Oil Bath Benefits - A Detailed Guide for Indians

Oil bath, also known as Abhyanga Snana, is an ancient ayurvedic technique of bathing. Abhyanga means cleansing with oil and Snana refers to bath. As relaxing as a Sauna bath, it includes applying a simple cleansing oil to nourish, moisturize and hydrate our skin. In ancient times, Indians would oil their body first and then go for their daily bath.

Oil baths benefits have been enjoyed for thousands of years by cultures across the globe. Ancient Egyptians were using them as far back as 3000 BC. Today, oil baths are still very popular in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Bathing with oil comes with its own set of benefits that we will be discussing at length in this article. 

Concept of Oil Bath in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, an oil bath is one of the most essential treatments that is used to cure various diseases among Indians. It helps in detoxification, rejuvenation, and relaxation of the body. The concept of oil bath was introduced by Charaka, an ancient Indian physician who lived during the 5th century BC. He wrote about the benefits of oil baths in his book Sushruta Samhita. It is described as a Dinacharya (daily habit) for good health.

Oil bathing is a relaxing experience that helps restore the body's equilibrium and accelerates its natural regeneration process. You can enjoy several oil bath benefits when you add it to your routine:

• Oil Baths Help You Relax And Sleep Better

There are many benefits to using an oil bath, such as helping you relax and sleep better. In fact, research shows that people who use an oil bath report feeling more relaxed than those who take a hot shower.

• Great For Skin Care

Regular oil baths can help maintain the strength of your organs and keep your skin smooth. It promotes blood circulation to the body, which keeps your skin healthy. The oil makes it easier to unclog and wash away the skin pores. Bath oils for dry skin work wonders as it provides much-needed oil to the body. This results in radiant and supple skin.  

• Reduces Stress And Anxiety

An oil bath is a relaxing way to unwind after a stressful day at work. In addition, it is an excellent way to treat yourself when you need some pampering. Many people enjoy taking an oil bath because it feels luxurious. Plus, it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. When essential oils are used, oil bath can also provide aromatherapy stress relief. 

• Helps Avoid  Certain Diseases

Bathing with oil after a hard day at work allows your body and mind to relax. As the coolness of water also helps prevent diseases like migraine, sexual disorders, depression, diabetes, stomach disorder, jaundice, and more. 

• Has anti-inflammatory properties

Oils added to an oil bath procedure are extracted from plants and trees. These oils have a cooling effect on the body and relax muscles and tension. They help ease pain and reduce inflammation. When done regularly, it also helps with muscle aches and pains, arthritis, and rheumatism. 

• Helps prevents wrinkles and fine lines

Bath oils are made with carrier oils (plant-based oils that are made from seeds or nuts) that are rich in vitamin E, which helps protect against free radicals. These free radicals cause damage to cells and tissues in our bodies. Free radicals also contribute to premature aging by damaging collagen and elastin fibers in our skin. Collagen and elastin are proteins that support the structure of our skin.

• Provides protection against sun damage

One of the most interesting oil bath benefits for Indians is that they protect against sun damage. Bath oils are made from natural ingredients that help moisturize and soften the skin. In addition, they contain essential fatty acids that nourish the skin and help prevent dryness. Essential fatty acids are found in fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Benefits of Bath Oil for Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, you would realise how much better your skin feels when you apply a good quality bath oil. There are several benefits of bath oil for dry skin as it helps to hydrate the skin and make it feel soft and smooth. You can also use bath oil as an after-bath lotion to protect against chafing and irritation.

Oil Bath in Bathtub benefits

While oil baths have been there for centuries, you can add twists to them to make them a relaxing experience. One such great option is taking an oil bath in a bathtub. A bathtub oil bath ensures that your body is relaxed and helps with proper blood circulation. With an oil bath, you can learn how to use bathtub not just for relaxation but also for improving your health. A bathtub oil bath is much safer than a shower as there is no risk of slipping or hurting yourself due to oil on your body.

Sure, a simple shower or bucket bath is quick and easy, but if you own a bathtub, why not use it? And, if you don't, Jaquar has got you covered with its wide range of affordable yet stylish built-in bathtubs and free standing bathtubs.

Now that you know the unending oil bath benefits, let's discuss one of the most crucial aspects of an oil bath, the oil itself. When getting ready for an oil bath, you must choose the right oil, basis your body. In the next chapter, we will discuss the best oils for an oil bath. 

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There are different types of oils used in oil baths. Several different ingredients go into making bath oils. This includes essential oils, carrier oils, and emollients. Essential oils are the main ingredient in any bath oil. You can enjoy all the oil bath and bathtub benefits by using the right oils. Here are some of the key ingredients of the oils that you must know about that help provide all the benefits that we just discussed:

• They help to provide the scent and therapeutic properties of the product. 
• Carrier oils are non-volatile oils that help keep the essential oils stable so they don't evaporate quickly. They dilute the essential oils so they won't evaporate too quickly. 
• Emollients are added to keep the oils from drying out the skin.

