Volume III · Part IV · Chapter 34
Abhyanga — The Art of Oil Massage
Lifestyle — Vihara
About 3 min read
Charaka says that one who practises abhyanga daily is not easily affected by old age, fatigue or Vata disorders; that it gives good vision, nourishment, long life, good sleep and good skin, and makes the body strong and resilient. For people in the Vata stage of life it is perhaps the single most valuable lifestyle practice after a good diet and routine. The Centre offers a 60-minute Abhyangam by a trained female Panchakarma therapist for female guests (₹1,200 with medicated oil; ₹1,500 with Mahanarayan tailam from Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala); self-abhyanga can be learned for daily use.
| Oil | Virya | Best for | Season | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sesame (til), cured | Heating | Vata; dry skin, stiff joints, insomnia, cold | Autumn, winter, monsoon | The classical abhyanga oil; cure by warming to about 100 °C once and cooling |
| Coconut | Cooling | Pitta; heat, rashes, sensitive skin | Summer, early autumn | Solidifies in cold — warm the bottle in hot water |
| Mustard | Heating | Kapha; heaviness, cold | Winter | Strong; patch-test first |
| Almond | Mildly warming | Vata–Pitta; delicate or dry skin | All year | Costly; good for the face |
| Sunflower | Neutral | Pitta–Kapha | Summer | Light |
| Medicated oils (Mahanarayan, Dhanvantaram, Ksheerabala, Bala) | Varies | Joint stiffness, Vata disorders | As advised | On an Ayurvedic physician's advice |
| Step | Area | Movement | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warm the oil | Place the bottle in hot water to body temperature or slightly above | — |
| 2 | Head and scalp | Small circles with fingertips; a little oil on the crown | 2 min |
| 3 | Ears and face | Massage the outer ear; gentle upward strokes on the face | 1 min |
| 4 | Neck and shoulders | Long strokes down the back of the neck; circles on the shoulders | 2 min |
| 5 | Arms | Long strokes on the long bones; circles on elbows and wrists | 2 min |
| 6 | Chest and abdomen | Circles on the chest; clockwise circles on the abdomen (following the colon) | 2 min |
| 7 | Back and hips | Reach what you can; up-and-down strokes | 2 min |
| 8 | Legs and feet | Long strokes on thighs and shins; circles on knees and ankles; thorough sole massage | 4–5 min |
After massage, rest 10–15 minutes to let the oil soak in, then bathe in warm water using a mild soap or traditional gram-flour paste (besan ubtan) to remove excess oil. Wipe the bathroom floor dry — oiled feet on wet tiles are a serious fall risk.
Padabhyanga — the bedtime foot massage#
Charaka mentions oiling the feet for steadiness, sound sleep and good vision. It is the easiest abhyanga for older adults to do every night: warm 1 tsp of sesame oil or ghee, massage each sole for 2–3 minutes with the thumb, from heel to toes, then the ankles; wipe off the excess and wear cotton socks to protect sheets and floors.