Ayurvedic Abhyanga Treatment

A medical system from India that has been used for thousands of years. The goal is to cleanse the body and to restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. It uses diet, herbal medicines, exercise, meditation, breathing, physical therapy, and other methods.​​​

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Ayurveda is a whole-body (holistic) system of medicine that began in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda means the study of life. It takes a natural approach to all aspects of health and well-being.

Ayurveda is based on the idea that each person has certain life forces (doshas) and everything in the universe is connected. An imbalance in 1 area can affect another. When the imbalance is not fixed, disease and illness can occur. Ayurveda mostly uses nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural treatments. These are used to support balance and a return to health. Ayurveda is very focused on overall health. But it may use specific treatments for some diseases.

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The focus of Ayurveda treatment is to:

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• Support the body in removing toxins and impurities

• Reduce symptoms

• Increase disease resistance

• Reduce stress

• Create more harmony and balance in life

 

Herbs and other plants are often used. These include oils and common spices.

Ayurvedic treatment is unique for each person. It includes 1 or more of these:

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• Internal cleansing (purification)

• A special diet, including a wide variety of spices

• Herbal and plant medicines

• Massage therapy with different types of oils

• Yoga

• Meditation

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In ayurveda, abhyanga may work in several ways. “Skin is one of the biggest organs in the body. It plays a role in elimination and immunity,” says Sukumaran. Both the oil and massage may improve health in different ways.

Massage itself can be de-stressing, and the oil may act as a moisturizer for the skin to keep it supple and hydrated. Properly hydrated skin allows the skin’s barrier to stay intact, which is important because the skin is your immune system’s first line of defense, notes a review on skin, immunity, and aging.

Ayurveda practitioners believe that oil self-massage may also lead to:

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• Better circulation (of blood and lymph fluid)

• Improvement in sleep

• Healthy vision

• Increased longevity

 

The practice encourages you to put yourself first by carving out time and ritualizing self-care; in theory, this has a positive ripple effect on your wellness. “Abhyanga is one of the most important self-care rituals. When we care for our most precious thing — our bodies — it leads to higher self-esteem and self-respect,” says Sukumaran, from her personal experience.