Marmāni and aromatherapy
One therapy
in Āyurveda is called Tanmātrā Chikitsā, or Five Element Therapy, which
promotes health and treats illness using the five senses. Among these,
aromatherapy, known as gandha chikitsā or therapy based on the sense of smell,
is the venerable art of using fragrant essential oils for therapeutic purposes.
Essential
oils may be derived from the roots, leaves, bark, seeds, stems, fruits or
flowers of an herb, plant or tree and carry its concentrated healing
properties. These potent fragrances affect mind, body and spirit in numerous
ways. They may elevate or pacify the doshas, excite or calm the mind, relieve
pain, stimulate circulation, work as an antibiotic and antiseptic, enliven
kundalinī, act as an aphrodisiac and much more.
The oils have an affinity to various structures of the body. When they are applied to specific marmāni, the sensory perceptions of smell and touch are engaged. Essential oils alter the body's neurochemistry and trigger the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides through the olfactory bulb and chemoreceptors under the skin. (These are the same neuropeptides released in the central nervous system that govern psycho-neuro-immunological response.) The influence of the oils comes through three fields of action:
- Rasa
(taste)
- Vīrya
(heating or cooling energy)
- Vipāka (post-digestive eflect)
Specific
properties of essential oils influence the doshas and their associated organs.
For example, applying sandalwood oil to Ājñā marma (the third eye) and Shankha
marma (the temple) has a cooling effect on the entire body.
In general,
oils that are heating and grounding in nature are best to pacify vata dosha.
Hina, cinnamon, chamomile, eucalyptus, ginger, clove and nirgundi may be used
for vata conditions.
Cooling
oils soothe pitta dosha, as they are anti-inflammatory. These include sandalwood,
khus, lavender, jasmine, peppermint and rose.
Kapha is
calmed bv heating and energizing essential oils, such as saffron, vacha,
camphor, ginger, hina, clove, nutmeg and eucalyptus. A therapist chooses which
oils to use according to the patient's constitution and the condition being
treated.
