The Ancient Art of Oiling:

In Ayurveda, oil is more than just a moisturizer, it is medicine, ritual, and an act of self-love all in one. The Sanskrit word for oil is sneha, which also translates to love. So when you anoint your body with warm, healing oil, you are quite literally loving yourself from the outside in.

Whether you're brand new to Ayurveda or you've been exploring holistic wellness for years, learning about the different oils used in practices like Abhyanga (oil massage), Nasya (nasal oiling), Karna Purana (ear oiling), and Kavala Graha (oil pulling) can be a real game-changer for your daily routine. Each oil has its own personality, its own energetic qualities, and its own relationship with your body.

Let's walk through the most important oils to use, what makes each one special, and how they can support your health across three powerful self-care practices.

First: A Quick Word on Doshas

Ayurveda is rooted in the belief that everything in nature ( including our bodies ) is made up of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. These elements combine to form three energies known as doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Vata (air + space) governs movement, creativity, and communication. It tends to be dry, cold, and light.

Pitta (fire + water) governs transformation and digestion — it runs hot and sharp.

Kapha (earth + water) governs structure and stability — it is heavy, cool, and moist.

Choosing the right oil for your body and its current state of balance is at the heart of Ayurvedic oiling practice. And always: choose organic, cold-pressed oils whenever possible. Quality truly matters here.

The Oils

What They Are & What They Do

Sesame Oil | The King of All Oils

Best for: Vata & Kapha | Warming, grounding, deeply nourishing

If Ayurveda had a crown jewel, it would be sesame oil. The sacred Ayurvedic text Caraka Samhita calls sesame the best of all oils, and it has been used therapeutically for over 3,500 years. In Sanskrit, the very word taila (meaning oil) specifically refers to sesame unless otherwise stated. That's how foundational this oil is.

Sesame oil is warming and heavy, with a grounding quality that makes it exceptional for calming Vata dosha. It has a unique ability to penetrate deeply into the body's tissues, nourishing from the inside out. It's naturally anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and rich in antioxidants. Sesame oil shines in all four oiling practices: Abhyanga (body), Nasya (nose), Karna Purana (ears), and oil pulling for the mouth.

Organic Black Sesame Oil (Cold-Pressed)

The Deeper Healer

Best for: Vata | Extra warming, deeply rejuvenating, longevity-supporting

Black sesame oil is essentially regular sesame oil with the volume turned up. Cold-pressing preserves all of its natural compounds without heat degradation, meaning you get the full potency of its healing properties. In Ayurveda, black sesame seeds are considered particularly rejuvenating and are traditionally associated with longevity and deep tissue nourishment.

This oil is exceptionally rich in sesamin, sesamol, and vitamin E — a powerhouse for skin health and nervous system support alike. It's an ideal choice for Abhyanga when you're feeling depleted, anxious, or ungrounded. Think of it as the deeply restorative, premium version of regular sesame oil.

Sunflower Oil | The Cooling All-Rounder

Best for: Pitta | Light, cooling, non-comedogenic

Sunflower oil is the Pitta-pacifier of the oil world. It's light, cooling, and beautifully gentle on the skin & perfect for people who run hot, tend toward inflammation, or have sensitive skin. It has a comedogenic rating of zero, meaning it will not clog your pores, making it an ideal daily Abhyanga oil without worry.

For Pitta types who find sesame oil too warming, sunflower oil is the smart alternative. It has a lightweight texture which makes it easy to work with any time of year.

Coconut Oil | The Classic Pitta Soother

Best for: Pitta | Sweet, cooling, beloved for hair and scalp

Coconut oil is probably the most recognizable name on this list, and its cooling, sweet quality makes it wonderful for Pitta imbalances. Ayurveda considers it nourishing and strengthening , particularly good for the hair, skin, and teeth. It's a classic go-to for scalp massage and summer self-care rituals.

For Nasya, coconut oil warmed gently until liquid provides a soothing, cooling effect in the nasal passages, especially helpful during hot seasons or for Pitta-type sinus congestion. For Abhyanga, use it thoughtfully, as prolonged use on the body's skin may clog pores for some people.

Almond Oil | Gentle, Rich & Skin-Softening

Best for: Vata | Warming, nourishing, ideal for dry and sensitive skin

Sweet almond oil is a gentle, warming oil that pairs beautifully alongside sesame oil for Vata types. It's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, making it deeply moisturizing and wonderful for dry, sensitive, or mature skin. It absorbs beautifully and leaves skin feeling remarkably soft.

Almond oil is particularly lovely for facial Abhyanga or as a lighter everyday option when full sesame oil feels too heavy. It also makes an excellent carrier oil for herb infusions, carrying the properties of ashwagandha, shatavari, or lavender into a customized massage blend.

Jojoba Oil — The Modern Ayurvedic Ally

Best for: All Doshas | Balancing, stable, non-greasy

Technically a liquid wax rather than a true oil, jojoba is the closest substance in nature to our skin's own sebum — which gives it a remarkable ability to balance skin without clogging pores. While not from the ancient texts, jojoba has earned a respected place in modern Ayurvedic practice.

Jojoba is wonderfully stable (meaning a long shelf life with no rancidity), naturally anti-bacterial, and suitable for all dosha types. It's particularly valued in facial applications, light daily Abhyanga, and as a gentle Nasya base. Its non-greasy texture makes it a favourite for those who find heavier oils too rich.

Ghee (Clarified Butter) | The Sacred Healer

Best for: Pitta & Vata | Cooling, deeply nourishing, sattvic (clarity-promoting)

Ghee holds a uniquely sacred place in Ayurveda, it is one of the four great unctuous substances mentioned in the ancient texts alongside sesame oil, muscle fat, and bone marrow. Made by gently clarifying butter until all milk solids are removed, ghee is considered extraordinarily sattvic — meaning it promotes purity, clarity, and calm in the mind and body.

For Nasya, ghee is a beautiful choice, especially for Pitta types or anyone experiencing hot, inflamed sinus passages. It provides a cooling, coating effect and is believed to support mental clarity and nervous system calm. Ghee is also used in ear oiling for those who need extra gentleness, and is a foundational Ayurvedic cooking fat that nourishes the seven tissues of the body from within.

The Three Oiling Practices

Abhyanga | The Self-Love Ritual

Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of warm oil self-massage and it is, simply put, one of the most profoundly nourishing things you can do for yourself. Practiced as part of the daily morning routine (dinacharya), Abhyanga works on multiple levels, physically, energetically, and emotionally all at once.

The ancient texts describe that daily Abhyanga leaves a person with pleasant touch, well-toned tissues, strength, vitality, and resilience against aging. Practically speaking, it supports lymphatic circulation, calms the nervous system, lubricates the joints, nourishes the skin, and promotes deep sleep when done in the evening.

How to practice: Warm your chosen oil gently by placing the bottle in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Begin at your feet, using circular motions around the joints and long upward strokes on the limbs. Work your way through the whole body for 15–20 minutes. Rest for 5–10 minutes before a warm shower — no need to scrub the oil off. Let the warmth of the water drive it deeper in.

Nasya | Nourishing the Gateway to the Mind

In Ayurveda, the nose is considered the direct route to the brain and nervous system, the doorway through which prana (vital life force) enters the body. Nasya is the practice of administering a small amount of warm oil into the nasal passages to cleanse, lubricate, and protect this vital gateway.

Practiced daily, Nasya moisturizes dry nasal passages, soothes the delicate mucous membranes, supports clear breathing, relieves tension in the head and sinuses, and is believed to calm the nervous system and mental fatigue. Many people find it deeply supportive for focus, clarity, and reducing congestion-related headaches.

How to practice: Gently warm your chosen Nasya oil: sesame, ghee, or a prepared herbal Nasya oil all work beautifully. Tilt your head back slightly. Using a clean pinky finger or a dropper, apply 2–5 drops into each nostril and gently sniff inward. Breathe slowly and deeply. Best practiced in the morning after cleansing, ideally after placing a warm towel over the face first to open the passages.

Karna Purana — Ear Oiling for Calm & Clarity

Karna means ear and Purana means to fill — and this beautifully simple practice is one that people discover and often never look back from. According to Ayurveda, the ears are one of the primary seats of Vata dosha in the body, and they are highly sensitive to cold, dryness, wind, and overstimulation — all hallmarks of the modern, overstimulated life.

Regular ear oiling lubricates the ear canal, supports healthy wax production, reduces dryness and itchiness, promotes jaw and neck relaxation (making it particularly helpful for TMJ), and supports overall hearing health. There is even a beautiful traditional understanding that nourishing the ears helps nourish cognitive function — the ears' acoustic nerve connects deeply to the brain.

