How should we choose ayurvedic massage oil for body massage? Which is the best ayurvedic massage oil for daily use? Which oil does ayurveda recommend for regular use? These are the most common question asked by people. In this article, we will check which ayurvedic oil is best for everyone. Then I also talk about a few medicated ayurvedic massage oils that you use based on specific conditions.
सार्षप गन्ध तैलं च यतैलं पुष्पवासितम्। अन्य द्रव्य युतं तेल न दुष्यति
कदाचन॥५५॥ (Yoga Ratnakar, Nitya
Pravriti Prakar)
Ayurveda recommends three
types of oils for regular massage:
- Sesame Oil.
- Coconut Oil.
- Castor Oil.
- Mustard Oil.
- Fragrance Oils: Oils derived from aromatic flowers and herbs.
- Medicated ayurvedic massage oils.
Sesame Oil
According to Sushruta Samhita, sesame oil is beneficial for the skin. He uses the word “TWAK PRASAADANAM (त्वक्प्रसादनं)”, which means it is soothing and gratifying for the skin. So, it has demulcent (emollient) action on the skin. You can take sesame oil internally and apply externally. (S. S. Ch. 45, Verse – 112).
Suitability of Sesame Oil
Who should use sesame oil for massage?
When should I use Sesame Oil for Massage?
You should use sesame oil in a massage before taking a bath. Keep at least 30 minutes gap between massage and bath.
Sesame Oil Processing for Massage
In Ayurveda, we use Murchita Tail. Tail Murchana is an
ayurvedic way to make oil suitable for external application. It is useful for
improving the overall qualities and efficacy
of an oil. However, Bhaishajya Ratnavali gives a difficult process, which you might not follow at home. Here, I am
going to provide an easier method that you can do at home.
- Bring sesame oil to a boil on medium heat.
- Remove it from the stove.
- Add a pinch of turmeric powder in it.
- Leave it for about 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, filter the sesame oil and use it in a daily massage.
Coconut Oil
According to Raj
Nighantu, coconut oil is strengthening. It is beneficial for hair (stimulates
hair growth and prevents hair fall). It is also very useful for the skin. It
reduces itching due to its antipruritic action. It also prevents and treats skin
diseases.
It is the best oil that
everyone can use without thinking about any dosha. It is suitable for each type
of body. However, it is most suitable for people with pitta body type. You can
use this oil in cooking as well as an external
application.
Suitability of Coconut Oil
हृद्यं रुच्यं नवं
प्रोक्तं, पुराणं गुरु वातनुत्।।
Note: According to Raj Nighantu, old coconut becomes heavier to digest, but becomes more efficacious to pacify vata dosha. Fresh coconut is a cardiac tonic and improves interest in food. It also applies to coconut oil. Coconut oil kept more than 6 months also becomes very heavier to digest than fresh coconut oil.
When should I use Coconut Oil for
Massage?
You can use coconut oil for
a massage before and after taking a bath. There are no such restrictions on this
oil.
Castor Oil
Then Sushruta has written about castor oil. He uses word TWACHYAM (त्वच्यं), which means beneficial for the skin. It also means restorative for the skin. So, it restores the natural health of the skin. (S. S. Ch. 45, Verse – 113-114).
Suitability of Castor Oil
Mustard Oil
Then Sushruta has talked about several oils including Mustard
Oil. For mustard oil, he says KRIMIGHANAM (कृमिघ्नं), which means anthelmintic (kills parasites), KANDU KUSTHA
HARAM (कण्डूकुष्ठापहं), which means antipruritic (reduces itching) and treating
skin diseases. According to the description, mustard
oil is highly useful for people suffering from itching and skin
infections with Kapha
dosha dominance. You should also note it has warming nature. Therefore, mustard
oil is not suitable for people with Pitta
Body Type and Pitta
Dosha dominance in their skin. (S. S. Ch. 45, Verse – 115 & 117).
कृमिघ्नं सार्षपं
तैलं कण्डूकुष्ठापहं लघु। कफमेदोऽनिलहरं लेखनं कटु
दीपनम्।। (S. S. Ch. 45,
Verse – 115).
Mustard oil is the best
ayurvedic massage for daily use in Abhyanga or full body massage. It has
warming potency and reduces Kapha Dosha and alleviates
Vata Dosha. It may
increase Pitta Dosha.
Suitability of Mustard Oil
Based on dosha effect of
mustard oil, it is best for people with vata body type, kapha body type, and vata and kapha body type. You should not
use it if you have the pitta body type.
When should I use Mustard Oil for
Massage?
Ayurveda advocates massage
2 times – before exercise and after exercise, but always before taking a bath.
It especially applies to mustard oil. Because mustard
oil might cause skin irritation and pinning type sensation in the skin in some
people if they go under the sun. Therefore, you should not apply mustard oil
after taking a bath.
The best oil that you can
apply after taking bath is coconut oil. It acts as a moisturizer and protects your
skin from sunburn, irritation and several other skin conditions.
