MASSAGE TREATMENTS
Potli
Massage
Warm cloth bundles filled with herbs, pressed and rolled over the body to relieve muscular pain, stiffness and fatigue. A gentler cousin of Podikizhi.
01WHAT IT IS
पोटली · A warm cloth bundle of herbs pressed over the body
Potli, or kizhi, is the general name for a heated herbal bundle used in massage. Fresh leaves, powders or roasted grains are tied into cotton, warmed in a pan or in medicated oil, and pressed, rolled and tapped over the body. Heat and herbal action penetrate the muscles together.
Potli massage suits guests who want the benefit of heat without the intensity of a full Podikizhi or the volume of oil in Pizhichil. It is often combined with a short Abhyanga.
02HOW IT IS DONE AT AROGYA
- 01
The herbal bundles are prepared and warmed to a comfortable temperature.
- 02
A light oil application prepares the skin.
- 03
Bundles are pressed and rolled over the body, with extra attention to stiff or painful regions.
- 04
The bundles are reheated so the temperature stays even throughout.
03BENEFITS
- Relieves muscular pain and stiffness
- Eases joint discomfort and fatigue
- Improves circulation to the treated area
- Gently induces sweating
Often suited to
- Muscle and joint aches
- Tiredness after travel or exertion
- Guests new to Ayurvedic heat therapies
- Localised stiffness in the back or shoulders
Please tell us first
- Not over acute inflammation, fever or skin infection
- Please mention diabetes or reduced sensation
- Avoided in pregnancy
- Tell the therapist if the bundles feel too hot
04WHAT TO EXPECT
Warm, rhythmic and deeply soothing. Muscles feel looser the same day. A short course is usual for chronic stiffness.
This page is educational and describes the therapy as traditionally practised. It is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified practitioner. Suitability, preparation and duration are confirmed individually at Arogya Retreatt. Content reviewed September 2026.
05QUESTIONS
Common questions about Potli Massage.
What is inside the bundle?
Depending on your constitution: dried herbal powders, fresh medicinal leaves, or roasted grains and salt. The practitioner chooses the filling.