The most popular Panchakarma therapy, abhyanga (massage therapy), is a significant therapeutic technique that benefits both healthy and ill individuals. Contrary to popular belief, ayurvedic massage therapy involves more than merely applying oil and massaging the body. It involves therapeutic factors, including pharmaceutical factors, Dosha (bio humours), Dhatu (tissues), and Prakriti (constitution). The therapeutic effectiveness of massage therapy depends on the proper oil selection in accordance with the ailment, Prakriti, the therapist's expertise, the patient's participation, and any limits that the patient must adhere to while receiving treatment and thereafter.
One of the 64 Kala explicitly described in the Vatsayana Kamasutra to improve a person's sexual prowess is massage.
Indications of Abhyanga:
Abhyanga is the finest in both health and disease circumstances. Individuals who will receive sudation and purificatory therapy
People who consume excessive amounts of drink, and exercise, as well as those who think too much.
Elderly people, kids, the disabled, and the malnourished.
Bala, Rogi, and Vriddha should perform abhyanga on a regular basis (Kaiyadeva Nighantu).
Kaya Siddhi makes the body get strengthened and refreshed when practiced. Sexual potency is boosted, but the desire for it decreases. This technique aids the practitioner in eliminating and preventing all types of diseases as well as getting rid of old age concerns.
Udvartana
The root of the word udvartana is ud+vrith+bhave+karaneva lyuta, which is vilepana or gharshana.
Udvartana is the term for the rubbing of the body by the cūrna.
It is a type of abhyanga as well, albeit there are some fundamental differences between the two. Udvartana is in the opposite direction to abhyanga. It is applied in the direction of the pratiloma and should have a stronger pressure than abhyanga. It falls under "Bahih parimarjana," says Charaka. Depending on the materials that were used to make it, there may be several types. It should be applied using an effleurage technique or a compression action using the tip of the finger, the forearm, the palm, etc.
It is divided into udharshana and utsadana categories.
Other benefits
Escape the influence of ageing:
Longevity of life:
Prolong death:
Stable mind:
Good self-control:
Strong will power:
Increased concentration:
Enormous memory:
Udgharshana
Udgharshana is the practise of applying powdered medication to the body without combining it with oil or other liquids. It is a friction technique that requires ununctious materials.
This treatment is frequently employed in beauty therapy. The udgharshana kriya is what is used to scrub the face and skin. For this method, powders of wood, brick, rice, wheat husk, jambu seed, and methi, among others, may be employed. In seven positions, the body has to be covered with these powders. The pratiloma direction should be followed.
Body rubbing with brick powder increases skin heat, eliminates itchiness and rashes, etc.
Utsadana
Utsadana is the term used to describe the strengthened friction of the body with medications comprising sneha or medicine mixed with oil or other liquids in the form of kalka.
Utsadana is a type of abhyanga in which the massage strokes are administered in the direction of the pratiloma. The only difference between the entire process and udgharshana is that during the massage, unconventional materials are used.
It provides females a better complexion, a pleasant appearance, clarity, and beauty, which are its advantages.
Benefits of Abhyanga:
1.Jarahara: It slows down and reverses the ageing process. The Dhatu are fed by the Abhyanga, which also makes them stronger.
2. Sramahara: It aids in overcoming exhaustion brought on by strenuous work.
3. Vatahara: It treats and prevents problems brought on by vata-related illnesses. Abhyanga: aids in regulating and promoting Vata’s healthy operation.
4. Drishti Prasad Kara: It enhances vision. Abhyanga can prevent and treat diseases like Timira that affect the eyes as well as other ailments brought on by aging.
5. Pushtikara: It aids in providing the body with nutrition. It feeds each of the body’s Dhatus.
6. Ayushyakara: Because the critical organs’ and tissues’ functioning are improved, it encourages longevity.
7. Svapnakara: It aids in a person’s ability to sleep. The Abhyanga is particularly effective in treating mental illnesses like insomnia, etc.,
Benefits of Udvartana
1.Kapha shamana
2.Meda vilayana
3.Sthrikarnamanganam (stability of the body)
4.Talk prasadana
5.Lusture of skin
6.Vata prashamana
Benefits of Utsadana
1.Siramukha viviktata (cleansing of minute pores in the body)
2.Tvakgata agni dipti (enhancing the metabolic activity of the skin)