Ayurvedic Naturally Extracted Wooden Stone Pressed Oils

In the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, oils are more than cooking mediums—they are healing elixirs used in rituals, therapies, and everyday wellness. Naturally extracted wooden stone pressed oils hold a sacred space in Ayurvedic tradition. These oils are made using the age-old wooden ghani method, a slow and natural process that retains the therapeutic properties of seeds and nuts.

Unlike industrially refined oils, wooden cold pressed oils preserve the "prana" (life energy) of the raw materials. Extracted at low temperatures without chemicals, they maintain their natural aroma, color, viscosity, and nutrient content—qualities that are essential in Ayurvedic treatments for abhyanga (massage), nasya (nasal oiling), oil pulling (gandusha), and hair therapy.

Whether it's sesame oil for balancing Vata dosha, coconut oil for cooling excess Pitta, or mustard oil for stimulating sluggish Kapha, the right oil, when extracted traditionally, aligns with your body’s doshic constitution. Let’s explore how these oils support physical and mental health the Ayurvedic way.

Oils for Abhyanga, Skin, Hair & More

Abhyanga, the daily ritual of self-massage, is a powerful practice in Ayurveda. It is believed to nourish the skin, balance the nervous system, improve circulation, and remove toxins (ama) through the lymphatic system. For this, the purity and potency of the oil are critical.

Cold pressed sesame oil, made via wooden ghani, is the most widely used oil in Ayurvedic abhyanga due to its warming nature, rich viscosity, and ability to penetrate deep into the tissues (dhatus). It is highly recommended for Vata individuals or during colder seasons to soothe dryness, stiffness, and anxiety.

Coconut oil, extracted using the stone pressed method, is excellent for those with Pitta dominance. Its cooling effect calms inflammation, supports healthy skin, and prevents heat-related imbalances like rashes, ulcers, and hair thinning. Used regularly, it strengthens hair roots and promotes a clear, radiant complexion.

Mustard oil, traditionally stone pressed and pungent in nature, is used in Kapha-balancing therapies. It stimulates circulation, helps break down stagnation, and reduces water retention. It is often used in head massages to stimulate scalp health and in detoxification therapies to activate digestion and metabolism.

When applied to the skin, wooden ghani oils absorb deeply, carrying their bioactive compounds into the tissues. They’re rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, as well as essential fatty acids. These nutrients rejuvenate the skin, prevent premature aging, and support tissue regeneration.

Nourishing the Body with Ayurvedic Massage Oils

Massage, or snehana, is considered a form of "loving care" in Ayurveda. The Sanskrit word “sneha” means both oil and love. Regular application of warm wooden pressed oils not only nourishes the body but also the mind. It reduces stress hormones like cortisol and improves sleep quality.

Sesame oil, revered as the king of oils in Ayurveda, is loaded with antioxidants, sesamol, and sesamin. These compounds combat oxidative stress and act as natural anti-inflammatories. For those experiencing joint pain, fatigue, or anxiety, daily abhyanga with sesame oil is recommended.

Coconut oil, apart from its cooling properties, contains lauric acid, which is antimicrobial and antifungal. This makes it highly effective for scalp massages, especially in humid climates. It helps prevent dandruff, strengthen roots, and cool the head—an essential Ayurvedic principle for mental balance.

Mustard oil contains allyl isothiocyanate, which stimulates circulation and acts as a natural decongestant. It's particularly effective in clearing sinuses when massaged into the chest or used in nasal drops (nasya). The warmth of the oil is ideal for winters and for Kapha-dominant individuals.

Regular abhyanga using naturally extracted wooden stone pressed oils also supports lymphatic drainage, which helps in flushing out toxins, enhancing digestion, and improving immunity. It's not just a skin-deep ritual; it's a full-body rejuvenation technique rooted in holistic healing.

Why Wooden Ghani Extraction Aligns with Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic concept of “Satmya”—what is natural and compatible with our body—is perfectly embodied in the way wooden stone pressed oils are made. The traditional wooden ghani (bull-driven or slow-rotating motorized grinder) is the least invasive method of extracting oil. It ensures the preservation of bioenergy and avoids overheating or oxidation of nutrients.

This method keeps the oils sattvic in nature—pure, nourishing, and energetically light. Sattvic foods and substances are emphasized in Ayurveda for maintaining clarity, vitality, and balance in body and mind. The ghani process aligns with this by producing oil in its most unaltered form, full of pranic energy and healing properties.

Refined oils, on the other hand, are tamasic—they are energetically dull, lifeless, and often create buildup and toxicity (ama) in the body. They’re stripped of nutrients and often infused with preservatives and deodorants that the body struggles to process.

Choosing wooden cold pressed oils is not just a health choice—it's a spiritual alignment with nature's intelligence. The seeds are crushed slowly, at room temperature, and the resulting oil is filtered through cloth without refining, bleaching, or chemical intervention. This makes them ideal for Panchakarma therapies, massage, and internal consumption when prescribed.

Tridoshic Balance and Prakriti-Specific Benefits

Ayurveda emphasizes a personalized approach to health, based on an individual's prakriti or constitution. The three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—govern all physiological and psychological processes in the body. Wooden stone pressed oils play a key role in restoring doshic balance:

• For Vata: Use warming, nourishing oils like sesame, almond, or mustard. They calm dryness, nervousness, and joint pain.
• For Pitta: Cooling oils like coconut, olive, and sunflower help reduce inflammation, anger, and heat rashes.
• For Kapha: Light and stimulating oils like mustard, flaxseed, or corn oil activate circulation and metabolism.

The ghani-extracted versions of these oils are especially potent as they remain energetically aligned with the original plant's constitution. They integrate better with our bodily tissues (dhatus), and their effects are longer-lasting. They are also less likely to cause allergic reactions or imbalances due to their purity.

Even modern clinical studies support this. For example, sesame oil has shown promise in reducing blood pressure, triglycerides, and stress markers in various trials. Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and skin-healing effects. Mustard oil boosts circulation and improves respiratory function when used externally.

These benefits make wooden cold pressed oils an integral part of both preventive and therapeutic Ayurveda. Whether you're following daily rituals (dinacharya), seasonal cleansing (ritucharya), or Panchakarma, these oils are your companions on the path to holistic well-being.