The Highlights
- Ayurveda's Healing Philosophy in a nutshell
- My Ma, the neighbourhood healer, and the inspiration behind Ma's Massage Oil
- My Powerful healing experience with Ma's Massage Oil
- 9 powerful Ayurveda healing plants in the formula. Find out what each plant does to bring balance to your being
- Explore Ma's Massage Oil on our website
Ayurveda Healing Philosophy in a Nutshell
Ayurveda operates on the fundamental principle of "As above, so below; as without, so within," emphasizing the importance of balance. It sees nature and humans as interconnected, integral parts of a unified whole. According to its wisdom, true healing occurs when the doshas, or dense and subtle body energies, are harmonized, encompassing balance across mind, body, spirit, and emotions. When they are not, Ayurveda calls upon plants to come in and work their magic.
The use of oil infusions in Ayurveda has been a thing for over 10,000 years. It is a tried and true way of getting the effective properties of plants into a carrier oil to deliver their benefits to your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual bodies in a slow, gentle way.
Unlike the approach of allopathic medicine, which often targets symptoms aggressively with pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda employs a more gradual process. It begins by drawing out toxins—whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual—then facilitates the natural reestablishment of energy balance. Finally, it creates a nurturing environment conducive to holistic healing, allowing for a gentle, comprehensive restoration of energy flow and well-being.
My Ma, the inspiration behind Ma's Massage Oil
My grandmother, back in her day, was the neighbourhood healer. People would stop by her house with a complaint. She would make them a cup of tea and chat with them while putting together their healing "potli" (Gujarati for a small medicine bundle).
Ma made a massage oil for muscle stiffness and cramping. It could be used for specific ailments; or a little bit everyday was used in Abhyanga massages for regular relaxing, detoxifying and balancing the dense and subtle bodies.
Ma’s Massage Oil is my version of her old school Ayurveda recipe.
Ma’s Massage Oil: My Powerful healing experience
My friend Joan gifted me a relaxing massage and I took Ma’s Massage Oil with me. The RMT did an amazing job of loosening up the muscle knots in my back without going in too painfully. I was a relaxed limp noodle when I hopped off the massage table to head home, where my son and his partner had filled the house with the mouthwatering smell of chicken curry dinner.
After a delicious meal, the kids settled into games nite while I retired to my room to rest. I sensed a disturbance in my emotional force when my son came in to invite me to have a turn. Unexpectedly, I felt a surge of irrational upset and struggled to contain the ensuing flood of tears. I couldn’t hold any of it in.
My son reminded me that massages can release many things. It seemed that my bodies—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual— were in the middle of a detox. Stuck thoughts and emotions had come up for review. It was the right time (especially during the season of Primaverna) for me to let them go.
I allowed myself to sit with the emotions until I could articulate them. What had come up were some very old feelings of isolation, exclusion and unresolved issues of abandonment and loss, stemming from dynamics within my family of origin. I had been trying to resolve these feelings since childhood.
And my attempts had not always brought out my best self. They had informed some of my lowest vibe survival coping mechanisms; and some of the most fear-based decisions of my life. About these, I still felt heavy shame and guilt, small and contracted. My bodies were trying to tell me they were tired of carrying the burden of so much self-loathing. If we were going to even have a chance of flying, they said, we have to let this shit go.
I’d love to claim I was so self aware and I got to that understanding all by myself. But I didn't. It takes a village, a loving collaborative one. I am deeply grateful to each and every one of my peeps and to all the Grandmothers for their support and patience during this purging process. Thank you for lovingly holding space for me.
And I’m grateful for the healing wisdom passed down to me. All the plants in Ma’s Massage Oil were the perfect healing companions for me on this journey. The therapeutic and aroma oils supported me in an all body healing session. They created a safe space for me to release the physical ache, followed by limiting thoughts and beliefs, heart ache and any residual energy cords and bonds to old stories.
As my friend Kerrin said the other day, our journey through life is an upward spiral of evolution. Each cycle brings growth and transformation, propelling us to new starting points rather than returning us to where we began. Enriched and elevated, we are ready for the next phase of our evolutionary journey.
9 powerful Ayurveda healing plants.
All of the oils in Ma's Massage Oil are staples in the Ayurveda med cabinet, common ingredients found in many an Indian kitchen. Plant properties and aroma come together to work their magic. Each one brings holistic, balancing benefits to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. FYI, that's her on the bottle label.
Castor Oil: Nourishment and Detoxification
Castor oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it really useful for relieving pain, inflammation, stiffness in joints and muscles and wound healing. Its neutral scent and emollient texture make it an ideal base for a Massage Oil. Ma knew what she was doing!
