Key takeaways
- Taila are medicated oils made by slowly cooking herbs in a base oil, usually sesame.
- Classical oils include Mahanarayan, Jatyadi and Lal Tail; others are proprietary blends.
- Most are for external use only; a few, such as castor oil, are labelled for internal use.
- Warm oils gently, patch-test new ones and avoid broken skin and the eyes.
- Keep oils tightly closed, away from heat and sunlight.
Oil has a special place in Ayurveda. Daily oil massage, oiling the hair and scalp, and medicated oils for specific purposes are all part of the classical routine. This guide explains what Ayurvedic oils, or taila, are, how they are made, the oils in our Ayurvedic oils range and how to use them safely.
What is taila?
Taila is the Sanskrit word for oil, and specifically for sesame oil (tila means sesame). In Ayurveda it also refers to medicated oils made by a method called sneha paka. A herbal paste (kalka) and a liquid, usually a herbal decoction (kwatha), are added to a base oil and cooked slowly over a low flame until all the water has evaporated and the herbal properties have passed into the oil. Classical texts describe exactly how to judge when the oil is ready by the texture of the paste and the sound of the oil.
Sesame oil is the most common base, but coconut, mustard, castor and almond oils are also used.
Oils in our range
| Oil | Type | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Mahanarayan oil | Classical, many herbs | Massage for muscles and joints |
| Jatyadi oil | Classical, jasmine and other herbs | External use on minor cuts and wounds, as directed |
| Lal Tail | Traditional baby massage oil | Gentle baby massage |
| Badam Tail and Roghan Badam Shirin | Almond oil | Massage and hair care; check the label for internal use |
| Erand oil | Castor oil | Labelled for internal use as a laxative in some packs; follow the label |
| Rhumasyl, Rheumatil, Nurani oil | Proprietary blends | Massage for muscles and joints |
| Himalaya baby oils | Baby care | Massage and hair oils for babies |
Always check the label: some oils are strictly for external use, while a few are labelled for internal use.
How to do an oil massage (abhyanga)
- Warm the oil gently by standing the bottle in warm water; never heat it directly on a flame.
- Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist.
- Massage with long strokes on the arms and legs and circular strokes on the joints.
- Leave the oil on for fifteen to thirty minutes, then bathe with warm water.
- Keep warm afterwards, and avoid cold draughts.
- Clean the floor and bath afterwards, as oil makes surfaces slippery.
Safety tips
- Patch-test a new oil on the inner arm and wait 24 hours.
- Do not apply to broken skin, rashes, burns, or hot, swollen joints unless the label says so.
- Keep oils away from the eyes; wash your hands after use.
- Store out of reach of children; swallowing some medicated oils can be harmful.
- Do not use an oil that smells rancid or has changed colour.
Storage
Keep oils tightly closed in their original bottles, in a cool, dark place away from the stove and sunlight. Oils can turn rancid over time, so use them before the expiry date. Our guide on how to store Ayurvedic medicines has more tips.
Our recommendation
Choose an oil made for your purpose, check whether it is for external or internal use, warm it gently, patch-test first and store it away from heat and light. Ask your practitioner before using any oil internally.
