When fall hit on September 21, I was in immediate need of a warm oil rubdown ALL over my body. The first day of fall was windy, overcast and freezing! (Not to be a complainer… cold for me is 60 degrees).
And more importantly, a relationship I cared about came to an end. I needed a remedy to ground my body, calm my mind and soothe my heart. Almost nothing gets you back to the root of who you are faster than applying the art of warm oil self-massage.
Benefits of oil self-massage
One remarkable thing about Abhyanga is that it’s both relaxing AND recharging. I notice this every time I do it – whether it’s early morning or late at night.
It relaxes you AND gives you energy. It helps you sleep, it blisses you out. AND it rejuvenates you on the deepest level (which is the aspect that strengthens you for the long haul). It builds endurance and stamina. When you do it daily and do it well, you supercharge your mind and body. In Ayurveda, we call it Abhyanga – an ancient self-care practice that yields huge results.
Here are four reasons why I love it:
- In Sanskrit, the ancient language of Ayurveda, the word for oil is the same as the word for love.
- You can do it yourself.
- You can do it whenever you need a recharge, reboot or protection from the harshness of the outside world.
- It’s super affordable home health care that protects you, heals you and yields a litany of benefits.
Here are six major benefits of oil-massage…
Benefit #1
Cellulite much? Abhyanga is a pro at tonifying tissue. That means it cleanses and strengthens your lymph, blood and muscle. When your primary tissues are strong and “exercised” in all the ways they need to be, cellulite has a lesser chance of survival. In Ayurveda, cellulite is a Vata-Kapha issue.
There are Vata air pockets trapped inside Kapha fat. From either perspective, you want to get those energies on the MOVE. And Abhyanga is one of the best ways to do that. Just the act of self-massage opens lymph and blood pathways that feed directly to your internal organs. The result is increased organ function. And that translates to better health overall.
Here’s how to do your own warm oil self-massage:
- Make the room warm and lay a towel down onto the floor. Use a bowl of hot water to warm up your bottle of oil – the oil should be comfortably warm.
- Pour a generous amount of oil into your hands and rub your hands together. Use your hands to rub oil into the tops and bottoms of your feet, and all over your ankles.
- Move up to your lower legs, the backs of your knees, all around your thighs and outer hips.
- Continue pouring oil into your hands as you move to each new area of your body.
- Use massaging strokes to cover your buttocks, low back, lower abdomen, belly and chest. Pay special attention around areas of concentrated lymph. These areas include your breast tissue, armpit area, kidney region, and the warrior lymph underneath your jawline.
- Move from your hands to your heart and your neck to your heart. When your whole body’s been oiled up, feel free to massage warm oil into your scalp as well.
Benefit #2
These days, everyone talks about nutrition. Ayurveda shines because it knows and teaches – it matters what you put into your body. AND, it matters just as much that your body can absorb it!
Your skin absorbs nutrition, too. Abhyanga nourishes and replenishes the skin by creating an essential environment for your skin’s natural ecosystem to thrive.
In fact, your skin has its own microbiome – a protective skin layer that requires a specific set of care and maintenance for optimal health.
Barbara Close, founder of Naturopathica, write:
“[the skin microbiome] is your skin’s first line of defense against irritants, environmental damage and infection.
A healthy skin microbiome keeps your skin strong, and better equipped to handle imbalances when they arise. A strong microbiome means clear, radiant skin.”
When your give your body the right nutrition, you give it resources it needs to thrive, In return, it releases residue and toxicity.
Abhyanga drives essential nutrition into your skin. When you do it, let the oil sit on your skin for at least 20 minutes. Then take a hot bath or shower. You don’t need to use soap.
It’s recommended that you don’t because oil IS cleansing. And you help balance your skin’s pH when you don’t wash off all that good stuff. Let it sink in.
Nutrients gets aborbed on a deep level and ultimately feed even your deepest tissues, such as bones and nerves.
That’s why I ALWAYS teach Abhyanga in my seasonal RAD cleanse programs. It upgrades any cleanse program’s effectiveness and drives home the power of self-care.
I call it, “nutrition from the outside in.” Nutrients heal the body, soothe the mind and eliminate toxins (even emotional ones).
Benefit #3
Abhyanga calms and restores the nervous system. In a time of so much speed and stimulation, I can’t emphasize this benefit enough!
