ABHYANGA

By : Dr Santhosh Kumar S , BAMS, DNHE, DHHM

Abhyanga, a type of Bahya Snehana is an important procedure which bestows softness and complexion to the skin. It is practiced right from the birth and is advised for all age groups of people. Importance of Abhyanga has been highlighted with its wide spectrum of usage both for the preventive and also for curative purpose. Practically it is seen that Abhyanga is administered as Purva Karma to the Shodhana Karma, Pradhana Karma in many Vataja diseases and as Paschat Karma after performing Vyayama.

Synonyms / Paryaya: 

Abhyanjana and Snehana are the two synonyms of Abhyanga.

1. Abhyanjana : The word Abhyanjana is derived from root Anj by adding Abhi Upasarga and Karmani lyut pratyaya which means to smear or to Anoint. Also, the word Abhyanjana means applying oil all over the body including Shirah

2. Snehana: The word Snehana is derived from the root Snih which means to be adhesive or to be attached to.

Classification / Bheda :

Vatsyayana Kamasutra explained three types of massage as,

· Samvahana

· Keshamardana

· Utsadana

According to Tiruka (A textbook of Angamardana), there are mainly 5 types.

· Shushkanga Mardana

· Tailanga Mardana

· Ksheeranga Mardana

· Svayamanga Mardana

· Yamalanga Mardana

Basis of Classification of Massage:

Character of techniques:

· Stroking

· Pressure

· Percussion

· Vibration

Depth of tissue approached:

· Light massage

· Deep massage

Part of body used:

· General Massage

· Local massage

Means of application of pressure:

· Manual massage

· Mechanical massage

On the basis of nature of drug used:

· Dry Massage

· Powder Massage

· Oil Massage

Types of massage (Swedish) according to movements:

· Touch – is a sensation which is carried through brain.

· Stroke - Touch with movement with one/both palms slowly.

· Friction –Grasp the part & move with little amount of pressure.

· Kneading – Alternative compression of the tissues by grasping them against the

underlined body surfaces # Muscle mixing.

· Vibration – Fine vibratory/Shaking movements communicated to the body through the hands.

· Percussion – The movements/blows administered in various ways with varying degrees of force.

· Joint movements- both assisted & resisted movements are given.

INDICATIONS OF ABHYANGA :

Though direct reference of indication of Abhyanga is not available, but scattered reference can be seen like -

· Taila Abhyanga is indicated in Bala, Vruddha, Krusha and Rogi.

· All types of Vata Roga, Vishama Jvara and all Tvak Vikara.

· In disease of hairs like Khalitya, Palitya, etc.

· In daily routine to maintain the health of the body.

CONTRA INDICATION OF ABHYANGA :

· Person suffering from Ajeerna and Nava or Taruna Jvara are contra indicated for Abhyanga because if performed the condition becomes Krucchra Sadhya or Asadhya for treatment.

· After Samshodhana i.e., immediately after Vamana, Virechana and Niruha Basti Abhyanga is contraindicated as it causes Agnimandya.

· Person suffering from Netra Roga, Karna Roga, Atisara, Adhmana, Peenasa, Agnimandya and other Samadosha conditions.

· Person suffering from Pitta Roga, Trishna, Rakta Pitta, Prameha and Ati Kshudhita.

· If Abhyanga done in Kaphaja Roga and  Santarpanottha Roga then diseases gets further aggravated.

· Immediately after consumption of food, accustomed to Ruksha and Abhishyandhi  Ahara.

· Immediately after Snehapana and Tarpana Kriya.

· After Snana,Vyayama, Divasvapna, Vegadharana, Prajagarana, Sheeta Vayu

Sevana.

Prerequisites to perform Abhyanga:

Abhyanga should be performed only when person has digested the previous food taken.

Time of Abhyanga:

· Abhyanga is advised to practice regularly once in a day or once in two days or once in three days as it does not vitiate any Dosha. In children, daily Abhyanga is advised to perform during night time.

