Herbal comfort

By Hiranthi Fernando

The Hettigoda family has made its mark in the field of ayurveda and herbal remedies, since the original Siddhalepa Balm was marketed long years ago. Their latest venture to promote ayurveda, after launching new herbal products and the Ayurveda Hospital, is the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort, opened in December last year.

The focal point of the resort is its Health Centre, with an ayurvedic doctor resident there. A visiting Professor of Ayurveda, Dr. Arunachalam oversees its operations. 

"The concept, however, is not of a hospital but a place of rejuvenation, where people can improve their health, while enjoying the environment of a hotel and local hospitality," General Manager Shiran Fernando says. "Our aim is to educate people on ayurveda and healthy living. The staff is trained to maintain traditional Sri Lankan hospitality."

The buildings are a mix of the local heritage and culture, while providing modern comforts. The guardstones is the porch, the uneven building blocks and timber ceiling of the colonnaded entrance passage (Kettanpokuna) are adopted from the Anuradhapura era. The reception counter or Aradhana Mandapaya is made of the same uneven stone blocks. The spacious lounge or Pilisandara Sevana is airy and relaxing. An attractive and colourful mural runs along the length of the wall. A structure resembling the Paththirippuwa has been built for cultural shows, Pelkavi and other traditional entertainment. 

Fifty spacious cottages are set out around a circular swimming pool, which is surrounded by a stream with two boats for children. Medicinal plants line the banks of the stream. There are also four theme houses with herbal treated clay walls and floors. The bathrooms have tubs, with a massage shower and all soaps and shampoos are herbal. The accent is on environment-friendly utility items such as cloth laundry bags, recycled paper and stationery, while special timber such as Kohomba has been used for the ceiling and flooring.

An old beheth oruwa, (a wooden canoe) is at the entrance to the Health Centre or Jeewakagaraya. Dr. Sagarika explained that in the olden days the 'beheth oruwa' made of Rukaththana, was used to de-toxify a patient after a snake-bite. The patient was made to lie in the boat and oil poured in. The oil and the wood absorbed the toxic substances. 

The Health Centre is equipped with a pebble walk, herbal steam baths, hydrotherapy unit and sauna, with separate sections for men and women. Male and female masseurs are also available. Medicinal plants are grown in the courtyard and in the garden are over 100 varieties of herbs. "Here we do not give the patient any treatment he wants. It has to be prescribed after consultation," said Dr. Sagarika.

She explained that consultations are based on the ayurvedic method. Unbalancing doshas cause various ailments. The three doshas are vatha (the nervous system), pitha (the metabolic and hormone system) and kapa (which concern the muscles and mucous membranes). Medicine, treatment and food are prescribed accordingly. In the massages, oils are used for ailments.

They also have treatment packages for detoxification and rejuvenation, varying from a day or two to three weeks. Within a period of two to three weeks, all three packages can be taken, she said. 

"We start treatment with detoxification, which is a purification process," Dr. Sagarika said. "By a combination of oral medicines, steam baths, massages and foods, the body is neutralised from chemical drugs. In addition to the face, head, body and feet massages, the pebble walk massages the pressure points on the feet. In the hydro-therapy unit, the body is massaged by high pressure water jets." 

In the rooms where the herbal steam baths and herbal baths are given, the walls are made of clay mixed with herbal water. The herbal bath is made of one block of stone. The herbs are boiled in the bath, which is then filled with warm water. After an oil massage, the patient can enjoy a herbal bath, she said. The herbs are selected according to the individual's condition.

All herbal oils and decoctions used here are manufactured under ISO 9002 International Quality Standards. 

The Resort also has a Bavana Kutiya for meditation and yoga. This room is fitted with wall-to-wall beige matting and low seats along the walls. Brown cushions are scattered over the seats. Murals depict a sick man being carried in and leaving as a healthy man. A teacher gives yoga and meditation lessons. 

General Manager Fernando said that if one member of the family is taking treatment at the hotel the rest can enjoy a holiday on the beach. "International cuisine is available as well as an ayurvedic food bar, as are beverages, ayurvedic tonics and fresh juices. All departments are computerised. If a guest needs a special menu, the doctor will enter it in a computer and the chef will know what he should prepare. Here one can enhance one's health while living in luxury."

More Plus

Return to Plus Contents