Uses of Oils in Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the ancient science of healing with more than 5000 years of history. It is the natural treatment system to balance the body, mind and soul. It is based on Tridoshas (3 bodily humor) and Panchamahabhuta (five element principle). The balanced state of tridoshas and five elements is healthy condition. The use of natural herbal oil assists in balancing the life energy and tridoshas.

While treatment any ailments Ayurvedic essential oil is helpful. The actual use of oil in daily use is for preventive and curative health. Traditionally, Ayurveda medicine practice is based on principle to encourage vitality. Essential oil is used multipurpose externally and oral intake also. Use of oil can relieve from physical and mental stress and expel toxins. The popular uses of oil according to Ayurveda can be described as below

Ayurvedic Massage: According to Ayurveda, oil massage is an integral part of daily routine for overall health and well being. Whole body oil massage is very useful for removing toxins from the body. This is called Abhyanga in Ayurveda which is done as the pre-operative procedure of Ayurvedic detoxification (Panchakarma). Ayurvedic oil massage can nourish, pacifies Vata and Kapha, relieve fatigues and helps to rejuvenate. Ayurvedic head massage (Shiro Abhyanga), Foot massage (Padabhyanga) are the special massage for routine health care.

• Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings
• Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
• Calming for the nerves
• Lubrication of the joints
• Increased mental alertness
• Improved elimination of impurities from the body
• Softer, smoother skin
• Increased levels of stamina through the day
• Better, deeper sleep at night

Ayurveda Cooking: Oils are used in the preparation of foods. This will give rich flavor, stays light on heart and makes cooking tasty and tangy. Vegetable oil is soft on heart and adds flavor to the cuisine. For example, Sesame oil provides not only a healthy body but also good oral health. There is the tradition of using vegetable oil for cooking like Sesame oil, Peanut oil, mustard oil, coconut oil. Use of this oil makes food edible, soft, nourishing, and easily digestible.

Ayurveda medicine: Among the various forms of Ayurveda medicines, oils are the best form of medicine. External applying of oil over the body is helpful for physical and mental condition. Even oral intake of some herbal oil is described in the text book of Ayurveda. Single herb aromatic oils or mixtures of several herbs are common for

Oil Bath : Oil bath is the traditional method to the nutrition of the skin and the softness of the muscle. It is beneficial to the body; promote luster, strength and vitality. Sushruta, an ancient physician who lived in 6th century BC, advocated the use of oil bath for ideal health. The greater benefits include increased blood circulation, especially to nerve endings, toning of the muscles and the whole physiology, calming for the nerves, lubrication of the joints, increased mental alertness, improved elimination of impurities from the body, softer, increased levels of stamina through the day and better, deeper sleep at night.

Hair oil: Hair is the most important cosmetic addition to our appearance. Ayurvedic Oil enriches hair growth and pigmentation. It prevents premature graying of hair, dandruff, increases the strength of hair follicles (and thus preventing hair-fall). Daily use of oil over head is very useful for nourishing the hairs as well.  This not only brings forth a rich, natural shine and soft texture to the hair, but also helps rejuvenate hairs that are dull and damaged. It also prevents split hair ends.

Oral Health: Ayurveda describes Oil Kabala and Gandusa dharana as the daily routine for oral health. After cleaning teeth, gargle with medicated oil like sesame and split the oil out then massage gums with finger. Doing this twice daily can improve health of teeth, gum, gingival, throat and jaw even to remove wrinkles from the cheeks.

Ear Ailments: Lubricating ear with oil is necessary for preserving the healthy hearing. It is better to put oil in ear periodically correcting the condition like ringing in the ears, poor hearing or excessive earwax etc. Pouring 5 drops of sesame oil in your ear canal is the proper preventive and curative treatment of most of ear ailments.