Pregnancy and motherhood have a special significance in Ayurveda.
When a Mother is going through a phase as happy, memorable, and transformational as Motherhood, Ayurveda recommends that she is provided with all the gifts of Nature to help her through this phase.
One such gift of nature and Ayurveda is Dhanwantharam Thailam.
What is Dhanwantharam Thailam?
Named after the God of Ayurveda, Dhanwantharam Thailam is a classic Ayurvedic treatment for expecting and new mothers. Not only it provides relief from pain and fatigue but also boosts overall energy and immunity.
Massage during pregnancy with Dhanwanthatam Thailam helps to strengthen the muscles and makes them strong enough to hold the fetus, which later helps in facilitating childbirth.
Massage with this oil also improves the elasticity of the skin and prevents stretch marks.
A 100 percent Ayurvedic concoction, it reinforces positive emotional states of happiness and infuses fresh confidence for body shape recovery. It is also prescribed for rheumatoid pain, arthritis, spondylitis, and hemiplegia.
Why Mothers Need Massage During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy, as well as childbirth, are physically and emotionally demanding for the mother.
Starting from the seventh month of pregnancy, the expecting mother may start experiencing itchiness and dryness as the body grows. The dryness is further exacerbated during winters.
Often, these symptoms are accompanied by a general feeling of malaise and tiredness. Some women also start feeling stressed or experience mild to severe mood swings around this time.
Much to our relief, the science of Ayurveda has a well-developed branch dealing in pregnancy care, childbirth and postnatal care termed as Garbhini Paricharya. This branch of Ayurveda details specific care routines for each month and stage of pregnancy.
The single most important routine recommended in Garbhini Paricharya is Abhyanga - an Ayurvedic practice of self-massage.
A gentle and soothing massage during pregnancy with oil like Dhanwantharam Thailam provides relief from problems like skin dryness, itchiness, pain, and tiredness. It also promotes easy labor.
Dhanwantharam Thailam Uses
Using Dhanwantharam Thailam for Prenatal Massage and Postnatal Massage
Dhanwantharam Thailam can be used from the seventh month of pregnancy for prenatal massage and post seven days of childbirth for a postnatal massage.
Massaging the oil for 10-15 minutes will have the following benefits -
1. Relief from stress and anxiety
According to Ayurveda, stress hormones (Cortisol and Norepinephrine) levels can be significantly decreased with oil massage. Regular oil massage also boosts the ‘happy’ hormones Dopamine and Serotonin.
Emotional symptoms like anxiety, jitteriness, and absentmindedness associated with pregnancy are due to Vata dosha imbalance. Dhanwantharam Thailam is based in Sesame Oil, which has Vata balancing properties. It remedies expressions of aggravated Vata in pre-post natal bodies.
Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan) in Dhanwantharam Thailam provides healing from exhaustion, emaciation, uterine prolapse, and weakened pelvic muscles and ligaments.
Haritaki is believed to be dear to Lord Shiva, promoting Shiva-like awareness and invincibility, and is also called Abhaya, as it is believed to instill fearlessness.
2. Hormone regulation
Shatavari (Wild Asparagus), Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng), Yashtimadhu (Liquorice), and Devadaru (Himalayan Cedar) are upheld in all ancient Ayurvedic texts, for their positively uplifting and balancing effects on female hormonal cycles.
These ingredients are present in Dhanwantharam Thailam and help with physical vitality, fertility, and libidinal energy after birthing. They also dispel symptoms of postpartum depression.
Prevents stretch marks and dark patches
Ayurvedic Dhanwantharam Thailam is usually made in a sneha dravya (lubricating substance) base of Sesame (Til). Incidentally, sneha in Sanskrit, also means love!
Heaty’ Sesame is abundant in vitamin E content. For this reason, it keeps skin dehydration and flakiness at bay, improves skin elasticity and prevents stretch marks.
Sesame Oil also helps manage possible effects of melasma, or the ‘mask of pregnancy’. This is the colloquial name for dark patches that develop around the nose, cheeks, forehead, and abdomen, as a result of pregnancy-induced hormonal changes.
Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry) present in Dhanwantharam Thailam brightens the skin and Bibhitaki (Beleric Myrobalan) present in the oil works on stomach and bowel toning.
4. Facilitates childbirth
The sub-dosha of Vata, Apana Vayu, is responsible for downward movement of energy, or Prana. Its unobstructed movement is necessary to consolidate the uterine position of babies in the final trimester before birth.
