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Abhyanga(oleation) has been considered as important Upakrama of Dincharya . It is the external snehana. A person should resort to Abhyanga every day if he wants to keep himself healthy (Swastha).
Twacha(skin) is the covering of the body. According to Sushrutacharya,Seven layers of covering are formed and deposited on the rapidly transforming product of the combination of shukra (semen) and shonit(fertilized ovum) which have been thus charged with the individual soul or self in the same manner as layers (of cream) are formed and deposited on the surface of (boiling)milk.
Prime important dosha Vayu is responsible for sparsha(sensation) and twacha is the site of vayu and best treatment of vayu is considered as snehana.
Vyanga(discolouartion/pigmentation) is observed as one of the Kshudra roga present commonly in present era. Characteristics of vyanga is presence of neeruja,tanuka,shyava varnayukta mandala on mukhapradesh.In these conditions Abhyanga plays an important role of vatahara, pushtikara, twak dardhyakara, priyadarashinah, varnaprada to reduce mandalas.
As abhynga is useful for the improvement of complexion present study has based on this principal.
Keywords – Abhyanga , Twacha , Vyanga .
Introduction
Abhyanga is one of the Upkrama which is mentioned as Nitya in Dincharya for healthy life. It is considered as a major treatment for vata. In abhyanga medicated oil should be massaged including the head,feet and whole body.
Regular oil massage removes excess fat from the skin, makes the skin glossy, soft and also strengthens it.
According to the dominance of doshas various medicated oils are prescribed in Samhitas.
Examples- Persons of vata constitution should use medicated sesame oils prepared from demulcent herbs like shatavari, ashwagandha, bala etc. and it should be applied while the oil is warm.
Persons of pitta constituition should apply medicated coconut oils using sandalwood or vetivera.
Those of kapha constitution should use powers of substances like mustard, saffron, and agaru. As a result of oil massage health is preserved, disease is prevented, and immunity increased.
Regular abhyanga on head helps to control premature hail loss, prevents graying of hair and induces sound sleep. Similarly massaging oil to the soles of the feet and to the legs, the eyesight is improved, cracks to the skin of the feet are prevented, and the reproductive system is also strengthened.
Review of Abhyanga
The word abhyanga derived from “Ang” Dhatu which is used for the meaning of motion “Abhi” prefix in it.
To well establish the Abhyanga it is essential to understand snehana, because abhyanga is external type of snehana, which is mentioned for the prevention and purpose.
Snehana
The word snehana is derived from the root ‘snih’ with lyut prataya
The Sanskrita word sneha is used for oil as well as for love.
The words of snehana simply refers to imparting greasiness to the body using different kind of sneha called snehana.
This karma is mainly done with substances like – Taila and Ghrita, Vasa, majja
Snehana guna –
Snehanam snehavishyandam mardav kledakarakam. (cha.su.22/10)
The snehana drug having following properties –
|
Sr.no |
Guna |
Ch.Su.22/15 |
AH.Su.16/1 |
|
1 |
Snigdha |
+ |
+ |
|
2 |
Guru |
+ |
+ |
|
3 |
Shita |
+ |
+ |
|
4 |
Mridu |
+ |
+ |
|
5 |
Drava |
+ |
+ |
|
6 |
Pichila |
+ |
+ |
|
7 |
Sara |
+ |
+ |
|
8 |
Manda |
+ |
+ |
|
9 |
Sukshma |
+ |
+ |
Snehana karma play important role for –
Prevention and promotion of positive health.
Cure diseases
Types of snehana
According to its route of administration –
The snehana is classified mainly in two types –
1.Abhyantar(internal) snehana
2.Bahya(external) snehana
Abhyantar snehana –
It is a poorva karma for panchkarma. It is administered by oral route in the form of pure sneha or medicated sneha.
E.g. Snehapana in panchakarma
Bahya snehana
In samhitas, External snehana have not described. But they have described abhyanga which is nothing but Bahya snehanan and various methods of Bahya (External) snehana are explained.
