AYURVEDIC BODY MASSAGE OIL
Balashwagandhadi Thailam
Balashwagandhadi Thailam, a classical body massage oil of Ayurveda, prepared with Bala and Ashwagandha in a sesame oil base.
Balashwagandhadi Thailam is a classical Ayurvedic body massage oil, named for its two principal herbs: Bala (Sida cordifolia) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), two of the most valued strengthening herbs of the classical texts. Art of Vedas keeps its composition in the original form: Bala and Ashwagandha with a classical blend of herbs in a sesame oil base, cooked by the Sneha Paka method, and made for Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic full-body massage. This page sets out what the oil is, the classical tradition it belongs to, and the heavy-metal and microbiological test results recorded for every batch.
What Balashwagandhadi Thailam is
Balashwagandhadi Thailam is a classical Ayurvedic herbal oil, prepared by Art of Vedas as a body massage oil. It is anhydrous, meaning it contains no added water: a sesame oil base carrying Bala, Ashwagandha and a classical blend of herbs and aromatic woods, with no preservative needed. It is made in India under Good Manufacturing Practice, following ISO 22716 principles, and is not tested on animals. It carries a period after opening of 12 months and is offered in a 200 ml size.
It is a richly composed traditional oil of classical ingredients. It is not vegan, as it contains Shellac, a natural resin used in the classical formula. The complete ordered ingredient list is given further down this page.
Balashwagandhadi Thailam in classical Ayurveda
Balashwagandhadi Thailam takes its name from its two principal herbs: Bala, the Sanskrit name of Sida cordifolia, and Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera. Both are counted among the Balya, the strengthening herbs of the classical Ayurvedic texts, and the oil belongs to the family of classical massage oils built around them.
It is prepared by the classical Sneha Paka method, in which the herbs are cooked slowly into a sesame oil base. In the tradition the oil is associated with Abhyanga, the daily practice of full-body massage with warmed oil that the classical texts count among the practices of Dinacharya, the daily routine. The oil is warmed and worked into the skin with slow, even movement.
Art of Vedas presents the oil within that classical frame, describing the practice rather than any outcome. The oil itself is offered as the classical Balashwagandhadi Thailam, kept in its original composition and tested with every batch.
Quality and testing
Tested with every batch
Every production batch of Balashwagandhadi Thailam is tested before it is released for sale. Two things are checked: heavy metals, by a laboratory method called ICP-MS, and microbiological safety, against the international standard ISO 17516:2014. The figures below are representative results; every batch is retested before release.
Heavy metals
Five heavy metals were tested by ICP-MS. Each one was within the permitted limit for products left on the skin. The right-hand column shows the maximum level allowed under German BfR guidance, so you can see the limit each result sits within.
| Metal | Result | Permitted maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | Within the permitted limit | max 2 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Within the permitted limit | max 0.1 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | Within the permitted limit | max 0.1 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | Within the permitted limit | max 0.5 mg/kg |
| Nickel (Ni) | Within the permitted limit | max 5 mg/kg |
ICP-MS stands for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, a standard laboratory method for detecting metals. The limits shown are the German BfR guidance values for products left on the skin, in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
Microbiological safety
Microbiological safety is tested against ISO 17516:2014. The overall counts of microbes stay within the limits set for products left on the skin, and the specific organisms that must not be present were each absent.
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Aerobic Microbial Count | Within the EU limit |
| Total Yeast and Mould Count | Within the EU limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Absent (not found) |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Absent (not found) |
| Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) | Absent (not found) |
| Candida albicans | Absent (not found) |
ISO 17516:2014 sets the microbiological limits; the thresholds for products left on the skin apply to this oil.
Further assurances
- An anhydrous, water-free oil, so it needs no added preservatives.
- A classical formula, prepared by the traditional Sneha Paka method.
- Made in India under Good Manufacturing Practice, following ISO 22716 principles; not tested on animals.
