Abhyanga

Abhyanga is full-body oil massage, traditionally given before panchakarma to mobilize doshas and toxins toward the gastrointestinal tract for elimination. It is also recommended as a daily self-care routine (dinacharya).

Abhyanga – oil massage अ य गं आचरे त ् न यं , स जरा मवातहा । ि ट साद पुि ट आयु: सु व न सु वक् दा यकृत ् ॥ शर: वणपादे षु तं वशेषेण शीलयेत ् । व य ऽ य ग: कफ थकृत संशु अजी ण भ: ॥ abhyaṅgaṃ ācaret nityaṃ, sa jarā śramavātahā | dṛṣṭi prasāda puṣṭi āyu: susvapna sutvak dārḍhyakṛt || śira: śravaṇapādeṣu taṃ viśeṣeṇa śīlayet | varjyo’bhyaṅga: kaphagrasthakṛta saṃśuddhi ajīrṇibhi: || Abhyanga means massage.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine

Varti – Rectal and urethral suppositories Abhyanga – Oil massage Avagaha – tub bath, sitz bath Svedana – sweating therapy, sudation therapy Bastikarma – rectal enema Annapaanam ca vidbhedhi – all food that help to induce purgation should be administered.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Roganutpadaniya

Suppression of Semen ejaculation: शु ा त ह वणं ग ु यवेदना वयथु वराः १९ यथामू स गा गभ गव ृ य मष ढताः Suppression of ejaculation causes Sravana – oozing of semen Guhya Vedana – pain in groin Shvayathu – oedema, inflammation Jvara – fever Hrid Vyatha – cardiac pain, distress Mutrasanga – Obstruction to the flow of urine and difficulty Angabhanga – bodyache, myalgia Vruddhi – Hernia Ashma – stone formation Shandata – Impotency Treatment: ता चूडसुराशा लब बि तशु य य ग अवगाहनम ् २० करैः स ं भजे

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Roganutpadaniya

Abhyanga – Oil massage Mardana – simple massage Veshtana – wrapping / covering the body/ organ with cloth Trasana – Threatening, frightening Seka – pouring of herbal decoctions / oils on the affected part Paishtika Goudika Madya – wine prepared from corn flour and jaggery- molasses Snigdha Ushna Basti – enema therapy with fat-oil, enema with drugs of hot potency Sukhasheelata – comforting the patient Deepana Pachana Siddha Sneha – medicated fats of different kinds- sources prepared with drugs ca

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Doshopakramaniyam

Shiro Abhyanga – smearing oil and mild massage, Shiro Pariseka– pouring oil in continuous stream, Shiro Pichu – keeping cloth soaked in oil over the entire area of scalp Shiro Basti – making the oil stand on the head with the help of a compound.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Gandushadi Vidhi Gargles

Then after the snehana is completed, abhyanga (unctuous massage) and sweda (sudation) is done.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)

All above mentioned recipes started with abhyanga (recipes for smearing) and ending with pradeha (local application of ointment) are useful in management of hemorrhoids associated with stiffness, edema, itching and pain.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

An individual of vata dominant prakriti shall imbibe madya after abhyanga (massage), utsadana (rubbing with herbs), bathing, dressed up, holy incense, anulepanam (unguent) and unctuous hot food.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

, is administered in four ways viz, pana or drinking, abhyanga – massage, gargle and basti – soup of peacock, partridge and chicken prepared by cooking with panchamula (Bilva- Aegle marmelos, syonaka – Orchis mascula, gambhari – Gmelina arborea, patala – Ficus microcarpa and ganikarika or medicated milk and medicated ghee prepared by boiling with the meat of peacock or tryushana (shunthi – ginger, pippali – long pepper fruit and maricha – black pepper) are beneficial in this condition.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

In case of uttana vatashonita affecting superficial tissues only, the patient should be treated with alepana (affected part is covered with medicinal paste), abhyanga (massage), parisheka (bathing in warm decoction or unctuous substances) and upanaha (application of poultice).

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)

In the skin, it produces luster and digests external applications (Lepa) and oil massages (Abhyanga).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 5: Kaladikakhyanam (Description of Kalas etc.)

Anjana (collyrium), Lepa (external applications), Snana (bathing), Abhyanga (oil massage), Vamana (emesis), and Pratimarsha Nasya (mild nasal medication) — these are recommended from birth onward.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 6: Aharadigatikathanam (Description of Food Processes etc.)

and Khara Paka (hard cooking) for Abhyanga (external oil application/massage).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)

Pre-Basti preparation: Abhyanga (oil massage), Swedana (sudation), light meal, and mild exercise.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 5: Sneha Basti Vidhi (Oil Enema Therapy)

Head oiling is of four types in order of increasing potency: Abhyanga (oil massage), Parisheka (oil stream pouring), Pichu (oil-soaked cotton pad), and Basti (oil pooling on head/Shiro Basti).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Even when severely burned (as if by Indra's thunderbolt), the physician should treat with oleation (sneha), massage (abhyanga), irrigation (parisheka), and poultices (pradeha) (36).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 12: Agni-karma Vidhi Adhyaya - Cauterization by Fire

Oil cooked with all aromatic substances is beneficial for massage (abhyanga).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 29: Skandapasmarapratishedha

Condition Treatment General Vata-Vyadhi Sneha-pana (drinking medicated oils/Ghrita), Abhyanga (oil massage), Sveda (fomentation), Basti (medicated enemas), warm and nourishing diet Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia) Oleation with Sneha, fomentation, Nasya (nasal medications), Basti, and medicated oils prepared with Vata-subduing drugs Ardita (Facial Paralysis) Measures laid down under the head of Vata-vyadhi, errhines, Mastikya-Siro-vasti, inhalation of smoke (Dhuma-pana), medicated drugs and unguents Gri

— Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 4: Vata-Vyadhi Chikitsa

Poisoned articles for Abhyanga (oils and unguents) look thick, slimy or discoloured and produce, when used, eruptions on the skin which suppurate and exude a characteristic secretion attended with pain, perspiration, fever and bursting of the flesh.

— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 1: Annapana-Raksha-Kalpa

General Vata-Vyadhi: Sneha-pana (drinking medicated oils/Ghrita), Abhyanga (oil massage), Sveda (fomentation), Basti (medicated enemas), warm and nourishing diet Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia): Oleation with Sneha, fomentation, Nasya (nasal medications), Basti, and medicated oils prepared with Vata-subduing drugs Ardita (Facial Paralysis): Measures laid down under the head of Vata-vyadhi, errhines, Mastikya-Siro-vasti, inhalation of smoke (Dhuma-pana), medicated drugs and unguents Gridhrasi (Sciatica)

— Sushruta Samhita, Vata-Vyadhi Chikitsa