Ilakkizhi or sudation therapy using herbal bundles in Ayurveda

Patram or ila means leaves of plants. Patrasweda is a sudation treatment with herbal leaves. The procedure involves fomentation of the affected region using a fist sized bundle of linen filled with finely chopped herbal leaves warmed in medicated oil. The poultice also contains sliced lime, cumin seeds and scraped coconut in addition to herbs. The whole body is fomented in the usual seven standard positions. It is a part of Purvakarma prior to Panchakarma treatment.