Pizhichil is one of the forms of Ayurvedic Treatments. It is a type of Sarvangdhara where Sarvanga means the whole body and dhara means stream. Therefore, Sarvangdhara refers to pouring a stream of oil on the whole body. Moreover, the therapy is a combination of two treatments called Snehana (oil therapy) and Swedana (heat therapy).
The whole body is bathed in streams of lukewarm medicated oil with simultaneous warm massage. It can also done with Amalakanji (Medicated Buttermilk). A gentle, synchronized massage of up and down stroke is carried out on all parts of the body except for the head. A cloth dipped in lukewarm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body uniformly and then rubbed smoothly by the masseurs. Special caution has to be taken so that the patients head does not get sweat or the body gets cold during the massaging. Rasnadi choornam applied on the vertex after the procedure followed by internally Gandharvahastadi kashyam
The person receiving the massage is usually required to change his positions seven times for optimal heat and oil therapy.