Selection of Dravya:

For the selection of either Taila or Gruta one must assess Prakriti etc of an individual.

Duration of Abhyanga:

The maximum period for administering Abhyanga in a day is 5 Muhurta. If it is more than this period then it causes different ailments.Depending on different seasons it is advised to practice Abhyanga for a particular period of time as,

Hemanta Ritu - for a period of 2 Nadi I.e. for 48 minutes, 

Shishira Ritu – for 3 Nadi i.e, 72 minutes, 

Vasanta Ritu – for 5 Nadi i.e, 120 minutes, 

Greeshma Ritu – for 6 Nadi i.e, 144 minutes, 

Varsha and Sharad Ritu – for 5 Nadi.

Procedure of Abhyanga:

· According to the classics, Abhyanga should be performed by applying oil to the whole body concentrating mainly on Shirah, Shravana and Pada.Further mere application of oil to the body does not nourish the tissues but anointing the oil and performing Mardana to the body specifically to Shirah, Shravana and Pada in an order is the exact procedure of Abhyanga.

· Initially one must commence the procedure with Shiro Abhyanga using 4 Pala quantities of Taila and the same oil is applied to the body parts for Sukha Prapti. At the same time one must instill 6 Bindu of same Taila in Nasa Puta, 2 Bindu each in both the eyes and ears. After the completion of the procedure one must take bath in 3 3/4 Drona Jala.

· Abhyanga should be performed in such a way that the applied oil must enter Shikha Mukha, Roma Kupa and Dhamani and does Tarpana.

Direction of Abhyanga:

According to Chikitsa Manjari and Chikitsa Sangraha, generally Abhyanga should be performed in Anuloma Gati. They have also mentioned the specific direction of movement depending on different involvement of Dosha as, One must follow Anuloma Gati in Vata Dushti, Pratiloma Gati in Kapha Dushti and alternate Anuloma and Pratiloma Gati in Pitta Dushti .

Positions Of Abhyanga :

Bath after Abhyanga:

If a person undergoing Abhyanga daily then one must stay for 5 Nadi or 2 hrs period then he must take bath. Similarly if a person undergo Abhyanga once in a week, then he must stay for 12 Nadi or 4 hrs 48 minutes; if undergoes once in 15 days, must stay for 16 Nadi or 6 hrs 24 minutes; if undergoes once in a month, then he should stay for one day and next day he must take bath.

BENEFITS OF ABHYANGA :

Many benefits of Abhyanga have been described in Ayurvedic texts like,

· Jarahara: It prevents the aging process.

· Shramahara and Klamapaha:  It is useful to overcome fatigue.

· Vatahara: It prevents and corrects the disorders caused by vitiated Vata.

· Drishti Prasadakara, Indriya Patuta:  It promotes sharp eye sight and also improves all the senses.

· Pushtikara, Brihatva Krit: Abhyanga makes the body well formed by nourishing all seven Dhatu. It helps to increase the bulk of body muscles.

· Ayushkara, Vrishya: It promotes longevity of an individual.

· Svapnakara: It helps in inducing sound sleep.

· Tvaka Dardhyakara, Mardavakara, Varna and Mrija Prada: Abhyanga makes the skin healthy, soft and strong and improves color and complexion of skin

· Klesha Sahatva: By practicing Abhyanga body becomes capable of tolerating physical stress.

· Abhighata Sahatva, Dagdha, Bhagna, Kshata, Rujapaha: Body can tolerate any type of trauma by performing Abhyanga regularly. It helps in rapid healing of burn, fracture, wounds and also helps for the quick relief of pain.

· Kapha–Vata Nirodhana: According to Sushruta, Abhyanga prevents Kapha and Vata from vitiation.

· Bala Prada, Gatra Laghuta: Abhyanga gives strength to a person. It brings stability and lightness to the body

· Deeptagni, Shuddha Koshta: It improves the appetite and maintains digestive capacity of an individual.

· Sukhakara, Trptikara: It gives pleasant feeling and a sense of satisfaction.