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In Ayurveda, the Abhyangam (massage) has been highly praised and people are advised to adopt it as a part of daily life. As we eat and sleep every day, so should we also massage and discharge our wastes every day. Massage is also used therapeutically. For different kinds of diseases, different type of massages and oil massages are prescribed. According to Vagbhatta, a writer of a famous treatise on Ayurveda, those who are desirous of health and happiness should massage the body, and they should use oils for massage according to the seasons. Fragrant and heath-giving organic oils should be used for massage.

According to Sushrut Samhita (another valuable and famous scripture on Ayurveda), oil, butter or any other lubricant best suited for the body should be used. The atmosphere and the season are also important factors for consideration. For persons suffering from a disorder caused by the Vata, massage is the only doctor. Massage should not be done without a proper lubricant. Areas having pain should be massaged for as long as one dose not feels relief. There is a Marma principle described by Sushrut. According to this, our body is having 105 Marma. The Marma is such point in the body where Prana resides. Prana means the best living energy that resides in these Marma. While doing therapeutic Ayurveda massage, the massager should try to rejuvenate these points. It provides definite curative impact if done properly.

Now it is known that massage increases the production of white blood corpuscles and antibodies, which provide more resistance against viruses and diseases. This helps the defense mechanism in the body and increases immunity towards environmental changes. In this way massage is a protector, preserver and a rejuvenator, increasing self-confidence and will power. To massage is to exercise the nervous system.

Abhyangam plays an important role in the sexual game. Vatsyayana, the writer of Kama Sutra (treatise on sex) emphasizes the role of massage in the sexual game. In another religious scripture called Bhavishya Purana, the importance of massage by a wife to her husband is described in detail. It is advised that a wife should be an expert in massage. It is also recommended that massage of the waist region is done gently and slowly; the face and neck should be massaged a little harder, applying bearable pressure; but the head and feet should be massaged gently. If the husband is awake the massage should be hard and with pressure; if he is dosing or sleeping, then he should be gently massaged like a child. Rubbing and patting only should be used and when the husband is asleep the massage should be stopped. On the parts of the body where hair grows the massage should not be done contrary to the growth of hair. To excite hair roots and to increase circulation near pores or to open up the pores, massage should be done in such a way so that both hands, making cross-rhythms massage the whole musculature

In Ayurveda the Abhyangam (massage) is described as:

1. Jarahar (anti aging): - If done daily to the spine, feet and head with sesame oil, mustard oil or almond oil massage increases virility, vitality and semen. The body is made up of seven tissue ingredients that are called as Dhatu. Because massage is one practice, which provides energy, vitality, and nourishment to all seven Dhatus and old age approaches late, one remains young and energetic for longer duration. In this way, massage is anti aging.

2. Shram Har (fatigue reliever) - Fatigue is actually caused by physical and mental strain. It affects the muscles and causes tensions. Rubbing, patting and squeezing muscles gently removes fatigue.

3. Vata Har (pacifies the Vata) - Constant strain on the nervous system from Vata producing foods and anxieties disturb the Vata and one starts having pain in the muscle and joints. Regular massage with Mahanarayana oil or oils prepared by burning garlic in heated oil, or adding fenugreek seeds to boiling oil, mint oil and wintergreen oil all help the troubles created by Vata.

4. Drishti Prasad Kar (Improve sight) - Daily practice of massage improve sight and keeps blindness of the eyes away. Those who have weak sight or who suffers from diseases of the eyes should massage the feet, especially under the big toe. They should also massage the spine, neck and head regularly. This will remove eye troubles and improve vision.

5. Pushti Kar (make one strong) - By increasing the circulation of vital life fluids, and because of rubbing, pressing and kneading massage makes the body strong, increases stamina, vitality and virility.

6. Ayu Kar (provides longevity) - By creating an electrochemical balance, massage helps in achieving longevity.

7. Swapna Kar (induces sleep) - Massage relaxes the body and removes tensions. Those suffering from sleeplessness, insomnia or those who are unable to enjoy sound sleep should massage the body (especially the head and feet) before sleeping. The use of oil in this case, especially oil from pumpkin seeds, massaged on the head is very helpful. Brahmi oil is also advised.

8. Twak Dridh Kar (strengthens the skin) - Dryness of the skin is caused due to dry climate, excess mental work, anxieties and constant worrying. People who live in cold climates get dry skin by constantly facing the chilled air, which creates dryness. Vata, by nature, is cold and dry and its cold property is more active when there is a cold wave or cold wind. The skin directly comes into contact with the external atmosphere, and the skin also reflects like a mirror to the inner state of the physical body. There are so many other factors that make skin unhealthy like cosmetics of chemical origin, pollution etc. Massage with oil remove dryness, which is first sign of disturbed Vata in the body. Massage also makes the skin smooth and makes it shine. Regular rubbing makes it strong.

9. Klesh Sahatwa (provides resistance against disease and disharmony) - Massage strengthens the seven ingredients of which the body is made up. These antibodies provide more resistance to disease, and the strength, which comes from the seven Dhatus, gives tolerance, forbearance, and patience. This saves one from sorrows, agonies and anxieties.

10. Abhighat Sahatwa (resistance to injuries & power to recover quickly) - Those who massage the body regularly recover from physical injury more quickly than other person who do not massage. Those who massage regularly experience the healing process from within immediately and they experience comparatively less pain and fewer problems.

11. Kapha Vata Nirodhak : Subsides ailments caused by Vata and Kapha.

Sincerely,