GHS Natural Health Blog

Ayurvedic massage is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, slow down the skin’s aging process, improve blood circulation and remove toxins from the cells. Using ancient Ayurvedic herbs mixed with oils, it works to purify, nourish and tone the skin on a deep cellular level. It promotes lymphatic drainage, reduces free-radical activity and detoxifies. The herbs used have natural anti-oxidants and have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Massage is prescribed in Ayurveda as it is one of the keys to longevity. It helps to pacify the Vata dosha and it is this dosha that dries us out as we age, causing everything from wrinkled skin to constipation. Bob Hope credited his long life to a live in masseuse and daily massages. Dr. Andrew Weil, director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson and pioneer of alternative health says that he is a firm believer that massage stimulates the body’s own healing response, and he frequently recommends massage therapy.

“A growing body of research shows that massage offers health benefits throughout the life cycle: It promotes weight gain and motor development in babies, boosts respiratory function in children with asthma. It also increases blood circulation, reduces stress hormones, increases range of motion, reduces depression, and enhances immune function.”

Vital to Health

Massage relaxes and tones the muscles, stimulates glands under the skin to produce hormones, including serotonin that calms the mind and emotions and promotes drainage of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic fluid delivers nutrients to the cells and then carries away cellular debris and toxic particles.

As the fluid passes through the lymph nodes, the waste products are flushed out. Unfortunately, unlike the blood system, the lymph system does not have a pump, but depends on muscular contractions to move about the bodies’ network of lymph vessels. When muscles are inactive, the unfiltered fluid stagnates and becomes ‘ama’ which can precipitate genetic breakdown and disease. Massage stimulates the nodes and drains the toxic fluids, which is vital to good health.

The Ayurvedic oils used enhance this purification process, by penetrating the skin and balancing the doshas, they have anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Designed to penetrate the skin, their nutrients go directly into the blood capillaries, loosens attached toxins and carries them to the digestive tract for elimination. The herbal oils improve blood circulation, digestive system, feeds the skin and works to balance the emotions and relax the mind.

Ayurvedic Pressure Points

Ayurvedic massage is unique in that in incorporates a healing technique called “marma” therapy. Ayurveda describes these marma points as junctions of matter and consciousness, the body is crisscrossed like irrigation channels with meridians or nadis, a closed interconnecting system through which prana flows in the body. There are 107 major marma points in the body, seven of which are also identified with the 7 chakras of the body. The navel, which is the seat of the second chakra, is particularly rich in nadis, 72,000 in all, said to be the life-giving channel from mother to unborn child.

The marma are located over the lymph nodes, at joints where five anatomical structures intersect: blood vessels, ligaments, muscles, nerves and bone. They therefore play a vital role in balancing the endocrine system, the three circulatory systems of lymph, blood and nerves, as well as the three doshas or subtle constitutions of the body and mind. Marma points boost the prana each time it flows through, resulting in a stronger life force energy. Like acupressure points, care should be taken when massaging, as certain points when struck, can cause a negative effect, rather than a positive one.

Abhayanga: Ayurvedic Oil Massage

According to Ayurveda, full-body warm oil self-massage, done each morning (or as often as you can), is relaxing and revitalizing for mind and body. Usually before morning Yoga and bathing so that the oil can be absorbed through the skin by the heat generated by the Yoga. Using oils specific to doshas can bring each of the doshas into alignment. It is nourishing, pacifies Vata and Kapha, relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body. For very oily skin use chickpea flour or a body brush.

The Ayurvedic warm oil self-massage (abhyanga)

- helps improve circulation and lubrication
- helps strengthen and tone the muscles and joints
- helps release deep-seated toxins for elimination from the body
- helps keep skin supple, moisturized and nourished
- helps balance the emotions and keep the mind calm yet focused and alert
- helps increase energy through the day and promotes sound sleep at night

How to do Abhyanga (Ayurvedic self-massage)

Materials: 2-3 oz massage oil suited to your needs for balance, plastic squeeze bottle, pot of very warm water, old cotton towel or mat, paper towels.

