Mahanarayan Oil is a very famous herbal oil used in Ayurvedic treatment of arthritis, paralysis, and eye diseases. This oil is used for external application, orally and for many Ayurvedic therapies.
Benefits
Mahanarayan Oil Uses:
It is used in Ayurvedic treatment of Facial palsy, Hearing loss, Deafness, Paraplegia, tremors, Neck rigidity/Torticollis, Lock jaw, wasting of hands and legs, insanity, Oligospermia, Female Infertility, Teeth & tongue ailments, bloating, Headache, Glossal palsy, Dental Pain, Mania/Psychosis, Hump-back/Kyphosis, Fever.
Bursitis,
Bursitis trochanterica,
Shoulder dislocation pain
Post viral fever, when the patient complains of body, muscle and joint pains
It is used in anti aging treatment.
It helps to relieve emaciation, tendon tear, fractures and all types of arthritis.
It is useful to strengthen bones and joints in case of weak bones due to osteo-porosis, osteo arthritis.
Useful in intercostal neuropathy
Read related: OsteoArthritis: Symptoms, Prevention, Lifestyle tips, Ayurvedic treatment
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata and Pitta
Application on feet
Oil application over feet
Precaution if you apply this oil over feet:
If you apply this oil on feet, make sure to wash off thoroughly with water or wipe off with cloth. The oil can make you slippery while walking.
After applying, make sure there are no oil spills on the floor. This can make the floor slippery.
Mode Of Usage
How to use Mahanarayan Tail?
It is used to external application. On the painful area, apply a few drops of the oil and do gentle massage. It is used in many Ayurvedic treatments such as Anuvasana basti, Janubasti, Nasya etc. It is also given orally in a dose of 3 – 5 ml, once or two times  a day, before food with warm water or milk, but this requires doctor’s prescription.
Side Effects and Precautions
There are no known side effects on external application of this oil.
Oral administration, Nasya and other therapies should strictly be done under medical supervision.
Keep out of sight and reach of children. store in cool dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Duration
How long to use Mahanarayana Thailam?
For external use, it can be used for a long period of time.
Oral usage is done usually for not more than 3 – 4 months.
It can be used as a general body massage oil for a very long time.
Contents
Mahanarayana Tailam ingredients:
960 g of each of coarse powder of –
Bilva – Bael (root) – Aegle marmelos
Ashwagandha – Winter Cherry / Indian ginseng – Withania somnifera
Brihati – Indian Nightshade (root) – Solanum indicum
Swadamshtra – Tribulus terrestris
Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum
Bala – Country mallow (root) – Sida cordifolia
Paribhadra – Erythrina variegate
Kshudra – Solanum xanthocarpum
Kathila – Boerhaavia diffusa
Atibala – Abutilon indicum
Agnimantha – Premna corymbosa / mucronata Root
Prasarini – Paederia foetida
Patala – Trumpet (root) – Sterospermum suaveolens
Water for decoction – 98.304 liters, boiled and reduced to 24.576 liters.
Taila – Oil of Sesamum indicum – 6.144 kg
Ajadugdha – Goat milk – 6.144 liters
Shatavari – Asparagus racemosus – juice extract – 6.144 liters
Paste prepared with 96 g of fine powder of each of –
Rasna- Pluchea lanceolata
Ashwagandha – Winter Cherry / Indian ginseng (root) – Withania somnifera
Mishi – Indian Dill (fruit) 0 Anethum sowa / Peucedanum graveolens
Daru – Himalayan Cedar (bark) – Cedrus deodara
Kushta – Saussurea lappa
Shalaparni – Desmodium gangeticum
Prishniparni – Root – Uraria picta
Mudgaparni – Phaseolus trilobus
Mashaparni – Teramnus labialis Spreng.