How to practice: Warm sesame oil or a prepared Karna Purana ear oil by placing the bottle in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Test a drop on your inner wrist — it should feel comfortable and body-warm, not hot. Lie on your side and use a dropper to place 5–8 drops of warm oil into the upward ear. Rest and breathe for 5 minutes, then gently release with a soft cotton ball. Repeat on the other side. Done weekly as a ritual, or a drop or two nightly to wind down for sleep — either way, your nervous system will thank you.

Kavala Graha | Oil Pulling for Oral & Systemic Health

Oil pulling, known in Ayurveda as Kavala Graha (or sometimes Gandusha), is the practice of swishing oil around the mouth for several minutes each morning and it may be one of the most underrated wellness rituals you're not yet doing. While it's had a major modern wellness revival in recent years, Ayurvedic physicians have been prescribing it for thousands of years.

The mouth is considered a mirror of the body's internal health in Ayurveda. The tongue, gums, teeth, and oral tissues are seen as direct extensions of your digestive system and vital organs. Oil pulling works by binding to bacteria, toxins, and accumulated ama (undigested waste) in the oral cavity and literally pulling them out before they can be swallowed and recirculated through the body. The result? Cleaner teeth, healthier gums, fresher breath — and broader systemic benefits that reach well beyond the mouth.

Practitioners report a wide range of benefits from consistent oil pulling: reduced plaque and gum inflammation, whiter teeth, reduced sensitivity, clearer skin, and improved morning energy and mental clarity. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it also stimulates the digestive fire (agni) when done first thing in the morning and is said to strengthen the jaw, voice, and sense organs.

The best oil for oil pulling

Sesame oil ( or organic black sesame oil) is the classic and most highly recommended choice in the traditional texts, its warming and its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal.

If you run hot or have a pitta imbalance you would opt for Sunflower oil or Coconut oil instead as sesame is too heating.

How to practice: First thing in the morning, before drinking water, brushing, or eating, take 1–2 tablespoons of your chosen oil and swish it gently around your mouth. Think of it less like vigorous mouthwash and more like a slow, relaxed swirl, drawing the oil through your teeth and across all surfaces of the mouth. Continue for 10–20 minutes (start with 5 if you're new to it). When done, spit the oil into a bin , not the sink, as it can clog drains over time. Rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth as normal. That's it. A small ritual with a genuinely big reach.

Tip: Use this time well — oil pull while you shower, make your morning tea, or do gentle stretching. It becomes effortless once it's woven into your morning flow.

A Final Word

Ayurvedic oiling practices are not complicated, but they are deeply intentional. The act of warming oil, taking time with your own body, and moving slowly through these rituals is as healing as the oils themselves. In a world that moves fast and demands constant output, these ancient practices offer something quietly radical: a reason to slow down, tune inward, and care for yourself with genuine love.

Start with one practice. Choose one oil. Notice how your body responds over a few weeks. Ayurveda is a practice of listening, not perfection and every drop of warm oil you offer yourself is a step in the right direction.

Note: This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized guidance, particularly if you have existing health conditions.

Ready to Go Deeper?

Personalised Ayurvedic Coaching with Yum Life Sanctuary

If reading about these oils has sparked something in you, a curiosity, a recognition, a quiet sense of "I need this" ,then you're already on your way. Ayurvedic oiling practices are a beautiful entry point, but they're just one piece of a much richer picture.

Here's how we can work together:

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Bloating, sluggishness, irregular digestion, low energy, these are signs your body is asking for support, not suppression. Through an Ayurvedic lens, digestion is the root of all health. Together, we explore gentle, practical shifts that support your digestion and microbiome, helping you feel grounded, energized, and at peace in your daily flow. While these sessions don't treat medical conditions, the nourishing changes we make together often lead to noticeable improvements in digestion, energy, and overall quality of life. It's not about perfection — it's about creating a foundation of support that allows your body to truly thrive.

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Perimenopause is not a breakdown, it's a transition. And Ayurveda has walked women through this passage for thousands of years. If you're navigating shifting hormones, disrupted sleep, mood changes, or a body that suddenly feels unfamiliar, Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle practices offer a grounding, compassionate framework to come home to yourself again. Together, we work with your body's natural intelligence, using food, rhythm, self-care rituals (yes, including these beautiful oils!), and time-tested wisdom to help you move through this season with more ease, clarity, and confidence.

Your body already knows how to heal.

Sometimes it just needs the right support.

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Coming Soon: Head Oiling & Shirodhara — Panchakarma's Crown Jewel