Known & Interesting Article on Oil Massage

Known & Interesting Article on Oil Massage - oil massage benefits - Traditional practice

Today, I wasn’t in a mood to cook. Yes, got bored of cooking! Sometimes it happens, think it’s same with everyone. When we have a glance over, what elders were doing when they got bored of cooking, did they ever got bored of cooking?

This took me to past incident, a flashback…on Saturday’s, the morning routine was a good oil massage and hot bath, from grandmother. This scene was so enthusiastic and energetic, we as kids don’t want oil applied, we start  running around, whole family involved in this, including aunt’s would run behind us to catch hold of us and drag to the stool which was kept only for oil massaging, then we were dripped in oil- after great war between elders and us. But after soaking in oil for an hour or so, while we played in sun this time, then followed by hot bath. This was such a relaxing activity, must admit to the fact. We felt so charged, so with grandmothers & mothers, they also had a relaxed weekend after this hectic circus of oiling kids at home. This was a good relief from work and cook tension, they become lively again, go back to cooking routine, for which we were waiting, actually we feel very hungry after oil massage and hot bath.

With these thoughts flowing in my mind, I thought I will pen down the benefits of oil massage.

Table Of Contents

• Benefits for Skin
• Benefits for Muscles
• Benefits for Joints
• Benefits for hair
• Benefits for eyes
• Overall benefits

Oil Bath (massage) or Abhyanga in Ayurveda:

'Traditionally practiced' or custom, those days oil massage was done at least once a week on Tuesday or Friday for women and Wednesday or Saturday for men., each and every member of the family would get covered in dripping oil and then get a good massage from elderly members of family, soak for few mins to hours and then take a hot bath. 

But this is not practiced among present generation. It’s very sad that these days most of us have forgotten or just simply find no time for these rituals. Or some get done only on Deepavali festival.

Oil bath, has so many health benefits. We all know, but still wanted to mention them here as a reminder.

Let’s glance over few of the benefits, there are many more hidden benefits - proved by 'healthier older generation'

·        The major benefit being it strengthens immune system
·         Removes excess heat (pitta in Ayurveda) from the body and keeps cool
·         Improves blood circulation

Benefits for Skin

·         Cleans and removes dead skin
·         Provide required nutrients to skin
·         Combats dryness of skin
·         Skin gets natural glow, sun tans are removed, softens skin
·         Removes acne scars

Benefits for Muscles

·         Relieves any stress /tension/fatigue from muscles
·         Strengthens and improves muscle function

Benefits for Joints

·         relief from joint pains and also acts as lubricant
·         removes stiffness from joints that were either not used or sometimes overused

Benefits for hair

·         will give strength to hair and resulting in a good hair growth
·         removes dandruff due to dryness

Benefits for eyes                                                           

·         relaxing for the eyes, especially for those who spend a lot of time staring at computers, mobiles and TVs
·         cure for redness or irritations in the eyes
·         improves vision as per Ayurveda 

Overall benefits

·         strengthens back bones
·         nerves get activated/rejuvenates giving a fresh feeling
·         relieves stress due to inadequate sleep and calms mind
·         makes body look and feel young
·         Eliminates toxin
·         improves concentration in our daily activities

When we have so many benefits from doing it, don't we think we must go back to the times and follow this tradition, undoubtedly. It is more of a all-in-one therapy which can be made in one step, with one product, at home and cost effectively that to with numerous benefits.

It is one such part of ayurveda, our tradition...that in passing times have almost being forgotten. But its beneficial aspects being relevant even during this time. We must surely follow this and also educate our children about this so that valuable practice doesn't fade away with time.

Happy Oil Massage !