Agaru – Aquilaria agallocha
Nagakeshara – Mesua ferrea
Saindhava – Rock Salt
Mamsi – Nardostachys jatamansi
Haridra – Turmeric Rhizome – Curcuma Longa
Daruharidra – Tree turmeric (stem) – Berberis aristata
Shaileya – Parmelia perlata
Chandana – Pterocarpus santalinus
Pushkara – Inula racemosa
Ela – Cardamom – Elettaria cardamomum
Manjishta – Indian Madder (root) – Rubia cordifolia
Yashtimadhu – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra
Tagara – Indian Valerian (root) – Valeriana wallichi
Abda – Nut grass (root) – Cyperus rotundus
Patra – Cinnamomum tamala
Bhringaraja – Eclipta alba
Jivaka – Malaxis acuminata D.Don / Microstylis wallichii Lindl.
Rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard / Mimusoops hexandra Roxb.
Meda – Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Mahameda – Polygonatum verticillatum
Kakoli – Fritillaria roylei
Ksheera Kakolii – Lilium polyphyllum
Riddhi – Habenaria intermedia
Vriddhi – Habenaria intermedia
Ambu – Pavonia odorata
Vacha – Sweet flag (rhizome) – Acorus calamus
Sthauneya – Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn./ viscosum Vent. Gaertn.
Vrishchikali – Boerhavia erecta
Choraka – Angelica glauca
Karpoora – Camphor – Cinnamomum camphora – 48 g
Kashmeera – Saffron – Crocus sativus – 48 g
Mrigamada – Musk – 48 g
Reference and Expiry Date
Bhaishajya Ratnavali Vatavyadhi Rogadhikara – 151 – 162
Shelf life / expiry date – Three years from the date of manufacture. Once opened, it is best to empty the oil within 1 year.
Can it be used on hair?
It is advised for applying on head and scalp for treating migraine, headache, depression etc. It is safe to apply on hair.
But it is not a good choice of a hair oil. So unless prescribed, it is not wise to apply this daily.
How to use Mahanarayan oil for self massaging?
Take 3 tablespoon of oil in a bowl. Apply this allover the body with palm, with gentle pressure. Leave it on body for 15-30 minutes, then take hot water bath. Do this at least 2 – 3 times a week.
Mahanarayan oil is very costly. Can I use sesame oil for daily massage?
If you find it costly, then 50 % of this oil + 50 % of sesame oil can be mixed and used for daily massage.
Between Mahanarayan and Kottamchukkadi, which is good to balance Vata?
Mahanarayan oil is better for Vata balance.
Proprietary Ayurvedic medicines with Mahanayarana taila as ingredient:
Flexofen Liniment – manufactured by Prakruti Pharmaceuticals. It is used in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders, arthritis, tendonitis etc.
Flexy Liniment – manufactured by Green Remedies
Does it improve blood circulation in leg and cure deep vein thrombosis?
Oil massage with Mahanarayana taila is very useful to improve blood circulation in legs. But this massage cannot be said to cure the deep vein thrombosis.
Sanskrit Shloka verse
Manufacturers
Nagarjuna – Mahaanaaraayana Thailam
During pregnancy, lactation
If
you were using this oil before pregnancy without any allergic reaction, you can
continue using this oil even during pregnancy.
If you have not used this product before and wish to use it during pregnancy,
better to consult a doctor because it can cause skin allergy in some rare
cases.
It is generally considered as safe to use during lactation, however consult
your doctor for the right advice.
Can this product be applied after steam therapy?
No. Oil is best applied before steam therapy. This is as per basic Ayurvedic principles.
Allergy reaction
What if someone is allergic to Mahanarayana taila?
Before I answer this, let me make it very clear that any person can show an allergic reaction to any Ayurvedic oils. It is more common than people assume. It is good to test any herbal oil over a small skin area before using it on a daily basis. The testing can be done by applying the oil over a small area of the forearm and marking the area with a pen on the skin. The area can be a coin size. If the applied area shows rashes / allergic reaction / itching or pain, it can be assumed that you are allergic to the oil.
