Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda (Navarakizhi)
Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda, known as Navarakizhi, is a nourishing Ayurvedic therapy. A special rice (Shashtika Shali, or Njavara rice in Kerala) is cooked in milk and herbal decoction, tied into cloth bundles and massaged warm over the body. It is considered strengthening (Brimhana) and is used for weakness, wasting and stiffness.
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- Muscle weakness or wasting
- Stiffness and reduced movement, including after neurological illness, alongside rehabilitation
- Age-related weakness and recovery after illness
Precautions & Safety
Avoid during fever, acute indigestion, active inflammation and with broken skin. People with dairy allergy should tell us in advance. Neurological conditions need ongoing medical and physiotherapy care; this therapy is supportive.
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What to Expect
- Oil is applied to the whole body.
- Warm rice bundles, regularly re-dipped in warm milk decoction, are massaged over the body for about 45 to 60 minutes.
- The rice paste is wiped off and you rest.
What the Evidence Shows
In a small double-blind randomised pilot trial in people with hemiplegia, Navarakizhi showed a better range of movement than standard Pinda Sweda, and the authors called for a larger trial [1]. In children with cerebral palsy, Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda was studied with an Ayurvedic medicine as part of a treatment programme [2]. The evidence is promising but small.
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it suitable for elderly people?
Often yes, as it is gentle and nourishing, after assessment.
How many sessions are usual?
Commonly 7 to 14, decided by the doctor.
Can it be done for children?
In specific cases, under the doctor’s guidance.
Clinical Research
2 studies: 1 pilot study, 1 clinical study.
Show the 2 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- Guruprasad Aggithaya M, Narahari SR, Vijaya S, et al.. Navarakizhi and pinda sweda as muscle-nourishing Ayurveda procedures in hemiplegia: double-blind randomized comparative pilot clinical trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 2014. Pilot / feasibility study PubMed
- Vyas AG, Kori VK, Rajagopala S, et al.. Etiopathological study on cerebral palsy and its management by Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda and Samvardhana Ghrita. Ayu, 2013. Clinical study PubMed