Welcome to Nikki’s Nest! As our name suggests, we are a snug and cozy sea-side Ayurveda resort, located off an ancient fishing village, south of Kerala, and just 20 kilometers away from the International airport at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. We have been in Ayurveda health and wellness tourism since 1996, with the sole aim of spreading good health and cheer. Nikki’s Nest has 47 rooms in 5 categories, two restaurants serving vegetarian and seafood, a sea facing yoga floor, spacious sun deck by the swimming pool, beauty parlour, gift corner and a compact library.
Ayurveda at Nikki’s Nest
Our team of doctors have been dedicated to the service of health and wellbeing in the field of Ayurveda, for the past 19-26 years. With a good back up team of 25 well experienced masseurs, and 17 treatment rooms, a wholesome Ayurveda kitchen, and energizing Yoga, Nikki’s Nest has been dedicated towards creating Ayurveda wellness experiences and holidays since 1996.
In our sincere and earnest desire to offer the best in quality for our Ayurveda treatment guests, we manufacture our own Ayurveda oils and treatment powders at our plantation – Duke’s Forest Lodge, under the vigilant supervision of our Ayurveda doctor. This helps us to be doubly sure of our medicinal products, ensuring all oils and powders are combined and made from herbs and roots that are naturally outsourced from reliable outlets, as well as picked fresh from our plantation.
Given the dangers and risks associated with minerals and metals, Kerala Vaidhyas believe in the power of herbs and roots, a tradition we still practice at Nikki’s Nest. The sense of satisfaction we derive from producing our own oils and powders is immense, and the guests are at liberty to see for themselves the method of production at our plantation in Duke’s Forest Lodge!
Apart from oils and powders we produce, the only medication we outsource are internal medicines like tablets, that are sometimes administered according to the Vaidhyas regime, alongside Ayurveda treatments. We ensure that the companies we outsource internal medicines are highly reputed with Research and Development wings, which is consequently a requirement to obtain licence from the Drugs Control Department of our state. Our partners have also received a Good Manufacturing Stamp from the central government of India. During the course of treatment, the various forms of medications used are explained in detail by our physicians, and all information related to the medicine is accessible and 100% transparent for all guests. The medicine manufacturing company name, ingredients used and the method of preparation is always available for scrutiny. Guests are free to consult our physicians if they have any concerns and discomfort with any oils, powders, and medicines used. Through the healthy principles of Ayurveda and the wellness experience at Nikki’s Nest, we hope to create rejuvenating, relaxing and wholesome holidays for all those staying with us!
Ayurveda Treatments at Nikki’s Nest
At Nikki’s Nest, we practice both the Sodhana also known as Panchakarma and Samana form of therapy as per consultation, depending on dosha ratios, capacity or strength of a guest, body conditions, each client’s need and requirement and physician recommendations. Here are some of the few types of therapies/massages conducted at Nikki’s Nest.
Abyangam
The whole body is massaged with specific lukewarm herbal oils for about 45 -60 minutes depending on an Ayurveda clients body condition and as per the physician’s instructions. This massage aids in nourishing and re-energizing the body’s tissue, by releasing toxins from our cells. Ultimately gifting us with healthy skin, preventing early aging and relieving various muscular aches and pains.
Dhara
As per body conditions and instructions from the physician, a continuous stream of herbal oils or various kinds of medicated milk or butter milk are gently poured on the forehead of a guest, using a specific technique for about 45 – 90 minutes. Relaxing and re-energizing the central nervous system, the Dhara massage has been demonstrated to be good for insomnia, vatha predominated diseases, mental disorders, memory loss and certain skin and eye disorders.
Kizhi
Herbal leaves or herbal powders are crushed and applied to the entire body along with hot medicated oils in boluses for 45 minutes. This therapy benefits and aids in the treatment for osteoarthritis, arthritis with swelling, spondylosis, sports injuries, lumbago and sciatica.
