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The following article appears on Banyan Botanicals’ website: www.banyantrading.com. The oils referred to in this article are carried by Banyan Botanicals.

Abhyanga: Ayurvedic Oil Massage

By Dr. Claudia Welch

The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age. Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89

Abhyanga is the anointing of the body with oil. Often medicated and usually warm, the oil is massaged into the entire body before bathing. It can be beneficial for maintaining health and used as a medicine for certain disorders. Abhyanga can be incorporated into a routine appropriate for almost everyone.

The Sanskrit word sneha means both “oil” and “love,” and the effects of abhyanga are similar to the effect of saturation with love. Both experiences can give a deep feeling of stability, warmth and comfort. Sneha--oil and love--is sukshma, or “subtle.” This allows sneha to pass through minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue.

Ayurveda teaches that there are seven dhatus, or layers of tissue in the body. Each is successively more concentrated and life-giving. It is taught that for the effects of sneha to reach to the deepest layer, it should be massaged into the body for 800 matras, roughly five minutes. If we consider that the entire body needs this kind of attention, a 15-minute massage is a minimum amount of time.

 Sneha (oil) affused [sic] on the human organism imparts a tone and vigor to its root-principles (Dhatus), in the same manner as water furnishes the roots of a tree or a plant with the necessary nutritive elements, and fosters its growth, when poured into the soil where it grows. The use of sneha at a bath causes the sneha to penetrate into the system through the mouths of the veins (siras) and the ducts (dhamanis) of the body, as also through the roots of the hair, and thus soothes and invigorates the body with its own essence.

Under the circumstances, affusions [sic] and anointments of the body with oil or clarified butter should be prescribed by an intelligent person with due regard to one’s habit, congeniality and temperament and to the climate and the season of the year as well as to the preponderance of the deranged Dosha or Doshas in one’s physical constitution.

Sushruta Samhita, Vol.2, ch24:21

These passages make it clear that we should consider our Prakriti (constitution), Vikriti (current condition) and our external environment in deciding which oils are best for us and how often we should perform abhyanga.

Ayurvedic literature states that it is beneficial to follow a Vata-pacifying abhyanga if your Vata is currently high or it is the dominant dosha in your Prakriti. The same holds true for Pitta and Kapha. (You can take the Prakriti and/or Vikriti tests on www.banyantrading.com if you would like help in determining these conditions).

If you have more than one dominant dosha in your Prakriti, you will want to pacify doshas according to season. If you are a Pitta-Kapha combination, pacify Pitta during the warm weather and Kapha during the cold weather. If you are a Pitta-Vata combination, pacify Pitta during the warm weather and Vata during the cold weather. If you are a Vata-Kapha combination, pacify Vata during cold or dry weather and during the change of seasons and pacify Kapha during cold or wet weather. More extensive guidelines for each dosha are outlined below.

Vata Pacifying Abhyanga

The primary qualities of vata are dry, light, cool, rough, subtle and mobile. Most of these qualities are opposite to those of oil. This is why warm oil is especially good for pacifying vata..

 If your vata is high, either in your Prakriti or Vikriti, doing abhyanga daily can be highly beneficial, even life-changing. Sushruta says, “The deranged vayu [vata] of the body is restored to its normal condition by the help of Udvartana (massage).” (Sushruta Vol.2, 24:28) Just be sure to do the abhyanga in a warm place and avoid getting chilled afterwards.

Types of Oil That Are Best for Vata:

Sesame is considered to be the “king of oils;” it is the preferred choice of oil for vata because it is inherently warming. If possible, use one that is organic and untoasted. Almond oil and mustard oil are also good choices because they too are warming. You may also consider using Vata Massage Oil, especially if vata is high in your Vikriti.

The herbs that have been chosen for this formula enhance the vata-pacifying qualities of sesame oil. Vata massage oil can be use alone or added to sesame, almond or mustard oils.

For increasing strength and stamina Ashwagandha Oil or Ashwagandha/Bala Oils may be the best for you.

Mahanarayan Oil is made from over 30 Ayurvedic herbs and is traditionally used for joint pain or weakness. If you warm it, massage it into the affected joints or muscles and proceed with your regular abhyanga, it can be fabulously beneficial. Following this with a warm bath with 1/3 cup each baking soda and ginger powder can enhance the effects even further.

 Vata Dusting Powder:

If dusting powder does not irritate your skin try Vata Dusting Powder in the place of soap. Make a paste with the dusting powder and water, and then gently apply a small amount to the body. Once it dries into a paste, you can allow it to rinse off with the oil.

Pitta Pacifying Abhyanga

The primary [CW1] qualities of Pitta are: oily, sharp, hot, light, fleshy-smelling, spreading and liquid. Since Pitta and oil share a number of qualities it is ideal to use medicated oil when you are trying to reduce Pitta symptoms (such as: skin irritations, rashes, itchiness). The addition of herbs enhances the Pitta pacifying properties of the oil.

Types of Oil That Are Best for Pitta:

Pitta Massage Oil is a good choice for abhyanga. Applying Bhringaraj Oil or Brahmi Oil to the scalp and soles of feet at bedtime may reduce pitta and encourage sound sleep. If you don’t have medicated oils, use sunflower or coconut oil for your abhyanga. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you may wish to add some Neem Oil to whatever your basic abhyanga oil is, because it is said to reduce pitta in the skin.

In general, gently heat the oil for abhyanga. Oil applied to the head should be cool in the summer and slightly warm in the winter.

Pitta Dusting Powder:

If dusting powder does not irritate your skin you may enjoy using Pitta Dusting Powder in the place of soap. Make a paste with the dusting powder and water, then gently apply a small amount to the body in the shower and let it rinse off with the oil.

Kapha Pacifying Abhyanga

The main qualities of Kapha are unctuous, cool, heavy, slow, smooth, soft and static. Kapha and oil share most qualities. Because like increases like, using oil, especially cool oil, may increase Kapha rather than decrease it. However, because oil has the ability to absorb the qualities of substances it is prepared with, appropriate herbal oils can decrease Kapha.

Sushruta says that massage “reduces the fat and the aggravated Kapha of the system, smoothes and cleanses the skin and imparts a firmness to the limbs.” (Sushruta Vol.2, 24:28) He also says, “Anointing (Abhyanga) the body (with oil, etc.) imparts a glossy softness to the skin, guards against the aggravation of the Vayu [Vata] and the Kapha, improves the color and strength and gives a tone to the root-principles (Dhatus) [tissues] of the body.” (Sushruta Samhita, Vol.2, ch24:15-17)

Types of Oil That Are Best for Kapha:

Abhyanga with warm oil is best for kapha. While sesame, corn and mustard oils are all helpful because they are warming, herbal oils are an even better choice for Kapha, as they add more Kapha pacifying properties to the oil. Kapha Massage Oil is a good choice for general use. (If you are using sesame oil, opt for untoasted sesame oil; toasted is more expensive and has a very strong natural scent).

Kapha Dusting Powder:

To accent the positive effects of abhyanga for kapha-types, vigorously rub Kapha Dusting Powder into the body before or after performing abhyanga, either while working in or rinsing off the oil. It is said that massaging the body with soft, fragrant powders mitigates Kapha, liquefies the fat, produces stability (compactness, strength) of the body parts, and excellence of the skin. (Ashtanga Hrdayam, Vol.1,  

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Copyright 2005 Claudia Welch