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Practice Abhyanga!
Dear friends, how important is friendship in our lives, isn’t it? A life without friendship feels meaningless, and that’s absolutely true! Friendship brings joy, vitality, enthusiasm, and bliss into our lives. Ayurveda recognized this long ago and mentions it in its scriptures.
Ayurveda proclaims: Snehasāro’yaṁ puruṣaḥ — the entire human existence is sustained by ‘Sneha’ – ofcourse by true friendship and also by ‘unctuousness’ ! The optimal functioning of the human system is greatly maintained by the action of lipids / fatty substances !
Now you might wonder, what exactly is this Sneha that sustains our being? In Sanskrit, Sneha means ‘bonding’.
That which binds or connects two or more things is called Sneha. In Ayurvedic terms, substances that offer lubrication or cohesion in the body, like oily or greasy substances — are called Sneha.
These include lipids and fats, which play a crucial role from microscopic cells to major organs in binding everything together in a structured way.
All body tissues and organs require an adequate amount of Sneha to function smoothly. In our clinical practice, we see countless examples of people who, in the name of “zero-fat diets,” end up damaging their health.
A lack of fats in the body disturbs internal balance and weakens immunity, leading to diseases.
So, just as friendship between people is essential, so is this other friendship, lipids, for our health!
We can supply Sneha to the body in two ways | externally and internally.
External Sneha is provided through Abhyanga (oil massage).
The scriptures say: “Abhyangamācharet nityam”, which means one should practice Abhyanga daily to maintain good health.
This involves massaging the body from head to toe with suitable oils, ghee, or butter, preferably on an empty stomach in the morning, followed by a warm water bath.
Ayurvedic scholars state that Abhyanga is as vital to the body as eating and sleeping. It is the most effective external way of supplying Sneha to the body. The other method — internal Sneha — is through food.
Even Western medicine values lipids highly, calling them the essence of every living cell. Blood, lymph, hormones, enzymes — all require lipids. Systems like the endocrine, reproductive, digestive, and nervous systems heavily depend on good fats.
In short, Sneha is vital for maintaining health, preventing illness, and even curing disease. The list of benefits from internal Sneha is so vast that it would take several articles to cover!
But for now, let’s focus on external Sneha — Abhyanga — and its importance.
Many people ask: why should we practice Abhyanga?
Let’s begin with the head. Applying oil to the head daily is not just for hair growth. Head Abhyanga enhances sensory functioning — vision, smell, and hearing improve. It relieves headaches and cures head-related ailments. It promotes hair growth, improves sleep, brings cheerfulness and efficiency, reduces anger, and increases patience. Head Abhyanga brings mental calmness.
Next is the ears — applying a few drops of warm oil daily into the ears prevents ear diseases, pus, neck pain, dental issues, sensitivity to noise, and even hearing loss.
Some feel that putting oil in the ears causes ear discharge or discomfort. While this is not entirely false, it depends on the amount, type, and temperature of oil used. When done correctly — warm oil, used sparingly, left in briefly and then cleaned — there are no issues.
The tympanic membrane (ear drum), being an air-based extension of the skin, benefits immensely from oil contact for long-term health.
Oil also dissolves the daily ear secretions and cleanses the sense organ — making it necessary to oil the ears daily.
After oiling the ears comes full-body Abhyanga. This destroys jara (aging).
Yes — it has anti-aging effects. Aging occurs due to oxidation and free radical damage. Abhyanga slows down this process — just like oil prevents rust on iron! Similarly, oiling the body prevents and delays aging.
Abhyanga also boosts immunity!
Massaging the body with oil improves blood circulation, allowing nutrients to penetrate and toxins to be drawn out through the digestive system. This prevents toxin accumulation — making Abhyanga a daily detox!
Just like cleaning your house daily prevents dirt buildup, Abhyanga keeps every cell in the body clean and alert, promoting daily disease resistance.
It also prevents infections.
Viruses and bacteria cannot survive in oily or fatty mediums. When Sneha (oil) is applied to entry points like skin, ears, nose, mouth, and anus — it forms a protective layer.
This acts like a security system — any microbes coming into contact with the oily barrier are destroyed instantly. With such a barrier in place, how can infections reach the inside?
In fact, many Ayurvedic doctors remained COVID-negative during the pandemic and successfully treated many patients — all while daily practicing Abhyanga.
Lastly, Abhyanga reduces stress.
Research shows that oil massage promotes the release of happy chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins — helping relieve stress and creating a cheerful, energetic mood for the day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Abhyanga is the daily practice of oil massage as per Ayurveda. It nourishes the body, enhances immunity, slows down ageing, and promotes mental peace.
Yes! Abhyanga boosts blood circulation, helps in toxin removal, strengthens skin barriers, and supports immune response naturally.
Use warm herbal oils, ghee, or natural fats suitable for your body type. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized suggestions.
Absolutely. Oiling the head improves senses, calms the mind, and reduces headaches. Oiling the ears can prevent infections and support hearing health.
Daily, preferably in the morning before bath. Even 3-4 times a week can provide noticeable benefits.
Conclusion
Practice Abhyanga to nurture your body, mind, and immunity. By making it a part of your daily routine, you gift yourself strength, vitality, and inner peace — one drop of Sneha at a time.
Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Sadhanashree P. BAMS, MD(Ayu)
Dr. Sadhanashree P., M.D. (Ayurveda), is a passionate Ayurvedic physician with expertise in Panchakarma and holistic wellness. As the founder of Arogyavardhini Ayurveda, she blends ancient Ayurvedic practices with modern lifestyle solutions. Dr. Sadhanashree is committed to spreading Ayurveda’s benefits through consultations, workshops, and rural health camps, empowering individuals and communities to achieve optimal health.
About Arogyavardhini Ayurveda
Arogyavardhini Ayurveda is dedicated to promoting holistic health through Ayurveda and Yoga. Led by Dr. Sadhanashree, the clinic offers personalized consultations, Panchakarma therapies, wellness retreats, and community outreach programs, including rural health camps and corporate wellness initiatives.
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or treatment plan. This site may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Arogyavardhini Ayurveda is not responsible for any adverse outcomes resulting from the application of information found here.