Oleation Therapy

Oleation Therapy refers to the treatment done in order to increase smoothness of the body, fluidity, softness and moistness. It invloves lubricating our body by using unctuous substances such as ghee, oil, animal fat etc. Oleation can be done internally as well as externally. 

When done internally it is referred to as - Snehapana and when done externally it is refered to as Abhyanga (massage).

Internal Oleation can be done in two ways:

1. Using high dose of the lubricating substance - is done one a year usually as a purvakarma for Panchkarma therapies.
2. Using normal dose of the lubricating substance - is supposed to be done everyday

This therapy is performed in the purvakarma procedures, that is, it is a part of the treatments done before one can start taking any Panchakarma therapies.

When is Internal Oleation done:

• Before doing Panchkarma procedures both Snehana and Swedana are done.
• The main objective of both these therapies is to loosen the toxins and help them accumulate in the right places so that they can be easily removed through Panchkarma procedures.
• In these procedures also some surface level or superficial toxins start getting eliminated from the skin.

Substance to be used for Internal Oleation:

• Medicated Cow Ghee - Depending on the body type
• Oils - Natural cold pressed virgin oils can be used or medicated oils can be used
• Indukandam Ghrita - Used in Vata increase
• Maha Thikthakam Ghrita or Thikthakam Ghrita - Used in Pitta increase
• Varanadi Ghrita - Used in Kapha increase
• Viradyadi Ghrita - Used in Vata-Pitta increase
• Guggulu Thkthakam Ghrita - Used in Vata-Pitta-Kapha imbalance
• Triphla Ghrita - Can be used by all
• Commonly used oils include - sesame oil and mustard oil
• In extreme cases - animal muscle fat or fat from animal's bone marrow can also be used. The animal used for this process is usually goat.

Precautions to be taken for Internal Oleation:

• Do not do oil application or oily massages when doing oleation
• The quantity of ghee or oil is different and varies from one person to another.
• It is important to stick to the recommended diet and strictly not deviate even one bit from the diet 

Process of Internal Oleation:

• Ghee is taken on day 1. The quantity can vary between 25-75 ml.
• It takes around 6-24 hours to digest. Only after the ghee is digested, one will naturally feel hungry. Wait for 10 minutes and if one still feels hungry it means that it is natural hunger and is not being triggered by clock hitting a particular time. This is when some food can be taken.
• Then the next day second dose of ghee is taken. The quantity of the ghee is 2 times the quantity of ghee taken on day 1.
• Similarly on 7th day the quantity of ghee is 7 times that of the ghee taken on day 1.

Food to be taken during the process of Oleation:

• Easily digestible and warm foods
• Lightest form of grain is the ideal diet.
• Foods like porridge, khichdi, soups etc. are recommended.
• Food should be lightly salted and should not have any thing that makes the food heavy.
• It is absolutely essential to eat only when/if one feels hungry. If one doesn't feel hungry, it is important to wait till the time the hunger comes.

For how many days the process of Interanal Oleation is done:

• 7 is the maximum number of days when the internal oleation with high dose can be done.
• One might have to stop prior to these 7 days depending on how an individual body responds.
• Internal Oleation with heavy dose - This is done only once a year.

How does the body communicate that the process of internal oleation is complete:

• After drinking the oily substance, one may vomit. This is perfectly normal and does not require that the procedure needs to be stopped in between.
• A vomit roughly after 1.5 hours of having taken the oily substance means the process is probably complete ad needs to be stopped.
• Having 4-5 loose stools with oily content present in the stool is another sign to stop.
• If the skin becomes oily without any external oil application, the process of oleation should be stopped. This is exactly why no external application of oil should be done while oleation therapy is going on.
• If none of these signs are visible on the 7th day - the process of oleation needs to be stopped still. It will not be extended further.

Complementary treatment in case of constipation:

• If during this treatment one does not pass stool every single day, then laxative herbs need to be taken to induce mild purgation.

Daily Internal Oleation is recommended for all:

• Every day some amount of oily substances must be consumed by us in order to deal with the daily Vata aggravation that happens.
• The quantity of the substance should be between 5 to 20 ml. The quantity varies according to the digestive fire of each person.
• Every day before consumption of the lubricating substance, the agni of the body should be checked. That is, in case of indigestion, mucous accumulation, cold and cough, daily internal oleation should not be done.
• One of the most common and popular ways internal oleation is done is by adding ghee to cooked foods like khichdi or by cooking certain dishes in ghee.
• Another way of internal daily oleation is taking ghee or oil in the morning on an empty stomach. 

References:

Primary Reference: School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes