-out position. 

After the patient receives steam treatment for 5 minutes, the Ayurvedic practitioner opens the chamber and covers the patient’s head with a small towel. Then, the patient will change and rest in an enclosed space for several minutes before he/she leaves.

You can see the effects of Sarvanga swedana on your skin, mood, and digestive system and on your overall health. Here are some of the benefits that you can observe from this treatment:

• It will help you with chest and sinus congestion.
• Swedana will significantly lighten, stimulate and invigorate your body with the help of perspiration.
• It has also proven to be beneficial for improving blood circulation and complexion.
• Anyone suffering from earache, asthma, headache, constipation, sciatica, neck pain, cough, or heaviness can benefit from Sarvanga swedana.
• Sarvanga swedana has also proven to reduce stress and benefit people with insomnia.
• It also reduces Vata and Kapha imbalances and helps with weight loss.
• It helps you feel more energetic and less fatigued and lazy.
• If you are suffering from stiff or sore muscles or painful and aching joints, Sarvanga swedana will help you to feel better.
• Sarvanga swedana also helps with relieving patients from pain and discomfort due to arthritis.
• Patients with neurological disorders like paralysis, muscular contractures, motor neuron disease, hemiparesis, etc., can also benefit from the effects of Sarvanga swedana.
• It also provides relief for patients suffering from the discomforts of sciatica and kyphoscoliosis.
• It releases toxins from your skin and brightens it.
• Sarvanga swedana is a blessing if you have skin-related issues. It helps to soothe your skin, along with softening and moisturising it.

Immediate effects that you can notice in the patients who are going through the sarvanga swedana procedure are:

• Increases in blood pressure
• Deha sthairyam- strengthens your body
• Heightens pulse rate
• Agni sthairyam- improves metabolism and enhances the digestive system
• Paatavam indriyasya- helps to relax and rejuvenate your mind and senses
• Ojo sthairyam- balances ojus (essence of all tissues that are present in your body) present in your body
• Reduces systolic blood pressure
• It has the power to eliminate toxins present in your body when mixed with other procedures like Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda and Nitya Virechana. 
• Chiram Jeevitam- Elongates your life span.
• Jaraso maandhyam- delays signs of ageing
• Vrishataa- can be used as an aphrodisiac
• Nitaraam Doshaan- manages and balances all doshas

Sarvanga swedana will fill you with energy and make your body feel lighter. You will notice the effects of sarvanga swedana if you go through this process for a few minutes for several days. However, before going through the procedure, consult a qualified Ayurvedic doctor who can guide you and assist you throughout the process.