Mahanarayana Thailam Oil: Ayurvedic Formulation For Arthritic Disorders

Medical Reviewer: Dr Surabhi Rawat

Mahanarayana thailam is a potent ayurvedic medicine that is made by processing numerous herbs in an oil base. The Mahanarayana thailam is known to strengthen bones and muscles and joints. It is also known to reduce inflammation and is considered an effective remedy for all types of arthritic disorders. 

Composition And Preparation Of The Mahanarayana Oil

Mahanarayana thailam oil
Mahanarayana thailam oil

As simple as it sounds, the composition and preparation of the Mahanarayana Thailam are far from it. Numerous herbs and oils are mixed and reduced to a potent analgesic that can not only be applied externally but also consumed to ensure maximum benefits. The process of preparation can be broken down into three distinct ingredient types and means of preparation. 

Firstly, a decoction is prepared with water and the following herbs:

  1. Bilva root (Aegle marmelos)

2. Shyonaka (Oroxylum Indicum)

3. Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera)

4. Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)

5. Brihati or Indian Nightshade (Solanum Indicum)

6. Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris)

7. Agnimantha or Arani (Premna Serratifolia or Premna integrifolia)

8. Bala or country mallow root (Sida cordifolia)

9. Paribhadra or Neem (Azadirachta indica)

10. Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)

11. Atibala or Indian Mallow (Abutilon Indicum)

12. Prasarini (Paederia foetida)

13. Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens)

Each of the above herbs is taken in a quantity of one kilogram each and are all boiled in 100 litres of water to obtain a decoction. The one hundred litres of water is then reduced to twenty-five litres, one-fourth of the initial quantity to concentrate the decoction to be used in the final preparation of the thailam. 

Secondly, the following oil and juices are mixed as a base for the thailam:

The thailam is made using 6.5 litres of Sesame oil or til tel(Sesamum indicum). It is a perfect base to carry the potency that the Mahanarayana thailam is known for. 

In addition to the sesame oil, goat’s milk or cow’s milk is used in a quantity of 6.5 litres. 

Shatavari juice (Asparagus racemosus), with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is also used in the quantity of 6.5 litres. 

Thirdly, a Kalka, that is, a paste is made of the following herbs:

  1. Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata)
  2. Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera)
  3. Mishi fruit or Indian Dill fruit (Anethum Sowa)
  4. Devdaru or Deodar Cedar or Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara)
  5. Kushta or Indian Costus root (Saussurea lappa)
  6. Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum)
  7. Prishnaparni (Uraria picta)
  8. Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus)
  9. Mashaparni (Teramnus labialis)
  10. Agaru or Agarwood (Aquilaria agallocha),
  11. Jatamansi or Spikenard root (Nardostachys jatamansi)
  12. Haldi or Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
  13. Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata)
  14. Shaileyam (Parmelia perlata)
  15. Lal Chandan or Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus)
  16. Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa)
  17. Manjistha or Indian Madder (Rubia cordifolia)
  18. Mulethi or Yashtimadhu or liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
  19. Tagara or Indian Valerian (Valeriana wallichii)
  20. Mustak or Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus)
  21. Tejpata or Indian bay leaf (Cinnamomum Tamala)
  22. Bhringraj (Eclipta alba). 

The above herbs are taken in 100 grams each and are ground into a pasta also known as Kalka and are an important aspect in the making of the thailam. 

Lastly, the Ashtavargam herbs are added to complete the thailam. A subject of rigorous botanical research, the Ashtavargam herbs are a collection of eight rare herbs that have Jeevaniya or nutritive and Vayasthapana or anti-ageing properties.

The herbs are as follows: Jeevak or Jeevaka, Rishabhi or Rishabhaka, Meda, Mahameda, Kakoli, Ksheera kakoli, Riddhi and Vriddhi. In addition to 100 grams of the above herbs, a few more are added with the same weight:

  1. Ambu or Gandhbala (Pavonia odorata)
  2. Vacha or sweet flag (Acorus calamus)
  3. Palash (Butea monosperma)
  4. Titabhamt (Clerodendrum infortunatum)
  5. Pandhari Punarnava or Shweta (Boerhavia Erecta)
  6. Choraka (Angelica glauca). 

Three other constituents that are added to the above with a weight of 50 grams each are as follows: 

Karpur or camphor (Cinnamomum camphor), Kesar or Saffron (Crocus sativus) and Kasturi or musk. 

All of the preparations, that is, the herbal decoction of twenty-five litres, the sesame oil base, the goat’s/cow’s milk, the Shatavari juice, the Kalka or the paste of the herbs, the Ashtavargam constituents along with a few other herbs and spices are brought to a boil. The entire mixture is reduced until the only product that remains is the oil. This mixture is then filtered to derive the Mahanarayan Thailam. 

Effects On Tridosha

The external application or the oral intake of the Mahanarayana thailam is used to pacify and balance the Vata and Pitta doshas. 

