UDWARTHANAM

Udwarthanam means massaging body with herbal powders or pastes.
In Ayurveda texts, there are many references regarding Udhwarthanam.

उद्वर्तनं कफहरं मेदस: प्रविलायनम् |

स्थिरीकरणमङ्गानां  त्वक्प्रसादकरं  परम् ||

                                                                                              -Ashtanga Hridayam

उद्वर्तनं वातहरं कफमेदोविलायनम् -उद्वर्तनस्य कफहरादयश्चत्वारो गुणा:||

                                                                                -Commentry

These two references are from Ashtanga Hridayam Commentry. These quote say that udwarthanam is kaphahara which means that ellivates kapha, medas pravilayanam where as pravilayanam means liquification, sthirikaranam anganam means strenghtens the body parts, and tvakprasadanam means gives glow to the skin.  Vyayama, exercise should be stopped when sweat starts to appears. This we came to know from the earlier post. The sweat indicates increased pitta and liquified kapha in the body. This may also lead to the vitiation of Vata in the body. So, Udwarthanam is immediately placed after the vyayama in the context of daily regimen.
Udwarthanam is nothing but application of various powders or pastes in the body. This absorbs the sweat and the liquified kapha that resulted after vyayama. As the pastes are massaged in warm state, this also prevents from increase of vata. That is why udwarthanam is said to be palliative therapy for kapha and vata.

Types of Udwarthanam