Sirovasthi
In a close fitted leak proof cap with black-gram powder, medicated oil is allowed to rest on a patient’s head, while maintaining constant temperature conditions throughout, for specific periods of time, as per one’s body conditions and physician’s instructions. Sirovasthi is normally suggested when there is an indication of loss of tactile sensation, facial paralysis, sleeplessness, experiences of dryness in the nostrils and throat and instances of increased intraocular pressure, severe chronic headache, multiple sclerosis and parkinsonism.
Udwarthanam
Herbal powders are massaged on the whole body using a specific technique for about 30 – 45 minutes according to one’s body condition and physician’s instructions. This massage has been demonstrated to be useful in reducing weight while strengthening muscles, tightening loosened skin and controlling cholesterol levels.
Nasyam
In each nostril, drops of medicated oil or herbal juice are administered in an aim to help eliminate toxins from the head, and neck region and aids in curing migraine, sinusitis, chronic cold, chest congestion, cervical spondylosis and facial palsy. Undergoing a Nasyam therapy assures lightness of the body and head, helping one sleep better.
Ksheera Dhoomam
This therapy involves a fermentation process with medicated cow milk where the steam of heated milk is passed over the face and tongue. This procedure aids in the treatment of facial paralysis, speech disorders, cervical spondylosis, spastic disorders and neurological issues.
Pizhichil
With the help of two masseurs on either side of an Ayurveda client, pieces of cloth dipped in lukewarm medicated oil is rubbed over the body for about 60 – 90 minutes in a rhythmic motion, depending on body condition and physician’s instructions. The pizhichil technique is generally used for stiff joints and limbs, paralytic conditions and vata dominant conditions.
Njavara Kizhi
This massage is one of the special forms of treatment widely practiced in Kerala. Cooked rice warmed in a mixture of Balamoola Kasaya and cow’s milk is tightly packed together and tied in pieces of cloth bags, to form little boluses. The rice pudding is massaged over the body making it perspire with adequate pressure and movements as required for the Ayurveda client. The pressure from the massage strokes, forces out the rice pudding contents from the cloth bag onto the body. The excess rice pudding residue that is forced out, is collected and rewarmed and massaged onto the client’s body again. This process is repeated until all the Kashaya and rice pudding contents in the cloth bag have been extracted out and used to massage. The Njavara Kizhi massage is used in the presence of various disorders of the nervous system, chronic rheumatic diseases, joint pains, emaciation of limbs, diseases borne of vitiated blood and multiple sclerosis, ultimately helping the body become strong and sturdy with well-developed musculature.
Vasthi
Vasthi massages play an important role in aiding the treatment of an array of health disorders, especially in the Panchakarma style of Ayurveda treatments. Herbal oils or herbal extracts are applied throughout the rectum, purifying the body and maintaining health and longevity. This technique is normally used for arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, numbness, gastric complaints associated with rheumatism and constant constipation.
Tharpanam
In a cleaning process of the eyes aiming to give cooling effects, the Tharpanam therapy involves placing medicated ghee in the eyes around a boundary of herbal paste for 15 – 30 minutes, depending on body conditions and physician’s recommendations. This form of treatment aids in the prevention of cataract and strengthens the optic nerve.
Yoga
Nikki’s Nest conducts yoga sessions for experts, moderates and beginners at 06:45 to 08:00, 08:15 to 09:30 and 10:00 to 11:00 in the morning accordingly, everyday from Monday to Saturday. We also have a brief spell of meditation welcome to all from 11:00 to 11 30. Our Yoga platform soaks in the view of the ocean, energizing the mind and body, with positive energy flowing in from the nearby Hindu temple.
Beach Care
At Nikki’s Nest, beach care is an important part of creating a clean, enjoyable, and sustainable coastal environment for guests and the local community. The resort supports responsible tourism through ongoing efforts to maintain the surrounding beach area and encourage environmental awareness. By choosing to stay at Nikki’s Nest, guests contribute to a holiday experience that values both natural beauty and coastal conservation.
Creating Holidays while Helping Planet Earth
- Water Management
- Rain Water Harvest
- Generating Cooking Fuel for Our Staff Kitchen
- Producing our Ayurveda oils and powders
- Putting Our Used Ayurveda Oil to Good Use
- Cleaning Drive
- Protecting Animals and Enriching Our Planet
