Droni Table

Droni Table is an Ayurvedic therapeutic table made of a single block of wood. It is wildly performed for Abhyanga (oil massage), Pizhichil, Kayaseka and Dhara therapies (continuous pouring of warm medicated oil over the body or forehead), and Kizhi (therapeutic treatment that involves the application of heated herbal poultices to specific areas of the body).

Ancient writings do NOT employ the contemporary term “Droni,” yet they distinctly depict oil therapy devices crafted from sleek, oiled wooden surfaces, which transformed into the current Droni.

Snigdhasya snigdha-deśe sukhopaviṣṭasya śanaiḥ snehābhyaṅgam ācaret.

ŚLOKA — Suśruta Saṃhitā, Cikitsāsthāna 24:29

Translation: Oil massage should be performed gently on a patient who is seated or lying on a slick, oiled, comfortable surface (Denotes the need for a smooth, snigdha (unctuous) wooden table, modern Droni table).

Functional Benefits:

• Preserves the heat of medicinal oils
• Promotes uniform oil dispersion
• Strengthens therapeutic activity
• Guarantees stability and comfort

Pathi is the traditional healing practice of Kerala that emphasizes organic diet, simple plant-derived treatments, and external therapies based on oil.

As an effect when practicing Pathi therapies, Droni table generates grounding effect (which is essential for vata-dosha), and its natural wooden surface enhances healing.

• Aanjili / Wild Jack (Artocarpus hirsutus) – favored
• Jackfruit Timber (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
• Neem Timber (Azadirachta indica)
• Venga / Bijasal (Pterocarpus marsupium)
• Teak (Tectona grandis)

The reason for using the following woods is because they have healing attributes, inherently antimicrobial, keep oils warm, and very strong.

Nimbaḥ pāribhadrakaḥ patolaḥ saptaparṇaśca tiktāḥ syuḥ dāhaghnaḥ pittavardhanaḥ kuṣṭhaghnaśca viśeṣataḥ.

ŚLOKA — Caraka Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 4:9 (Tikta Skandha)

Translation: Neem and related bitter trees have antibacterial, cooling, and skin-purifying properties. Because of its antibacterial qualities, neem wood is frequently used for Droni table.

Śloka on oil massage (ABHYANGA)

Abhyangaṃ ācaran nityaṃ sa jarā-śrama-vātahā ।
dṛṣṭiprasādapuṣṭi-svapna-sukhāyuṣya-karaḥ paraḥ ॥
marmāṇi saṅharan vātaṃ sneho'bhyaśyati dehinām ॥

Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, Sūtrasthāna 2:8–9

Translation: Daily oil massage increases sleep, nourishment, lifespan, and stabilizes marma points while eliminating weariness, aging, and Vata Dosha issues. For even oil flow and proper posture, a sturdy wooden Droni is necessary for proper Abhyanga.

• Made of a single block of the above mentioned woods
• Length: 7–8 ft
• Width: 2.5–3 ft
• With a slightly concave in the middle
• Oil-collecting groove
• Smooth, polished surface
• Small headrest and foot end
• Evolves from ancient descriptions of ślakṣṇa (smooth), snigdha (oily), śuci (clean) treatment surfaces.

Śayyāsana-sthāna-deśāśca ślakṣṇāḥ snigdha-śucau sthitāḥ । sukhopaviṣṭaḥ kramato deyaṃ cikitsitaṃ.

Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, Sūtrasthāna 15:10

Translation: The patient should be able to lie on smooth, unctuous, clean beds and therapy areas. Smooth hardwood treatment tables (droni) have a direct classical justification.

Khadira (Acacia catechu) is considered a superior quality wood in Ayurveda. Droni-related attributes include Daruṇa (strong, hard), Guru (steady), long-lasting (Dīrgha-kāla-sthāyī), water-resistant (Apāmbhyaḥ), and heat-and-herbal oil-tolerant (Sneha-kṣama).

Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya – Sūtrasthāna 2 (Dinacharya)

Translation: When discussing woodlands that are appropriate for therapeutic equipment.

Khadira-bilva-śālmalī… kāṣṭhānāṁ śreṣṭhāni.

Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya – Sūtrasthāna 2 (Dinacharya)

Translation: Among the greatest woods for creating therapeutic furniture are Khadira, Bilva, and Shalmali.

The use of Khadira (Kino wood) for Pathi Droni is clearly supported by the text:

Khadira-śālmalī-bilvādyāni kāṣṭhāni dṛḍhāni śreṣṭhāni

Aṣṭāṅga Saṃgraha – Sūtrasthāna 3 (Section on platforms, beds, and seats)

Translation: "Khadira, Śālmalī, Bilva, and similar woods are superior and strong."

