Oil Bathing with benefits

Oil pulling is getting popular in the west. There seems to be a lot of discussion in media and research community about its various benefits. On those lines, we decided to introduce yet another important practiced by our ancient people for a healthy life. It’s called as Oil bathing. This is one activity we contently reminding our parents in our whatsapp group.

Though we (people from India) have been practising oil bathing for ages, we decided to research further into Ayurveda and siddha text to dig more details about this holistic practise. This article is not only for babies, but to all every one.

Oil bath is a process of applying certain oil over the body, in a certain way, on a certain days. When we practices this over a period of time, we reap lot of benefits in short, to long term. Let’s start with the benefits first, followed by a details procedure. The procedure we would recommend would suites well with our busy lifestyle.

There seems to plenty of benefits of performing an oil bath, some has been proved in research and some are yet to be provedJ. Over all it does benefits in a positive way to mention some:

1. Balances the Vata, Pitta and Kapha known as Tridosha- if this is balanced, consider all the benefits are just a free add-on!
2. Best Anti-ageing, younger skins, natural moistening, healthy blood circulation, healthy eyes, cool head, reduces headache, Feel lighter, frees from stiffness and body pain, Healthy hair, scalp, etc
3. At a spiritual level, it cleanses the Aura, balances the chakra and keep the body at alert and aware state. And the list goes on…

Let’s go deeper in the “applying certain oil over the body, in a certain way, on a certain days” part.

Recommended Oil

1. Gingelly oil (a.k.a til oil or sesame oil)
2. Coconut oil
3. Herbal / medicinal oil recommended by Ayurveda or Siddha doctor

Many people use other oils as well, Olive oil, Mustard oil, Castor oil, etc. There is nothing wrong in using these oils. Ayurveda or siddha speaks highly of gingelly oil. So we highly recommend gingelly oil. Not many know, it is called as queen of all oils.

We also highly recommend that you play with other oil in parallel that suites well. Your body and mind is the best judge, just explore all and you will end up with one that makes you feel well. In most cases its gingelly!

It is better if you can get cold pressed organic oil. Or if you are in India and have local knowledge you can find places where they prepare oil in a traditional way. Or even you can prepare your own herbal oil in upcoming articles.

Recommended procedure to apply

1. Scalp: Always start applying at the scalp with a gentle rub. You should feel the heat radiating out from the skull
2. Yes: if the oils Is of good quality and pure you can apply couple of drops in eyes
3. Ears: few drops to dilute the ear wax
4. Rest of face
5. Palms and feet: apply in both palms and rub it
6. Rest of body

Following the procedure in a same order will release the heat thru eyes without irritation.

Massage the body

Unless you are trained massage therapist. Do not play hard, especially with kids. Just apply oil and may be a gentle massage against gravitational pull.

Day and time

If you are from India or especially from south you know it’s a Saturday. Actually our ancient text given even more details, they recommend.

• For Men: it is Wednesday and Saturday
• For Women: it is Tuesday and Friday

In today life busy world, it’s hard to do this in a working day partially if you have early start. But sticking to Saturday is something we should add in our schedule.

Usually it recommended to apply oil and face the sun rise. To not wait for long time. 10 to 20 mins it more than enough if you are living in a cold country.

Scrubbing

Homemade scrubs are better for babies. Some like this

1. Bengal gramflour,
2. 1 tsp tumeric powder,
3. 1 tsp vacha powder,
4. 1 tsp zeodary root powder
5. Cream of milk

Mix all together a best scrub for babies. Natural scrubbers such as vetiver scrubber, sponge guard, Bark of Rita even soft coconut fiber can be used.

Use warm to hot water. Do not pour hot water directly over the head. Use luke warm to cold water for head because hot water is said to be not good for hair and sense organs especially eyes. It can cause hair loss and decrease the strength of the sense organs.

We would not suggest soap, as it’s very hard to get the oil out and it damages the skins. We recommend gram flour.

For girls, when are using in face you can also add a pinch of turmeric powder with gram flour to remove unwanted facial hairs.

Any natural soap free shampoo is better or Shikakai power (you can even by a home made shikakai for here).

After an oil bath

Make sure you follow few things

1. Black pepper rasam or soup
2. Do not eat cooling food
3. Avoid sleep in day time as this is most important to follow

As you practice this over a period of time you will notice the changes in body and you will feel lighter healthier mentally, physically, spiritually.

It advisable to avoid oil bath when

1. You are not well
2. Cold or flu
3. Weather is cold or rainy day

To save some time over you weekend. You might first apply over your body followed by applying to your kids and give them a bath, in the last you take bath.

Do share your feedback or what kind of oil bath you do or even ask question in our comments.

Author: Velu Jayaprakash

Velu Jayaprakash is a social entrepreneur, product manager, techy, photographer, meditator, father of two angels, ancient wisdom seeker, holistic adviser and Soul coach. You can reach him at velu.jayaprakash AT gmail DOT com View all posts by Velu Jayaprakash