Edible oils as therapeutic agentsALL foods contain natural oils to varying degrees which provide nourishment and
strength to body tissues. Ayurveda has dealt with vegetable oils under the
heading of aharopyogi varga and the taila varga. Let us briefly discuss the
therapeutic qualities of the few edible oils mentioned in ayurveda and also of
some of those which were invented later.
Sesame oil: Commonly known as tila taila , it is the most commendable of all
oils. It is sweet with accompanying astringent taste, hot in potency and is
endowed with properties to penetrate subtle channels of the body. Used in
abundance in the panchkarma therapy, sesame oil is the best medicine to
alleviate vata. It promotes general strength and skin health and is recommended
to be applied in all types of cuts and wounds, insect bites, as enemata and
massage oil in the diseases of the nervous system like paralysis, stiffness of the
limbs and muscle weakness. Many famous classic ayurvedic oils such as
Mahanarayani Taila, Bhringraj Taila, Jatyadi Taila and Brahmi Amla Taila are
prepared in the sesame oil base.
Mustard oil: Known as sarson oil in common parlance, mustard oil is used in
almost every home in India, particularly north India. It is pungent in taste and is
hot in potency. As an edible oil, it acts as the killer of intestinal worms and is best
recommended for massage in conditions involving general dryness of the skin
during the winters. Applied locally after mixing with a little of mushak-karpur, it
serves as a magic remedy for urticaria and non- specific itching of the skin- folds.
Coconut oil: Extensively used in South Indian cuisines, coconut oil has been
described as an oil which is cool in effect. It is also known as a hair nourishing
agent, skin tonic, body and mind energizer and endowed with many other
qualities similar to that of cod liver oil. Coconut oil is applied as a household
remedy for skin allergies, eczema, burns and scalds.
Almond oil: Not utilised as a cooking oil, almond oil is more favoured by the
exponents of the Unani system of medicine for health formulae and massage
therapies. It is hot and heavy in effect and is a general health tonic. Almond oil is
regarded as an aphrodisiac and eye and brain refresher and has been used
since ages for the massage of the body and the scalp and also for instilling into
the ear and the nose. It is laxative in effect and patients suffering from stubborn
constipation get symptomatic relief if they regularly take half to one teaspoonful
of almond oil daily with hot milk at bed-time.
Castor oil: Also known as eranda taila , it has been traditionally used as a
purgative. All ayurvedic texts have eulogised it as a panacea for acute and
chronic cases of rheumatoid arthritis and there are many classic decoctions and
guggul preparations where castor oil is an additive. As a household remedy for