Are you aware Ayurveda recommends practicing abhyanga (oil massage) every day? Do you know this fantastic daily regimen helps to delay aging? Check out all the details about this fabulous Ayurvedic regimen.
Abhyanga means applying oil and gently massaging the body before the bath. It is a daily Ayurvedic regimen that helps to improve overall health and prevent joint problems.
“स्नेहाभ्यंगात यथा कुम्भश्चर्म स्नेहविमर्दनात् |
भवति उपाङ्गात अक्षश्च दृढं क्लेशसहो यथा ||”
( Charak Samhita)
As per Ayurveda, as with oil application, a wheel axis becomes more robust and resistant to wear and tear. Similarly, our body becomes strong and resistant to exertions and unaffected by the various diseases with oil application.
You can practice this daily ritual every morning empty stomach for 25 to 30 minutes. Leave it for half an hour. Later, take a bath with warm water in cold weather and room temperature water during hot weather.
What are the benefits of daily abhyanga?
Practicing abhyanga daily helps delay aging, alleviate tiredness, reduce body aches, improve circulation, nourish the body, enhance vision, provide longevity, enhance sound sleep, improve skin complexion, and maintain physical strength.
How does oiling help?
Our skin absorbs oil contents through the surface of hair follicles. Oil molecules are so tiny that they can pass through the stratum corneum (outer skin layer). It enters the body through the skin pores, reaches the end of blood vessels, and is absorbed through the blood cells.
The oil contains fat, and each cell membrane is made of lipids (fat). So, the medicinal contents of herbal oils get easily absorbed by the skin, and as a result, they perform their action on the body and provide relief from pain, stiffness, etc., and strengthen the joints & muscles.
What type of oil to use for abhyanga?
The best is to use sesame oil to maintain health; otherwise, different medicated oils are advised in different conditions.
Who should avoid abhyanga?
One should avoid abhyanga in conditions like fever, nausea, eczema, bruises, pregnancy, indigestion, heart diseases, menstruation, wounds on the skin, swelling in the joints, or infections on the skin like fungal or bacterial.
How to do abhyanga?
Warm the oil by keeping the oil bottle in a hot water pot for 5 minutes. Always use warm oil to massage your body. It helps in better absorption.
For daily abhyanga, apply oil to your hands, rub them together, and apply the oil to your scalp. Gently massage the roots of hairs with your fingertips for 5 minutes. Then, take a little oil and gently massage your ears in a circular motion.
Now, moving downwards, take oil as required and apply gentle strokes on the front and back of the neck, shoulders, and collar bone. Then move towards the arms and give long strokes on the upper and lower arms. Use circular strokes to massage the joints like the elbow joint, wrist joint, and shoulder joint. Now, massage the fingers and palm of both hands.
First complete massaging one arm, then move to the other arm. Now, massage armpits towards the center of the body. Then gently massage the chest.
Move to the front of your torso, and apply a large circular motion on your abdomen. Then rub the side and flanks of the body with long strokes. After this, massage your lower back to the hip area with long and small circular strokes. Also, apply oil and massage for 5 minutes the upper back (as much as you can reach).
Finally, massage your legs with long strokes. Use circular strokes on the joints like the knee and ankle joints. Pay special attention to your toes, fingers, and the sole of your feet.
It may take 30 minutes to abhyanga the whole body. But, if you do not have time in the morning, you can apply warm sesame oil all over the joints, ears, and feet.
Embrace this daily routine in your life and improve your overall health! If you are new to this regimen, it is better to consult an Ayurvedic doctor who can help you guide better.
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