Oils and their Preparation
The body oil used in this traditional Ayurvedic foot massage is prepared using medicinal plants, spices and powders that originate from South India. Each year I bring the plants etc back from India and then prepare the massage oil at home (in the back garden !) using local organic sesame oil and some local organic fruit. Sesame is used as the base oil because it is very effective at absorbing the plant essences, it is also heating for the body which is important in 'cold' climates.
The oil takes 2 days to prepare; on the first day the dried plants are reconstitued by boiling them for several hours in water. On the second day, the filtrate (kshaya) is mixed and boiled for 3-4 hours with the other ingredients (spices, powders, oil and fruit juice) until a 'dry' medicinal oil is produced.
Ihe small amount of medicinal head oil used in each treatment is prepared by my teacher, P Vijayan. This oil is based on coconut oil. It contains numerous plants (20+) and is best prepared using fresh plants. The preparation technique and recipe still today remains a tightly kept secret within my teacher's family.
The medicinal body oil is a tri-doshic oil and is suitable for use on all body types. It subtly balances the Vata, Pitta and Kapha Doshas. The plant essences and extracts used in the oil have properties that
- give power to the blood and lympathic systems
- promote good joint movement
- enhance the skin
- suck waste out of the body, and
- build strength in the body.
