“The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age.”
Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89

Abhyanga is the act of applying oil to the body. Often medicated and usually warm, the oil is massaged into the entire body before bathing or showering. For thousands of years, people have used abhyanga to maintain health, benefit sleep patterns, and increase longevity. It has also been used as a medicine for certain disorders. Abhyanga can help to dislodge and eliminate toxins. Oils also make the body’s tissues more flexible and soft. As said in the Ayurvedic Classic, the Charaka Samhita “If Oleation is done correctly, you can make wood bend.”

The Sanskrit word sneha can be translated as both "oil" and "love". It is believed that the effects of abhyanga are similar to those received when one is saturated with love. Like the experience of being loved, abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and warmth. Sneha is subtle; this allows the oil/love to pass through minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue.

Repeated applications of oil to the various mucous membranes promote secretions. Oil dissolves the sticky toxins, which build up in the tissues, and helps to revive the metabolism and reopen the channels, removing obstructions in the tissues. The secretions have the effect of binding the wastes together, so they can be transported from the body. Oil is also grounding, stabilizing and calming, and one of the best ways to combat the dry, light, unstable qualities of Vata dosha.

Ayurveda uses medicated oils made with bitter herbs because the body naturally responds to bitter substances by rejecting them, causing a release of wastes. Medicated oils also combat dryness on the skin and lymph, giving a sense of grounding, slowing down the movement of the senses and mind.

In Ayurveda, it is believed that there are seven layers of tissue in the body (called dhatus). Each successive layer is more concentrated and life giving. For sneha to reach the deepest layer, it is believed that it must be massaged into the body for roughly five minutes. To give this kind of attention to your entire body, you may need about fifteen-minutes.

Heat and oil work together: putting oil on the body promotes softness and the release of wastes, and the heat from the shower or steam room helps to dilate the channels, to promote more movement of waste from the tissues, and detoxification. Done in combination, oil and heat have profound cleansing effects on the body.

How to perform Abhyanga
You will gently rub the oil into your whole body, it is generally recommended to start with the head. If you do not want to apply oil fully to the head, apply a couple drops to the top of the head. Initially use circular strokes, starting at the top of the head, then down and up each part of the body. After the head, move to the lower abdomen and back, using up and down strokes. Massage the oil onto the chest using long soft strokes. Next massage the arms, hands, legs and feet, moving up and down each limb. Use circular motions at the joints. Finally at the stomach, around the naval, use a clockwise movement for at least six circles. The idea is to lubricate the body, rather than to give your body a deep tissue massage. You can leave the oil on for at least thirty minutes, then follow with a hot shower or steam. Remember that the total time to massage the body should be at least fifteen minutes.

If you do not have medicated oils, you can use the following:
Vata: Sesame Oil or Castor Oil
Pitta: Coconut or Sunflower Oil
Kapha: Sunflower or Mustard Oil

Women should not perform abhyanga when menstruating.
Anyone with a fever or diarrea should not have abhyanga.

Sources of Ayurvedic Oils:
In the UK and Europe: www.pukkaherbs.com
In the USA: www.banyanbotanicals.com