100 Years Jay · Abhyanga
Fall Is the Time to Oil Your Body
Ayurveda gives us so many choices. Ten oils, where each one goes, and how to use it.
By Vaidya Jay · October 2026
Vaidya Jay, in his own words. The full transcripts are at the end of this page.
A Gentle Note
Every body is different, so check in with your practitioner before starting something new. This is shared for education and inspiration.
Quick Answer
Which Ayurvedic oil should I use on my body?
Fall is the time to oil your body, and Ayurveda gives us so many choices. Start with one, Sesame Thailam, all over the body before a warm shower. Then add the oil for the place you want to care for: Swish Oil for the mouth, Neelibringadhi, Durdurapatradi or Manjishtadi for the head and scalp, Murivenna or Prasarini for the joints and spine, and Psorahealth, Eladi or Nalpamaradi for the skin. Below, each one gets three plain lines: where it goes, how to use it, and what is in it.
This is how I do it every day, and I say why in the video above: "We don't miss our Abhyangas because Abhyanga is to station yourself in a place where you feel empowered."
Key Takeaways
- 🌿 Ten oils, four places: every day, head and hair, joints and spine, skin.
- 🌿 Start with one: Sesame Thailam, warm, all over the body, then a warm shower.
- 🌿 Circles over the joints, long strokes along the arms and legs.
- 🌿 Swish Oil goes in the mouth and comes back out. Never swallow it.
- 🌿 Every oil here is for external use only.
- 🌿 Thailam simply means oil. You can say every name, the pronunciations are in Jay's Notes.
Every Day
One oil for the body, one for the mouth.
If you only start with two, start with these.
1 of 10 · Sesame Thailam
What is Sesame Thailam?
The everyday body oil, and the place to start. Sesame is also the base of five of the other oils on this page.
"In Abhyanga practice, we take the warm herbal oil and apply all over the body. All the joints, you can do the circular movement. The long bone, you can do the long movement."
Where it goesAll over the body.
How to use itWarm it, take 4 to 5 teaspoons and massage it in gently. Circles over the joints, long strokes along the arms and legs. After a few minutes, take a warm shower.
What is in itSesame oil.
2 of 10 · Swish Oil
What is Swish Oil?
The oil for the mouth, made for oil pulling. "It is fascinating how the great sages of Ayurveda chose sesame oil as the base for oil pulling." At Athreya we add clove and nutmeg to it.
In the video I show you how: "You take about a tablespoon of oil and then you will take it in your mouth and then you basically stroke your tongue." "Three minutes of your time. You can just take it in your mouth and jump into your shower and keep doing it." Then spit it out. And it is for everyone: "oil swishing or oil pulling can be done by everybody on a daily basis".
Where it goesIn the mouth. Swish it, then spit it out. Never swallow it.
How to use itTake 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons and pull it around the mouth for at least 5 minutes, moving the tongue. I do mine in the shower.
What is in itOrganic sesame oil, organic clove oil and nutmeg oil.
Head & Hair
The scalp, the head and the neck.
"And the king of all the routines is the scalp and the body massage."
3 of 10 · Healthy Hair Oil (Neelibringadhi Thailam)
What is Neelibringadhi Thailam?
The everyday scalp oil. "Neelibringadi oil is the celebrated oil for scalp health, hair health and also health of the head and neck region in general."
Where it goesThe scalp and the hair roots.
How to use itPut 1/2 teaspoon on your fingertips and rub it gently over the hair roots, two hours before you wash your hair.
What is in itBhringraj and Neelini, two classic hair herbs, in sesame oil.
4 of 10 · Durdurapatradi Thailam
What is Durdurapatradi Thailam?
A scalp oil, made for a clean, balanced, comfortable scalp. For external use only.
Where it goesThe scalp.
How to use itPut a teaspoon on the scalp and massage gently for 5 minutes, morning or evening. Leave it on for an hour, then shower.
What is in itDatura leaf and seed in coconut oil. Datura must never be taken by mouth: this oil is for the scalp only.
5 of 10 · Manjishtadi Thailam
What is Manjishtadi Thailam?
A massage oil for healthy circulation to the head and neck, and for comfortable joints.
Where it goesThe head, the neck and the joints.
How to use itMassage it in, daily or weekly. It is for massage only, never to be taken by mouth.
What is in itManjishta (Indian madder) and other herbs. The name says it: Manjishta-adi, Manjishta and the others.