These oils help in cleansing the body and removing toxins. They also help in relaxing the muscles and joints. While there are several oils that you can use for bathing with oil, including desi ghee, eucalyptus oil, and sesame oil are most commonly used as they have several benefits. Let us discuss them in detail:

Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil in Bath

Eucalyptus oil has been used for centuries to treat respiratory ailments. It also helps relieve muscle aches and pain and is often added to massage oils. In this section, we discuss the many benefits of eucalyptus oil in a bath and why it is a great companion for your next oil bath:

• Eucalyptol, one of the main constituents of eucalypt oil, is an antiseptic and anti-fungal agent. This means that it kills bacteria and fungi without harming healthy cells.
• Eucalyptus has an intense freshness that makes the body feel clean. Its pleasant aroma makes sure your body smells fresh the entire day.
• Known to multiply your oil bath benefits, eucalyptus oil also has a mild and soothing effect. It is used as an ingredient in soap making because of its ability to lather well and leave the skin feeling soft and smooth. It also has a  mild soothing effect on the skin.
• Eucalyptus is great for skin care because they help reduce acne scars and blemishes. Eucalyptus oil is one of the most popular oils used in cosmetics today. It also helps prevent dryness and irritation of the skin.
• The scent of eucalyptol is known to calm nerves and relieve stress. Eucalyptol is an essential oil found in eucalyptus leaves. 
• This oil is often used as a natural remedy for anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension.

Now that we know the many benefits of eucalyptus oil in baths, let us discuss the benefits of sesame oil. 

Sesame Oil Bath Benefits

Sesame oil has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine. It is also known for its many health benefits, including helping to reduce stress and improve skin health. There are several sesame oil bath benefits that you can enjoy:

• Sesame oil contains high levels of vitamin E, which promotes healthy hair growth. Vitamin E also protects against free radicals, which damage cells and cause premature aging.
• Sesame oil has been used as an antiseptic since ancient times. It was even used by Cleopatra to treat her skin condition. Today, sesame oil is still used to prevent infections and promote healing.
• Sesame oil is one of the oldest oils used in an oil bath procedure. It has been used for thousands of years to help with various ailments. One of its main uses is to help heal wounds.
• It contains lignans, which are plant compounds that act as antioxidants. Lignans are found in abundance in seeds, nuts, grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. They are believed to protect against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other illnesses.
• It is also known to help improve hair growth and prevent dandruff. It can even help reduce wrinkles and scars.

With all the oil bath benefits, you must already be convinced to take an oil bath on your next weekend. You may be worried that it is time taking or messy, but you can quickly learn how to take a proper bath with oil in these easy steps:

• Gently apply oil from head to toe, and add three drops of oil in each ear and two drops into each nostril. 
• After applying oil, allow the body to soak for a short period of time, at least 20 minutes
• Take a bath with a shower or bucket of lukewarm water

How to Use Bath Tub for Oil Bath?

A bathtub oil bath is taken by immersing yourself entirely in warm water mixed with oil. You can learn how to take a proper oil bath in a bathtub by following these easy steps: 

• Begin with applying almond oil or melted ghee to your body. 
• Mix equal amounts of sesame oil and eucalyptus oil to prepare an oil bath. 
• Add one teaspoon of each oil to a bowl. Mix well with a spoon.
• Add this mix to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Having the right temperature of the water is crucial as it can make or break your experience. Invest in a high quality geyser that provides just the right temperature every time.
• For a more relaxing bath, you can also add fragrant candles beside your bathtub for a relaxing environment.

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Best Time to Take Bath as per Ayurveda

There is no better oil bath day for you to relax than right now. But, if you are planning to add it to your routine, we suggest you choose the best time for it. There are different durations of the day that can be the best time to take a bath as per ayurveda. 

• If you're looking to improve your skin, Ayurveda suggests that you bathe before bedtime. This will help remove toxins from the body and prepare it for sleep. According to Ayurveda, bathing at night is better because it helps with digestion. In fact, some experts say that taking a nighttime shower will help you fall asleep faster.
• Ayurveda suggests that morning bathing helps wake the senses and energize the body. It also helps clear away impurities from the pores and stimulate circulation. In contrast, bathing at night helps relax the muscles and release tension.

However, you can also plan your oil bath time as per your availability. For example, a relaxing bath at night would be the perfect way to end your day and enjoy an oil bath benefits, if you start with a busy day. 

There are several oil bath benefits for Indians, as it helps fight diseases and improves skin quality. It is also a form of aromatherapy for stress relief that calms the mind and body. So, what are you waiting for? Prepare your bathtub for your next relaxing oil bath and experience nirvana!