Coming back to the question, the first assessment to be done is, if the person is allergic to sesame oil. If that is the case, then all herbal oils with sesame oil base will not be suitable for the client.
If the client is allergic to Mahanarayana taila specifically, then Dhanvantharam taila or Balaswagandhadi taila can be the substitutes.
Read: 15 Ayurvedic Massage Oil Choices Based On Your Dosha
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This article is written by Dr. Janardhana V Hebbar BAMS, MD (Ayu), PGDPSM, Managing Director, Easy Ayurveda Hospital.
It is reviewed by Dr. Shilpa Ramdas BAMS, MD (Ayu), Chief Ayurvedic Physician, Easy Ayurveda Hospital
140 thoughts on “Mahanarayan Oil: Benefits, How To Use, Ingredients, Side Effects”
Is this oil different from Velia Narayana Thailam? If so, in terms of usage, on what conditions can one be preferred over the other?
It is the same. In Malayalam, Valiya means big or bigger. Maha in sanskrit also means big or bigger. Both names are given to same medicine.
Sir why so many ingredients added in one medicine?
Hi, Ayurveda believes in polyherbal formulas. This question will be taken up for topic for an article. Please subscribe to easyayurveda.com I will write about it in detail.
If valiya means Maha in Malyalam then what does Cheriya means
valia means maha or big.
Cheriya means small or laghu.
Sir,
Can Mahanarayana oil be used for head and face massage as well.
Regards,
Rohit
Which target does Mahanarayan oil have a good degree of effect on? Bones? Joints? Muscles? Or Tendons? (or all, in some ranking order?)
Does this oil help to actually “rebuild” (i.e. “grow”) any of the dhatus in case of Vata-induced “dhatu-kshaya” condition? If not, which oils might be good to help growth of various dhatus (perhaps content for a different article?) ? Or does it only help to reduce pain?
thank you
Can it help in sciatica.how to use
It helps in sciatica. Everyday, 20 minutes before hot water bath, apply this to lower back and entire length of legs. Then have hot water bath. This helps to reduce pain and nerve inflammation.
Dear Doctor,
I am having Sciatica pain. Which oil is preferable…Mahanarayana Tailam or Dhanwantaram Tailam…Please advise
Dhanwantaram Tailam
Please tell me which oil is good for strengthening muscles and give power to nerves.. i am having neck disc slip problem
Ksheerabala taila or balaswagandhadi taila
1) When to use narayan oil & mahanarayan oil?
2) For general body massage, which one is more suitable?
3) What are the manufacturers?
1. Both are quite similar in action. Probably Mahanarayana taila is slightly better.
2. Either one of them.
3. Zandu, Baidyanath, Dabur, Kottakkal, etc.
Hello Sir,
I want to make this oil at home. I got most of the herbs as well. Can you please let me know the different proportions and which herbs to use at which stage like decoction, paste etc.
Your reply will be really helpful. Thanks
Hi, the proportions of herbs, etc are given within the article. Please go through. Use sesame oil as base.
Also see this video once to get a better idea – easyayurveda.com/2012/04/18/how-to-make-hair-oil-at-home-with-amla/
i have twitching of left eye. one suggested mahamasha thailam. a doctor prescribed mahanarayana thailam. which oneis better?
Who is better? A person or a doctor?
My doctor suggest 7 drops of Mahanarayan tel in hot water on empty stomach fr my ILD to stop dry cough. I feel relief bt aversion to meals now. Cn it b continued fr a month ? Tnx
I just read great article mahanarayan oil. I read that it is good massage for emaciation/vata. How should I use this oil? Before bath and whereabouts on the body and how often, or should I stick with sesame oil. Thanks Dr.
Sir, My son is affected with joubert Syndrom, He has completed 5 Year but still he is not able to stand because of weak legs and hand muscels for any support, Please suggetst which oil is good for his massage.Thanks
dhanwantaram taila will be better for such condition.