Joints & Spine
For easy, comfortable movement.
6 of 10 · Murivenna Thailam
What is Murivenna Thailam?
A traditional oil from Kerala, the oil the bone setters of India have long used.
Where it goesThe joint or the area you are caring for.
How to use itApply a good amount over the area, then add warmth: a hot towel over it. Once or twice a day.
What is in itCoconut oil with betel leaf, moringa leaf, aloe, karanja, shatavari, rice and wild onion.
7 of 10 · Prasarini Thailam
What is Prasarini Thailam?
The spine oil. A warming oil for a flexible back and an easy, upright posture.
Where it goesThe back and the spine.
How to use itAs a regular massage along the back. Your practitioner can tell you how much and how often.
What is in itThe Prasarini herb with licorice, long pepper root, sweet flag, Himalayan cedar and galangal, cooked into sesame oil with milk and curd.
Skin
Three oils for the skin.
8 of 10 · Psorahealth Oil (Kushtaghna Thailam)
What is Psorahealth Oil?
A skin oil for comfort, clarity and natural balance. For external use only.
Where it goesThe area of skin you are caring for.
How to use itPut a teaspoon on the area and massage gently for 5 minutes, morning or evening. Leave it on for an hour, then shower.
What is in itNeem, amalaki, karanja, kutaja, daruharidra and Indian oleander in coconut oil. Oleander must never be taken by mouth: this oil is for the skin only.
9 of 10 · Eladi Thailam
What is Eladi Thailam?
An aromatic skin oil for a fresh, healthy glow. Ela is cardamom, and it gives the oil its name.
Where it goesThe skin.
How to use itAs part of your regular skin routine. Your practitioner can tell you how often.
What is in itCardamom, black cardamom, spikenard, lemongrass, bay leaf, nutmeg, myrrh and saffron, among others, in sesame oil.
10 of 10 · Nalpamaradi Thailam
What is Nalpamaradi Thailam?
A brightening skin oil for an even, radiant look. Nalpamaram means the four trees: four kinds of fig bark go into it.
Where it goesThe skin.
How to use itAs part of your daily skin routine.
What is in itBanyan and other fig barks, turmeric, sandalwood, vetiver, manjishta and the three fruits haritaki, vibhitaka and amalaki, in sesame oil.
Shop All
The ten at a glance.
| Oil | Where it goes | How to use it | Cart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sesame Thailam | The whole body | 4 to 5 teaspoons, a few minutes, then a warm shower | Add |
| Swish Oil | The mouth | 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons, swish at least 5 minutes, spit out | Add |
| Neelibringadhi Thailam | The scalp and hair roots | 1/2 teaspoon, two hours before you wash your hair | Add |
| Durdurapatradi Thailam | The scalp | 1 teaspoon, massage 5 minutes, one hour, then shower | Add |
| Manjishtadi Thailam | The head, the neck and the joints | Massage, daily or weekly | Add |
| Murivenna Thailam | The joint or area you are caring for | Apply, then a hot towel, once or twice a day | Add |
| Prasarini Thailam | The back and spine | As a regular massage | Add |
| Psorahealth Oil | The skin you are caring for | 1 teaspoon, massage 5 minutes, one hour, then shower | Add |
| Eladi Thailam | The skin | As part of your regular skin routine | Add |
| Nalpamaradi Thailam | The skin | As part of your daily skin routine | Add |
Vaidya Jay's Notes
Questions my community asks.
How do I start oiling my body?
Start with one oil, Sesame Thailam. Warm it, take 4 to 5 teaspoons and spread it all over the body. Make circles over the joints and long strokes along the arms and legs. Give it a few minutes, then take a warm shower.
Do I need all ten oils?
No. Start with Sesame for the body. When you want care for one place, the mouth, the scalp, the joints or the skin, add the oil for that place.
Can I use more than one oil at the same time?
Yes. Each oil has its own place. A scalp oil goes on the scalp, a body oil goes on the body, and Swish Oil goes in the mouth.
How long do I leave the oil on?
It depends on the oil. Sesame on the body: a few minutes, then the shower. Neelibringadhi on the scalp: two hours before you wash your hair. Durdurapatradi and Psorahealth: one hour, then the shower. Swish Oil: at least five minutes, then spit it out.
Can I swallow Swish Oil?