Abhyanga
Abhyanga is an important procedure for maintenance of healthy skin.
Abhyanga is done in various types. E.g. Applying, Rubbing, Stroking etc.
It can also be considered as touch therapy which can be used for relieving various ailments.
Abhyanga according to tailapaka –
In the process of preparing the medicated sneha, sneha is mixed with kwatha kalka and then it is heated for the certain period during the process and depending upon the frying medicated sneha is identified as three types – as Mrudu, Madhyam and Khara paka.
Out of three paka’s khara and madhyam paka are used for abhyanga which mentioned in Ayurvedic samhitas.
Abhynga according to tailapaka -
|
Samhita |
Kharapaka |
Madhyampaka
|
|
Ch.k.12/201 |
+
|
_ |
|
Su.chi.31/11 |
_
|
+ |
|
A.H.K.6/21 |
+
|
_ |
|
SH.M.kh.14/15 |
+
|
_ |
Abhyanga Kala
Dalhana commentator of Sushruta has described the effect of abhyanga according to the duration of it is done-
In (Su.Chi.24/30)
Abhyanga kala
|
Dhatu |
Matrakala |
|
Romanta |
300(96sec) |
|
Twacha |
400(128sec) |
|
Rakta |
500(160sec) |
|
Mamsa |
600(192sec) |
|
Meda |
700(224sec) |
|
Asthi |
800(256sec) |
|
Majja |
900(288sec) |
Thus,Abhyanga should be applied atleast 5-10 min to get its effect in the tissue like majja.
अभ्यंग-
अभ्यंगंआचरेन्नित्यंसजराश्रमवातहा।
दृष्टिःप्रसादपुष्टयायुःस्वप्नसुत्वक्दाढ्यकृत्॥ (अ.हॄ.सू.२/७)
ontra Indication of Abhyanga –
Abhyanga is the best in both the conditions i.e. health and disease except few exceptions which are as follows –
Kaphagrasta
Krita samshodhana – Those who have given Vaman or Virechana.
Ajirna
Ama
Nava Jvara
Samadosha
Santarpana samuttha roga
Agnimandhya
Procedure of Abhyanga –
Abhyanga procedure can be explained under the three methods –
Poorva Karma
Pradhan Karma
Paschata Karma
Poorva Karma -
The necessary equipments required for the procedure should be collected.
Rogiparikshana should be done.
Requirement –
Abhyanga table
Taila
Facility for heating taila in the water bath
Pradhan Karma –
To begin with patient asked to lie down in the supine position on the table
Taila is heated in the warm water to make it luke worm and then apply on face at the site of pigmented patches.
The massage therapy is done in circular motion and in upward to downward direction and in the outside to inner way of face.
This procedure was continued upto 5-10 mins in morning.
Paschat Karma –
To take rest for 5-10 min.
Benefits of Abhyanga-
Nourishes the entire body – decreases the effects of aging.
Imparts muscle tone and vigor to the dhatus (tissues) of the body.
Imparts a firmness to the limbs.
Lubricates the joints.
Increases the circulation.
Stimulates the internal organs of the body.
Assists in elimination of impurities from the body.
Moves the lymph, aiding in detoxification.
Increases stamina .
Calms the nerves.
Pacifies Vata and Pitta and stimulates Kapha.
The action of Abhyanga on the face it is important to understand Twak sharir rachana and sharir kriya,where exactly abhyanga acts
Review of Twacha
Etymology of twak-
Ayurvedicclassics used the word “Twacha”or “charma”for skin (ch.sha.7/16).Twacha is derived from Twacha-savarne Dathu.Meaning the covering of the body.
Formation of Twak-
Seven layers of covering are formed and deposited on the rapidly transforming product of the combination of shukra and shonita which have been thus charged with the individual soul or self in the same manner as layers are formed and deposited on the surface of boiling milk.
