Role of Oils in Ayurvedic Role of Oils in Ayurvedic Health CareHealth Care

Dr.GayatrideviDr.GayatrideviAyurvedic consultantAyurvedic consultant

Vata-DiseasesVata-Diseases

Vata is one of the three vital forces that Vata is one of the three vital forces that run the body. (other two forces are pitta run the body. (other two forces are pitta and kapha)and kapha)

Majority of the health disorders are the Majority of the health disorders are the result of imbalance in Vata.result of imbalance in Vata.

Characteristics of Vata Characteristics of Vata Rooksha- dry and rough Rooksha- dry and rough Sheeta- cool Sheeta- cool Laghu--LightLaghu--Light Sookhshma-- very tiny, penetrating Sookhshma-- very tiny, penetrating

moleculesmolecules Chala- always moving Chala- always moving Vishada-broad, unlimited, unboundedVishada-broad, unlimited, unbounded Khara -rough Khara -rough

Characteristics of oilCharacteristics of oil

Snigdha---unctous Snigdha---unctous Guru --heavyGuru --heavy Mrudu --softMrudu --soft

These qualities are opposite to that of These qualities are opposite to that of vata- so act as anti vata –(Ayurvedic basic vata- so act as anti vata –(Ayurvedic basic principle.)principle.)

Oil is specific for Vata disorders--oil Oil is specific for Vata disorders--oil therapy is essential for most forms of therapy is essential for most forms of treatment. treatment.

It is useful for the other doshas as well. It is useful for the other doshas as well.

Indicated in diseases of the nervous Indicated in diseases of the nervous system, bones and the deeper tissues. system, bones and the deeper tissues.

UsageUsage

Internal use—part of food, Sneha panam-Internal use—part of food, Sneha panam-oral use in medicated form, nasya-nasal oral use in medicated form, nasya-nasal drops, in vasti karmadrops, in vasti karma

External use—abhyangam (oil massage), External use—abhyangam (oil massage), application on various organs specifically, application on various organs specifically, and in panchakarma and in panchakarma

Oil in food-usesOil in food-uses Balances vata dosha.Balances vata dosha. Provides energy. Provides energy. Fuel for muscles at rest and during light activity. Fuel for muscles at rest and during light activity. Insulates our bodies and protect organs, such as Insulates our bodies and protect organs, such as

the kidneys, from injury.the kidneys, from injury. Helps to absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. Helps to absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat in a meal helps the food to digest more Fat in a meal helps the food to digest more

slowly, keeping the full feeling longer.slowly, keeping the full feeling longer. Adds flavor and texture to foods. Adds flavor and texture to foods.

Oils in internal medicinesOils in internal medicines Majority of the diseases—caused by vataMajority of the diseases—caused by vata Oil is the right anti dote to vata.Oil is the right anti dote to vata. It is indicated in diseases ofIt is indicated in diseases of

the nervous system, the nervous system, bones and the deeper tissuesbones and the deeper tissues useful for the other doshas as well useful for the other doshas as well Act as carriers of the medicinal properties Act as carriers of the medicinal properties

of the herbs.of the herbs.

SnehapanamSnehapanam

Medicated oil/ ghee - given orally as part Medicated oil/ ghee - given orally as part of various treatments—like skin diseases, of various treatments—like skin diseases, vision problems, infertility and so on.vision problems, infertility and so on.

Eg. Ksheerabala tailam, bala aswagandha Eg. Ksheerabala tailam, bala aswagandha tailamtailam

NasyamNasyam Medicated oils are administered through Medicated oils are administered through

the nose, early in the morning on empty the nose, early in the morning on empty stomach. Eg. Anu tailamstomach. Eg. Anu tailam

Indications—hair fallIndications—hair fallpremature graying of hairpremature graying of hairbaldnessbaldnessmigraine migraine cervical spondilitis and so on.cervical spondilitis and so on.

VastiVasti

Medicated oils are introduced into the Medicated oils are introduced into the rectum through the anus.rectum through the anus.