Verifies that it is appropriate for drones, which requires for durability throughout time, strength, oil and heat resistance.

Khadiraṃ tvag-rogānāṃ śreṣṭham śodhanaṃ smṛtam

Suśruta Saṃhitā – Cikitsāsthāna 1:88–89 (For skin purification)

Translation: "The best purifier for skin conditions is khadira." Relevance for droni is that the surfaces used on a daily basis need to be antimicrobial, and it should be perfect for skin-contact treatments (Abhyanga, Kizhi, Dhara).

Suśruta explains the kinds of wood that are appropriate for use in therapy.

dāruṇāni dṛḍhāni yogyāni kāṣṭhāni

Suśruta Saṃhitā – Sūtrasthāna 45 (Yantra–Śastra Vidhāna)

Translation: Therapeutic instruments can only be made from hard, robust woods. Khadira is a fantastic fit in this area.

Khadiraṃ krimighnaṃ śreṣṭham

Caraka Saṃhitā – Cikitsāsthāna 7 (Kuṣṭha Cikitsā)

Translation: “Khadira is the best among anti-microbial substances.”

Khadira wood naturally prevents microbial growth on surfaces created by daily oil use.

Khadiraḥ śodhanaḥ kaṇṭhyaḥ

Caraka Saṃhitā – Sūtrasthāna 4 (Śādvala-skandha)

Translation: “Khadira purifies and is cleansing.” Approves its use for therapy tables that come into direct contact with the skin.

Nighantu (Sanskrit term for a traditional collection of words, grouped into thematic categories, often with brief annotations) describes Khadira wood as hard, lasting, pure type of wood.

Several Nighantus highlight the following qualities of Khadira:

• Dhanvantari Nighantu – Pippalyādi Varga: “Khadiraḥ kaṭukaḥ kaṣāyaḥ dāruṇaḥ sthiraḥ”
  Translation: “Known for its hardness, firmness, and stability, Khadira is stable and hard.” For droni tables, structural fitness is very important.
• Raja Nighantu – Dārvyādi Varga: “Khadiraṃ dāru-pravaraṃ”
  Translation: “Khadira is the foremost among woods.” Suitable for wooden constructions with the strongest textural support.
• Bhāvaprakāśa Nighantu — Harītakyādi Varga: “Khadiraṃ vṛṣyaṃ kaṣāyaṃ tvag-rogaharaṃ param”
  Translation: “Known for its astringent and strengthening properties, khadira is excellent for skin ailments.” Indicates suitability for external therapies involving skin contact.

In Kerala’s traditional panchakarma texts it was mentioned that Khadira (Acacia catechu) or Aanjili wood is ideal for droni table due to its strength, heat resistance, and anti-microbial nature.”

Evidence to support Droni's classical theory via Kerala’s ancient panchakarma information:

• Khadira Quality: Hard, long-lasting
• Heat-resistant
• Dense hardwood
• Oil-resistant
• Inherent wood nature
• Non-porous
• Anti-microbial (Caraka & Suśruta Kuṣṭhaghna, Krimighna)
• Skin-friendly (Caraka, Bhāvaprakāśa Tvag-rogahara)
• Purifying (Caraka Śodhana)

Khadira (Kino wood), extensively praised across the classical texts of Ayurveda:

• Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya (a classic Sanskrit text on Ayurveda, written by the sage Vagbhata around the 5th or 6th century CE.),
• Aṣṭāṅga Saṃgraha (ancient, influential text on Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, written by Vāgbhaṭa),
• Suśruta Saṃhitā (includes historically unique chapters describing surgical training, instruments and Ayurvedic procedures.),
• Caraka Saṃhitā (It describes ancient theories on the human body, etiology, symptomology and therapeutics for a wide range of diseases),
• And the major Nighaṇṭus

All stands out as one of the most superior and therapeutically ideal woods. Its classical attributes such as dāruṇa (hard), sthira (stable), dīrgha-kāla-sthāyī (lasting), and śodhana–krimighna (purifying and antimicrobial) make it exceptionally suited for constructing traditional Ayurvedic treatment platforms.

Although the ancient texts do not explicitly mention the modern droni, they describe in detail the need for snigdha, ślakṣṇa, śuddha, and sukhopaviṣṭa therapeutic surfaces. Thus, qualities perfectly met by a well-crafted Khadira wooden table. As a result, Kerala's traditional practice of making Pathi Droni from Khadira wood is not only regionally evolved, but also aligned with classical descriptions of therapeutic materials.

Khadira wood, which seamlessly combines ancient Ayurvedic principles with modern Panchakarma practices, is the most classically validated, structurally durable, and therapeutically relevant material for Pathi Droni construction.