Mustard Oil Processing for Massage
To reduce mustard oil’s irritating nature, you should
process it in turmeric powder in the following way:
- Before using mustard oil, boil it once. Remove
it from the stove. - Then added a pinch of turmeric powder in it when
it is hot. - Leave it for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, filter the oil and use this oil
for daily massage. - This process is not required for oils processed
with other herbs.
Contraindications
Who should not use
mustard oil as massage oil?
People having sensitive skin,
prone to sunburn or have reddishness on the skin should avoid mustard oil. These
symptoms belong to people with Pitta body
type.
In people with Pitta body type, it can lead to the following
side effects:
- Skin Irritation.
- Pinning type sensation or pain on the skin.
- Redness.
- Itchiness with burning or heat sensation.
The most of allergic reaction
of mustard oil are found in people with pitta
body type.
Fragrance Oils
Aromatic oils are called
fragrance oils. These are plant-based oils extracted from aromatic flowers and
herbs. These oils are also called aroma oils, essential oils, and aromatic oils.
However, you cannot use these
oils directly on the skin. You require base oil for making it more
suitable for your skin. Because these oils are stronger, sometimes irritant to
the skin.
| Coconut Oil | 100 ml |
| Fragrance Oil | 1 ml |
The best base oil for fragrance
oils is coconut oil. You should add 1 ml of fragrance oil in 100 ml of coconut oil.
Which fragrance oils can you use?
According to your body type,
you can use the following fragrance oils:
Vata
Body Type & Vata Skin Type
- Allspice oil
- Anise oil
- Basil oil
- Bay leaf oil
- Caraway oil
- Cardamom oil
- Carom seed oil
- Cilantro oil
- Cinnamon oi
- Clove oil
- Coriander oil
- Cumin oil
- Dill oil
- Fennel oil
- Garlic oil
- Ginger oil
- Mace oil
- Marjoram oil
- Mint oil
- Nutmeg oil
- Oregano oil
- Peppermint oil
- Rosemary oil
- Saffron oil
- Tarragon oil
- Thyme oil
- Turmeric oil
- Vanilla oil
Pitta
Body Type & Pitta Skin Type
- Sandalwood oil
- Rose Oil
- Cardamom Oil
- Coriander Oil
- Cumin oil
- Fennel oil
- Mint oil
- Neem oil
- Peppermint oil
- Spearmint oil
- Vanilla oil
- Wintergreen oil
Kapha
Body Type & Kapha Skin Type
- Allspice oil
- Anise oil
- Basil oil
- Bay leaf oil
- Caraway oil
- Cardamom oil
- Carom seed oil
- Cinnamon oi
- Clove oil
- Cumin oil
- Dill oil
- Fennel oil
- Fenugreek
- Ginger oil
- Mace oil
- Marjoram oil
- Mint oil
- Neem Oil
- Nutmeg oil
- Oregano oil
- Peppermint oil
- Rosemary oil
- Saffron oil
- Spearmint oil
- Tarragon oil
- Tea tree oil
- Thyme oil
- Turmeric oil
- Vanilla oil
- Wintergreen oil
You can select any of
above aromatic oil. However, each oil has different recommendations. We will
share the detail in articles on these specific oils.
Medicated Ayurvedic Massage Oils
After talking about mustard
oil and fragrance oils, then Yoga Ratnakar discusses
the use of medicated ayurvedic massage oils. He says oils medicated with herbs
and natural ingredients are safer to use as massage oils. These oils do not
cause any problem or side effects. According to skin type and body type, you
can use any of the following oils:
Vata
Body Type
- Ankoladi Tail (Head Massage)
- Balaswagandhadi Thailam
- Brahmi
Oil (Head Massage) - Dhanwantharam Oil
- Maha Narayan
Oil
Pitta
Body Type
- Amla Yashtimadhu Oil
- Amrutadi Thailam
- Asana Vilwadi oil (head and ear massage)
- Chandanadi Thailam
- Eladi
Kera Thailam - Kayyanyadi oil (head massage)
- Neelibhringadi
Oil (head massage) - Shatavari Oil
- Cow’s Ghee
Kapha
Body Type
- Dhurdhurapatradi Oil (head massage)
- Bhringraj
Oil (head massage) - Maha
Bhringraj Oil (head massage) - Amla oil
- Mustard oil
- Amla mustard oil
- Dhanwantharam
Thailam
Benefits of Ayurvedic Massage Oils
Ayurvedic massage oils
have the following benefits:
- Delay aging.
- Tonify the skin and muscles.
- Release accumulated toxins.
- Improve blood circulation.
- Nourish hair roots.
- Calm mind.
- Revitalize the whole body.
- Induce deep relaxation.
- Relieve tiredness.
- Alleviates pain.
- Reduce stress.
- Soothe the skin.
- Prevent Vata diseases (neuromuscular diseases).
- Nourish the skin.
- Improve appetite.
- Activates metabolism.
- Improve hair growth.
- Increase skin glow.
- Some oils improve complexion.
- Some oils burn fat.