Njavara Kizhi

What is Njavara Kizhi?

Njavara Kizhi (Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda) is a unique Kerala Ayurvedic therapy that uses boluses (Kizhi) filled with a special medicinal variety of rice called Njavara (Shashtika Shali). This rice is cooked in a herbal decoction and milk, then tied into cloth boluses and massaged over the body.

How It Works

The warm Njavara rice boluses are rhythmically massaged across the entire body or specific affected areas. The combination of warmth, the medicinal properties of Njavara rice, and the herbal decoction creates a deeply nourishing treatment that strengthens muscles, rejuvenates tissues, and improves overall vitality.

Benefits

• Strengthens muscles and improves muscle tone
• Nourishes the body tissues (Dhatus)
• Relieves pain and stiffness in joints
• Improves skin complexion and texture
• Provides deep rejuvenation
• Boosts immunity
• Excellent anti-ageing therapy

Conditions It Helps

• Arthritis and degenerative joint diseases
• Muscular dystrophy and muscle wasting
• Neurological conditions
• Skin diseases
• General debility in elderly patients
• Post-stroke rehabilitation

What to Expect

The session lasts 60–90 minutes. Fresh Njavara rice is cooked in a decoction of Bala (Sida cordifolia) and milk. The rice is tied into four cloth boluses. Therapists warm the boluses by dipping them in the hot milk-decoction mixture, then massage them over your body in rhythmic patterns until the rice cools.