MuscularAyurveda

Oil and Fat Consumption

Ayurveda classifies lubricants in two major types according to their source.

1)   “Sthawar” or static: Lubricants obtained from Sesame(Til), Buchanania lanzan(Chironji),Pine nut(Chilgoza), Beleric myrobalan(Bahera), Myrobalan(Badi Harad), Castor(Arand), Bassia Latifolia(Mahua), Mustard(Sarso), Schleichera oleosa(Kusumbh), Aegle marmelos(Belgiri), Semecarpus anacardium(Bhilawa),Radish seed(Mulak), Flaxseed(Alsi), Wallnut(Akhrot) and Pongamia Glabra(Nata Karanjua) are “Sthawar” or static lubricants.

Among the static sources of lubricants Sesame (Til) oil is best to bring strength and softness. Castor (Arand) oil is best for purgation.

2)   “Jangam” or Dynamic: Lubricants obtained from Fish,    animals, birds their milk, curd, clarified butter (Ghee), flesh and marrow are “Jangam” or dynamic lubricants.

Among dynamic sources Clarified butter (Ghee) is the best because it can absorb the properties of the other stuffs when mixed.

Who should consume which oil?

·       Person whose body is, of “Vata-Pitta” type, who suffers from aggravated “Vata” or “Pitta”, who wants great eyesight, weak, aged, kid, who wants to live long, who wants strength and glowing skin, who wants great voice, who is trying for child, who wants softness, who wants good memory, brain and digestive fire, who wants strong senses and those who are injured from arms or fire or poison should consume clarified butter “Ghee”.

·       One who has excess of “Kapha” and fat in the body. Whose tummy and neck is thick and loose, who is suffering from “Vata” imbalance like joint pain, who wants strength, who wants to loose weight, lightness of body, contraction of the body, smooth and lustrous skin, who has worms in stomach, who experiences purgation and who is suffering from Pilonidal sinus(Nadivrana) should consume oil in Hemant and Shishir Ritu (mid Nov-mid Mar) during daytime.

·       One who bears the air and sun all day, whose body is dry, who lifts heavy weight, who has become weak because of labour, whose blood and hormones have dried, who has very low “Kapha” and fat in the body, who has disease related to bones, joints, vessels and trunk, whose digestive fire is very strong should consume animal fat.

·       Those whose digestive fire is good, who can bear painful emotions, who eats a lot, one who is used to consuming oils, who have gas/air trouble can consume marrow.

Quantity of oil:

Quantity has to determined by time period in which the oil gets digested completely.

“Pradhan Matra” or primary amount: This amount takes 24 hours to digest. This amount has to be given to person who is a regular user of oil. Who cannot tolerate hunger and thirst, one who is strong and have strong digestive fire, who have gastric ball in stomach, whose body is intoxicated, mentally ill, who have urinary problem and whose faeces comes dry. This amount of oil spreads in entire body and draws out the toxins.

“Madhyam Matra” or medium amount: This amount takes 12 hours to digest. The person who have Lipoma, Abscess, Rash, Itch, Scab and other skin problems. One who is diabetic, have excess urination problem, eats in balanced amount, whose intestine is not very strong (Even milk acts as purgative) and is fairly strong, should be given this amount.

“Hasva Matra” or least amount: This amount takes 6 hours to digest. Elderly, kids, who is fragile physically, who lives luxurious life, who experience stomach ache on being empty stomach, who have low digestive fire, who is suffering from prolonged fever, dysentery, cough etc should be given least amount of oil so it gets digested easily. This can also be used for long.

Caution: Ayurveda has defined ways to take the oils and have called it “Snehpaan”. Based on the nature and strength of body of a person, the oil is selected and given for either 3 or 7 nights.

Note: “Vata”, “Pitta” and “Kapha” are three doshas of body mentioned in ayurveda which in balanced state keeps the person healthy.

“Vata” is gas or air in your body. If aggravated, it causes joints pain and gas trouble.

“Pitta” is acid and heat in the body. If aggravated, it  causes burning sensation, thirst, over hunger etc.

“Kapha” is cough or lubrication which lubricates the body.