AbhyangA 101
What is Abhyanga and Why should I practice it?
I love this question! Like many of us, I grew up longing for beautiful, smooth skin. I scrubbed, I stripped, I loathed any hints of “oily sheen,” and all the while, there was no one telling me that oil production is natural and that oil is actually of vital importance to our skin health.
In Sanskrit, Sneha translates as both oil AND love... take a minute to digest that. This one term suggests that anointing yourself with oil, known as the practice of Abhyanga, represents an act of saturating yourself with love. While practicing Abhyanga, your breath slows; you savor the moment of caring for your body; you embrace your muscles + bones which bear your weight and support your livelihood; you are left feeling renewed, grounded and more connected... clearly I'm a fan, and nothing has helped me to embrace and feel reverence for my body quite like Abhyanga.
Spending time each week practicing Abhyanga, connecting with yourself, and soothing your parasympathetic nervous system can provide profound insight into (a) how much energy your busy lifestyle actually requires of you, and (b) how easily these needs can be addressed with simple restorative practices.
In a nutshell, we should all be oiling our skin because:
a. it helps our skin do its job (ie. keeping nutrients IN and pathogens OUT),
b. it feels G O O D, and that feeling lasts long after application,
c. depletion, burn-out, and a sense of estrangement from self are real things that many Americans are experiencing; Abhyanga on the other hand is restorative, soothing and offers a direct somatic experience for total body re-balancing.
The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age." Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89.
"Abhyaṅga should be resorted to daily, it wards off old age, exertion and aggravation of Vata." Hrdayam: Sutrasthana:II:8-9
“Self-massage has helped me slow down and be more mindful of how my body is feeling. Every time is different and I feel like I tune into myself on a deeper level. The fact that this oil is hand-crafted by the woman who taught me all about self-massage, has such a passion for sharing this knowledge with others and literally explodes with joy when she sees others reaping the benefits of the practice… it just feels like the most special oil to practice with. Life’s too fast, don’t forget to love yourself, everyday. Get yourself a bottle, and let it soothe your body and soul.”
How to use MJH Ayurvedic Botanicals
You have your first bottle of MJH Ayurvedic Botanicals - congratulations! Now what do you do with it? Here are a few easy ways to incorporate the sneha-goodness into your daily routine:
● after showering, rub a light layer of body oil onto warm, damp skin. Arms, legs, hips, bum, torso, breasts - everywhere! Allow several minutes for oil to fully absorb before dressing.
● add several dropperfuls of body oil to bath for the softest, most moisturized skin.
● rub warmed body oil to the soles of feet before heading to bed to promote ease + restful sleep.
● partner up! Use your body oil to swap massages with your favorite person. Warm the oil in a hot water bath for an even more decadent experience.
● want to experience the most divine self-care routine? Read below for how to practice abhyanga, the Ayurvedic art of self-massage.
Check out specific guides for the following MJH products: Chandra Soma // Ascension Crown Chakra Hair + Body Oil // Nasya Third Eye Sinus Oil
How do I practice Abhyanga?
2 oz // a sacred oil for lunar rituals + feminine well being.
For the moon babies ☾ a dense, emollient oil crafted with the sacred feminine & female reproductive system in mind. Yonis + tatas, say hey.
Chandra Soma flaunts the magical breast- and uterine-supportive castor oil, in addition to a truly mystical array of herbal allies that support balanced movement and subtle healing within these tissues.
CRAFTED WITH: oils of sunflower* + castor* • yarrow* • mugwort* • red raspberry leaf* • angelica root* • shatavari root* • hibiscus* • calendula* • alkanet root++ • essential oils of clove bud* + ho wood* •
Organic ingredient indicated by *; Wild-harvested ingredient indicated by ++
HEADS UP! Alkanet root, used to enhance the rosy pigment of Chandra Soma, can sometimes come out of solution and settle to the bottom of the bottle, resulting in an accumulation of dark sediment. All is well! Just give the bottle a firm shake (or ten) and it should reintegrate back into solution.
☾ CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON HOW TO USE CHANDRA SOMA BODY OIL ☾
> for external use only. This oil is contraindicated for women who are pregnant, nursing, or experience very heavy menstrual flow. The information pertaining to Chandra Soma Body Oil is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. All information and services provided by MJH LLC are for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical care by a licensed healthcare professional. None of the information is intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
USING CHANDRA SOMA BODY OIL
SET UP YOUR SPACE: place bottle of Chandra Soma in a hot water bath. Cover your floor space with comfortable blankets, light a candle, smudge… whatever tools you call upon to usher in a ritualistic atmosphere. Take a comfortable seat and place small amount of oil in your palm. Rub hands together, place over face and inhale - allow the plant medicine to fill your senses.