Benefits –cures various vata disordersBenefits –cures various vata disorders improves immunityimproves immunity improves digestive systemimproves digestive system prevents aging effects on the prevents aging effects on the

body. body.

External use of oilsExternal use of oils AbhyangaAbhyanga SamvahanaSamvahana Murdha tailaMurdha taila Karnapurana Karnapurana

ParishekaParisheka GandushaGandusha AkshitarpanaAkshitarpana AvagahanaAvagahana

Abhyangam-oil massageAbhyangam-oil massage Abhyangam is an Ayurveda way of oil massage Abhyangam is an Ayurveda way of oil massage

Special herb infused Ayurvedic oils - warmed up -gently Special herb infused Ayurvedic oils - warmed up -gently massaged in to the skin. massaged in to the skin.

Benefits Benefits relaxation, harmonizes, detoxifies, relaxation, harmonizes, detoxifies,

strengthens and revitalizes the entire body.strengthens and revitalizes the entire body. improves lymph flow and stimulates the improves lymph flow and stimulates the

immune system. immune system. calms and strengthens the nervous system. calms and strengthens the nervous system. protector, preserver and rejuvinator.protector, preserver and rejuvinator.

Indications of AbhyangaIndications of Abhyanga

Rejuvenation Rejuvenation Infertility Infertility For relaxation For relaxation Vata related disorders (80 types) Vata related disorders (80 types) General weakness General weakness Disorders of joints Disorders of joints Diseases of muscles Diseases of muscles Disorders of nervous system Disorders of nervous system Gynecological  problems Gynecological  problems Disorders of cardio vascular problems Disorders of cardio vascular problems Psychological problems Psychological problems Muscular-skeletal problems Muscular-skeletal problems

Abhyangam-daily routineAbhyangam-daily routine

Ayurveda advises abhyangam as part of the daily routine Ayurveda advises abhyangam as part of the daily routine to maintain the health of the healthy.to maintain the health of the healthy.

Massage whole body every day with sesame oil/coconut Massage whole body every day with sesame oil/coconut oil/ mustard oil acc. to your constitution and have hot oil/ mustard oil acc. to your constitution and have hot water bath after half an hour. Medicated oils-dhanvantari water bath after half an hour. Medicated oils-dhanvantari tailam can be used daily.tailam can be used daily.

Massage hot oil during winter and cold oils during Massage hot oil during winter and cold oils during summer.summer.

Oil massage has for thousands of years played Oil massage has for thousands of years played an important role in Ayurvedic health care.an important role in Ayurvedic health care.

Beyond the obvious benefits of moisturizing and Beyond the obvious benefits of moisturizing and nourishing the skin, oils transmit their own nourishing the skin, oils transmit their own qualities to the body on a deep physiological and qualities to the body on a deep physiological and psychological level.psychological level.

The unctuousness of oil serves as an antidote to many of the The unctuousness of oil serves as an antidote to many of the scourges of modern life, such as addictions, irregularity, constant scourges of modern life, such as addictions, irregularity, constant travel, stress and loneliness. travel, stress and loneliness.

Benefits the very young and the very old, the undernourished and Benefits the very young and the very old, the undernourished and the over-worked.the over-worked.

Serves as a vehicle for the subtle powers of herbs, bypassing the Serves as a vehicle for the subtle powers of herbs, bypassing the digestive system and transporting their properties deep within the digestive system and transporting their properties deep within the tissues.tissues.

An indispensable preliminary to the Ayurvedic purification therapy - An indispensable preliminary to the Ayurvedic purification therapy - Panchakarma, Abhyanga helps loosen and relocate imbalances so Panchakarma, Abhyanga helps loosen and relocate imbalances so that they can be easily removed from the system. that they can be easily removed from the system.

ParishekaParisheka

Medicated oils are poured on the body in a Medicated oils are poured on the body in a systematic way.systematic way.

