Oil Bath for Glowing Skin

In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Oil Bath had been a regular ritual in most of the homes. Oil bath is suggested and practised regularly by elders in the family for various healthy reasons.

Oil Bath can be of two types:

1) Head Oil Bath - Where you apply oil on your scalp, leave it for sometime and take bath.
2) Full Body Oil Bath - Where you apply oil from head to toe, leave it for sometime and take bath.

Even though we follow head oil bath regularly, full body oil bath is becoming a rarity in this current busy routine for us. However we need to do this atleast once a month, as it is so good for our health.

Health Benefits of Full Body Oil Bath:

1. Oil bath removes the heat & cools your body.
2. It removes any dirt/dust in your skin.
3. It improves appetite & digestion.
4. It rejunavates your nervous systrem & also improves blood circulation.
5. It makes your skin soft, shining and glowing.
6. It is a stress remover and makes you feel good after a bath.

In current working trend, there are lots of IT engineers,who are stressed continuously & their eyes and body is over-heated owing to continuous radiations from excess exposure to computers. For such persons, oil bath regularly is a real good remedy to de-stress & keep you in good shape.

There are different oils used for Oil bath - Coconut oil, Sesame oil (Gingely oil), herbal oil, ayurvedic oil etc. Traditionally oil bath is done with Sesame oil. Don't mix oils and take bath. Use only type of oil for your bath.

At my in-law's house, we heat the sesame oil with few ingredients & take this bath. The purpose of the mixed ingredients in this oil is to bring out the theraputic effects that each offers.You cannot miss out on the extra glow your skin gets by applying this mixed oil. You will certainly feel the difference to your skin after this bath.

Oil Bath Preperation:

1. Sesame Oil (Gingely oil) - 3 tbsp
2. Black pepper - 8
3. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. Ajwain (Ommam) - 1/4 tsp
5. Ginger  - 1 inch size
6. Red chilly (small) - 1/2
7. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

Add everything in oil except turmeric powder and boil the oil, when the oil starts becoming hot, add the turmeric powder and mix well and remove.

Set this oil for 5 to 10 minutes, and then strain completely and apply it from head to toe (avoid eyes) and bath after 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Note:

1. Avoid applying this oil into your eyes, your eyes will burn.
2. If applying to children, avoid red chillies, and reduce ginger to 1/4 inch. Avoid eye areas.
3. Do not omit turmeric powder, owing to its rich antiseptic and antioxidant properties.
4. The oil may appear slightly yellow on your skin, don't worry, once you bath the colour will leave.
5. If all the above ingredients are not available, use whatever is available in your home and take this bath.
6. Drink a glass of buttermilk on the day your take oil bath. This helps to keep your body cool.

Tulasi Kashaayam for Cold/Cough

Tulasi (Holy Basil) is so commonly found in so many house-holds in Tamil Nadu. Conventionally tulasi were grown in "Tulasi Maadam" (Tulasi Altar) in the courtyard of so many houses & worshipped regularly.  Tulasi apart from being seen as a holy leaf, has so much of medicinal values too. For combating cold/cough, tulasi is one the best medicine to use. 

Some Benefits of Tulasi (Holy Basil):

1. Healing Power  - The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory.
2. Helps combat fever, cough and cold.  Tulasi is an important ingredient in many ayurvedic cough syrup.
3. Sore Throat – Effective cure for sore throat.
4. Respiratory Disorders – The herb is effectively used in many respiratory disorder treatments like bronchitis, asthma, cold.
5. Mouth infections -  Cures mouth ulsers and infections.

This Tulasi kashaayam if consumed regularly for 3-5 days, will cure acute cough/cold without medicines.

Ingredients:

Tulsi leaves – a bunch
Dhania (Coriander seeds) – 2 tsp
Pepper – 2 tsp
Jeera – 2 tsp
Cinnamon (Whole) or Cinnamon Powder – ½ “ or ½ tsp
Dry ginger Powder – 1 tsp
Ajwain – ¼ tsp (optional)
Water – 2 tumblers

Method:

1. Add all the ingredient in a deep vessel, and boil until the quantity is reduced to half. Remove and strain and drink the kashaayam.