Types of Ayurveda Oils
Ayurveda oil massage, known also as abhyanga, is recommend as a daily massage by the ayurveda health system of holistic healing for good health and well-being. Daily massage with ayurveda oil frees the mind and body of accumulated toxins and stress, thus rejuvenating and recharging the mind and body.
A full-body oil massage is nourishing, provides stamina, relieves fatigue, gives more restful sleep, balances our doshas, enhances the luster of our skin and upon completion, promotes a longer life and nourishes all parts of the body.
Some of the benefits of Ayurveda oil massage are better circulation, calming of the nerves, toning of the muscles, increased mental alertness, and lubrication of the joints. Ayurveda massage is usually done in the morning before your bath or shower. You can use an herbalized massage oil, aroma massage oil or cured sesame oil. In ayurveda, healing herbs are important. Herbalized oils contain a carefully chosen blend known for their ability to balance the mind and strengthen the physiology. Daily massage with the herbalized oil has two powerful benefits; the wisdom of the herb and the bodies response. Some of the herbs you will find in herbalized massage oil are:
- Winter Cherry : known as a powerful adaptogenic, aids the body in it’s natural ability to withstand stress and helps to balance the mind and emotions
- Country Mallow : helps to strengthen the physiology
- Sensitive Plant: helps to regenerate the nerves.
Aroma massage oil delivers balance to the mind and body. The healing of blended aroma’s, the warmth of the massage relaxes the body and stimulates circulation and provides detoxifying results. Ayurveda recommends blending different base oils and aroma’s depending on what you want to balance. Some examples are; Geranium Rose and Sweet Orange aroma oils are relaxing and fragrant, Coconut Oil and Lavender is effective in cooling down the mind, body and emotions, for a “pick-me-up” use Rosemary or Basil. You can make your own aroma massage oil using the following recipe:
- Start with 4 fl. oz of base oil like jojoba oil, almond oil or a light olive oil
- Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil.
Instructions for ayurveda massage: Have the oil warm, apply lightly to the whole body, wait about 5 minutes to allow the skin to absorb the oil, massage the skin with the whole hand, palm and fingers, use more oil and spend more time massaging the feet, base of the fingernails, palms of the hands and where nerve endings are concentrated. Use straight strokes on straight areas such as the arms and legs, circular motions on round areas, such as the head and joints. After the massage, relax for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the body to absorb the oil and for the massage to balance the body, mind and spirit, followed by a relaxing shower or warm bath.
It may be hard to squeeze in an Ayurveda message frequently but when you do the reward can last a long time because of the effect that it has on the body.