Healing Oils for Expecting Mothers

Ancient Indian medicine has recognized the need for the mental, spiritual and physical preparation of the women expecting to conceive as pregnancy can be a challenging time as the mother’s body. During this time, the body goes through numerous changes in order to create and support the development of a new life. Ayurveda is an excellent addition to the care provided by medical doctors and other facilities available at present. Ayurveda, through its holistic approach creates support for the physical and emotional well-being for the mother and her baby by prescribing specific nutritional measures during the various stages of pregnancy. It is believed that Ayurvedic methods or practices, if followed during pregnancy, will lead to a smooth and complication-free delivery. Read on as we decode some healing oils and soothing care for expecting mothers.

Also Read – Ancient Wisdom for New Mothers

Ayurveda and child birth

Garbhini paricharya or antenatal care is a part of Prasuti Tantra, a significant branch of Ayurveda dealing with childbirth. Antenatal care starts from the day of conception till the time of delivery. A proper garbhini paricharya regimen would aid the development of the foetus, its delivery, the health of the mother and thus her ability to withstand the strains of labour. Since childbirth is seen as a life event that interrupts the balance of Doshas (energies), Ayurvedic guidelines recommend the traditional oil application from the sixth month onwards to restore the balance.

It is also believed that regular massage throughout your third trimester may help to ease labour pains.

According to Ayurveda, pregnancy is the time to balance the Vata dosha, which is the energy of air and space, which dominates the nervous system.

Healing oils for expecting mothers

There are very specific recommendations in Ayurveda to bring about a state of balance in the consciousness, mind, body, behaviour, and environment of the pregnant woman, one of them being massage therapies. Massage therapy dates back to ancient times and is considered a part of Ayurvedic healing. Getting massages before, during and after pregnancy is an age-old practice n in our country. A pregnancy massage is similar to a regular massage but is customised to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies.

Benefits of prenatal massages

Much like regular massages, prenatal massages aim to relax tense muscles, are grounding and relaxing, provide stability and warmth, help circulation, ease soreness and pain and give you a general sense of wellbeing. Give yourself a daily massage with warming and grounding Ayurvedic oils to nourish your mind, body and spirit as well as the baby’s. May we suggest the Narayana Ayurvedic Body Massage Oil to strengthen bone tissues, and to tone and firm the muscles.

Which is the best oil to use for expecting mothers to reduce stretch marks?

The hasty changes in your body cause the rupture of collagen and elastin, which support our skin. As the skin heals its way back to its original state, stretch marks may appear. The Mother’s Stretch Marks Oil Nalpamarathy Keram is a completely organic stretch mark oil that contains Green Turmeric and Kachura amongst its varied ingredients, in a base of Virgin Coconut Oil. This should be applied from the third month till the ninth month on all the areas where marks and blemishes are imminent, for instance on your belly. Leave the oil for thirty minutes and then gently wipe off with a warm towel. This ritual evaporates stress and fatigue, restores the skin’s elasticity and leaves it supple with no marks.

Also Read – How to treat stretch marks on body?

A massage for back pain, leg cramps and swelling

Hormonal changes, additional weight, and change in posture are some of the causes for this back pain. We suggest the most traditional recipe for back pain relief with the warmed Kshthyathailam Mother’s Back Pain Massage Oil. This age old, tried and tested Ayurvedic recipe specifically targets pains in the lower back and legs that come with motherhood. The main ingredients are the leaves of the Betel nut and the Drumstick plant known for their penetrative and effective qualities to ease pain, while being completely safe and natural. Warm the oil by placing a container in warm water. Apply oil with an open palm using long strokes on the long bones and circular strokes on the joints

Healing foot massage for expecting mothers

Padabhyanga or a traditional Indian foot massage combines gentle marma massage techniques with oil to target specific pressure points. Energy will be kept flowing throughout the body and all systems will be stimulated. This would be an excellent activity for the partner to perform. Use sesame or almond oil. A warm bath or shower after the abhyanga helps open the channels of circulation.

In Ayurveda, pregnancy is viewed as a very special and spiritual time in a woman’s life. It is often said that a pregnant woman’s aura is particularly luminous and golden – this is Ayurveda’s explanation for that intangible “pregnancy glow” that we hear about! The gold colour in the aura indicates that the pregnant woman is intensely connected to spiritual beings who support and foster the embryo. Pregnancy is therefore a privileged time for spiritual growth and we at Forest Essentials wishes nothing more than a healthy pregnancy for you. Our Mother & Child Care collection is certified Made Safe^TM to ensure your safety.   This certification is a coveted one, as it enables you to ascertain that our products contain ingredients completely safe to use according to FDA and international standards.