Oily

Understanding Snigdha (Oiliness/Unctuousness) in Ayurveda

Snigdha is the Ayurvedic property of oiliness primarily associated with the Water element. It increases Pitta and Kapha while decreasing Vata dosha. Oily substances provide essential lubrication for bodily channels, facilitate waste elimination, and protect all seven body tissues. Typically sweet, sour, or salty in taste with sweet post-digestive effect, snigdha substances are vital for cellular health and counteract Vata's natural drying effects. They possess strength-promoting, oleating, and aphrodisiac properties. Common examples include almond, sesame, and manjistha. Therapeutically valuable for Vata conditions, physically active individuals, and those depleted from excess activity.

🌟 Definition

Snigdha is the property responsible for the oiliness or unctuousness of matter in Ayurvedic science. It provides essential lubrication to the body, without which the body cannot function properly.³

💧 Elemental Association³

Snigdha attribute is primarily linked to one element:

• Water (Jal)

When a substance is described as having oily attribute (snigdha guna), it is understood to contain high quantity of water element.

🔄 Relationship with Dosha¹

• Increases: Pitta and Kapha doshas ⬆️
• Decreases: Vata dosha ⬇️

💦 Effect on Malas (Waste Products)³

Substances with oily attributes:

• Enable proper and easy movement of malas (waste products) from the body

🩸 Impact on Channels (Srotas)³

• Insufficient intake of oily substances results in dryness of the channels
• Without proper oiliness, movement of substances (doshas, dhatus, and malas) through channels becomes limited
• This limitation leads to accumulation and blockages in the channels

🌡️ Taste Associations³

• Rasa (Taste): Sweet, Sour and Salty
• Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): Sweet Vipaka

✨ Key Properties

• Decreases digestive fire (Agni)
• Creates smoothness and moisture in tissues and organs
• Provides lubrication and vigor to the body
• Promotes compassionate emotions and love
• Protective - shields all seven body tissues (dhatus) from damage³
• Essential for balance - helps counteract the natural daily increase of Vata and its drying effects³
• Cellular health - necessary for healthy cell function; without it, cells dry out and die³

🌿 Examples

• Almond
• Sesame
• Manjistha

💊 Pharmacological Properties³

• Balya - Strength-Promoting
• Snehana - oleating (provides healthy fat)
• Vrishya and Vajeekarana - Aphrodisiac properties, strengthens reproductive tissues
• Varnya - improves skin tone or color (e.g., manjistha)

👤 Manifestations

In Pitta-dominant individuals:

• Tender joints, bones, and muscles
• Excessive sweating, urination, and excretion

In Kapha-dominant individuals:

• Oiliness in body organs and tissues

🩺 Therapeutic Applications²

Oily Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals:

• With Vata aggravation
• Who regularly engage in physical exercise
• Suffering from sexual excess

References

Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.

1. Ayurveda - The Science of Self-Healing - Dr Vasant D Lad - Pg 50
2. Sushruta Samhita - Pg 402-403
3. School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes