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 Why
use any massage oils at all ? If the body is rubbed dry, the
friction created generates heat and pain, which aggravates
the element of vata
(wind) and thus disturbs the gasses in the body.
Massage oils eliminate friction and disperse
heat evenly through the body. Massage oils are a nutrient
for the skin and strengthen the nerve fibers that are connected
to the hair follicles. The small amount of massage oils remaining
on the skin afterwards, and after the shower or bath that
follows, provides resistance to environmental temperatures
and pressures. Application of massage oils to the navel before
going to sleep cures dryness of the whole body. When massage
oils are applied at the junction of spine and skull, they
calm the entire nervous system, strengthen memory and improve
the eyesight.
Many types of massage oils are used in Ayurvedic
massage. For general body massage, mixed formulas of massage
oils are widely used in ayurvedic massage, of which some examples
:
Massage oils for women and children
: To 4 cups of sesame oil, add 2 tablespoons each of almond
oil, wheat germ oil and jasmine oil.
Massage oils for men : To 4 cups
of sesame oil, add 2 tablespoons of mustard oil, heated with
½ a teaspoon of asafoetida. Filter the mustard oil,
then add 3 tablespoons of turmeric (kurkuma) powder and cook
until the turmeric turns dark brown. Then add to the sesame
oil.
The following massage oils are primarily
used to stabilise an aggravated or simply dominant dosha :
| Aggravated or dominant dosha |
Primary massage oils |
| Vata |
Sesame |
| Pitta |
Coconut |
| Kapha |
Mustard or Olive |
Individual massage oils may have particular
therapeutic use,
such as Babuna (Chamomile) oil for relief of muscular pains
or coriander oil that removes excess body heat. Some indian
formulas for massage oils have becomes particularly popular,
such as Bringaraj oil, Brahmi oil and Mahanarayana oil.
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