Love your Microbes ... With Massage!
Massage with oil is one of the foundations of Ayurvedic self care and medicine. In southern India, 90% of herbal medicine is received through oil. This could be abhyangha (massage with herb infused oils focusing on marma points and lymphatic drainage), enema (herbal oils applied through the rectum), nasya (herbal oils applied through the mucous membranes of the nasal passages), or karna purna (herbs applied in the ear canal).
Besides supporting a calm a healthy nervous system and delivering herbal intelligence through the skin, oil massage supports the all important skin microbiome, an essential element of healthy, lustrous, vibrant skin.
“When the skin becomes dry, stressed, or chemically altered with lotions and creams, the environment for a healthy skin microbiome can be compromised.” Alternatively, oil massage feeds a healthy and protective skin microbiome in a variety of ways.
According to Ayurvedic doctor John Douillard, one of my teachers, applying high quality oils to the skin, either through self massage or receiving massage professionally;
Reinforces the all-important skin barrier,
Creates nurturing environment for your microbes.
Balances vata and the nervous system.
Soothes more than 1.8 billion sensory nerves.
Increases oxytocin, the hormone associated with love, optimal health, and bonding.
Proliferates beneficial microbes that support mood, mental, and physical health.
If you would like to increase the health of your skin microbiome, experience a balanced nervous system, and increase oxytocin, the feel good bonding love hormone we all crave, you can go to my shop Baba Yaga Botanicals and purchase small batch lovingly crafted herbal oils or make an appointment to receive therapeutic massage or abhyangha today.
All the oils I use in my practice are traditionally crafted using time honored techniques that deliver high quality powerful herbal intelligence and wisdom through the skin, made with love by me.
~Liz