“In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still.” – Pico Iyer
When I became an Ayurvedic practitioner in 2003, I had no idea that providing bodywork would be such a huge part of what I do. I was into Ayurvedic food and nutrition, so I learned Ayurvedic massage more out of necessity than desire.
But as my practice grew, and continues to grow, it always strikes me how profound it is when warm oil is poured on the scalp. I know it sounds strange… and it might sound like something you never want to do… but it’s amongst the most powerful treatments you can ever receive.
When my clients ask me why we do warm oil on the scalp in Ayurveda (almost always before they experience it, mind you), my response is the same…
Warm scalp massage is a direct line to calming your nervous system. Here is why
- The weight of the oil gives you roots.
- The scent calms your senses.
- The warmth soothes your mind and body.
You literally feel yourself drop down to a deeper level. It releases tension that nothing else has touched. The practice is at once magical, scientific and healing.
Benefit #4
Abhyanga is easy to make and use.
In Ayurveda, the base or carrier oil is filled with nutrition. And that oil carries herbs or essential oils – whichever ones you choose to add – into your body.
Carrier oils range anywhere from coconut oil (light and cool) to sesame oil (heavy and warm) to grapessed oil (medium and neutral). When you match the quality of the carrier oil (warm, cool, light or heavy) to what your mind-body needs, you’re practicing Ayurveda.
And, Ayurvedic oils almost always contain additional healing wisdom by way of herbs or essential oils mixed in. One of my specialties is making Abhyanga recipes for my clients. My teacher, DeAnna Batdorff, taught me well. Always therapeutic in nature, they SMELL SO GOOD.
And when the remedy matches the need (or imbalance), they’re truly transformative. In my opinion, Abhyanga is one of the most pleasurable remedies around.
Here’s one of my favorite recipes for strengthening vital fluids (Ojas) and cultivating healthy, feminine Kapha. I call it “Luscious.”
Talya’s Luscious Blend for Women
VP-K+
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 ounces
2 ounces Jojoba oil (anti-inflammatory and preservative)
2 ounces Avocado oil (cooling) or Sesame oil (warming)
14 drops Wild Orange or Blood Orange essential oil
12 drops Cypress essential oil
6 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
6 drops Vitex or “Clary Calm” blend by doTERRA
2 drops Rose Otto or Rose Geranium essential oil
Apply Luscious at least 3x/week. Rub it all over your body – from your feet to your heart and your hands to your heart.
Take 5 to 10 minutes to rub the oil into your skin thoroughly.
Benefit #5
Abhyanga revitalizes your body. I said this before, but what I want to emphasize is that your body is restored on a cellular level.
It has the power to feed you and detoxify you simultaneously. The best time of day for Abhyanga’s outstanding benefits to take root is morning or evening.
Abhyanga in the morning will help you ground and affirm your intention for the day. When times are tough and you find yourself less than excited to start a new day, I find this practice alleviates depression and helps get things moving.
It can give you a sense of purpose. Even if it’s only to place one foot in front of the other, that kind of simple encouragement matters and makes a difference.
Same goes for a.m. anxiety. Abhyanga’s a practice that gets you out of your head and into your body – within a matter of minutes.
Benefit #6
Abhyanga empowers you.
It’s a practice you can do when you want and how you want. You’re free to try all different blends and see how your body-mind-spirit responds. It’s a profound tool for self-care. And self-care is a form of taking authority over your health and wellness. Don’t wait for a doctor to tell you what to do when a remedy is right there in your bathroom or kitchen. Waiting to love you.
I can think of nothing more empowering than showing love to yourself. And love is demonstrated through action. When that action is Abhyanga, you’ve got a good thing going on. Here are a few more recipes to get you started and help you to enjoy benefits of oil self-massage…
Nourishing Abhyanga – Best for Vata
Use when you’re dry, cold, light, thin, exhausted, burned out
3 ounces Sesame Oil
1 ounce Jojoba Oil
18 drops Wild Orange eo
12 drops Vetiver eo
4 drops Helichrysum eo
Slow down and rub no more than one ounce of this blend into your skin using long, slow, deep strokes. Always apply feet to heart, hands to heart, neck to heart.
Calm and Cool Abhyanga – Best for Pitta
Use when you’re hot, inflamed, quick to anger, frustrated
2 ounces Sunflower Oil
2 ounces Coconut Oil
16 drops Sandalwood eo
12 drops Lavender eo
6 drops Peppermint eo
Chill out and rub no more than one ounce of this blend into your skin using calm, moderate, soothing strokes. Always apply feet to heart, hands to heart, neck to heart.
