what we get wrong about abhyanga
“Oil massage should be performed regularly. It destroys aging, exhaustion, and vata.
It improves vision, nourishment, longevity, sleep, health of skin,
and makes the body strong.”
what we get wrong about abhyanga
If you’ve been around Ayurveda for even a short amount of time, chances are you’ve heard of abhyanga—the Ayurvedic practice of oil massage. This application of medicated oils can be done as part of your dinacharya (daily routine) or facilitated by an Ayurvedic bodyworker as part of a therapeutic regimen.
I often find people equate abhyanga with skin moisturization—something like applying lotion. And when they feel their skin isn't too dry, the practice tends to fall away. While this understanding isn’t entirely wrong, like most things in Ayurveda, the truth runs much deeper.
snehana: more than just oil
In Sanskrit, the word snehana means oleation or lubrication. Likewise, sneha means oil—but it also means love. I’ve always appreciated that Ayurveda recognizes the same nourishing, soft, grounding, wrap-you-up qualities in oils that we associate with love.
Charaka describes snehana as:
Snehanam Sneha Vishyanda Mardava Kleda Karakam (CS Su. 22-11)
This lists to the actions that oiling bestows:
sneha (unctuousness)
vishyanda (liquefaction)
mardava (smoothness)
kleda (moistness)
Snehana is considered a principal property of the water element.
benefits of snehana:
The classical texts tell us that the benefits of snehana are far beyond moisturizing, and include:
increases digestive power
creates a feeling of lightness in the body
softens and smoothes skin
enhances circulation
supports proper elimination of wastes
relieves fatigue
improves eyesight
facilitates restful sleep
slows signs of aging
lubricates joints
The Ashtanga Hrdayam recommends oleation for: those that think too much, those that are depleted, the elderly, children, those with degeneration of the body tissues, those that are dry, those with eye issues, and those with diseases arising from Vata. In short: most of us benefit from this practice.
A few exceptions include individuals with excess Kapha or ama (undigested material/toxicity), or an acute case of indigestion of any type. In these cases, it’s important to tend to agni (digestive fire) and
working with oils in Ayurveda
Snehana can be administered in two ways:
External Oleation: where application is done with medicated lipid substances
Internal Oleation: where unctuous substances are taken internally
We’ll focus on external applications in this blog. The many forms include:
massaging gently with medicated oils (abhyanga)
systematic pouring of oils (shirodhara is an example)
oiling the head (shirobhyanga or talam)
oil pulling (kavala or gandusha)
retaining medicated ghee on the eyes (netra basti/tarpana)
filling the ears with oil (karna purna)
the doshic effects of snehana
The qualities of oil—heavy, smooth, unctuous, soft, and spreading—make it especially effective for balancing Vata.
Keep in mind:
Vata naturally increases in the fall and early winter, making this a key season for snehana.
Vata governs the last third of life, so regular abhyanga becomes increasingly important as we age.
Even if Vata isn’t dominant in your prakriti (constitution), it can arise in your vikriti (imbalance).
reframing abhyanga
If you’ve been thinking of abhyanga primarily as a skin-care ritual, it’s time to reframe. The benefits reach far deeper—into your nervous system, joints, digestion, and subtle body.
This isn’t just skincare. It’s deep, dosha-balancing, therapeutic nourishment.
If you're new to abhyanga and would like an easy how-to, you can find one here.
related products
Grounding Tailam is a traditional formulation that pacifies Vata dosha across all tissue systems. It’s warming, nourishing, and grounding, and there is a weight to this oil which soothes the nervous system. And because of the exacting traditional preparation of this oil, it absorbs into the skin quickly and deeply, minimizing any residue on the skin!
Tailam means "oil" in Sanskrit, and Grounding Tailam is part of a new series of classical, Āyurvedic oil preparations we are offering at the Ayurvedic Wellness Center. This oil is appropriate for whole body abhyanga as well as massaging crown, ears, and feet with before bed.
This oil is a great option for those who are already using the Vata Daily Doshic Massage Oil and would like to try something in a more traditional preparation.
4oz/16oz
Nourishing Tailam is a traditional preparation, pacifying to Vata and Pitta, supportive to those experiencing stress, depletion, insomnia, issues of the mind (which we know as Vata imbalances), menstrual issues, and male reproductive issues.
Tailam means "oil" in sanskrit, and Nourishing Tailam is part of a new series of classical, Ayurvedic oil preparations we are offering at the Ayurvedic Wellness Center. This oil is appropriate for whole body abhyanga as well as massaging crown, ears, and feet with before bed.
It is rejuvenating, nourishing to the senses, life-giving, and building in nature. And because of the specific way in which this oil is prepared, it absorbs into the skin quickly, minimizing any residue on the skin!
4oz/16oz
Karna Purna is the Āyurvedic practice of oiling the ear. Vata Dosha is a combination of Air & Ether elements. Ether element rules the organ of the ear and hearing, and we can use the oiling the ear canal as means to pacify dosha.
This ear oil combines herbal ingredients including garlic, calendula, st. john’s wort, and olive oil to allow for a wide spectrum of ear problems to be addressed. We like to use it to oil the ear canal during abhyanga, or fill the ear canal with oil prior to sleep. It invites a sense of groundedness, quiet, and calm, while also addressing auditory sensitivities.
This ear oil is also gentle enough to be used on children and animals. Comes with a dropper for easy use.
1 oz
Santhwanam translates to “soothing”. This massage oil is ideal when there is tenderness, whether in the physical, mental, or emotional body.
Physically, Santhwanam supports healthy circulation to minimize swelling and discomfort, making it Ideal in bodies that may be congested or struggle with Kapha stagnation.
This daily massage oil:
* Supports Blood Flow & Healthy Circulation
* Nourishes and Rehydrates the Skin
* Relaxes Joint and Tissues
More subtley, we like using Santhwanam to soothe a heart that needs tending, or care for mental and/or emotional tenderness.
This oil absorbs beautifully into the skin and is well-suited for a full-body abhyanga. For a more energetic approach you can spot treat, and use for “dry” abhyanga to support anything that’s feeling congested and stuck.
4oz + 8oz
You love abhyanga, but body oils are often too heavy for the face. The most delicate skin of the body requires its own special oil.
Our apothecary-crafted face oil blends both lightly nourishing and deeply penetrating oils, for an oil that hydrates, but doesn’t sit on the skin. Botanicals are our medicine here. Rose is hydrating, soothing, and anti-inflammatory. Carrot Seed tones and tightens, while Frankincense clarifies and protects.
We use this oil to cleanse, remove make-up, and moisturize. It’s a great hydrating step after our sandalwood + rose face scrub.
1oz
Muscle + Joint Tailam is a Vata pacifying oil ideal for active lifestyles, and muscles and joints that have seen a lot of wear and tear. This formulation is very nourishing. It’s heating properties relieve sore or injured muscles and joints. This oil carries its own Agni, delivering its nourishing, strengthening, and rejuvenating qualities deep into the tissues.
robust formulation targeted to the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems
use on sprain, strains, and injuries
apply post workout for recovery support
massage the abdomen, low back, and hips for menstrual pain
4oz/8oz
Healthy hair starts at the scalp. Regular oiling and massage of the scalp brings nourishment to the root, improves blood flow, and hydrates for shine.
This oil is based on Āyurveda’s most traditional hair oil formulation and is designed to stop hair fall and support healthy hair growth.
Apply vigorously to your scalp before bathing. You can leave the oil on overnight for an extra nourishing treatment. Apply shampoo before getting the head wet when washing oiled hair.
2oz
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