A brisk massage using dry herbal powders in upward strokes, traditionally used for heaviness, sluggish metabolism and weight management.
Udwarthanam is a vigorous massage done with dry herbal powder instead of oil. The Sanskrit name combines ud, upward, with vartana, rubbing, because the powder is rubbed upwards from the feet and against the direction of the body hair. It sits in the massage family but works the opposite way to Abhyangam: it is drying and stimulating rather than oiling and soothing.
A session runs about 45–60 minutes. Udwarthanam is carried out at Sri Vinayaga Ayurvibe, a doctor-led Ayurveda hospital at Nookampalayam, Perumbakkam, Chennai 600131 — within reach of Medavakkam, Sholinganallur, OMR, Pallikaranai, Velachery and Tambaram.
What Udwarthanam is traditionally used for
Udwarthanam is traditionally used for weight management, skin exfoliation, heaviness and sluggishness and lymphatic flow.
It is traditionally used to support weight management alongside diet, a heavy, sluggish feeling in the body, slow metabolism, puffiness, and skin that feels thick or dull. Here it is part of the plans for Weight & metabolism, PCOS & PCOD, IBS & digestive problems, Acidity & reflux and Psoriasis, eczema & skin.
It is typically planned for people the doctor reads as Kapha-dominant — heavy, slow to start in the morning, prone to puffiness — and for those whose excess weight comes with fatigue rather than energy. It is often scheduled before any oil therapy, so the heaviness is addressed before oiling begins.
What happens in a session
The powder — often based on Triphala Churna from our pharmacy, or another chosen for your skin and constitution — is warmed a little before use.
You lie on the table in minimal clothing, covered where you are not being worked on.
Handfuls of powder are rubbed firmly up the legs, up the arms and over the hips, abdomen and back, always upward and against the hair.
It feels brisk and warm, a little like a coarse scrub, and the skin tingles and reddens slightly; it should never be painful.
You are turned so the front, sides and back are all worked over the 45–60 minutes.
Loose powder is brushed off and you go on to a herbal steam or a warm bath, as planned.
Who should not have Udwarthanam
Broken, sunburnt, raw or flaring skin, which the friction would aggravate.
Pregnancy — it is not given, and the doctor will plan something gentler.
A thin, dry, depleted body or a recent long illness, where an oil therapy is more appropriate.
Easy bruising or blood-thinning medicine: tell us, so pressure can be lightened. Keep taking the medicine — we adjust the massage, not your prescription.
Fever, or the first days after a fresh injury or operation.
Uncontrolled blood pressure or a heart condition, since the massage is followed by steam; the doctor checks first.
How many sessions?
Udwarthanam is almost always planned as a course, not a one-off. For weight and metabolism the usual plan is longer, around 14 to 28 sessions with an internal plan continuing after; for other complaints it may be shorter.
The doctor reviews your energy, digestion, skin and weight during the course and adjusts how often you come. No particular change can be promised from the sessions alone — diet, movement and internal medicine carry much of the plan.
Before you come
Do not apply oil, lotion or sunscreen on the day; the powder needs dry skin to grip.
Avoid shaving or waxing the arms and legs the day before a session, as freshly treated skin is sensitive to the friction.
Drink water through the day, since you will sweat during the steam that follows.
Wear old underwear; the powder works its way into fabric.
Afterwards
The skin may feel warm, tingly and slightly tight for a few hours, and some redness is expected.
Choose something warm and light to eat afterwards rather than a heavy or oily meal.
Do not use strong products, perfume or scrubs on the skin that day.
Call +91 81229 39197 if redness lasts into the next day, or if bruising, a rash or broken skin appears.
Cost
Cost depends on the duration and whether the doctor plans a single session or a course. Call +91 81229 39197 and we will tell you before you book — there are no surprises at the counter.
No therapy can promise that. Udwarthanam is traditionally used to support weight management within a plan that includes diet, daily movement and internal medicines, and the doctor will be clear about that at the start.
Can it be done on one area only?
Sometimes. The doctor may limit it to the hips and thighs or the arms, for instance, where a whole-body session is not needed or not tolerated. The upward direction of the strokes stays the same.
I have PCOS. Is it suitable?
It is part of our PCOS & PCOD plan, because the classical texts treat heaviness and slow metabolism as central to that picture. Tell us when your period is due so the doctor can decide whether to pause on the heavier days, and keep taking anything your gynaecologist has prescribed.
What does Udwarthanam cost in Chennai?
Cost depends on the duration and whether the doctor plans a single session or a course. Call +91 81229 39197 and we will tell you before you book — there are no surprises at the counter.
Sri Vinayaga Ayurvibe — 12/597, Main Road, Nethaji Nagar Main Rd,
Nookampalayam, Perumbakkam, Chennai 600131. Phone:
+91 81229 39197.
