Ayurvedic Oil Therapy, Ayurveda Oil Massages

March 24th, 2007 | admin

Oil therapy in Ayurveda (abhyanaga) is a well-developed scheme of treatment and its benefits are visible in the form of body stiffness and flexibility after oil massage, mental composure after dhara and a variety of other applications.

Ayurvedic oil therapy mainly address vata related disorders. Remember, vata is the most prominent dosha of tridoshas. Oil therapy in Ayurveda is aimed at curing diseases mainly related to nervous system and bones. Oil massaging is also beneficial to cure body pain.

Oil massages nourish and supple the skin. It also transit the medicinal benefits of the oil used to inner tissues. The person feels instantly relieved and better organized after a massage session. This is quite a big evidence to the effect of Ayurvedic medicated oil massage on human psychology.

Full body oil massages or local application of medicated oil and massage also is in some way similar to injections in modern medicine, where the medicinal qualities of the oil is transferred directly to the blood and tissue without waiting for metabolic absorption of the medicinal part.

Ayurvedic oil therapy is also one among the purva karma (or preparatory therapy) of panchakarma, the five-step body purification method of Ayurveda. With purvakarma, Ayurvedic oil therapy is a method of releasing the imbalances into the system for quick removal from there within.

Shirodhara is an oil therapy for head and brain. It is used to relive mental turbulences and put the person at ease. It is a good psycho-therapy. The therapist allows warm medicated oil to continuously flow over the forehead. The objective is to relieve excess vata, which gives a soothing effect to the person. The oil also has properties like nourishing the hair, improving blood circulation in the brain, etc. Many authorized and unauthorized Ayurvedic treatment centers use the picture of a person undergoing this therapy in their brochures and advertisements.

Full body massaging or pizhichil is another method of Ayurvedic oil therapy, which includes pressure application of Ayurvedic oil all over the body of a person with either hands or feet (a common practice in Kerala and is called chavittithirummal). Application of medicated oil with feet is also forms an important part of marmachikitsa associated with Kalarippayattu and kalari chikitsa.

The main base oil is coconut oil followed by sesame or castor oils. There are over 100 medicinal herbs that forms part of an Ayurvedic medicated oil.

The choice of medicated oils varies with the body type of the person and the ailment for which oil therapy is being administered. In many cases like pain related to arthritis, local application of medicated massage oil is enough. The person can do it by himself/herself without the help of a masseur. However, full-fledged body massage or sirodhara requires proper selection of oils and application of oil in a scientific manner.