Herbal oil for massage

They are less likely to massage themselves as they tend to undervalue self care. Scheduling time to receive massage as a means of providing deep rest and relaxation is very important in balancing the intensity most Pitta people enjoy.

Massage with correctly applied oil will enhance the natural lustre of the Pitta's skin, nourish their shapely muscles, and calm their reactive nervous system. Too much oil, and oils that are heating in quality, make Pitta types itchy, thirsty, irritable, even possibly nauseous. Their skin is sensitive and easily becomes rashy or inflamed (This is especially true in hot weathet). Shiatsu, polari­ty, or other forms of massage that don't use oil, but rather work primarily with the body's electromagnetic field, are also useful for Pittas (and especially called for when there is a high level of skin sen­sitivity).
Suitable oils should be cooling or neutral in nature.

Coconut oil calms and cools the body while reducing thirst and burning sensations. Sunflower oil helps inflamed skin. Olive, sesame, and ghee are more neutral. (If ghee is aged in copper or silver pots it has a more cooling effect.) At times they may be too heating unless cooling herbs or essen­tial oils are added. Herbal oils that are helpful to Pitta include shatavari, gotu kola, bhriRgaraj, and brahmi. Essential oils that cool the body and the temperament include sandalwood (red, if possible), gardenia, jasmine, rose, honeysuckle, violet, iris, and lotus.

Those particularly cooling for the head are sandalwood (often applied to the third eye area), lemon grass, lavendelj mint, henna, and vertivert. Pitta people have strong likes and dislikes-and they are prepared to tell their preferences. Some Pittas will like the light, flowery scents, others the ttesher smells of mints and lemon, while others go for the more ex­otic smells of sandalwood, jasmine, and lotus. Follow your intuition and go for your preferences.
Kapha types need massage to improve their circulation and lymph drainage. Their skin and flesh are strong and thick, so can take penetrating massage styles as well as body therapies that shake and
pummel the body. Kapha types love to luxuriate in body oils and
lotions, but really should use very little as they tend to increase the feeling of heaviness in the body. Using small amounts of hot, sharp, stimulating oils are best, mustard oil being the most commonly recommended. Jojoba oil plus essential oils of sage, cedar; pine, myrrh, musk, patchouli, or cinnamon are also good. Other styles of massage that are useful for Kapha types include shiatsu, Tragerin& lymphatic massage, and vigorous Ayurvedic friction massage.
Oils are selected not only by which dosha they benefit, but also according to climate, season, and locale. Castor and sesame oils are good in dry climates because they are heavy and penetrate the skin, going deep into the tissue. Safflower oil is recommended for damp climates where such deep lubricating action is not required. Mustard and sesame are best in cold weathet; while coconut and olive are good for hot weather. Oils that can be derived &om vegetation that is local to you are considered best in the same way that foods that grow locally help you to maintain balance in your locale.
With increased interest in natural health care and beauty, natural cosmetic oils, not mentioned in the classical Ayurvedic texts, have come onto the market, such as jojoba, grapeseed, avocado, and canola. Jojoba is excellent as it is both light and penetrating. Avocado is rich and nourishing. Canola is a good carrier for essential oils.
In contrast to these natural products is mirieral oil. Because oil is a carrier of nutrients into the body, such harsh, poor quality, and un­naturally colored and perfumed oils should never be used on the skin.
To change the heating or cooling effect of any oil to be used, a simple technique is to place oil in red bottles or blue bottles and allow them to stand in the sunlight for about forty days. Oilfrom red bot­des will become more heating in action while those placed in blue bottles will be more cooling.
As many people are of mixed dosha constitution, modifications to what is generally recommended for single dosha types need to be made.
Vata-Pitta types should use less oil than pure Vatas.
Pitta-Kapha types should use sunflower or com oils. Vata-Kapha types should use mustard, almond, or olive oil.

Herbal Oils
Prescribing and making herbal oils is the sacred art of an Ayurvedic practitioner specializing in the rejuvenation therapy called Pancha Karma. Many herbs and herbal combinations are used as well as ghee that has been 'washed' or rubbed for long periods of time between copper or silver plates. These processes almost magically transform their base substances into deeply healing medicines. Medicinal her­bal oils, known in Sanskrit as Siddha Taila, work primarily on the skin, blood, muscle, connective tissue, lungs, and colon by enhanc­ing metabolic processes in each of these tissues. Herbal oils deeply lubricate and nourish the skin; cleanse and enrich the blood; build and maintain strong muscle and connective tissue; lubricate the joints, keeping them flexible and pain free; and enhance the energy of the lungs and colon which helps to keep skin looking fresh and lustrous.
Several of these oils are now imponed, including amla, bhringaraj, mahanarayan, dashmula, guduchi, tulsi, and neem as well as com­binations for various conditions and particular dosha dominances. For those interested in making their own herbal oil combinations, what follows are descriptions on how to make oils using traditional methods.
Methods of Preparation -Sesame oil and ghee are most common­ly used where extensive healing is needed as they are slow to break down. Coconut and sunflower oils are used when one is wanting to prepare an oil with less heating qualities.
Methods of Preparation
. Mix one pan herb with four parts oil and sixteen parts water, e.g. 2 ounces of herb to 4 cups of oil and 16 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until all the water evaporates (approximately 4 to 8 hours). Strain to render the herbal oil.
. Make a strong tea of the desired herbs first, using 2 ounces of herb to 16 cups of water. Strain the decoction and add 4 cups of oil'to the liquid.Simmer until all of the water is evaporated.