Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )

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Abhyanga means therapeutic massage of whole body with medicated oils, ghruta (ghee). It is one of the important kriya in dinacharya(daily regimen) wherein application of oil is recommended as a daily routine. It is one of the most used panchakarma therapy where in by proper consideration of dosha, dhatu, prakriti of an individual appropriate oil or ghee is selected.

ETYMOLOGY

It is derived from

“Ang” dhatu which means movement or motion

“abhi” upasarga(prefix) meaning direction

Thus, abhi+ang means movement in different direction. (amar kosha)

Abhyanga as Snehanam

Abhyanga is one of a snehana karma (oleation therapy). Snehana karma is of two types,

1.   Abhyantara(internal)- where in mediated ghee is intaken as a therapy

2.   Bahya (external) – whwrein externally oil or ghee is applied to the various body parts.

Abhyanga is bahya snehana karma wherein medicated oil is anointed over body for prevention and cure of various disorders.

CONSIDERATIONS AND PROCEDURE OF ABHYANGA

Sush.chik.24.34

Only by considering and examining an individual’s prakriti,dosha, vikara, and satmya-asatmyata abhyanga should be done with lukewarm medicated oil or ghrita(clarified butter/ghee).

Consideration of rutu(season), desha(locality) is also essential before abhyanga.

Bowel and bldder must be clear before undergoing abhyanga.

Shiro abhyanga (head massage with oil) is done before and then body.

Abhyanga as a daily routine or panchakarma therapy, is not merely application of oil but includes mardana (rubbing) for the medicated oil to get absorbed.

There is specific motion or direction in which abhyanga is to be done according to the dosha involved or the roga present.

According to chikitsa manjari and chikitsa samgraha, abhyanga is performed in anuloma gati(in the direction of body hair).

Snana(bath) is essential after abhyanga as a dinacharya(daily routine).

As a panchakarma therapy swedana(sudation) is done as well after abhyanga.

Duration of Abhyanga

When abhyanga is done for a specified time duration the medicated oil infiltrates the dhatus at different time periods. Thus, duration of abhyanga can be decided according to the dhatu dushti present as well.

TIME	DHATU
300 matra kala (95 sec)	Romanta (hair follicles)
400 matra kala (127 sec)	Tvak
500 matra kala (159 sec)	Rakta
600 matra kala (190 sec)	Mamsa
700 matra kala (220 sec)	Meda
800 matra kala (254 sec)	Asthi
900 matra kala (285 sec)	Majja

(1 matra kaala = 1 nimesha(closing of eyelid)

BENEFITS OF ABHYANGA

अभ्यङ्गमाचरेन्नित्यं, स जराश्रमवातहा|

दृष्टिप्रसादपुष्ट्यायुःस्वप्नसुत्वक्त्वदार्ढ्यकृत्||८||

(vagbhata 2.8,9)

Abhyanga when done daily prevents ageing, helps overcome tiredness or fatigue, prevents and helps manage vata dosha related disorders. It improves vision, nourishes body, promotes longevity, helps improve sleep, enhances skin texture.

अभ्यङ्गो मार्दवकरः कफवातनिरोधनः |

धातूनां पुष्टिजननो मृजावर्णबलप्रदः ||३०|| (Sush.chik.24.30)

Abhyanga induces softness in the skin, helps prevention of kapha and vata dosha vikaras(diseases), nourishment of dhatus, improves varna(complexion) of the skin.

Shiro abhyanga (head massage)

(char.sutr.5.81,82)

Shiro abhyanga must be done before full body abhyanga.

Shiro abhyanga when done daily, helps in headache, reduces greying of hair and hair fall. Strengthens hair roots and helps hair growth, improve colour and texture of hair.

(vagbhata 2.8,9) (Sush.chik.24.30)

Abhyanga when done daily prevents ageing, helps overcome tiredness or fatigue

prevents and helps manage vata dosha related disorders.

It improves vision, nourishes body, promotes longevity, helps improve sleep, enhances skin texture.

Abhyanga induces softness in the skin,

helps prevention of kapha and vata dosha vikaras(diseases)

does nourishment of dhatus, improves varna(complexion) of the skin.

There is a comparison drawn to explain the importance of abhyanga, just like anointing or applying oil to an earthen pot makes it strong in a similar way body gains strength by applying oil or abhyanga.