No. Swish it around the mouth and spit it out. All ten oils on this page are for external use only, and Durdurapatradi and Psorahealth are made with herbs that must never be taken by mouth.
How do you say the names?
Thailam: TIE-lum, it means oil. Neelibringadhi: nee-lee-BRING-uh-dee. Durdurapatradi: door-door-uh-PAH-truh-dee. Manjishtadi: mun-JISH-tuh-dee. Murivenna: moo-ree-VEN-nuh. Prasarini: pruh-SAH-ree-nee. Kushtaghna: koosh-TUG-nuh. Eladi: AY-luh-dee. Nalpamaradi: nahl-PAH-muh-rah-dee.
Can I use these if I am pregnant, nursing or taking medication?
Please ask your practitioner first. The same goes for children. Keep it safe and simple.
Read the full transcripts ▾
Vaidya Jay, in his own words · three teachings · lightly edited for clarity
This is a traditional Ayurvedic teaching. It is education, not medical advice.
Abhyanga · YouTube, 0:53
Ayurveda misses no opportunity to bring our bodies and minds to the present moment. And Abhyanga is one of those techniques that will help us to be in the present as we start our day.
In Abhyanga practice, we take the warm herbal oil and apply all over the body. All the joints, you can do the circular movement. The long bone, you can do the long movement. And spend little time to touch your own body and to have that experience of the moment. And feel it and then take the warm water, lukewarm water, shower.
And that's very important to connect to ourself, right? Absolutely. It's like awakening our bodies, right? Every day I do Abhyanga, you do Abhyanga. We don't miss our Abhyangas because Abhyanga is to station yourself in a place where you feel empowered.
Oil pulling · YouTube, 4:13
It is fascinating how the great sages of Ayurveda chose sesame oil as the base for oil pulling. Sesame oil has the highest amount of transdermal penetration. So that means it can get into your mucous membrane very quickly. And here at Athreya, we add organic clove oil and nutmeg oil in order to stimulate all the glands that are located in the oral cavity, including our salivary glands.
So this process of swishing is to bring a new level of stimulation to the lymphatic channels, the blood, the saliva and the mucus secretions that are in our mouth. Don't we think they have to be cleansed and stimulated on a daily basis? That's what the great sages did. They took this oil and processed it to be used on a daily basis so that one can have a great oral biome. [...]
What it does for us is to activate the lymphatic glands. There are colonies of lymphatic glands in our neck and in our mouth area. [...]
Oil is also great for salivary glands. So we have three salivary glands, the parotid, the sublingual, submandibular. These glands are essential for chewing the food, mixing it, and then later helping it to move down the esophagus and into the stomach. By doing this, this simple activation of all the salivary glands will prepare our entire gut to receive the food and process it. Most of us miss this aspect of how much saliva plays a role in making our food wholesome. So oil pulling is something that we can do to improve our salivary secretions and that goes into the gut and the stomach becomes very happy because it's not being bombarded with dry food, but rather it is moist food.
The secret is when you have moistening aspect in your body, [...]. When we swish the oil and all the saliva that we stimulate [...] because Ayurveda says any aspect of our body gets moist, it is going to enhance the cell life. And that's how the oil pulling can be local to general to the entire body. So why not oil pull every day?
Now let me demonstrate it for you how easy it is to do it. You take about a tablespoon of oil and then you will take it in your mouth and then you basically stroke your tongue. It's not moving your cheeks. Yes, that involves moving the cheeks, but it's the tongue that needs to be moved. I just finished doing it for three minutes. That's what you need to spend. Three minutes of your time. You can just take it in your mouth and jump into your shower and keep doing it. Keep swishing it and finish your shower and spit out the oil.
When I spit out, I look at the oil. It's not the same oil that I first ingested. It's very different. It has become creamy white. When I spit out, I see that is a lot of things that can still be mobilized and oil pulling or oil swishing is capable of providing that edge to cleanse your mouth thoroughly. It doesn't matter whether you're vata or pitta or kapha, oil swishing or oil pulling can be done by everybody on a daily basis.
The scalp massage · Daily Routine, 0:22
And the king of all the routines is the scalp and the body massage. So we start the scalp massage or the head massage with Neelibringadi oil. Neelibringadi oil is the celebrated oil for scalp health, hair health and also health of the head and neck region in general.
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Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician, qualified healthcare practitioner, or licensed healthcare provider regarding your health, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medications. Individual results may vary.
