The range of spa offers is enormous. This starts with beautiful wellness cures for relaxation and well-being, continues with detoxification cures (Panchakarma), which have a regenerative and rejuvenating effect, through to medical cures that are aimed at very specific ailments...multiple sclerosis, rheumatism, osteoporosis, to mention just a few to name a few. It is therefore very important that you consider what you expect from the treatment. Even if the media likes to portray it that way, Ayurvedic detoxification cures are by no means a pleasant "walk". One thinks of nice massages, delicious food and as a “first offender” is often not prepared for how exhausting a cleansing cure can be, physically and mentally. Despite beautiful applications and delicious food! Therefore: Do you focus on the health aspect or the topic of well-being and relaxation? The nice thing: Ayurveda offers you the whole spectrum.

Your time budget is also a very important aspect when choosing the right offer. The authentic, medical Ayurveda cure lasts 4 up to 8 weeks. In addition, such a cure must be repeated in the following two years. Of course, this is not compatible with our vacation conditions, which are quite lavish in comparison to other countries. However, it gives you a sense of how long the body needs to regenerate fundamentally through appropriate treatments. A time budget of 14 - 21 days is therefore appropriate for medical cures in any case, not to say necessary. There are already 10-day Panchakarma offers in many health resorts. However, the following applies: the shorter a cure, the more strenuous it is for the organism. With a time budget of less than 10 days, a classic Panchakarma cleansing cure can only be carried out in a reduced form - if at all. In such a case, it might be better to fall back on offers for short Ayurveda stays. But then it is more about feeling good and relaxing than about the basic inner cleansing.

The question of whether Ayurveda takes place at home or in the countries of origin divides opinions. In this context, of course, the hotly debated question of where to find really good, authentic Ayurveda comes up again and again. We respond with a resolute “It depends”!
There are very good, good and not so good providers - and you can find them everywhere ... in the west and in the countries of origin. 2 reasons that speak for a cure in Sri Lanka are:

• Authentic environment. This refers to the people, the climate, the vegetation, the food.
• Lower personnel costs and lower manufacturing costs for oils,

There is no house number, so and so much Ayurveda may cost. That depends on many factors, of which we only want to briefly address a few essential ones. Regional aspect: Ayurveda is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. Are the applications carried out by one therapist or synchronously with two therapists? Since the personnel costs in the countries of origin are only a fraction of western personnel costs, Ayurveda is of course much cheaper there than here on site. Number of treatments: In the case of package deals, how many treatments are offered during the stay? However, a full application plan is not necessarily good for everyone. The body needs rest periods. Accommodation: The costs for the Ayurveda cure depend not insignificantly on the standard of accommodation. The offer includes everything your heart and wallet desires, from simple accommodation to the 5***** luxury category. You decide. Last but not least: Quality: The qualifications of the treating doctor or non-medical practitioner and the training of the therapists set standards for the quality of the work performed. The quality of the oils and preparations used is also a not insignificant factor in the pricing of the suppliers. Quality simply has its price. This point leads us to the next questions on our checklist. These should be sent to the shortlisted provider or providers.
Questions for the spa provider:

• Is there a doctor or naturopath on site?
• What training does the treating doctor/alternative practitioner have?
• How often do you consult the treating doctor/HP? What language?
• What training do the treating therapists have? Synchronous?
• Is there information about the preparation and follow-up of the cure from home?
• Which draining procedures are used?
• Is there an Ayurvedic cuisine tailored to the constitution?
• How many beds does the house have? How personally is one looked after?
• What does the supporting program look like?

Not all cures that are offered are carried out under the guidance of a doctor or naturopath. In the case of Ayurveda wellness and beauty treatments, this is not necessary either. However, when it comes to Ayurveda treatments with medical claims, medically qualified and authorized personnel must be on site.

It can be interesting whether the doctor treating you is a pure Ayurveda doctor or also has Western medical training. How many years of experience in Ayurveda can the doctor show, how and where has he already worked? Small digression on the term "Ayurveda doctor":
The term "Ayurveda doctor" can be distinguished as follows:

• School physicians with additional Ayurvedic training This additional training is not standardized, i.e. a school doctor with a recognized degree in Western medicine can legally work in Ayurvedic medicine, regardless of the number of hours of his Ayurvedic training
• Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S.) 51/2-year study of Ayurveda medicine in India, degree not recognized in Europe
• Medical Doctor (M.D.) 3-year postgraduate course leading to the B.A.M.S. builds up, this degree is also not recognized in Europe
• Ayurveda-Vaidya healer, who comes from a long, sometimes centuries-old teacher-student tradition, mostly passed on within families

Certainly the training of the therapists is an important factor. What is also decisive is how much "heart and soul" is treated. You can actually only find out on site. Don't be afraid to talk to the doctor if you don't feel "comfortable" with certain therapists. The energies have to be right, otherwise body and mind cannot regenerate optimally.

If you value the massage with four hands, you should ask beforehand. It is important that the therapists are really attuned to each other. One aspect that is not relevant for everyone, but is handled differently in the houses, is gender segregation, i.e. women treat women, men treat men? Maybe this is important to you, maybe not. What matters is that you feel comfortable.

In order to make it easier to start the treatment, we recommend a preparatory diet for the detoxification days. It is good if the house gives you a few tips.

In India, drainage procedures are taken for granted that are rarely used here in the West: vomiting therapy and bloodletting. The more you learn in advance about the upcoming treatments, the better you can prepare for them.

Ask if there is a special Ayurvedic cuisine. This should actually be a matter of course for providers of Ayurveda treatments. However, the preparation can differ according to dosha types among the providers:

• Individually for the special type of constitution (appropriate for seriously ill people)
• Buffet separated by Vata/Pitta/Kapha
• Plated meal with general balancing Dosha influences.

Is it a pure Ayurveda house or a hotel with an Ayurveda area? During a cure you need a lot of rest. The more a house can adapt to this need, the better for you. An indicator for this can be the number of rooms or beds.

During an ayurvedic cure in Sri Lanka, the supporting program typically includes a combination of traditional healing practices, dietary adjustments, herbal treatments, yoga, meditation, and lifestyle recommendations. Patients undergoing an ayurvedic cure may also participate in daily consultations with experienced ayurvedic practitioners who tailor treatment plans to suit individual needs. Additionally, therapeutic massages, detoxification therapies, and customized exercise routines may be incorporated to promote holistic healing and balance in the body. Overall, the supporting program aims to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit, and restore harmony within the individual. Some hotels are offering specials which you should not miss. It’s always worth checking for this specials e.g. Pranic Healing, acupuncture, etc.

Panchakarma is cleansing of the body and mind. Yoga supports the cleansing process and can therefore be a very important part of a cure. Yoga also balances body and mind. Meditation supports mental relaxation and purification. An overly colorful supporting program in addition to yoga and meditation is not necessarily indicated for (medical) spa guests. This applies to sporting activities and extensive excursions. Rest supports body and mind in detoxification and regeneration. In the case of pure wellness cures, the focus is of course different.