Dhanwantaram Tailam has Tagar (Indian Valerian) as one of the ingredients. Tagar balances Apana Vayu and acts as a ‘nerve tonic’.
Gentle, and regular massages with Dhanwantaram ensure that the Apana Vayu-balancing properties of Tagar (Indian Valerian) are absorbed profoundly. Tagar’s role as an effective ‘nerve tonic’, is enhanced by Bala (Indian Country Mallow), and Gorakbhuti (Mountain Knot Grass).
Together, they soothe any anxiety related to childbirth and reinstate comfort, focus, and self-confidence for post-natal shape recovery.
5. Provides relief from pain
During the final trimester, the pressure from the heavy uterus resting on the lower back and pelvic floor can cause swelling and pressure on nearby nerves. Dhanwantaram Tailam has Manjistha (Indian Madder) and Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry) which give the oil its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.
By relieving the stress on those muscles, massaging can alleviate the pressure on the nerves and thus have a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain.
6. Restores the strength of the body
Post delivery, the mother’s health is affected due to the loss of fluid and blood, and the emptiness created in the body after the child’s birth.
The phase after delivery until the restoration of the menstrual cycle is called the Sutika period in Ayurveda. It’s essential for the body to recover completely from this phase. Otherwise, it causes disease and discomfort in the future.
A daily ayurvedic oil massage (abhyanga) is also a powerful way to rejuvenate the mother. Massage with Dhanwantaram Thailam subsides the aches, pains, and imbalances. After just a week of regular massage, a feeling of relaxation and wholeness can be experienced.
However, Dhanwantaram Thailam is only recommended after 7 days of delivery in case of normal delivery and after 14 days of delivery in case of caesarian delivery.
Pregnancy Massage FAQs
Is Massage During Pregnancy Safe?
Massage during pregnancy is advised for all cases except those involving complications. Speak to your doctor prior to massage if you have a high-risk pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension, severe swelling or any other issues. In some cases, massage during the first trimester is not recommended.
How to use Dhanwantaram Thailam for massage?
Massage warmed Dhanwantaram Thailam Pre-Post Natal Treatment for 10-15 minutes to strengthen abdominal muscles and sagging skin. Post 30 minutes follow with a mild cleanser.
The application varies based on delivery. In case of normal delivery, start using the oil after 1 week. In the case of C-section delivery, start using the oil after 2 weeks. Lukewarm the oil and massage on the target area for 10-15 minutes daily for best results. Massage regularly for 40 days to strengthen the muscles and firm the abdomen/sagging skin.
Ayurveda also recommends using water boiled with tamarind leaves or kurunthotti roots (Sida cordifolia) for baths, prior to the massage.
What is a suitable body position during the massage?
Choose a position that is comfortable for you. Place cushions around your belly to give your body the necessary support. Do not put any pressure on the abdomen and chest.
How does massage during pregnancy affect the baby?
Massage during pregnancy has immense benefits for the mother.
Can Dhanwantaram Thailam be used for massaging the baby?
It is not recommended to use Dhanwantaram Thailam pre-post natal treatment oil on the baby. You can try Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil. It’s a top-to-toe baby massage oil that soothes, nourishes, protects and softens delicate skin to keep it healthy and radiant.
Can Dhanwantaram Thailam be used for post-pregnancy breast firming?
It's recommended to use Ayurvedic Muscle Tone Firming Treatment to lift and firm the breasts. Kama Ayurveda’s Muscle Tone Firming Treatment is a rich, nourishing treatment for toning and firming to improve the appearance of sagging skin, stretch marks, and cellulite.
Conclusion
It is a matter of love and pride to bring a healthy, hearty, happy child into the world. But it is also important to remember that the best gift you can give this child, is a healthy, resilient, rejuvenated you.
Ayurveda embodies the compassionate, patient, all-inclusive qualities of Mother Nature, and spreads the message of peaceful, balanced strength and beauty, through Her three defining characteristics – Love, Life, and Light.
Using Dhanwantaram Thailam for massage during pregnancy is one of the best ways to give the mother all the power of nature and Ayurveda.
References -
- 1. A pilot study investigating the effects of Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage on subjective stress experience. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21568717
- 2. Ayurvedic Care During Post Delivery Stage - Ayurvedic Doctor VL Shyam - https://fridaymagazine.ae/life-culture/ask-the-experts/ayurvedic-care-during-post-delivery-stage-1.2274367