Who doesn’t enjoy a massage? The peaceful atmosphere, relaxing music, incense, and warm oil rubbed deep into those sore and overworked muscles sound heavenly. It is no wonder that ayurvedic massage has become so popular around the world in recent decades. Ayurvedic products cover a wide range of applications, but perhaps the most enjoyable of all are ayurvedic oils for massage. Although, just because it’s enjoyable doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial to your health. On the contrary, in addition to the numerous health benefits resulting from the thorough relaxation of a deep massage, the specialized ayurvedic oils which are used in the various forms of massage treatments work in subtle and profound ways to the greater benefit of the patient. Ayurvedic medicine has organized massage treatments and their respective oils according to the purpose and indications of the treatments, each falling into the general category of the particular dosha which is responsible for the condition.

The most common cause of conditions which ayurvedic massage is used to treat is vata imbalance, which manifests as stress, anxiety, nervousness, tenseness of muscles and dryness of the skin and bones. The relaxation of a massage and moisturizing effects of oil are great for all of these conditions. The best ayurvedic oil for treatment of vata is sesame oil. It is warm, heavy, as well as both lubricating and nourishing to the skin, bones, and nerves, and calming to the mind. It is the only ayurvedic oil able to penetrate all seven layers of skin to deliver its nourishing gifts to all organs and tissues. In addition, it is a great vehicle for tonic and rejuvenative herbs, particularly ashwagandha, shatavari, and bala, all of which are great tonics for vata. Sesame oil works synergistically with the nutritive, softening, and moisturizing effects of these herbs, rendering their combination a great treatment for the skin and deeper tissues.

Pitta imbalance can often express itself through anger, stress, frustration and irritability, which also makes it a great candidate for massage treatment. Pitta is the dosha of fire and when aggravated it spreads its heat throughout the body. Consequently, many treatments for pitta involve cooling energies, and the best oil for this is coconut oil, which has a very cooling energy. Coconut oil’s cooling, moisturizing, and nourishing effects calm the fiery pitta dosha and help to relieve the thirst and burning sensations of many tissues of the body. However, medicated ayurvedic oils for the treatment of pitta usually use a combination of sesame and sunflower, where the penetrating properties of sesame are utilized and its warm energy is balanced by the cooling energy of sunflower oil and the accompanying herbs.

Though kapha imbalance generally manifests as a buildup of fatty tissues, there are some oils which work well to treat it. Principally among these are mustard oil and the pungent essential oils. Mustard oil is warm, light, stimulating, and expectorant, rendering ita quite unique ayurvedic oil. The warming and cleansing effects of its pungent quality help to break down and expel fat, in addition to stimulating the natural bodily metabolic functions which can be slowed due to excess kapha. Essential oils like sage, cedar, pine, patchouli and cinnamon are great for kapha and have an invigorating and stimulating effect on the body and nerves.

These are just a few of the many ayurvedic oils used for massage and various other treatments. Ayurvedic massage treatments seek to restore calm and relaxation through the use of oils that gently cleanse and counter-balance the natural tendencies of the various doshas. Ayurvedic oils, just like ayurvedic herbs, are organized according to their energies and effects, and as such they can easily be blended to provide the greatest benefit to the patient. If pain or stress ails you, perhaps you should look into one of the many ayurvedic oils and massage treatments as a step to finding peace and relaxation.