Step 1. Pour the oil into the squeeze bottle and shut bottle tightly.

Step 2. Place the bottle in the warm water for 5 minutes or until the oil heats up to comfortably warm.

Step 3. Stand on your towel or mat in a comfortably warm, draft-free room.

Step 4. Squeeze the oil a little at a time into your palm and apply the oil to your body, working systematically down until your entire body is anointed with oil.

Step 5. Next, massage the oil into your skin, giving each part of your body adequate attention. Use up and down strokes over limbs and circular strokes over joints, chest and abdomen. Apply lighter pressure over chest and abdomen than over extremities. This process should take about 10-12 minutes.

Step 6. If massaging your scalp, apply oil to the crown of the head and then work the oil into your scalp with your fingers in outward circles.

Step 7. Sit quietly with eyes closed for 5 minutes, breathing deeply.

Step 8. Pat any excess oil with paper towels.

Step 9. Take a warm bath or shower, being very careful not to slip. Wipe excess oil off your feet before stepping off the towel or mat. Use a very gentle, non-soap cleanser and a gentle shampoo.

Step 10. Pat your skin with a towel and apply moisturizing lotion or a gentle natural dusting powder.

Note: The towels and mats you stand on for abhyanga will get stained and eventually oil-saturated, so use old ones and do not put them in washing machines or dryers. They should be periodically thrown away and replaced.

Reference: Jennifer Beckman (Yogamaya)

Alternative medicine has risen so quickly in popularity that many forms of alternative medicine treatments have been brought into the spotlight. The alternative medicine massage treatment is among these.

Massage is a great way to relax the body and take away the stress and problems of the day. The more common reasons that people get an alternative medicine massage is to rid their body of kinks and to feel refreshed afterwards.

The History of Hilot

Hilot as an alternative medicine massage originated from the Philippines. There are several varieties of this kind of alternative medicine massage. It has been a useful way of treating so many things from the flu to sprains and even dislocations. It is embedded in the culture of the country and there are, up to this very day, a few people who practice this type of alternative medicine massage.

The mang-hihilot or masseuse tends to guard their secrets methods of kneading and herbs that this is now uncommon to get a person who is skilled at it. Due to the close guarding of the trade secrets of the masseuse, they only teach their close relatives this art of alternative medicine massage in order to keep the family line going. It is uncommon today to actually have a Hilot that is performed by someone with ancient heritage.

Hilot goes as far back as the 5th century in the tribes of the Filipino people. It is unfortunate to note that there are no written facts or documents regarding the exact ways of this alternative medicine massage. What has been handed down from generation to generation of mang-hihilot contains variations added or subtracted by the current masseuse.

Uses Of This Alternative Medicine Massage

The hilot type of massage is often used to alleviate aches and pains due to overwork or stress. It is also common for a hilot masseuse to attend to a pregnant woman during birth or to change the position of the baby.

Other hilot massages also help to ease the pain of a sprain or a dislocation. These massages can be painful therefore the person giving the hilot usually asks the individual to chew on some leaves or to take a brew which can alleviate pain. Although the pain can be very intense to begin with, many claim that the medicinal value in the future fare outweighs the temporary discomfort of the treatment.

This form of alternative medicine massage is very effective especially for the stress related aches and pains. Many of todays clients of hilot massages are doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and real estate brokers. These high stress jobs require a release of stress and many have found that massage is the perfect way.

It is typically done with the accompaniment of virgin coconut oil to rub or knead at the muscles. After a hilot session, you are usually warned not to bathe for approximately twenty four hours. This is because the special oils used in the hilot session are rumored to only work if given enough time to soak in though the skin.

Reference:-  Hilot massage

If you haven’t tried Aromatherapy massage, you have to read this article to get informed what you miss. An aromatherapy massage can be great way to relax and to relieve tired, sore muscles and a stressed out mind.

