Abhyanga (oil massage) is a traditional Ayurvedic (Indian traditional medicine) therapy which involves massaging the limbs with warmed oil. It is done prior to showering or a warm bath. It is inexpensive, quick (10 minutes) and easy to do for yourself or a loved one.
Abhi (अभि) means ‘in the direction of’ while Anga (अङ्ग) translates to ‘limb’. Abhyanga’s literal translation is ‘in the direction of the limb’.
Abhyanga is an excellent therapy to help nourish dry skin, especially in the dry and cold months of Autumn and Winter. It can be done once a day (traditional recommendation), once a week, once a month or just as needed.
If you are prone to dry skin, a regular oil massage is a simple self-care habit to try when the weather turns cold and dry. Ayurvedic tradition recommends starting as soon as the seasons change. If your skin is cracked, bleeding or inflamed, see your GP before trying any home remedy.
A gram of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Benjamin Franklin
There are many oils (sesame, coconut, olive, herbal infused) used for different purposes and ‘Doshas’ (Body types) in Ayurveda. Sesame oil (Organic) is a great general option from an Ayurvedic standpoint. It is preferable to get an organic one as non-organic ones generally have quite a strong smell.
Contraindications
Please note based on the scientific review conducted by Lekshmi, R (2018)- (bottom of this article) abhyanga should not be performed in the “beginning condition of fever, indigestion, after purgation and disease due to santarpana (bulking and nourishing therapy) and in pregnancy.”
What you need for Abhyanga
- Sesame oil (Organic preferably)- 50 mL- Melrose brand is excellent if you are in Australia
- Hot water
- 2 bowls
How to do Abhyanga
Total time: 5-10 minutes, plus 10 minutes to relax before showering.
- Preparing the oil: As simple as creating a ‘double-boiler’- adding 50mL sesame oil to a small bowl and then adding hot water in a bigger bowl to warm it up.
- Starting from the top of the body down.
- Massage technique: Take a small amount of oil and apply to your head in circles. Systematically make your way down the body- using long strokes for the limbs and small circles for the joints. You can spend more time on any areas which are tight or achey.
- Take your time.
- Once finished- relax for 10 minutes (minimum) to allow the oil to soak in and penetrate deeper into the skin.
- Shower as normal- use soap for essential areas but optional for rest of body. Otherwise you may be stripping the oil off the body- i.e. the job of soap!
This video provides a great visual of the technique to be used.
For an overview of some of the research on Abhyanga and traditional indications see the following review conducted by Lekshmi, R (2018).
Read the review in the Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
Any questions or to book in, feel free to contact Ahil at the Alexandria clinic on (02) 9341 5775 or by email at ahilnaturopath@gmail.com.
Ahil Naturopath/Acupuncture is a clinic located near Redfern, Alexandria and Waterloo. We also service areas across Sydney including Botany, Camperdown, Darlinghurst, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Mascot, Newtown, Rosebery, Surry Hills and Zetland.
We offer Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Cupping, Gua Sha (Scraping) and Moxibustion services in South-East, Eastern and Inner City of Sydney.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual advice from a qualified health practitioner. If you have a health concern, please see your GP or book a consultation.