#AyurvaidWay: Ayurveda Benefits of Oiling Your Child

Hi everyone, I am Dr Aswathi from Apollo AyurVAID, New Delhi. Today I am here with a topic Shishu abhyanga- oil massage in children. Ayurveda advises to do oiling daily to keep Vata dosa, one of the three body humors under control. Oil application in children has numerous health benefits like improving their skin texture, helping in proper growth of muscles and nervous system, calming the babies and helping them to sleep better. This also improves their appetite and digestive power. Lukewarm oil should be taken and applied all over the body including head, ears and foot using gentle strokes for a time period of 15 to 20 minutes. This should be followed by a warm water bath. Baby skin is so delicate that it absorbs whatever that is applied on the skin. So in the initial days of a newborn baby, homemade butter or virgin coconut oil should be used. Some medicated oils that Ayurveda recommend are Bala taila, Lakshadi Kera taila, Eladi Kera Taila etc for body and for head oils like Ksheerabala taila, Chemparuthyadi Kera Taila etc are used. These are used according to specific requirements for example if the child is having dry, flaky scalp medicated oil is selected accordingly. For body the oils are selected according to body composition or Prakriti of the child. After oil application lukewarm water boiled with certain herbs like Nalpamaradi or other fragrant herbs are used for bathing. Daily oil massage and bathing is also a bonding time for mother and child. This helps in overall relaxation andwell-being of the child. So bringing this traditional practices into childrenchildcare routine can go a long way ahead in buildingtheire immunity, health and vitality. Thank you.