Njavarakizhi is one of traditional treatment forms of Astavaidya tradition in Kerala .It is a procedure by which the whole body or any specific part thereof is made to perspire ,by the application of certain medicinal drugs with Njavara(special variety of rice that grows in 60 days.) rice puddings externally in the form of bolluses tied up in a muslin bag.
Treatment (massage) is started by application of oil to the head and the body and a piece of cloth is tied a round the head. Four attenders, two on each side of the patient Massaged one by the prepared boluses with the patient sitting in the wooden basin (Taila-Droni)and continued the process in 7 postures as already described.
When massaging is finished, all the bollus bags are opened out and the pudding remaining is taken and applied to the body of the patient and rubbed by the hands. Five minutes after the pudding sticking to the body is removed by scrapping with edge of leaves of coconut palm. Oil on the head is removed by gentle wiping with a dry cloth. Patient is given bath after some time.
