Ayurveda, the traditional medical system in India, was first practiced during the Vedic ages. Kerala, a state in south India, has had an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda since the Vedic time (about 3000 years ago). Kerala Ayurveda treatment stands out even today and is the most sought-after.

What makes Kerala Ayurveda special?

Let us look at the main reasons that make Kerala Ayurveda special.

Herbal Medicines:

The main base of Ayurveda medicines is natural (herbal) plants. There are a wide variety of herbs and plants with medicinal value in the state. The use of herbal medicines is one of the main benefits of Kerala Ayurveda, as you will not find the usage of lead or mercury here.

Tradition:

The Ashtavaidyas, the masters of all the eight branches of Ayurveda, belong to a group of Brahmin families in Kerala. People hold them in high esteem due to their expertise and command over Ayurveda treatment and texts. History shows that there were 18 such families in Kerala. Many of those families do not exist anymore, while some have merged. 

Only eight remain in Kerala; out of this, only four families practice Ayurveda. However, the tradition that they started has kept Kerala Ayurveda in great shape even now. They were also great teachers who guided many people (even outside their families) to be Ayurveda experts.

Social Adoption:

Unlike in most parts of India, where only Brahmins or the higher caste practiced Ayurveda, Kerala also has many Ayurveda physicians from other castes. This broad adoption across society is a significant reason for the popularity of Ayurveda treatment in the state.

Awareness:

From a very young age, people in Kerala are very much aware of Ayurveda. It has always been part of the culture in Kerala. People use many Ayurveda-based home remedies for various diseases. All of this makes it easier to adopt Ayurveda treatment without much doubt.

Training: 

Kerala has the distinction of having the first Ayurveda medical college in India (and the world). It helped in recording the treatment methods and practices for future use. Many members of the royal families in Kerala were scholars in Ayurveda, leading to the broader propagation and spread of Ayurveda. 

Tourism:

Kerala (known as God’s own country) is a major tourist destination. Various initiatives by the Government and other agencies linking Ayurveda with tourism have also helped spread Kerala Ayurveda worldwide. However, it is worth noting that Ayurveda should not be considered just as a tour product or a tourist attraction. 

Best Ayurveda hospitals in Kerala

Kerala is home to many of the best Ayurveda hospitals in India. There are specialty Ayurveda hospitals focused on a particular disease or group of diseases, multispecialty hospitals, and Ayurveda wellness centers in Kerala. The duration and cost of treatment may change based on the hospital.

Some of the best Ayurveda hospitals are 

Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala is a 120-year-old Ayurveda institution (established in 1902) by the late Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier.

Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda: Established in 1941 by the Thaikattu Mooss family, one of the Ashtavaidyas families in Kerala

Sreedhareeyam Eye Ayurveda: A very famous specialty Ayurveda hospital for eye diseases

SNA Ayurveda: Established in 1920 by the Thrissur Thaikattu Mooss family, one of the Ashtavaidyas families in Kerala

Somatheeram: Established in 1985, Somatheeram is a classical heritage Ayurveda resort and hospital

Nagarjuna Ayurveda is a modern center that offers curative and preventive (wellness) treatments.

AyurVAID Hospital is the first NABH-accredited Ayurveda hospital in India. AyurVAID now has hospitals in Kochi, Bangalore, and Delhi.

Ayush Prana: A specialty hospital in Kerala for treating Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Tharavad Ayurveda: A specialty hospital in Kerala for treating patients with Parkinson’s disease and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

How to reach Kerala?

Even though Kerala is a small state, there are four international airports in the state. These are in Kochi(Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode(Calicut), and Kannur. Out of these, Kochi airport is one of the busiest airports in the whole country.

There are direct flights from many countries in the Gulf region and southeast Asia to Kerala. As there are direct flights to Kerala from major hubs like Singapore, Dubai, and Doha, you can get connecting flights to all major cities worldwide.

Kerala is also well connected by rail and road with other parts of India. 

Climate in Kerala

Kerala experiences a tropical climate, much like most of India. It is one of the states where the average annual rainfall is comparatively high. 

Summer season starts from late February till the end of May. It can be pretty hot, with temperatures in the early to mid 40 degrees Celsius. 

South West monsoon is the time for heavy rainfall and typically extends from June to September. North-East monsoon starts from October till the middle of November. 

Winter season sets in from November and extends till February. Temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees, so this period is generally pleasant. 

The best time to visit Kerala is typically between October to March. However, there are special monsoon Ayurveda packages in many Ayurveda hospitals during the monsoon period (especially between the middle of June till August). 

Living in Kerala

Kerala is one of the best places to live in India. The state ranks high in literacy, healthcare, and hygiene. It can compete equally with even some advanced western countries in these parameters. 

Malayalam is the local language in Kerala. However, you can easily get around with English here.

Since it is a prominent tourist spot, Kerala has a lot of good hotels and apartments with decent facilities. Hotel room rates start from 15 USD per night. 

Things to do in Kerala

There is something in Kerala for all types of tourists. Some of the main attractions are listed below.

Backwaters and beaches: Kerala, especially the southern part, is famous for its backwaters and beaches. There are houseboats in many of these areas. A houseboat ride through the backwaters is a fantastic experience.

Hill stations: There are many hill stations in Kerala; Munnar and Wayanad are the most famous ones.

National parks: You can spot elephants, bison, leopards, and even tiger in these parks. Thekkady, Silent valley and Wayanad are the prominent locations for these parks.

Traditional art forms: If you are an art lover, art forms like Kathakali and Kalaripayattu (a martial arts form) will leave a lasting impression on you.

Kerala cuisine: Even though it may be a little spicy and hot, it is worth trying Kerala food while you are here.

Conclusion

Kerala Ayurveda is famous the world over. People from all over the world come to Kerala for Ayurveda treatment. As the number of hospitals is high, it is better to select the right Ayurveda hospital for your needs carefully. 

We at INDHEAL will be glad to help you and clarify any doubts.