In most south Indian homes, a luxurious ‘oil bath’ is mandatory on Diwali day. However, we take this ritual of ‘oil bath’ very causally without realizing its significance on our health, well-being and beauty. Diwali eve coincides with the onset of winter and hence a thorough body massage with coconut oil followed by a long luxurious bath rejuvenates the skin and acts as a barrier against dry, moisture depleting winter air for several weeks.
In some communities, an oil bath for the bride on the eve of the wedding, is not only a part of bridal beauty-care but is ritualistic too. Then there is this ritualistic post-natal bath that a woman is given few days after childbirth for about 1½ months. Before this bath she is subjected to a meticulous body massage with special herbal oils by a trained maid. This hot oil bath helps to alleviate the muscle strain of labor and childbirth, is good for cellulite reduction and works wonders on stretch marks. It is also believed that oil massage helps the uterus to shrink to its original size and encourage the flow of breast milk.
While we are in our teens and the early twenties, sebum, which is secreted by the sebaceous oil glands, lies as a protective film over the skin helping to delay moisture loss. But as the skin ages, the activity of sebaceous glands decreases; they secrete less sebum and aren’t able to prevent the rapid moisture loss from the skin. That’s why as years pass by, the skin gets drier and flakier. Hence, oil bath is an excellent beauty and health routine for the aging body. Coconut oil is the best; it is natural, effective and inexpensive.
Even Sushruta, the ancient physician who lived in 6th century B.C, advocated the use of oil for a bath. His words:
“It is immediately absorbed, subtle, spreading, viscous and fluid. It is conducive to the nutrition of the skin and the softness of the muscles. It is beneficial to the eyes, promotes luster, strength and vitality.”
Modern beauty science also agrees with the fact that a combination of water and oil keeps the skin smooth, soft and health-looking. The application of oil, followed by a bath does have a beneficial effect as it nourishes and protects both the body and hair. A massage, following this oil application, improves circulation of blood, relieves muscle stiffness and tiredness, muscular spasms and tension and encourages sound sleep by relaxing the muscles.
For those who are too busy to enjoy an oil bath, putting a few drops of oil in a mug and splashing it all over the body, after the bath, and then patting dry with a towel, gives almost the same result, for it immediately spreads a thin layer of oil evenly on the whole body. Read Aromatic oils in the bath and also learn how to make a rich bath oil at home.
Beauty and health magazines create such hype over the benefits of ‘steam’ or ‘sauna’ baths offered at expensive spas but hardly stress upon the benefits of an ordinary oil-bath which can be had in the privacy and comforts of one’s home. Water and oils as tools for health and beauty were given great importance by our ancestors and it follows that we too should do the same. The secret behind the smooth dusky complexion and luxurious black tresses of the Keralites lies simply in their love for oils and baths.
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13 comments:
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benefit of taking oil bath once in a week It helps:
remove dead skin cells
moisturize your skin
soften hair on you legs
smooths out you skin
Get a weekly massage - will do you far better than just soaking in oil. I think that would be unhealthy for you skin to bathe in oil, but being rubbed down with oil is good every so often
A full-body massage can greatly help to release the tension and stress that we've accumulated throughout the day. If a full body massage isn't possible, than just ask a loved one to give you a quick shoulder rub. After all, a quick massage is better than nothing at all.
Massage helps prevent and heal injuries. By stretching connective tissue, massage improves circulation to help prevent or break down adhesions and scar tissue that result from muscle tears and other common muscle injuries. Massage also influences the excretion of certain fluids (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur) that aid in tissue repair. Fast and effective recovery from injuries means that you can begin exercising sooner after suffering an injury and getting your weight loss progress back on track
Oil relieves stress and fatigue, relaxes the body. Improves skin texture and keeps it healthy
The hot, soothing bath not only relaxes your body by relieving it from stress, but also does wonders to your physical and psychological health. You can choose your favorite essential oils to use for the bath. Oil bath refreshes dull skin. The relaxed mind tends to go off to sleep after this wonderful treatment It provide relief from various skin problems. The oils also help to relieve any anxiety from your mind. The bath provides relief to the joints and muscles and is a good option for cramps. Some oils are also known for their romantic nature as they act almost like natural aphrodisiacs. Or you may use the oil simply to add to the essence of your bath
I use coconut oil for my 6 yr old.Till he was one,I used olive oil(no problems with complexion,infact I think it made his complexion brighter!),then I switched to normal coconut oil for both body and head.
Self massage allows you to detect early clues from your body such as fatigue, exhaustion, soreness, stiff bits or excess stress and can prevent future illnesses taking hold of your body
Nice thought, terrific post. Massage also has been shown to strengthen the immune system, reduce muscle pain and soreness as well as relieve stress. It’s one of the best ways to feel better fast that money can’t buy.
Some great points about the positive effects of a massage. I do think more and more people are beginning to recognize the health benefits of regularly receiving a massage. In the long run it leads to a much more healthy and enjoyable life.
Whether you’re suffering from stiffness and soreness, or other muscle aches and cramps, massage therapy has demonstrated its efficacy in the modern world. Massage has also been proven beneficial to newborn infants, geriatric patients, and cancer sufferers.
When the skin becomes and and it get gets wrinkles, it means, the circulation of the blood in the tissues is not sufficient. These dead cells have to be stimulated and energised to make them live again. I have prepared some formulations in oil. This oil is massaged gently for about half an hour daily on- say the back of the hands, face, neck, feet, breasts and other parts if you need to energize them. This formulation increases the circulation of the blood and the skin becomes tightened and starts glowing. This treatment has to be continuously taken for about two months.
It removes the aging affect from these areas to a greater extent. I have used it with some exercises and the results were very satisfying.
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