Oils
Taila and ghrita preparations for massage, nasya, basti and cooking, with the constitutions each one suits.
Almond oil
A nourishing, mildly warming oil rich in vitamin E; grounding for Vata and gentle on the face.
Anu Taila
The classical nasya oil for the head, sinuses and senses.
Balaguluchyadi Taila
A cooling-yet-strengthening oil of bala and guduchi (guluchi), used for Pitta-Vata joint pain, burning and inflammatory conditions with weakness.
Balashwagandhadi Taila
Strengthening vata oil for muscle wasting and weakness.
Bala Taila
A gentle strengthening oil based on bala (Sida cordifolia), widely used for Vata disorders, weakness, and as a nourishing massage oil including for children.
Bhringraj oil
The 'king of hair' oil — cooling and nourishing for the scalp, traditionally used to support hair health, growth, and restful sleep.
Bilwadi Taila
A classical ear oil centred on bilwa (bael), used for karna purana in earache, tinnitus and Vata disorders of the ear.
Brahmi oil
A cooling head oil infused with brahmi, calming to the mind and supporting sleep, focus, and a cool, clear head. Classic for shiro-abhyanga.
Castor oil
A heavy, warming, deeply penetrating oil used externally for stiff joints and dryness; internally a strong purgative (only under guidance).
Chandanabala Lakshadi Taila
A cooling yet strengthening oil combining sandalwood, bala and laksha, used for Pitta-Vata conditions, burning sensations, headache and general debility.
Chandanadi (sandalwood) oil
A sandalwood-infused cooling oil, prized for calming Pitta, soothing the skin, and cooling the head in hot weather.
Coconut oil
A cooling, light base oil ideal for Pitta and hot weather; soothing to inflamed or overheated skin and scalp.
Cow's Ghee (Go-Ghrita)
Clarified butter from cow's milk, the pre-eminent classical sneha, valued for cooling nourishment of Pitta and Vata, the eyes and the mind, and used in netra tarpana and nasya.
Dashamoola Taila
A broadly Vata-pacifying oil built on the ten roots (dashamoola), used for aches, stiffness, postnatal care and inflammatory Vata conditions.
Dhanwantharam Kuzhambu
A thick, semi-solid rendition of the Dhanwantharam formula reduced to a paste-like consistency, prized for deep-seated Vata pain and postnatal and neurological care.
Dhanwantharam oil
A classical Vata-pacifying oil widely used for musculoskeletal care, post-natal massage, and general strengthening.
Durvadi Keram
A cooling coconut-based scalp oil (keram) built on durva grass, used to soothe the scalp, reduce heat, dandruff and hair fall.
Eladi oil
An aromatic, cardamom-family medicated oil used for gentle skin care and to reduce Kapha-type dampness and itching while smelling pleasant.
Eladi Taila
Aromatic skin oil for itching, allergies and fine complexion.
Flax (Alsi) Oil
Modern omega-rich oil; internal nutrition and dry-skin support.
Gandharvahastadi (castor prep)
Castor-based preparation for constipation and vata joints.
Gandha Taila
A classical oil used to strengthen bone and connective tissue, applied in fractures, sprains and to support the teeth and gums.
Groundnut oil (Kacchi Ghani)
Cold-pressed peanut oil, a nourishing, moderately heating base oil used for cooking and massage where a warming, grounding effect is wanted.
Himasagara Taila
Cooling nourishing oil for pitta constitutions and skin.
Jasmine (Jati) Oil
Cooling floral oil for mouth ulcers, skin and the mind.
Jatyadi Taila
A classical wound-healing oil built on jati (jasmine) and other herbs, applied externally to ulcers, wounds, burns and non-healing sores.
Karpasasthyadi Taila
Warming oil for severe vata, facial palsy and neurological pain.
Karpuradi Taila
A warming, penetrating pain-relief oil with camphor (karpura) and aromatic herbs, used as a rubbing oil for muscular and joint pain.
Kayyunyadi Taila
Bhringraj-based hair and scalp oil, cooling for pitta scalp.
Kottamchukkadi oil
A warming, stimulating medicated oil for Kapha and Vata stiffness, swelling, and heaviness; often used before fomentation.
Ksheerabala (101)
Potent bala-milk oil for nerves and severe vata (internal/external).
Ksheerabala oil
A gentle bala-and-milk-processed sesame oil, deeply nourishing and calming for the nervous system and Vata; suitable even for sensitive skin.
Kumkumadi Taila
A prized facial oil built on saffron (kumkuma) and complexion-enhancing herbs, used to brighten the skin, fade blemishes and improve radiance.
Lakshadi Taila
A classical paediatric oil built on laksha (lac) and strengthening herbs, used for infant and child massage to build strength and support the skin and bones.
Madhuyashtyadi Taila
A cooling, soothing oil built on yashtimadhu (licorice), used for Pitta disorders, burning, wound healing and irritated or inflamed skin.
Mahamasha Taila
A powerful Vata oil prepared with black gram (masha) and many herbs, classically used for facial palsy, neuromuscular weakness and severe Vata disorders.
Mahanarayan oil
A classical sesame-based medicated oil with dozens of herbs, renowned for soothing joints, muscles, and Vata-type aches and stiffness.
Manjishtadi Taila
A blood- and skin-supporting oil built on manjishta, applied externally for skin disorders, discolouration and Pitta-rakta conditions.
Murivenna
Kerala first-aid oil for sprains, bruises and soft-tissue injury.
Mustard oil
A strongly heating, penetrating oil that clears Kapha and stimulates circulation; traditional for cold, congested, heavy conditions.
Nalpamaradi Taila
Classic skin-brightening oil for complexion and pigmentation.
Narayana Taila
Classical vata oil for joints, muscles and neurological stiffness.
Neeli Bhringadi Taila
A coconut- and sesame-based hair oil centred on neeli and bhringaraj, used to darken and strengthen hair, reduce fall and cool the scalp.
Neem oil
A bitter, cooling, purifying oil for the skin, used topically for healthy, clear skin and scalp; strong-smelling and usually diluted.
Olive Oil
Modern base oil, mild and nourishing for gentle massage.
Pinda Taila
Cooling oil for burning feet, gout and inflamed joints (pitta).
Prabhanjana Vimardana Taila
Anti-vata oil for hemiplegia and severe stiffness — practitioner use.
Prasarini Taila
A warming Vata oil centred on prasarini, used for stiffness, contractures and restricted movement of joints and muscles.
Sahacharadi Taila
A classical sesame-based oil built around sahachara (Nilgiri nightshade), renowned for Vata disorders of the lower limbs such as sciatica, cramps and stiffness.
Saindhavadi Taila
A warming medicated oil (with rock salt, saindhava) used for Vata disorders, stiffness and, in some traditions, for karna purana and ear complaints.
Sesame oil
The premier Ayurvedic base oil — warming, penetrating, and deeply grounding. The default oil for Vata abhyanga and the base of most medicated oils.
Shadbindu Taila
Nasal oil for sinus congestion, headache and hair.
Sunflower oil
A light, neutral-to-cooling base oil suitable for Pitta and warmer weather when coconut is unavailable.
Triphaladi Taila
Hair oil for scalp health, greying and hair fall.
Vishagarbha Taila
A strongly heating medicated oil used externally for painful, stiff and swollen joints in amavata and Vata-Kapha arthritic conditions.
Educational information about Ayurveda, Siddha and Yoga — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified professional before starting any herb, supplement, or therapy.