FOR SORE, TENDER BREASTS and GENERAL BREAST MAINTENANCE: Work oil into your breast tissue using both hands, moving circularly & rhythmically. When entire breast feels anointed, work oil into sides of ribs lateral to the breast and up into the underarm.
FOR PAINFUL PERIODS and GENERAL UTERINE MAINTENANCE: Work oil into abdominal area, moving in a circular pattern up the right side and down the left side. To drive oil deeper into the tissues, lay down and cover abdomen with hot water bottle. Depending on amount of oil used, you may want to place a thin towel or piece of flannel between abdomen and water bottle.
Follow up practices with a warm shower to remove excess oil.
This oil is contraindicated for women who are pregnant or nursing, and while bleeding.
USING ASCENSION CROWN CHAKRA HAIR + BODY OIL
FOR DEEP CONDITIONING HAIR + SCALP TREATMENT: Massage a generous amount of warmed oil into scalp + through strands. Wrap hair in scarf + let sit overnight. To wash, massage shampoo into scalp and strands FIRST, then work water into hair, allowing shampoo to foam up. Rinse + condition as usual.
FOR DAILY/REGULAR USE: Using fingertips, work a small amount of oil into scalp, encouraging build-up + debris to lift away from the root. Enjoy a hot shower, cleansing and conditioning as usual.
SOOTHING | BALANCING | CLARIFYING
Ascension Crown Chakra Hair + Body Oil is crafted from a blend of herbs + oils that support scalp health, add radiant shine + volume to hair, and promote cognitive function + restful sleep by delivering clear, cool, soothing energy to the mind.
CRAFTED WITH: oils of sesame*, coconut*, olive* + castor* • bhringaraj* • guduchi* • hibiscus* • brahmi* • peppermint leaf* • essential oils of lavender*, rosemary*, siberian fir* + tulsi* •
Organic ingredient indicated by *
HEADS UP! Due to the high content of virgin coconut oil this product tends to solidify in colder temperatures. It hasn’t gone bad; simply place bottle in warm water bath to liquefy.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE ASCENSION CROWN CHAKRA HAIR + BODY OIL
> for external use only. The information pertaining to Ascencion Crown Chakra Hair + Body Oil is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. All information and services provided by MJH LLC are for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical care by a licensed healthcare professional. None of the information is intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
MOISTENING | PROTECTING | ENLIVENING
2 oz // An Ayurvedic staple!
This nervine-rich blend is used to lubricate + protect nasal + sinus membranes. Great to use after neti-potting or as-needed to preemptively ward off nasal dryness. This original formula is inspired by Vermont’s rich herbal offerings and informed by ancient tradition.
CRAFTED WITH: oils of sesame* + olive* • chamomile* • calamus root* • anise hyssop* • tulsi* • brahmi* • skullcap*
Organic ingredient indicated by *
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE NASYA SINUS OIL
> for external use only. The information pertaining to Nasya Oil is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. All information and services provided by MJH LLC are for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical care by a licensed healthcare professional. None of the information is intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
USING NASYA THIRD EYE SINUS OIL
TO USE: Start with clean + moist nasal cavities, ie. right after using neti pot, showering or washing your face, and blowing your nose. Lay completely flat, and using the dropper top apply 3-5 drops of Nasya Oil into each nostril. To create suction and move the oil up into the nasal cavities, pinch nostrils shut, inhale and release; repeat that rapidly several times.
It’s completely normal to experience some post-nasal drip and/or to have your nose flow a little more freely after irrigating and using Nasya Oil. Just make sure you have some tissues close by for approx 30 min - 1 hr after applying. Use first thing in the day to prime + protect this pathway, especially if the climate is dry and/or you suffer from dry nose + sinuses, or use as needed to calm + quell an overactive mind.
Additional AYURVEDIC Resources
❖ “5 Reasons for Self-Massage” by Dr. John Douillard DC, CAP
❖ “When Not to Do Abhyanga & Why” by Dr. Sarah Kucera DC, CAP
❖ “Abhyanga: Ayurvedic Oil Massage” by Dr. Claudia Welch CAP
❖ “How to Do Abhyanga” video, Banyan Botanicals