Shiro abhyanga (head massage)

(char.sutr.5.81,82) (sush.chik.24.26)

Shiro abhyanga is one among the four “murdha taila” (anointing head with oil) procedure of panchakarma. (asht.hrud.sutr.21.23)

Shiro abhyanga must be done before full body abhyanga.

Also, when Shiro abhyanga done daily, helps in,

management of headache

reduces greying of hair and hair fall

makes hair soft

Strengthens hair roots and helps hair growth

improves colour and texture of hair

nourishes sensory organs.

Depending on the various disorder different kinds of oil is used as treatment measures.

PADA ABHYANGA (foot massage with oil)

(char.sutr.5.90)

Pada abhyanga means foot massage. Application of medicated oil on foot has been mentioned as a dinacharya (daily routine).

It prevents and cures roughness over foot, tiredness of the legs, manages dryness and numbness n legs.

Improves visual acuity and helps management of various vata dosha diseases.

KARNA PURANA (filling of ears with oil)

(char,sutr.5.84)

Karna purana means filling of ears with medicated oil for a specific time period.

Luke warm oil is used to fill the ears as a dinacharya(daily routine) as the procedure of abhyanga.

This helps manage vata dosha related disorders. Helps cure stiffness of neck and jaw, prevents deafness.

Abhyanga in Rtucharya

ABHYANGA IN DIFFERENT RUTUS

Rutu means seasons, in Ayurveda seasons or rutu are six,

During these six rutu there tend to be sanchaya(accumulation), prakopa(elevation), prashama(pacify) of doshas.

The seasons of shishira, vasant and greeshma comprise uttrayana(sun traversing to north of equator) which is also adanakala(period of withdrawal). Where as varsha, sharad, hemanta comprise dakshinayana(sun travereses to south of equator) which is visarga kala(period of giving).

Shishir rutu (Winter) Mid- January to Mid- March

Vasant rutu (Spring) Mid- March to Mid-May

Grishma rutu (Summer) Mid- May to Mid- July

Varsha rutu (Monsoon) Mid- July to Mid- September

Sharad rutu (Autumn/ Fall) Mid- September to Mid- November

Hemant rutu (Late Autumn/Pre-Winter) Mid- November to Mid- January

Abhyanga being the procedure where mainly oil is used for application which is responsible for management of various vata dosha related disorders. Thus, the rutus where there is prakopa of vata dosha is seen abhyanga can be done.

Winter season which is hemanta rutu and shishira rutu is during the visarga kala where earth gets cooled down leading to dryness and cold in the atmosphere, these two being the vata dosha quality, abhyanga and murdha taila must be done to pacify the dryness etc in the body.

There is mention of different procedures in different rutus for example udwartana in vasanta rutu and so on.

IMPORTANCE

There are numerous benefits of abhyanga in variety of diseases and even as a  preventive therapy.

The absorption of Sneha(oil,ghee) when done for a sufficient duration of time can even reach deeper dhatus and can treat even some chronic diseases.

The properties of dravya(drug) used in the oil or ghruta(ghee) can determine which vikara, dhatu, dosha can be treated.

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF ABHYANGA

वर्ज्योऽभ्यङ्गः कफग्रस्तकृतसंशुद्ध्यजीर्णिभिः||९|| (vagbhata. Sutra. 2.9)

Those who are suffering from kaphaja disorders, who have undergone purificatory procedures, and who are suffering with digestive disorders must not undergo abhyanga procedure.

Abhyanga being the most used panchakarma therapy has it disadvantages if done without proper considerations and knowledge.

IMPORTANCE

भवत्युपाङ्गादक्षश्च दृढः क्लेशसहो यथा||८५||

तथा शरीरमभ्यङ्गाद्दृढं सुत्वक् च जायते| (char.sutra.5.85)

Acharya charak has drawn a comparison to explain the importance of abhyanga, just like anointing or applying oil to an earthen pot makes it strong in a similar way body gains strength by applying oil or abhyanga.

Difference between Abhyanga and modern day body massage

Massage is an Arabic word where “mass” means to put pressure.

Massage has been described in modern view as a scientific manipulation of soft tissues of body as part of rubbing.

There are five basic techniques of massage,

Effleurage (centripetal strokes)

Kneading (squeezing)

Friction (rolling movement)

Tapotement (clapping, tapping etc)

Vibration (by palmar surface or fingers)

The indications being wide are mostly done to soothe, relax and revitalize and increase circulation.