Motivate Abhyanga – Best for Kapha
Use when you’re sluggish, heavy, congested, cold, stuck
3 ounces Sunflower Oil
1 ounce Sesame Oil
16 drops Grapefruit eo
14 drops Marjoram eo
10 drops Rosemary eo
Get moving and rub no more than one ounce of this blend into your skin using short, quick, motivating strokes. Always apply feet to heart, hands to heart, neck to heart.
Last but not least, here’s a list of oils I recommend EVERYONE have in their Fall Wellness Kit:
Vetiver – warm, calming, grounding. Vetiver helps you be more rooted in your body and your life. Think of it like a grounding cord – it can help you face what’s difficult to confront. Added bonus – it makes a difference when it comes to hearing loss or ringing in the ears. Skin-wise, it may reduce scars, discoloration and stretch marks. It blends great with Ginger, Wild Orange and Palmarosa, to name a few.
Palmarosa – one of Ayurvedic Aromatherapy’s premier nervous system tonics. Palmarosa is excellent for soothing frayed emotions and providing relief to inflamed or injured nerves. I get mine from Floracopeia. You can also find it in doTERRA’s excellent Monthly Women’s Blend, Clary Calm.
Spikenard – rich, woodsy, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, protective, sedative. Spikenard is one of those wildly underrated oils until you understand the depth of how it can support you. It’s another powerhouse for bringing balance to the nervous system. Spikenard enhances immunity, calms the emotional mind and grounds out a blend.
Wild Orange – known as the Oil of Comfort. Wild Orange is the most warm and hydrating of all the citrus oils. It shines as a balancer for overall tissue health and supports the building of healthy gut flora. It soothes cranky kids (and adults), warms the spirit and smells amazing with Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Cardamom and Rose Geranium.
Cardamom – warm, sweet, expectorating, aphrodisiac. Cardamom is my go-to oil for all things digestive, especially when it comes to gas and bloating. It’s one of the oils that represent self-love and I often refer to it as the mama of all oils. I love that doTERRA includes Cardamom in their excellent Respiratory Blend, Breathe. It’s a powerful expectorant and can even reduce the acidity in coffee. Add one drop per cup every day – just make sure you’re using an edible and certified pure therapeutic grade oil like doTERRA’s.
On Guard – I opened a brand new bottle this morning as a celebration of fall’s arrival! Anti-bacterial and immune boosting, this is one blend I never want to be without. Protective cinnamon and clove make it too hot for applying straight on lymph. But a few drops on the soles or tops of your feet before a long plane ride might save you from getting sick or catching a bug.
Sandalwood – tonifying, calming, a star for cellular regeneration. Sandalwood is one of my all-time faves. When I was first introduced to Ayurvedic aromatherapy, it was a key ingredient in my original blend. I felt its healing powers immediately. It reeks of comfort, solidity and abundance. And I treasure the way it holds and comforts us when life feels challenging. Sandalwood is endangered, so make sure you choose one that’s grown sustainably.
Cedarwood – grounding, clearing, connecting. In terms of chemical constitution, Cedarwood is similar to Sandalwood. Only it’s not endangered, much cheaper and has the added benefit of being a psychic cleanser. Think of it as “poor man’s” Sandalwood. If you’re dealing with urinary or bladder irritation, Himalayan Cedarwood can be your friend. It pairs especially well with Bergamot (another psychic cleanser) and Rose Geranium (friend to the kidneys and urinary tract).
Need oils? Contact me and I’ll get you set up with a fall essential kit of your own!
If you enjoy reading this post and would love more frequent Ayurvedic tips and advice, join my Ayurveda Every Day with Talya Facebook group! I’d love to see you there!
Check my other blog post for tips and recipes to make your transition to fall smooth and pleasant.
Love, Talya
Disclaimer:
Always use essential oils with caution. They are VERY powerful and highly concentrated doses of plant medicine. Use very small amounts and check with your medical doctor, aromatherapist and/or holistic health care practitioner before applying – especially if you have any questions or concerns about a particular plan, its function, or contraindications. The recipes, advice, and guidelines found in this blog are meant for educational purposes only. They are not meant to treat, diagnose or cure any disease or illness. If you are pregnant, nursing, or using essential oils with kids or animals, always consult with a practitioner before administering.
