In brief: Plain sesame oil, Tila Taila in Sanskrit and also known as til or gingelly oil, is the classical base of most Thailams and an oil for Abhyanga in its own right. Treatment rooms buy it in 1 and 5 litres, for dilution, for plain Abhyanga and for clients who prefer an unmedicated oil.
Sesame oil in Ayurveda
The Charaka Samhita names sesame oil as the foremost among oils, and most classical Thailams are prepared in it: the herbs are cooked into sesame oil by the slow Sneha Paka method until their qualities pass into the oil. Plain sesame oil is also used on its own, warmed, for Abhyanga (warm oil self-massage) in the classical daily routine, Dinacharya.
How treatment rooms use it
- Dilution: a strong Thailam can be softened with plain sesame oil for a gentler first session.
- Plain Abhyanga: for clients who prefer an unmedicated oil, or for a session that does not call for a medicated one.
- Working stock: the oil a room reaches for when the plan does not name a specific Thailam.
Formats
Sesame oil comes in 1 litre and 5 litres. As a base oil rather than a classical preparation, it is sold at its public price on this site as well as at trade prices through Shop Ayurveda EU. Castor oil is available in 1 litre. The classical Thailams in professional formats are covered in our guide to Thailam in 1 litre and 5 litres.
Warming and decanting
Warm only what the session needs, in a working bottle, to a comfortable body temperature, and check the temperature before the oil reaches the client. Decant from the 5 litre container into working bottles, keep the container closed between uses, and never pour warmed or used oil back into it. Label each working bottle with the batch number and the date it was filled.
Storage
Store below 25 degrees Celsius, away from direct light, with the lid fully closed, and rotate by the date of arrival. Sesame oil that smells sharp or stale has turned and comes out of use, whatever the date on the label.
Plain sesame oil or a Thailam?
| Plain sesame oil | A classical Thailam |
|---|---|
| Unmedicated, for plain Abhyanga | Prepared with herbs, for a specific classical purpose |
| Dilutes a strong oil for a gentler session | Chosen by the practitioner for the client |
| Sold at its public price on this site | Retail sizes on this site; 1 litre and 5 litres through Shop Ayurveda EU |
Common questions
Is plain sesame oil the same as a Thailam?
No. A Thailam is sesame oil or another base in which herbs have been cooked by the classical method. Plain sesame oil is the base on its own.
Should sesame oil be warmed before massage?
Traditionally, yes: to a comfortable body temperature, in a working bottle, checked before it reaches the client.
How should a 5 litre container be stored?
Closed, below 25 degrees Celsius and away from light, with daily amounts decanted into working bottles so that the container is opened as rarely as possible.
Can I buy sesame oil without a professional account?
Yes. Sesame oil in 1 and 5 litres is sold at its public price on this site. Professional accounts buy it at trade prices through Shop Ayurveda EU.
