There is no need to buy expensive body lotions when there are natural oils that we can use to moisturize the body. Many lotions are full of artificial ingredients, parabens and ingredients that could act as hormone disruptors. Luckily nature has many oils that have wonderful benefits, but not all oils are the same. Oils are inexpensive and have been used medicinally for centuries. Different oils have different properties.
Jojoba Oil – great as facial oil to remove make up, treat acne as it controls sebum. My favorite recipe for acne control product is 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil with 1-2 drops of tea tree oil applied to clean face. Buy Jojoba Oil here: https://amzn.to/3NsiiZh Buy Tea tree oil here: https://amzn.to/3RluZGo
Castor Oil– is called in some parts of the world “Palma Christi” – The hand of Christ, because of it’s profound healing properties. This oil is anti inflammatory and especially helpful for stiff and painful joints like aching knees and back. Calms the nervous system. Detoxes internal organs. Used in Liver Cleanse. It promotes hair growth, it is safe to apply it to lashes and brow it will make them thicker. If you have cold feet apply Castor oil to your feet, they will feel warm and your nervous system will be calm. Castor oil will help heal wounds, surgical incisions, pimples and boils and even stye faster, simply apply to affected area twice a day and you will speed up the process of healing, it will prevent scarring as well. I like to apply castor oil on my face at night and waking up with a glowing skin. Castor oil helps induce labor that’s why it should be used sparingly by pregnant women close to term Buy Castor Oil here: https://amzn.to/3NmpAOe
Almond Oil– warming oil, helps with anxiety and overthinking when applied to feet or large areas on the body. This oil is great for Abhyanga. Buy here: https://amzn.to/3GJjweM
Sesame Oil – another great oil for Abhyanga, warming and heavy, promotes circulation, deeply nourishes skin and calms the nervous system. Buy here: https://amzn.to/46YEZLw
What is Abhyanga?
Abhyanga is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves self-massage using warm oils. It is a key component of Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. The word “Abhyanga” is derived from Sanskrit, where “abhi” means “into” and “anga” means “limb” or “body part.”
In Abhyanga, typically, a specific type of oil, such as sesame oil, coconut oil, or a herbal-infused oil, is warmed and applied to the entire body. The massage technique involves using long, sweeping strokes and circular motions, with a focus on stimulating the energy channels in the body. The massage is often done in a systematic manner, starting from the extremities and moving towards the core. Abhyanga is applied in the morning to skin before shower. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION when walking into a shower or tub with oiled feet, you may slip and fall.
I love practice of Abhyanga especially in Winter, it’s calming and very comforting, great before meditation.
Abhyanga is believed to have several benefits, both physical and mental, including:
- Nourishing the skin: The warm oil helps moisturize and nourish the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
- Improving circulation: The massage stimulates blood flow, promoting better circulation throughout the body.
- Relaxing the muscles: Abhyanga helps in relieving muscle tension and promoting relaxation.
- Supporting detoxification: The massage is thought to aid in the elimination of toxins from the body.
- Calming the nervous system: The rhythmic strokes of the massage are believed to have a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being.
Individuals often perform Abhyanga as part of their daily or weekly self-care routine. The choice of oil may vary based on an individual’s constitution, the season, or specific health needs.
If you have any questions about the oils, don’t hesitate to reach out to me to ask questions.