Ashwagandha Massage Oil: A New Year, A New Ritual
Using herbal massage oil is a great way to wind down before sleeping or meditation, especially if you are new to meditation and find it challenging to turn off the brain after a long day. Self-massage, or Abhyanga, is one of the most important therapies in Ayurveda for helping with stress, especially during the winter season or if we are feeling anxious, overwhelmed or not sleeping as well. Ashwagandha oil (in a sesame oil base) is the ultimate warm herbal hug and if practiced consistently, the effects are cumulative and powerful. Interestingly, the word for oil in Sanskrit is the same word for love/cohesion and the practice is especially useful if you are trying to cultivate self-love.
In our modern lifestyle we often become overly focused on diet and it is important to consider that the body has to digest input from all five senses and interpret our state of wellness. Aside from the stimulation of our lymphatic and circulatory systems, the massage process will stimulate many of our 107 energy points to clear stagnation in our system. It has been proven that essential fatty acids from plant oils such as sesame oil are absorbed systemically into our blood stream and are used as building blocks in the body; especially the nervous system, which is rich in fats.
As with all new habits, start with small areas such as hands, feet and the ears. You will soon want to dive into the bottle and immerse yourself in the warm, earthy-scented liquid.
Ashwagandha Massage Oil
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Ashwagandha root C/S
4 cups organic sesame oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the oil and the Ashwagandha root in a heat-proof container, which fits into a crock pot. Add water to the crock pot so that you are creating an indirect heating method AKA “bain marie”
- Slow cook for five hours
- Cool and leave overnight
- Slow cook for another five hours
- Strain out the root and pour the infused oil into a clean glass jar*
- Optional: add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Cedar, lavender and chamomile make great partners
- For use, pour into a small silicon travel bottle
- Warm the oil before use by placing the silicon travel bottle in a cup of warm water for one minute
- For easy application apply to your body after showering (without drying)
- Start with the heart and move in long, slow strokes around the entire body including the scalp (optional)
- Leave the oil on the skin for twenty minutes for maximum benefit and remove in a steamy shower or bath (being careful if you have oiled your feet)
* The remaining Ashwagandha can be used in a milky decoction using your favorite milk product. It could be frozen in small quantities for this purpose.