Uses And Benefits

There are numerous uses of this effective oil infusion. It is primarily used to treat issues pertaining to the musculoskeletal system, essentially, those disorders that are caused due to aggravated Vata. The thailam is a potent tonic to treat the following disorders:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis refers to painful swelling or inflammation in the joints that can have a rather negative impact on one’s lifestyle. The onset is not entirely preventable but Ayurveda has always provided means to treat such musculoskeletal disorders, in other terms, the Vata doshas.

The thailam can be used externally to massage any such ailments that the patient suffers from. The external application and external massage of this medicine is used by many ayurvedic and medical practitioners during the initial stages of treatment. However, it has been proved that oral administration or oral consumption of the thailam in the recommended or the prescribed quantities is seen to relieve the patient of the symptoms and pain in a more effective manner. The estimated time duration within which the results are seen may range from six to ten days depending upon the patient and his/her body’s response to the medication. 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that refers to the weakening of the bones and overall bad bone health. The literal translation of the term will lead us to understand that the bone structure is porous in nature, almost like a honeycomb structure when viewed under a microscope. Osteoporosis is often diagnosed due to either of the two conditions: The body is unable to keep up with the rate of degeneration of the bone matter and is unable to produce healthy bone matter in sufficient amounts to account for the natural loss. Or, it could also be diagnosed when faced with a weak or brittle bone matter where the patient suffering from it will show no symptoms until met with a fall that results in broken bones. The severity was seen in patients that experience osteoporosis is restricted to a very small number of cases. 

Promotes Overall Mental Wellbeing

This potent thailam may be primarily used in treating vata doshas, that is, musculoskeletal disorders, but positive reactions have been observed in patients that are suffering from mental disorders as well. The oil can be used to treat insanity, depression, mania, psychosis and anxiety as well. The patients that underwent therapy with the mahanarayana thailam have shown improvement with their respective conditions. 

Reproductive Health

There are numerous cases that are reported on infertility and thanks to science, women don’t always take the blame for it unlike decades ago. The sufferer of infertility may be either male or female. Oligospermia is an infertility disorder observed in males where it is simply insufficient or a low sperm count. This could affect the overall performance and sexual wellness in males. In females, infertility is usually caused due to hormonal imbalance in their bodies or trouble in ovulating.

Mahanarayana thailam is considered helpful in case of infertility as it is known to increase the rate of ovulation in women. The plant-derived Phytoestrogens found in Mahanarayana oil, are adaptogenic in nature and help in the proper functioning of the beejagranthi.

Paraplegia Lockjaw And Headaches

The thailam has proven to be very effective in treating musculoskeletal disorders and promoting overall muscle and bone health in an individual. Lockjaw refers to the spasming experienced in the jaw muscles. Patients ailing from the same will be unable to open their jaw wide or sufficiently enough. Paraplegia refers to the impairment in motor and sensory function of the lower extremities. Patients suffering from the same are offered rehabilitation and other services to provide them with independence. Patients suffering from headaches are treated with a massage using the Mahanarayana thailam to alleviate the pain and any further symptoms.

The thailam also helps treat and alleviate pain to those suffering from the following issues:

  • Facial palsy
  • Neck rigidity
  • Tremors
  • Migraines
  • Dental pain
  • Fever
  • Toothache
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bloating and gas
  • Wasting of the limbs
  • Hemiplegia
  • Hypoglossal nerve palsy
  • Cervical dystonia

Dosage, Administration And Remedies

The dosage and the recommended duration of the therapy are dependent on an individual’s responses to ayurvedic medicine. The oil infusion may be used for deep tissue massage or on the affected areas for the duration of at least forty minutes. 

Oral administration: The oral use of the Mahanarayana thailam is recommended and advised only to those individuals that have a good digestive capacity. Those that have a loss of appetite, indigestion or even gastritis must be treated for the aforementioned ailments before being recommended to use the thailam. 

The general oral dosage is recommended as 5ml of the oil infusion along with milk. The use of the oil orally is advised at a maximum of 3-4 months also subject to the opinion of the medical practitioner or the ayurvedic practitioner. 

Side Effects And Overall Safety

It is safe to use on the hair and all external applications. The oil may also be diluted with sesame oil in a 1:1 ratio for regular use. Pregnant women are advised to consult a certified medical practitioner before using the oil. 

The oil infusion can cause side effects in individuals that do not have strong digestive systems or a good metabolism such as the follows:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Acid reflux
  • Restlessness
  • Heartburn

It is strongly advised to consult a medical or ayurvedic practitioner before using the oil. 

Market And Availability

It is a relief in itself to not have to manufacture the oil infusion with approximately fifty ingredients in large quantities. The product is available on the following health and beauty sites for you to procure from:

Kerala Ayurveda

VAIDYARATNAM

Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala

Athreya herbs

Nykaa

 
 
Summary
Article Name
Mahanarayana Thailam Oil: Ayurvedic Formulation For Arthritic Disorders
Description
Mahanarayana Thailam Oil Ayurvedic Formulation For Arthritic Disorders, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Infertility, Reproductive Health
Author
Publisher Name
Honeyfur

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