Is Mahanarayan Oil effective for Knee pain
Sir i am having pain over left knee. I am unable to bend the left knee and swelling is there.
you can use this oil. but you may also have to take some oral medication for which please consult an Ayurveda doctor.
1) How can this oil be used as an antiage treatment? Message of face? How often?
2) Can it be used for vulvodyni? On vulva?
Thank you for your kind help and guidance.
Sir, can mahanarayana thailam can be applied for head bath for vata/pitta issues?
it can be used. there are lot more tailas like bringamalaka taila etc which are meant only for the application over the head for balancing aggrevated doshas.
there are many more medicines to treat vericosity of veins. dose and duration of internal medications are better to be decided after analysing the condition and prognosis of your body and problem. for this it is better to consult an Ayurveda doctor directly.
Dear Sir,
I have left neck,head,hand,leg,left side pain,
please suggest me doctor.
Thanks & Regards
prasanna
Sir, Do consult the Ayurvedic Physician for the same. He/she would treat you based on the severity, constitution.
Sir, Would like to see the bone swelling before prescribing the medicines. In this case do consult a ayurvedic physician and take the medicines.
Will mahanarayan taila repair cartilages? I have a tear in my meniscus(left knee). Will external massage with this oil help? How should I use it?
Sir, By doing Abhyanga the pain and nerve inflammation can be reduced. And as far as Surgery is concerned please do as the doctor says as he has seen your reports and seen the severity, strength,age etc., And sorry We have no contacts in Hyderabad so cannot help you much there.
Madam my age is 30 and I have no sugar BP and my weight also normal and have no other health problems . So I knew recently about chiropractic treatment. is it works r not. Please tell me…..
Sir My father is experiencing severe shoulder pain. He is not able to lift his hand. He is a diabetic and also have high blood pressure.Kindly suggest a remedy for his shoulder pain.
Madam, Would like to know the nature of the shoulder pain and the side, from where to where etc.,to treat. Kindly take a opinion for the same.
Madam, He is having pain from neck to arms in both side
And he is not comfortable in doing his routine activity like eating, drinking water or lifting any things. Due to his job he drives four wheeler and two wheeler a lot which gives more pain. Nearly two months he is having this problem.
Hi sir, last six months back my father had brain surgery, after that his left side part both hand and leg no sensation.. We are doing physiotherapy for him ..but recently he got his left leg stiffness called spasticity …he can not able to standing…because he got pain thaigh back side left leg…soo please can u suggest how to relief muscle stiffneff ..and suggest oil for that
If your father is given massage treatments, it will be really useful. COnsult an Ayurveda center nearby.
My body hair have started greying while in 30’s. what is the best remedy to avoid early aging and turn back to black hair, please advice.
Dr. Hebbar, what taila to use for internal solid wax build up in the ears? When wax in there, hearing bad. Please help
Hello Madam, You can use Oilve oil or sesame oil. Put three drops of olive oil/sesame oil before going to bed. Do this for three to four days. Using irrigation method, removal of ear wax can be done easily.
Hi Dr Hebbar,
Thanks for the great article. Just a bit of confusion, the company says it’s only useful for Vata condition (no Pitta mentioned).
http://www.sandu.in/mahanarayan.html
Please let me know if it’s some other taila.
Regards
Hi, it is useful in all three Doshas. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Though more commonly used in Vata conditions, it is used for the treatment of Pitta dominant conditions such as Vatarakta (gout) or Kapha / Ama conditions as in Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis).
What thailam can be applied for vericocele and for medicine intake for starting stage of vericocele.
Balaswagandhadi tailam.
good morning doctor is it possible to do Fcae Facial with mahanarayan oil when the climate tempreture is more than 46 digrees, please suggest me
Dear sir,
1) Can this be used for ear drops?
2) Is there a complete successful cure for otosclerosis associated with tinnitus, in Ayurveda?