A massage with castor oil can help you release emotional blocks. At the same time, it’s grounding and relaxing, helping to calm the mind, reduce stress, and give you the space needed to build resilience.
Camphor: Cooling and Purifying
Camphor oil is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic. It is often used topically to alleviate pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms, making it a great plant oil for conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, and muscular aches–which is why Ma included it in her massage oil recipe. Inhaling it can also help relieve respiratory congestion.
In skincare, camphor oil’s antiseptic and antimicrobial properties can help soothe irritation, and heal minor wounds and insect bites. A big plus for the body acne crowd and those who end up being mosquito lunch!
The invigorating, cool, minty aroma of Camphor uplifts the spirit and relieves the kind of mental fatigue that comes with over-thinking. It is also used to clear the mind and open the Third Eye Chakra, which is associated with spiritual insight. And it helps support a sense of inner peace, and interconnectedness within yourself and with others.
Ajwain Seed: Support and Connection
In Ayurvedic medicine, ajwain seeds are seen as a warming spice, which means they can help improve circulation and relieve muscle stiffness. They are often used in remedies and preventatives for arthritis, joint issues, muscle cramps and spasms. FYI, the oil just rocks for easing menstrual muscle pain.
The warm and uplifting aroma soothes and calms the mind, easing stress, anxiety, and tension, and making it easier to enter into a meditative state. Ajwain is valued for its ability to cleanse and create a sacred container in which to connect with your higher self.
Mustard Oil: Stimulating and Revitalizing
In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, mustard seeds are used in massage oils and ointments to stimulate circulation and relieve muscular pain. They are valued for their detoxifying properties.
Emotionally and mentally, mustard oil can elevate feelings of courage, confidence, and empowerment. Its aroma helps uplift mood, dispel lethargy and apathy, while enhancing mental clarity.
Mustard seed is a powerful symbol of fertility, faith, prosperity, high positive energy and abundance. The seeds are used for protection and cleansing of negative energy, and to create a space that calls in positive change and blessings into various aspects of Life.
Coriander Seed: Soothing and Balancing
Coriander seed oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and relaxing properties. When used in a massage it helps soothe and relax sore muscles.
Emotionally and mentally, coriander seed oil applies the same benefit of soothing calm to the mind, while uplifting the spirit and inspiring creativity. It is used in Ayurveda to balance the chakras and overall well-being.
Eucalyptus Oil: Resilience and Renewal
In Ayurveda, eucalyptus oil’s heating energy is used to warm internal chill and strengthen metabolism and circulation. Its eases muscle soreness, heals wounds and opens up the lungs.
Emotionally and mentally, Eucalyptus oil helps relieve stress and raise energy to optimism and resilience levels. It can also help release emotional blocks so that you can have that good cry and recenter your heart, while it holds you in its warm, renewing embrace,
Clove Oil: Warm and Loving
In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, clove is also used for its warming, anti-microbial effect on the body. That’s true emotionally and mentally as well. Its warm, spicy aroma is often used to relax, reduce stress and improve clarity. It is said to help release negative emotions and promote feelings of positive wellbeing.
Spiritually, cloves are often used for energy cleansing and protection for mind, body and spirit. And it symbolizes love and friendship. Interestingly in Gujarati, my mother tongue, the word for clove is “Laving”.
Cinnamon Oil: Joy and Contentment
Cinnamon Essential Oil is also associated with warmth and comfort. Valued for its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used to support the immune system, improve circulation, and relieve muscle and joint discomfort. In Ayurveda, it is used to balance the body’s energy and improve blood and air circulation.
Cinnamon oil has a grounding and stabilizing effect on mind, emotions and body, helping to reduce stress and promote emotional balance. Its warm inviting aroma uplifts the spirit with feelings of joy and contentment.
Peppermint Oil: Clarity and Clearing
In Ayurveda, peppermint oil is used to energize you instantly, and relieve headaches, menstrual cramps and joint pain quickly.
Peppermint oil helps eliminate stress, improve memory and thought clarity. Its cooling properties help reduce stress caused by anxiety and fear so you can relax.
Peppermint Oil is also a powerful tool for enhancing spiritual connection and creating a deep sense of peace and harmony. The oil has also been used in protection and clearing practices, as well as attracting luck, abundance or even that special someone!
Explore Ma's Massage Oil on our website
Feel like you want some of that Ayurveda goodness in your life? Shop Ma's Massage Oil in the Free Lion Body Care store.
1 comment
Great read Sherazad. Informative and engaging,