Scientific Validation of Oil Bathing-A literature Review

Vignesh K¹, EdwinAnandham L¹, Uma AP*, Yamini Priyadharsini S**

¹UG scholar, Sivaraj Siddha Medical College, Salem

*Lecturer, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Sivaraj Siddha Medical College, Salem.

**Program assistant, Peripheral Pharmacovigilance center,   Perundurai GH, Erode.

ABSTRACT

 Hygiene plays a crucial role in healthy living. According to WHO, in 2015 about 39%(2.9 billion people) have hygienic sanitation services. The word hygiene first typify one`s personal hygiene rather than environmental hygiene. The personal hygiene denotes bathing, brushing, eating, excreting,etc., Of these, bathing is an essential thing. The grime and the sweat that produces heat by their routine work and due to bodily exercise. When these grimes remain intact, it blocks the sweat and sebaceous glands which results our bodily waste to hinder blood which further leads to several disorders. So it is essential to gain knowledge in a daily bath. Our traditional people had proposed many procedures in bathing, but we are unaware of these practices. In the current scenario by using several commercially available soaps, people are facing various dermatological problems. By using products of natural origin, we can avoid them. This paper aimed at improving knowledge among people in scientific reasons in an oil bath, various natural products alternative to soaps, their activities, the mechanism involved in an oil bath, food habits on the day of oil bath etc..,

Keywords: Siddha, bathing, hygienic sanitation

 INTRODUCTION

 Healthy living lies in one`s personal hygiene. There are certain protocols in following routine activities with hygienic practices, proposed by our great Siddhars. The oil bath is one among those hygienic practices which prevents diseases. The importance of such an oil bath had been mentioned by Siddhars in many kinds of literature like “THERAYAR THAILA VARGA SURUKAM, PATHARTHA GUNA   SINTHAMANI...”

 MATERIALS AND METHODS:

 As per the Siddhar`s and our traditional knowledge, bathing should be done at vaigarai(2am-6am). According to the astrology, chathurthasi (4^ththithi) is mostly preferred.

  According to our tradition, oil bath is prescribed for two times in eight days with oil, mostly mukkuttunei(pasunei, ell nei, amanakunei)thailams,etc., Following this will give strength to vital organs, pleasant voice, stimulates hair growth etc.

Table1: Thailams and araipu used (mentioned in PDF)

THAILAM

Based on Mukkutram, these various thailams used before bating helps to restore normal moisture content in vathapersons suffering from severe dryness. Persons prolongation without oil-massage are prone to pitha disorders. It  also contains a large amount of anti-oxidants and poly unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and acts as an anti-microbial, anti inflammatory etc.,^[9]

Table 2: Thailam used for various Thegi`s

COW`S GHEE

Cow`s ghee when applied over the head directly, penetrate directly into deeper tissues and also massaging creates endorphins or peptides, which enhances the body immune system. Regular oil bath slows the aging process ^[10] and hair loss ^[11] and also exquisite facial moisturizer ^[10].

Table 3: Do`s and Dont`s in an Oil bath

Table 4: Actions of various substances used asAraipu

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Avoid using hot/ warm water for patients with neurological disorders

Thailams and araipu used (mentioned in PDF)

THAILAM

Based on Mukkutram, these various thailams used before bating helps to restore normal moisture content in vathapersons suffering from severe dryness. Persons prolongation without oil-massage are prone to pitha disorders. It  also contains a large amount of anti-oxidants and poly unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and acts as an anti-microbial, anti inflammatory etc.,^[9]

Table 2: Thailam used for various Thegi`s

COW`S GHEE

Cow`s ghee when applied over the head directly, penetrate directly into deeper tissues and also massaging creates endorphins or peptides, which enhances the body immune system. Regular oil bath slows the aging process ^[10] and hair loss ^[11] and also exquisite facial moisturizer ^[10].

Table 3: Do`s and Dont`s in an Oil bath

Table 4: Actions of various substances used asAraipu

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Avoid using hot/ warm water for patients with neurological disorders