Massage with warm oil is a great way to soothe your nervous system, keep your lymph moving, and tend to your skin, muscles, and ligaments. In addition, oil massage is a way of showing yourself love and care. Furthermore, the practice helps protect your ojas (vigor/vitality). Breast massage specifically can become part of your regular abhyanga (oil massage) practice. There are a number of oils to choose from for abhyanga and breast massage; ghee for breast massage may not be the first oil you think of. However, this luscious lipid serves many purposes—for both internal and external use.
The Benefits of Breast Massage
There are many benefits to breast massage. Massage with oil is a wonderful way to show yourself self-love and self-care, and the practice of breast massage is no different. Also, here are a few more reasons to practice breast massage regularly (1):- Eases breast pain during lactation
- Improves the quality of breast milk
- May improve milk flow
- Can reduce the appearance of stretch marks
- Is a way to detect lumps and bumps that may be of concern
- Stimulates lymphatic flow
- Can ease sore muscles
Why Choose Ghee for Breast Massage
Now that you are aware of some of the benefits of breast massage, why ghee for breast massage? We often think of ghee and ghruta as being tasty cooking and spreading oils. However, ghee is also great for your skin! Ayurveda teaches that ghee nourishes agni (digestive fire) and is one of the most easily digested oils. Ghee’s digestibility applies to its use both internally and externally. This rich oil softens skin, smoothing out dryness and roughness. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, regular breast massage may reduce the appearance of stretch marks or scarring, and using a nourishing oil such as ghee will amplify those effects. Also, ghee is rich in a number of nutrients and beneficial constituents, including fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, including Omega 3s, and trace minerals, including gold. These nutrients benefit your skin and nourish your body. So, you can nourish yourself with ghee from the inside out and the outside in!
Self-Care Through Daily Oil Massage
Abhyanga nourishes the physical and subtle body in many ways. You can go to an Ayurvedic spa or clinic to receive abhyanga from trained practitioners. However, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to receive the benefits of abhyanga! Abhyanga and specifically breast massage is something that you can do for yourself at home on a regular basis. Given the benefits of ghee for both internal and external use, why not try ghee for breast massage!?
References
(1) Marcin, A. (2019). 5 Benefits of Breast Massage. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-massage#purpose