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Abhyanga oil massage
Abhyanga is the anointing of the body with warm, medicated oil. For thousands of years, people have used
abhyanga to i m p r o v e sleep, calm the nervous system and increase longevity. Abhyanga helps the skin release
toxins and also fa c ilitates th e tran s-dermal absorption of nutrients and healing properties f r o m the herbs and oils
used in massage. It is used as a medicine for certain disorders.
There are seven layers of tissue in the body (called dhatus) and each successive layer is more concentrated and
life-giving. For o i l to reach the deepest layers it must be massaged into the body for about fifteen-minutes. Th e
be n e f i t s o f A b h ya n g a as outlined in the Vedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga
Hrdayam) a r e a s f o l l o w s :
- Recharges and rejuvenates mind and body.
- Delays the aging process and promotes longevity.
- Produces greater vitality, energy, stamina and physical endurance.
- Lubricates the joints and promotes flexibility.
- Increase muscle strength and firmness.
- Nourishes, tones and purifies the skin.
- Enhances complexion and lustre of skin (more radiant/ attractive, softer/smoother).
- Stimulates the circulation and prevents impurities from accumulating in the body resulting in greater
resistance to illness and faster recovery from trauma, injury or disease. - Pacifies the doshas (especially vata & pitta).
- Dissolves accumulated stress o r toxins from the mind and body (stress causes skin to age prematurely).
- In cr eases men tal alertn ess.
- Calms the nerves and balances mind and emotio n s.
- Improves elimination of impurities from the body.
- Allows more refreshing, deeper sleep.
- Reduces bacter ial in fection s.
- Nourishes the seven different types of body tissue and the seven layers of the skin.
- Applying oil to the scalp makes t h e h a i r g r o w l uxuriantly, thick, soft and glossy; it also s o o t h e s a n d
invigorates the sense organs and removes facial wrinkles. - Applying oil to the ears r ectifies disorders o f the ear which are due to increased vata; it also i m p r o v e s
stiffness in the neck and jaw. - Applying oil to the feet alleviates stiffness, roughness and fatigue whilst also strengthening and firming
them. It also enhances vision, pacifies vata, reduces sciatica symptoms and tones local veins and
ligaments.
Self-massage is ideally undertaken each morning but early evenings are also very effective. Try to avoid
massaging immediately after a large meal so as not to interfere with digestion.
Sesame oil is the best oil to use on the body while coconut oil (good for delaying greying and receding of hair) is
best used on the head and face. The ripening process detailed below enhances the healing/medicinal properties of
sesame oil:
How to cure your oil for maximum therapeutic results:
Place the required quantity of oil into a heavy bottomed saucepan and heat on medium setting until the oil has
reached 100 degrees centigrade (use a liquid thermometer to gauge this). Alternatively, if you don’t have a
thermometer, simply add one or two drops of water to the oil before heating. Always use a medium heat and
n ever leave the room while oil is heating, as it is highly inflammable.