Namaste Dr. Is it beneficial to somebody who is diagnosed of chrondomalacia ?
Bala Ashwagandhadi taila or Mahamasha taila – anyone of the above oil is good for massage, to improve muscle strength. It is better to undergo massage in an Ayurveda center than doing at home.
Hi Doctor, I underwent left shoulder arthoscopic capsular surgery twenty days back and i am on intensive physio. The pain is severe and frustrating . Could u pl advise any oil therapy ? Thanks
Ram
Doctor please suggest me which is best oil for arthritis. I have lowerback pain and knee pain.
My age is 30 year (Male.)
Dear Dr Hebbar,
15 years ago, due to overstraining and on an already weak constitution (chronic fatigue), my body reacted with a severe muscle contraction (like tetany) and since then these muscle contractions are constant from head to toe with chronic fatigue. Muscle are twitching randomly on any part of body and also the right eye lid.
I would like to ask you which oil is suited to regenerate the nervous system for the head and most probably for the body?
Is it Ksheerabala taila or balaswagandhadi taila or rather the Mahanarayana tail or Mahamasha Thailam? (Or another oil ?) Can or should it be combined with brahmi or ashwagandha oil simultaneously?
I thank you very much in advance for your support.
Best regards,
Amin
Balaswagandhadi.
Is mahana rayan oil good to treat multiple sclerosis ?
Thank you, I wasn’t sure if it was, I will do that , and how it will help it too?
My father has suffered paralysis in one leg and hand. Now it pains a lot when he walks. Which oil is suitable for paralysis?
Thank you doctor
Hi Doctor, I know someone who was in a car accident and is now living with chronic nerve pain in the back side of the neck. Will this product help? If not, what do you suggest for constant nerve pain as per the teachings of the ancient Ayurveda?
Does Mahanarayan oil helps in reducing excessive body hair growth by external application (massage)?
No.
What oil should be used for excessive body hair growth?
Nalpamaradi taila is useful, but only to some extent.
For high pitta-vata constitution, will ghee be better for massage than Mahanarayan / sesame oil?
Could you please suggest how Mahanarayana oil be used for Sinusitis? Should it be used only for forehead and facial massage? and Should it be mixed with any other oil for massage?
It is not very commonly used for sinusitis.
Applying 10 drops of the oil over entire face, followed by steam inhalation for 3 – 5 minutes of time is useful.
Hello Dr.ji, Can you explain how Mahanarayan Oil is helping Hearing loss and Deafness. How to apply it. Can sensory neural deafness also be cured? People operated on ears can not use it as ear drops. Thank you.
Dear Dr. Hebbar,
Can Mahanarayan oil be used for regular general purpose message for small kids of age 4 and above?
Thanks
Namaste Sir,
Among Vishgarbha Tail and Mahanarayan Tail — Which tail is preferred in what conditions?
Vishagarbha taila is used whenever there is stiffness of joints etc. Maanarayana taila is used in pain.
My mother has diabetes and are experiencing daily pain (burning and numbness) in her feet due to neuropathy. Can this oil help with the pain.
I have sprained my ankle while walking. It is now about 3 months, it is getting better but sometimes there is a swelling and pain. I need to strengthen the ligaments & tendons. Would be Mahanarayan Oil useful ? Do i need to warm the oil before massage ? Thank you, Sir.
which oil is use for muscular dystrophy
how to apply the oil?
which time i apply oil on body?
Take 3 tablespoon of oil in a bowl. Apply this allover the body with palm, with gentle pressure. Leave it on body for 15-30 minutes, then take hot water bath. Do this at least 2 – 3 times a week.
bathing with soap or just only hot water ?
Soap is fine to use.
Ashwagandha bala lakshadi thailam and Balaswagandhadi taila are same oil?
They both are very similar.