Panchabhoutikatva of Twacha-
Anu lomakoopas and chidras - Akasha
Sparshanendriya - Vayu
Prabha - Agni
Rasa, Sweda, Lassekadi jaleeyamsha - Aap
Charma, Kesha, Smashru, Loma - Prithvi
|
Name |
Thickness |
Diseases
|
|
Avabhasini |
1/18 of the Vrihi |
Sidhma,Padmakantaka
|
|
Lohita |
1/16 of the Vrihi |
Tilakalaka,Nyachcha,Vyanga |
|
Shweta |
1/12 of the Vrihi |
Charmadala,Ajagallika,Mashaka |
|
Tamra |
1/8 of the Vrihi |
Kilasa and Kushtha |
|
Vedini |
1/5 of the Vrihi |
Kushtha and Visarpa |
|
Rohini |
1 Vrihi |
Granthi,Arbuda,Galaganda,Apachi,Shleepada |
|
Mamsadhara |
2 Vrihi |
Bhagandhara,Vidradhi,Arsha |
According to Charaka and Vridha Vagbhata-
Six layers of twacha which are stated on the basis of diseases.Acharya Charaka have not mentioned any diseases of the 1st and 2nd layers of diseases.Vridha vagbhata also mentioned six layers of twak.(Ch.Sha.7/4)
|
No. |
Layers |
Diseases |
|
1 |
Udakadhara
|
- |
|
2 |
Asrugdhara
|
- |
|
3 |
Third Layer
|
Sidhma,Kilasa |
|
4 |
Fourth Layer
|
Dadru,Kushtha |
|
5 |
Fifth Layer
|
Alaji,Vidradhi |
|
6 |
Sixth Layer
|
Arunshi |
(A.H.Sha.3/8-9)
|
No |
Layers
|
Diseases |
|
1 |
Udakadhara
|
- |
|
2 |
Asrugdhara
|
- |
|
3 |
Third Layer
|
Sidhma,Kilasa |
|
4 |
Fourth Layer
|
Dadru,Kushtha |
|
5 |
Fifth Layer
|
Alaji,Vidradhi |
|
6 |
Pranadhara |
Arunshi |
According to Sharangadhara-
It mentioned also seven layers of skin along with diseases.
The names of the 1st six layers are same as Sushruta.’sthula’ is 7th layer which is the site of vidradhi-(SH.P.kh.5/18)
Modern co-relation of skin type
|
Sr.no |
Ancient Term |
|
Modern Co-relation |
Types of skin |
|
1 |
Avabhasini
|
- |
Stratum corneum |
Epidermis |
|
2 |
Lohita
|
- |
Stratum Lucidum |
|
|
3 |
Shweta
|
- |
Stratum Granulosum |
|
|
4 |
Tamra
|
- |
Malpighian layer |
|
|
5 |
Vedini
|
- |
Papillary layer |
Dermis |
|
6 |
Rohini
|
- |
Reticular layer |
|
|
7 |
Mamsadhara
|
- |
Subcutaneous tissue of muscular layer |
|
*PG Final Swasthavritta,
**HOD & Professor, Dept.of Swasthavritta,Dr.D.Y.Patil Ayurved College & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune.
References
Tripathi Ravidatta.Charaka Samhita.Choukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan2006;vol:1 page no.100
Dr.Laxmidhar Dwivedi.Sushruta Samhita.Choukhamba Sanskrit Series1998;vol:3 page no.166
Murthy Shrikant.Ashtanga Sangraha.Choukhamba Surbharati2005; page no.513,515
Dr.Ravidatta Tripathi.Ashtanga Sangraha.Choukhamba Sanskrita Pratishthan1992,Sutrasthan,page no.47
Prof.K.R.Shrikantha Murthy.Bhavprakasha Samhita.Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy2008;vol:1 page no.84
Prof.K.R.Shrikantha Murthy.Bhavprakasha Samhita.Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy2000;vol:2 page no.657
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