Benefits: Benefits: strengthens the body improves memorystrengthens the body improves memory• soft and smooth skin good for eyessoft and smooth skin good for eyes• nourishes all tissues anti agingnourishes all tissues anti aging•

GandushaGandusha

Holding medicated oils in the mouth for a Holding medicated oils in the mouth for a specific period. Eg. Simple sesame oil, specific period. Eg. Simple sesame oil, arimedadi tailam, bala awagandhadi arimedadi tailam, bala awagandhadi tailam.tailam.

Uses- Uses- gives strength to the joints in the gives strength to the joints in the jaw.jaw. Voice clarityVoice clarity Strengthens gums Strengthens gums Perception of taste- improvesPerception of taste- improves Clears ulcers & dryness in the mouthClears ulcers & dryness in the mouth Relieves tooth ache Relieves tooth ache

Murdha tailam Murdha tailam

Application of medicated oil on the headApplication of medicated oil on the head 4 types— 4 types— AbhyangaAbhyanga

• Seka/sirodhara Seka/sirodhara • PichuPichu• Sirovasti Sirovasti

Siro abhyangaSiro abhyanga

Applying oil on the head and doing gentle Applying oil on the head and doing gentle massage—sesame/coconut oil, brahmi massage—sesame/coconut oil, brahmi tailam, amalaki tailam …tailam, amalaki tailam …

Uses- Uses- Relieves head acheRelieves head ache Premature graying and falling of hairPremature graying and falling of hair Strengthens the skull bonesStrengthens the skull bones Increases hair growthIncreases hair growth Promotes good sleepPromotes good sleep Improves the perception of the sense organsImproves the perception of the sense organs

SirodharaSirodhara Medicated warm oil is continuously and Medicated warm oil is continuously and

rhythmically poured on the fore head from rhythmically poured on the fore head from a specific height for specific period. a specific height for specific period.

Benefits Benefits Alleviates excess Vata, Alleviates excess Vata, • Relieves mental stress and nervous tension, Relieves mental stress and nervous tension,

Enhances circulation in the brain,Enhances circulation in the brain,• Improves memory, Improves memory, • Nourishes the hair, Nourishes the hair, • Provides sound sleep Provides sound sleep • Calms the body and mind. Calms the body and mind.

PichuPichu

A piece of gauge/ cotton soaked in A piece of gauge/ cotton soaked in medicated oil is placed on the head.medicated oil is placed on the head.

Uses -Uses -corrects hair fallcorrects hair fall cures wounds on the scalp.cures wounds on the scalp.

Siro vastiSiro vasti

Keeping large quantity of medicated oil on Keeping large quantity of medicated oil on the head for a specific period with the help the head for a specific period with the help of a cap.of a cap.

Indications – Indications – head acheshead aches eye disorderseye disorders sleeplessnesssleeplessness facial paralysisfacial paralysis dryness of mouth and nosedryness of mouth and nose loss of sensationloss of sensation

Akshi tarpanamAkshi tarpanam

Retaining medicated oils/ ghee on the eye Retaining medicated oils/ ghee on the eye for a specific period.for a specific period.

Indications -all types of defective visionIndications -all types of defective vision ----eye infectionseye infections --weakness of eyelids --weakness of eyelids

Karna puranamKarna puranam

Filling the ears with medicated oilsFilling the ears with medicated oils Eg;Shadbindu tailam, kshara tailamEg;Shadbindu tailam, kshara tailam

Indications --Indications --deafnessdeafness• diseases of the eardiseases of the ear• vitiated vatavitiated vata• cervical spondilitiscervical spondilitis

conclusionconclusion

Oil has a positive role in prevention and Oil has a positive role in prevention and treatment of diseases in ayurvedic system treatment of diseases in ayurvedic system of health care. of health care.

Thank youThank you

Dr.GayatrideviDr.Gayatridevi Ayurvedic consultant-counsellorAyurvedic consultant-counsellor

ArogyapeethamArogyapeetham Ph. 9820257440Ph. 9820257440