Oil Massage and Ayurvedic Baths

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is the ayurvedic ritual of oil massage.  It is suggested you do this in the morning before bathing, however; it would be enjoyable and relaxing to do as a part of your bath no matter what time that is.

You begin with ¼ to ½ cup oil in a glass container.  Heat the oil in hot water or an oil warmer.  Begin with your feet and hands and work toward your heart.  When massaging joints, use a circular motion.  When massaging your arms and legs use long strokes.  Use a circular, clockwise motion when massaging your abdomen, back, and chest area.  If there is an area that’s hurting or needing more attention, spend more time there.

It is most beneficial when done in a warm steamy room so that the pores are opened.  It is also good to let the oil soak for 20 minutes if possible so it can soak into all the layers in your skin.  If you don’t have that much time it still will be beneficial; however, you might want to make it a weekly ritual. 

The oil you use should be based on your dosha. Look in the charts below for oils you might like to try. There are many benefits to an oil massage. 

In times of stress and in the busyness of life, when you’re anxious or especially vulnerable, massage is helpful for relaxation. It is calming, will help you sleep and is great for your skin - moisturizing and helping it become strong and healthy.

To make your own oil for self-massage, you’ll need to know your dosha. You can find a quiz here: Dosha-test-Ayurveda-Resort-Mandira-en.pdf (mandira-ayurveda.at)

Below are suggestions for essential oils and carrier oils for each type.  If you would like, you can infuse your oils with spices.  Otherwise, you can pick your favorite carrier oil and essential oils and make your own body oil.  For kapha and vata, all spices are good. I have included some suggestions for body oils below.  

Pitta Dosha

Essential oils: camphor, cardamom, chamomile, clove, coriander, fennel, gardenia, Geranium, ginger, honeysuckle, jasmine, vetiver, licorice, lemongrass, lime, mint, myrrh, rose, saffron, sandalwood, vanilla, turmeric, wintergreen.

Kapha Dosha

Essential oils: anise, angelica, basil, bay leaf, black pepper, cajeput, camphor, caraway, cardamom, clove, cedarwood, cinnamon, eucalyptus, garlic, ginger, juniper, lemon, marjoram, myrrh, Nutmeg, patchouli, peppermint, pine, rosemary, sage, tea tree, thyme, turmeric, valerian, wintergreen.

Vata Dosha

Essential oils: angelica, anise, basil, bay leaf, birch, black pepper, cajeput, camphor, caraway, cardamom, cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, cumin, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, garlic, gardenia, geranium, ginger, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lotus, myrrh, nutmeg, orange, rose.

Aromatherapy

You might also like to use the essential oil blends listed above for your dosha to make an aromatherapy mist. Just add a tablespoon of witch hazel to a 2 oz spray bottle.  Then add essential oils and fill with distilled water.

You could also make a moisturizing body spray.  Add a teaspoon of oil, a teaspoon of aloe and a teaspoon of glycerin to a 2 oz spray bottle.  Then add essential oils and fill with distilled water.

To make a spray for your hair add essential oils to herbal water in a spray bottle.  Add aloe or oil if you would like.

A Tradition from Around The World

Ayurvedic Baths

Avahaaha means tub bath in Sanskrit. In order to take an ayurvedic bath, you should know your dosha (see link above).  There are many quizzes online and books and websites to read about it, but make sure the quiz you take is thorough.

The temperature of the water is very important.  A bath that is cold can aggravate someone whose dosha is kapha or vata but be soothing to a pitta and vice versa.  If you have an imbalance, choose warm for vata, cool to cold for pitta, and warmest for kaptha. If you don’t have an imbalance, choose a temperature that matches the season.

To infuse your bath you will need to add one or two cups of fresh or dried botanicals. You can add them directly in the bath or make a bath tea with them first by boiling them in 8 cups of water.  Boil, reduce heat and simmer until half the water is evaporated, strain the water and add to your bath.  Soak and enjoy for at least 20 minutes. 

Water temperature is very important. Cold water is invigorating and toning while hot showers or baths increase blood flow and open our pores.  You might choose the temperature based on what season it is: warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Or you could choose the water based on your dosha.  The warmest water for kapha, warm for vata and the coolest for pitta.

You might choose to add a cup or two of fresh or dried flowers to your bath.  Here are some examples and why you should use them.

Lotus - The lotus is the flower of India and they consider it to be the most sacred flower of all.

They are cooling and good for pitta and kapha doshas.  They are good for itchiness, red skin and your complexion.

Roses are uplifting and positively affect our emotions. They soothing and good for red skin

Jasmine flowers have an intense scent.  They are healing, rejuvenating and balancing.  They are good for protecting and detoxifying the skin.

Marigolds are very healing for the skin.  They have been used for centuries for that purpose.  

Marigolds are antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal and are great for both oily and dry skin. It can help with skin irritations.  It has anti-aging effects and is a natural moisturizer. It helps to clear blemishes.

Musk Rose is an aphrodisiac and is balancing for all three doshas.

Turmeric has many benefits.  It is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic.  Be careful as turmeric stains bathtubs and towels. It can help with muscle aches and joint pains.  It can help acne, eczema, and redness.

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy my new book, “Radiance & Ritual: Skincare and Self-Care for the Winter Season” and its companion journal will be available on December 5th (National Bathtub Party Day) on Amazon. For more information, visit Radiance & Ritual (radianceandritual.blogspot.com).