JANUVASTHI THERAPY

“Janu” means “the knee” and “vasthi” means “pool”. This treatment involves pooling of medicated oil over the knee.

Benefits

Januvasti helps to prevent degeneration of the knee joint, increases synovial fluid and strengthens the tendons and ligaments of the knee. It reduces knee stiffness and improves flexibility.

Procedure

You will be made to lie down with the affected leg extended. A dam will be made around the knee using a special dough. After fixing the dough around the knee, warm oil is poured and is held for around 30- 45 minutes.
Some of the oil is taken out periodically and heated oil is poured regularly to maintain the temperature.

Janu Vasti: Ayurvedic Knee Oil Pooling Therapy for Comfort & Flexibility

Janu Vasti is a specialised Ayurvedic therapy in which warm, medicated oil is gently pooled over the knee using a dough ring. Traditionally used to support the knee joint, this therapy is designed to ease stiffness, improve flexibility, and nourish the structures around the knee. At Sitaram Retreat, Janu Vasti is offered as part of a personalised Ayurvedic approach, where treatments and oils are selected after consultation according to the individual’s needs.

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Janu Vasti Benefits: How This Ayurvedic Therapy Supports the Knees

In Ayurveda, the knee is an important weight-bearing joint that benefits from appropriate warmth, oiling and therapeutic care. Janu Vasti focuses the treatment directly around the knee, allowing warm medicated oil to remain in contact with the area for a sustained period.

Potential benefits of Janu Vasti include:

Helps reduce knee stiffness and supports comfortable movement
May improve flexibility around the knee joint
Supports the strength and nourishment of tendons and ligaments
Helps maintain the health of the knee joint and may support protection against degeneration
Provides localised warmth and oil-based Ayurvedic care to the knee region

The therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. At Sitaram, the choice of oil and the wider treatment plan are determined following consultation, in keeping with the retreat’s approach of customising Ayurvedic therapies to an individual’s prakriti and requirements.

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Janu Vasti Procedure: What Happens During the Therapy?

The Janu Vasti procedure is simple, localised, and performed under the supervision of trained Ayurvedic professionals.

You are comfortably positioned with the affected leg extended.
A ring-shaped dam is carefully prepared around the knee using specially prepared dough.
Warm medicated oil is poured into the enclosed area.
The oil is retained over the knee for approximately 30–45 minutes.
During the session, some oil may be removed, reheated, and replaced to maintain a consistent therapeutic warmth.

The exact course and frequency of Janu Vasti therapy depend on the individual assessment and overall Ayurvedic treatment plan. It may also be incorporated alongside other therapies when considered appropriate by the Ayurvedic physician.

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Why Choose Sitaram Retreat for Janu Vasti Therapy?

Choosing an Ayurvedic therapy is about more than the procedure itself. The setting, clinical guidance, and philosophy behind the treatment all contribute to the experience.

Sitaram brings a long-standing Ayurvedic heritage to its retreats. The Sitaram journey began in 1921, when Sitaram Anglo Ayurveda Pharmacy was established in Thrissur, Kerala, and the organisation has continued to carry forward its Ayurvedic traditions and healthcare values.

At Sitaram Retreat, you experience:

A century of Ayurvedic heritage: Sitaram traces its healing journey back to 1921.
Personalised Ayurvedic care: Treatments, oils and therapies are selected following consultation rather than following a generic approach.
Experienced Ayurvedic team: The retreats integrate Ayurvedic physicians and a dedicated healing team into the treatment experience.
Nature-led healing environments: Sitaram Beach Retreat sits along the Arabian Sea, while Sitaram Mountain Retreat is set amid the lush surroundings of Munnar.
A holistic retreat experience: Ayurveda is complemented by mindful food, yoga, meditation and an environment designed around rest and recovery.

Janu Vasti is therefore experienced not simply as an isolated knee therapy, but within Sitaram’s broader philosophy of reconnecting health, daily living and nature.

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Who May Consider Janu Vasthi?

Janu Vasthi may be considered for people experiencing knee stiffness, reduced flexibility, or discomfort associated with the knee joint. However, suitability varies from person to person. An Ayurvedic physician should assess your condition and determine whether Janu Vasti is appropriate or whether another therapy or a combination of treatments would better suit your needs.

It is important to remember that Ayurvedic therapies should be personalised, particularly when knee symptoms are persistent, severe, or associated with an underlying medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is Janu Vasti?

Janu Vasti is an Ayurvedic therapy in which warm medicated oil is pooled over the knee within a dough-made ring for a sustained period.

Q2. How does Janu Vasti work?

Janu Vasti provides localised warmth and prolonged contact with medicated oil around the knee, traditionally supporting joint comfort, flexibility and surrounding tissues.

Q3. What are the benefits of Janu Vasti?

Janu Vasti may help reduce knee stiffness, improve flexibility and support the health of the knee joint, tendons and ligaments.

Q4. Is Janu Vasti good for knee stiffness?

Janu Vasti is traditionally used to help manage knee stiffness and support more comfortable movement.

Q5. How long does a Janu Vasti session take?

At Sitaram Retreat, the warm oil is generally retained over the knee for around 30–45 minutes.

Q6. What oil is used for Janu Vasti?

The medicated oil is selected according to the individual’s Ayurvedic assessment and treatment requirements rather than being the same for everyone.

Q7. Is Janu Vasti painful?

Janu Vasti is generally designed as a gentle therapy. The warm oil is retained over the knee, and the treatment should be comfortable when performed appropriately by trained professionals.

Q8. Can Janu Vasti improve knee flexibility?

It may help reduce stiffness and support flexibility around the knee as part of an appropriate Ayurvedic treatment plan.

Q9. How often should Janu Vasti be done?

The frequency varies according to the individual’s condition, assessment and overall treatment plan. An Ayurvedic physician determines the appropriate course.

Q10. Why choose Sitaram Retreat for Janu Vasti therapy?

Sitaram combines personalised Ayurvedic care with more than a century of Ayurvedic heritage, experienced practitioners and nature-based retreat settings in Kerala.