Ayurveda, the science of life, represents a system of healing that has been perfected over more than five thousand years. It is South Asia's ancient medication system based on herbs and diet and was country’s only treatment method until the introduction of Western Medication in the 19th Century. Although an Ayurveda medication system exists parallel to the western medication system even today.

Ayurveda is called the science of eight components, which includes; cure of diseases affecting the body, treatment of children, removal of any substance which has entered the body, cure of diseases of the eye or ear, treatment of mental diseases,doctrine of antidotes, doctrine of elixirs and doctrine of aphrodisiacs.

The Ayurveda system of healing believes in treatment of not just the part affected by disease but the individual as a whole. It emphasizes on the harmony of mind, spirit and body in curing the body and focus is on prevention rather than cure.

Ayurveda practitioners approach diagnosis by using all five senses. Hearing is used to observe the conditions of breathing and speech. The study of the lethal points is of special importance. Ayurvedic doctors regard physical and mental existence together with personality as a unit, each element having the capacity to influence the others. One of the fundamental aspects of ayurvedic medicine is to take this into account during diagnosis and therapy.

Ayurvedic calls for the use of various plant parts and various minerals while animal products are used sometimes. The practice of ‘panchakarma’ is a widely used detoxifying treatment while two of the eight branches of classical Ayurveda deal with surgery. Contemporary Ayurvedic theory tends to emphasis that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion, and proper excretion lead to vitality. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga, and meditation to strike a balance between physical and mental health.

Heal and Ease

Route: BIA/ Kandy/ Kandalama/ Dambulla/ Sigiriya/ Anuradhapura/ Polonnaruwa/ Colombo/ BIA

Highlights : Treatment at White – An Exclusive Spa by Spa Ceylon

From organic cotton & Ayurveda herb filled cushions & pillows to handmade steel foot baths laden with white pebbles & white jasmines, From exotic massage oils richly blended with Ceylonese floral extracts, Kashmiri almonds, virgin coconut & precious aromatic Jasmine essential oil to refreshing whitening Ayurveda herbal infusions accompanied by traditional Ayurveda crystals, served in custom designed hand-made Spa Ceylon silverware and the highly precise signature massage movements performed by the spa therapists, every element has been re-detailed & re-designed to complement each other.

The extensive menu features more than 25 carefully designed rituals includes new whitening rituals for face, body, hands & feet, as well as soothing royal rituals for the scalp, feet & body. Spot whitening for specific problem areas, anti-cellulite treatments & white waxing services are unique new additions. The Spa Ceylon signature rituals for Feet & Body are also offered at the WHITE.

Heritance Ayurveda MahaGedera

Situated in Beruwala bordering the rolling oceans and amidst tropical gardens, Heritance Ayurveda MahaGedara combines luxurious accommodation and professional Ayurveda treatment facilities. Originally designed by local architect Geoffrey Bawa, renowned for blending interior and exterior spaces, connecting buildings with the natural environment the hotel was refurbished in 2010/2011 under the guidance of one of his student Vinod Jayasinghe.

The hotel boasts of a panel of expert of Ayurvedic doctors and treatment would be carried out in hotel’s specialist Ayurveda center, where visitors will be treated in the calming atmosphere of secluded treatment rooms with their own water features.

The hotel also offers a special yoga and meditation programme which could be accommodated with the Ayurveda treatment programme.

The hotel’s close proximity to Kosgoda turtle hatchery, a sea turtle conservation project operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka; the estuary of MaduGanga, the moonstone mines in Meethiyagoda, which produce pale blue, almost transparent gem stone provides great opportunities for half day excursion, when not receiving the treatments.

Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa’s own estate, where he experimented with his ideas about space, light and scale for nearly 50 years and Brief garden, a wonderful series of landscaped gardens of Bevis Bawa, brother of Heritance Ayurveda MahaGedara architect Geoffrey Bawa provides fascinating opportunity to compare the work of a master and his younger brother.

Lightly far afield is Galle, the ancient trading port of Sri Lanka, with fascinating remnants of the three colonial powers, which ruled Sri Lanka for nearly 400 years.