Vata Massage Oil Recipe (Fall and Early Winter)
Massage oil, especially when infused with herbs, can be more than just a feel-good skin moisturizer. Ayurveda teaches that fat is closely connected to love, satisfaction, and protection (Svoboda, 1999). In addition to nourishing and nurturing the skin, using herbally infused homemade massage oils produces a grounding, supportive, and protective effect on the body and mind. Daily self-massage with oil, called abhyanga, is a wonderful practice for soothing vata dosha in particular but can be practiced with benefit by all types. The base oil and herbs can be adapted based upon your constitution and the season.
Vata dosha predominates during fall and early winter—the dry, cool season (O’Donnell, 2015). Therefore, it is helpful to choose foods, herbs, and spices with a warming, grounding, and soothing energy. Sesame oil is heavy and warm, therefore best for the vata time of year.Â
Vata Massage Oil Recipe
For simplicity, you can use any combination of the herbs suggested as long as the total amounts to one ounce of herb by weight. Yield: 4 ounces.
1 ounce total any combination of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root, bala (Sida cordifolia) root, cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark, dried ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome, lavender (Lavandula spp.), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root, or valerian (Valerian spp.) root
6 ounces sesame oil
16 ounces waterÂ
- Depending on which herbs you choose to use, place the hard herb parts (roots, bark) and water together in a medium-sized saucepan.Â
- Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer until water is reduced by 50%.Â
- Remove mixture from heat. Add the soft parts (lavender buds, if using) and let steep, covered, for 30-60 minutes.
- Combine decoction or infusion, herbs, and oil in a small- to medium-sized saucepan.Â
- Heat until the water and oil just start to bubble, then reduce heat to a low simmer.Â
- Stir occasionally and ensure that the herbs are not scalding or sticking to the bottom of the pan.Â
- Simmer until all water evaporates and only oil and herbs remain.
- Look for these signs to indicate that water has evaporated: only very small bubbles being produced. (Oil creates small bubbles, whereas water creates large bubbles.) Hold a dry glass or glass plate over the pot. If you see any condensation, that means there is still water left.
- When you think the mixture is ready or close to it, go ahead and strain out the herbs. You should be left with 4-6 ounces of liquid oil. If you end up with more, simmer a bit longer.To Use: Store in a capped glass jar or bottle out of direct sunlight and apply to skin daily—or as frequently as you like!Â
More Massage Oil Recipes
Pitta Massage Oil Recipe (Summer and Late Spring)
Kapha Massage Oil Recipe (Late Winter and Early Spring)
Homemade Massage Oil for Each Season
REFERENCES
O’Donnell, K. (2015). The everyday ayurveda cookbook: a seasonal guide to eating and living well. Boulder, CO: Shambala.
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