Right now, the United States is on a real holistic health kick. Part of the reason for the growing interest in holistic medicine is that people are becoming more open to “New Age” spirituality. The ironic thing about New Age spirituality is that it’s based on some of the oldest beliefs, practices, and rituals in human history.
As part of the growing holistic health consciousness, there has also been a growing interest in Ayurveda and Ayurvedic oils. There are many different types of Ayurvedic oils as well as many benefits, but most people don’t know much about them aside from what they’ve heard through the grapevine. If you’re new to Ayurveda and Ayurvedic oils, then this is the guide for you.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a form of holistic medicine with origins on the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda is a compound word consisting of the words ayur and veda. Ayur means life, and veda means science, so Ayurveda literally means life science.
It encompasses much more than the use of natural oils and medicines — Ayurveda is all about mental and spiritual wellness with the goal that it will positively affect your physical health as well. In other words, Ayurveda is about treating the whole person and not just their body or a specific illness.
One of the main goals of Ayurveda is to rid your body of undigested foods, toxins in the blood, and toxic energy. This can be accomplished through different types of massages, the use of different medical oils, laxatives, blood purification treatments, and herbs. Like all forms of holistic health, Ayurveda is considered a complementary medicine and isn’t backed by the FDA or most practitioners of traditional medicine, but many people testify to its benefits.
What is Bhringaraj oil, and what is it good for?
Ayurvedic oils come in various compositions and have different benefits and functions. Each Ayurvedic oil is also good for a specific type of massage and produces different results.
Among Ayurvedic oil experts, Bhringaraj oil is the preeminent oil. It’s used to balance and relax the Vata, Kapha, and Pitta doshas. Doshas are elements that correspond to different bodily functions.
Vata is the force that controls the movement of the limbs, Kapha carries nutrients through the body, and Pitta controls metabolism. Your Doshas can be overactive, underactive, or balanced, and Bhringaraj oil is the ideal oil to balance your Doshas.
Not only is Bhringaraj oil good for balancing your Doshas, but Ayurvedic practitioners also use it to promote tranquility, healthy hair and skin, and it may even help you to regrow your hair if it’s thinning. No wonder so many Ayurvedic practitioners suggest that you “bring on the Bhringaraj.”
What is sesame oil good for?
Sesame oil is one of the more popular oils people use for Ayurvedic massages. Sesame oil is good for Abhyanga massages which are actually a type of massage that you can give yourself — you may be surprised by how much good a self-massage can do you.
The Abhyanga self-massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Sesame oil makes such a good oil for the Abhyanga self-massage because it’s a naturally warm oil which makes it ideal for a therapeutic massage because it can help relax muscles and improve your range of motion. Massage the parts of the body you experience the most aches and pains and judge for yourself the effectiveness of sesame oil and the Abhyanga massage.
Of course, some different types of massage can’t be done alone. If you think you’d benefit from an Ayurvedic massage and are looking for a massage practitioner, consider booking a day at a spa where they specialize in Ayurvedic massage practices.
What are some of the other oils used in Ayurvedic medicine?
As you read in the opening paragraphs, there are many Ayurvedic oils as well as different benefits. Mustard oil, coconut oil, and Shirodhara oil are some of the other Ayurvedic oils that Ayurvedic practitioners love to use.
Of those oils, Shirodhara is the one with the most benefits according to Ayurvedic experts. One of its main uses is for the management of insomnia, and it’s also known for helping people to relax their nervous system.
The best way to learn more about Ayurveda is to dive into the culture. If you never immerse yourself in the practice, then you’ll never have more than a tourist’s understanding of this ancient form of medicine.