Madanam (massage)

Rubbing of body is called Madanam. Massage can be done with the fingers and palms of the hand, or even with the feet. Different degrees of pressure can be applied by kneading or by vibration techniques. Proper massage removes fatigue, increases muscular tone and flexibility of joints, alleviates vata, improves blood circulation of different organs and skin, eliminates waste products through skin and stimulates the nervous system, prevents old age and increases the longitivity.

Following are the few different means by which mardanam is being done

Abhyangah (oil massage)

Medicated oil should be massaged on the whole body, including head and feet. Regular oil massage removes excess fat from the skin, makes the skin glossy, soft and also strengthens it. It also protects the skin from disease. Persons of vata prakruti (constitution) should use medicated til tail (sesame oil) prepared from demulcent herbs like shatavari, ashwagandha or bala and should be applied on the body when oil is warm. People wait pitta prakruti should apply medicated nariyal tail (coconut oil) using chandanam (sandalwood) or vetiveria. Those who are of kapha prakruti should use powders of substance like mustard, saffron and aguru. As a result of oil massage health is preserved, disease is prevented and immunity increased.

Udvartanam (uptan)

This is done with different powders that remove the oils, which have been applied on the body during massage. Powders of horse gram, chick peas or mung flour are used for same. It is also a routine procedure done with dry powder of herbs that will provoke heat and open the pores of the sweat glands present on the skin. This may also be done by using fine sand. Powders of calamus, lodhar and shikakai are commonly used. Calamus is best for small children as there skin is soft. This massage also helps in reducing fat from obese people; it is also useful in decreasing the aggravated kapha level in body.

Utsadana

This is done with the pieces of bricks, small cuttle fish bone, or wood stick. It is also used for removing excess oil from the skin after abhayang or oil massage

Annalepan

It means anointing the body with cooked medicated rice. First the rice is cooked along with the husk. Then the milk is boiled with dashmula and small balls cooked rice is put into it. These are taken out and used for massage in a cloth bag with about100grams of rice in each cloth bag. Oil massage is followed by massage with the rice bag in direction from above to downwards, below the head. Then the massage is done on the chest, back, hands and legs. Then the rice paste is removed and hot oil is supplied again. After removing the excess oil, a hot water bath should be taken

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