The practice of aromatherapy involves using essential oils from plants to heal the body, decrease pain and help keep one’s moods in check. It can help in decreasing depression, increase focus and provides a “pick me up”. Essential oils come from roots, flowers and plant extracts.

Aromatherapy massage utilizes these essential oils for all of these benefits. They can also be used for other spa-like treatments, for example facials and hydrotherapy baths.

To prepare essential oils for a aromatherapy massage, they should be combined with a carrier oil such as Grapeseed or Sweet Almond oil. The oils that you use will depend on how you are feeling, what you are looking to accomplish or what ailment that you are trying to treat. If you are feeling sad, or stressed, Lavender oil is a good essential oil to use. If you need to treat tired and sore muscles, then you may opt for Peppermint oil.

A massage therapist can mix up to five essential oils to create your massage oil. You want to make sure that you work with an aromatherapist who is qualified and that knows how to properly mix and use the massage oils so that you don’t suffer any skin irritations or other negative reactions.

Many store brought products claim to use aromatherapy. However, it most cases, these include little more then perfumes and fragrances. These do not quality as aromatherapy. Real aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils, which most of these products do not contain. Instead, most of these use chemicals and not essential oils. So don’t be fooled. You won’t get the same benefits that essential oils provide.

If you are interested in creating your own aromatherapy massage blend, you may want to try the following recipe.

Massage Oil:

• 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil blend, or single essential oil
• 1 ounce of carrier oil
• You will need to mix the oils. The mixture should be stored in a cobalt glass or amber bottle or container. You can use this blend whenever you get your next massage.

An aromatherapy massage can be great way to relax and to relieve tired, sore muscles and a stressed out mind. If you plan on creating your own massage oil, be sure to mix your essential oil blend with a carrier oil so that you do not irritate the skin. You should not place essential oils directly into the skin without a carrier oil. Also, be sure to only use safe oils that will not negatively react to the skin. This may require that you do a little research to determine which essential oils are not safe for human use. Also never use essential oils on babies or young children.

Offering to give a relaxing massage to a friend or loved one can be one of the best gifts that you can provide for someone who has had a bad or stressful day or week.

Few people will turn down a massage, especially if you know how to properly give one. A good massage isn’t necessarily all about great technique, although that is important. You also need the right tools, be able to set the mood conducive to a relaxing massage.

It’s fairly easy to set the right mood. Ask the recipient of the massage if they have any musical requests. If they do not, find music that is soft and relaxing. Purchase some candles. Again, ask the person who is receiving the massage if they have a personal favourite. If they do not, pick something that you like which is soothing smells nice and promotes relaxation. If you have no idea, try a lavender candle.

After you have chosen the music and the candles, it’s time to purchase massage oil. Using massage oil allows you to give a massage that feels good. You won’t be roughly rubbing on the skin, but gliding over it. It will also prevent your hands from getting tired quickly. Jojobo and almond oils are good picks. You will also find great options at local, specialty shops or online.

Once you have all of your supplies, grab two of your biggest, fluffiest towels and place them in the dryer for a few minutes. This will get them nice and warm. Place one of the towels underneath the person that is getting the massage and the other one on top of them so that they are not overly exposed.

Now if you are unsure about massage techniques, you may want to invest a little money and purchase a good book or video on the subject. However, if you avoid massaging too hard or too soft, you should be fine. Make sure that you get feedback and ask your partner to tell you when it feels good. Focus on the arms, back, legs and buttocks (if appropriate). Use your fingers, thumbs and fists to lightly knead and place pressure on the various muscle groups.

Giving a relaxing massage to someone can be a great gift. With the day-to-day pressures that most people live with, being pampered and tended to with a massage can be extremely enjoyable. When giving a massage, be sure to set the mood with soft, soothing music, burn some candles and make sure the temperature is right. Turn down the lights and focus on gently and firmly massaging the major muscle groups with your hands, fists and thumbs.