Full ingredients
The complete INCI list, given in order. The base is sesame oil, carrying Bala, Ashwagandha and a classical blend of herbs:
Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Sida Cordifolia (Bala) Root, Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root, Laccifer Lacca (Lac), Alpinia Galanga (Galangal) Root, Rubia Cordifolia (Manjistha) Root, Cynodon Dactylon (Durva) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root, Hemidesmus Indicus (Indian Sarsaparilla) Root, Vetiveria Zizanioides (Vetiver) Root, Cyperus Rotundus (Nutgrass) Rhizome, Cedrus Deodara (Deodar) Wood, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Rhizome, Nymphaea Nouchali (Blue Lotus) Flower, Prunus Mahaleb (Mahaleb Cherry) Seed, Anethum Graveolens (Dill) Seed, Nelumbo Nucifera (Sacred Lotus) Flower
Balashwagandhadi Thailam contains aromatic herbal oils. The EU-listed fragrance allergens present above the labelling threshold, are declared at the end of the ingredient list. The oil contains Shellac, a resin of natural (insect) origin, so it is not vegan. It is not tested on animals.
Product details
- Net content: 200 ml.
- Period after opening: 12 months.
- Made in India.
Precautions
- For external use only. Do not use internally.
- Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse with water.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Balashwagandhadi Thailam: questions on quality, testing and use
- What is Balashwagandhadi Thailam?
- Balashwagandhadi Thailam is a classical Ayurvedic herbal oil named for its two principal herbs, Bala (Sida cordifolia) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Art of Vedas prepares it as an anhydrous body massage oil, a sesame oil base carrying Bala, Ashwagandha and a classical blend of herbs, cooked by the Sneha Paka method, in a 200 ml size. It contains no added water and no preservative, and is made for Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic full-body massage.
- Is Balashwagandhadi Thailam vegan?
- No. The oil contains Shellac, a natural resin of the lac insect (Laccifer lacca) used in the classical formula, so it is not vegan. It is, however, not tested on animals.
- Is Balashwagandhadi Thailam tested for heavy metals?
- Yes. Every batch is tested for five heavy metals by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic and Nickel were each within the permitted limit for products left on the skin, benchmarked against German BfR guidance: Lead max 2, Cadmium max 0.1, Mercury max 0.1, Arsenic max 0.5 and Nickel max 5 mg/kg.
- Is Balashwagandhadi Thailam tested for microbiological safety?
- Yes. Microbiological safety is tested to ISO 17516:2014. Total Aerobic Microbial Count and Total Yeast and Mould Count stay within the limits for products left on the skin, and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans are each absent. The product is also made under ISO 22716 Good Manufacturing Practice principles.
- What are the ingredients in Balashwagandhadi Thailam?
- It is a classical classical oil: a sesame oil base carrying Bala (Sida cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shellac and a blend of classical herbs and aromatic woods including Alpinia galanga, Rubia cordifolia, licorice, vetiver, deodar cedar, turmeric and lotus. The complete ordered INCI list is given on this page.
- How is Balashwagandhadi Thailam used in Abhyanga?
- In Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic full-body massage, a small amount of the oil is warmed and worked into the skin with slow, even strokes until absorbed. In the traditional ritual the oil is left to rest on the skin for a time before bathing. It is for external use only; avoid contact with the eyes.
- Does Balashwagandhadi Thailam contain a preservative?
- No. The oil is anhydrous, meaning it contains no added water, so no preservative is needed or added.
- Is Balashwagandhadi Thailam tested on animals?
- No. Balashwagandhadi Thailam is not tested on animals.
ART OF VEDAS
Bring Balashwagandhadi Thailam into your ritual
The classical Bala and Ashwagandha massage oil of Ayurveda, kept in its original composition and tested with every batch. See the full details and availability.
Shop Balashwagandhadi ThailamResponsible Person and distribution
Responsible Person (EU): Svedica B.V., Herengracht 449A, 1017BR Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
EU Distributor: Authentic Ayurveda d.o.o., Slavka Krautzeka 51, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
Balashwagandhadi Thailam by Art of Vedas: the classical Bala and Ashwagandha massage oil of Ayurveda, kept in its original composition and tested for heavy metals and microbiological safety with every batch.