Which oil is useful in muscular dystrophy
Dr pls let me know can we do massage it on tonsils of 5 yr girl …is it helpful to reduce tonsils….any other suggestion regarding this..thnx
It says it is good for tendon tear. Besides aiding with the pain, does it help with repairing the tendon, does it promote tissue growth?
Its primary function is to reduce pain, swelling, inflammation. It also helps with tissue growth as well.
I am 27 yo. I suffer with partial deafness upto 55dB for both the ears along with tinnitus caused by ototoxicity because of usage of powerful antibiotics 10 years ago. I bought this Dabur Mahanarayan oil. How to use it externally or internally. Please suggest me
It can be used as ear drops – 1 drop to each ear, in the morning, for 1 month.
Sir, can it be used internally. Is there any better medicine available to cure my tinnitus and deafness caused by ototoxicity. ?
Can Maha narayana thailam be used for Renal Colic pain?
Hi, it is very difficult to assess online. Please continue consulting Ayurvedic doctor directly.
Hi! Doctor. I am 55. Imet with an accident in April 2017. Had surgery for right Thigh bone (fermer) fracture. 16 inches plate was fixed. Still muscles around the thigh is still has some swelling and painful. X-ray showed 80% development of bone. Now I am able to stand using both the legs. But unable to walk.
I am not taking any allopathic medicine. I take Himalaya hudjod tablets 2-0-2 and Arya vaidya salary Ghandha Thailam capsules 2-0-2 before food.
Please suggest if this mahanarayana oil will be helpful in reducing pain and swelling. Also please suggest me any other medicines/treatment which will help me for quick recovery. Thanks.
sir, this oil removes kapha means make person more lean? as im already very lean with vata and pitta condition , what oil i can use for body massage to increase body mass ?/
It does not remove Kapha. It is useful for body massage to increase body mass.
Other option is – Balaswagandhadi taila
You can use it on back, neck and also on head.
on applying mahanarayan oil i feel reduction in pain in my cervical spondylitis pain and locked jaw.but i feels drowsiness and headache(front part of head).every other oil like sesame oil mustard oil and orally mahayograj guggul,ashwGandha causes serious pain and burning in head.is chhach and curd not good for patient of cervical spondolysis
Hi, heat the mahanarayan oil just a little before applying.
Wash off the oil after one hour or take bath after 1 hour after applying oil.
I am not able to walk from 3 years. Can this oil help me
Mahanarayana taila can help with pain and stiffness.
Try Travancore Ayurvedic in Hyderabad, I am also having l4 l5 slip disc but I don’t have any pain but my left leg numbness. I hope you may find relief. Try it out
Thank you Doctor. Very informative article as always.
Can this oil be used for osteoporosis?
Thanks for your reply Doctor!
Which oil would you suggest for daily Abhyanga for a person with aggravated/predominantly vata dosha? Is Mahanarayana oil good or Kottamchukkadi oil? Or is it better to stick to plain sesame oil for everyday abhyanga?
Mahanarayana taila is best for Vata. It can be used for daily massage. If you find it costly, then 50 % of this oil + 50 % of sesame oil can be mixed and used for daily massage.
Thank you!
Sir, will this tailam useful for varicose vains? Will it give side effects like fever cold etc?
Useful to some extent. It will not give fever or cold.
Can this oil is used on paralysis patients?
Please sir answer this question
I have same question
Please sir
Yes, it is useful in paralysis patients.
Sir I have used balaswagandhadhi taila kottamchukkadi and dhanwathram but I can say this oil is best when it comes to plesant smell… What makes it that fragrance? I mean the ingredient which is not added in other oils
musk and camphor.
hi dr ‘ our son suffer from paraplegia paraysis
now he is 2 year,so this oil is better for massage
Ksheerabala taila is better.
I have been using Mahanarayan Tailam and Dhanvantaram Kuzhampu . I am advised to
heat the oils before application . My queries :
1. whether oils have to remain in hot condition while applying on the body.
2. purpose of heating oils is to ensure that all the ingredients in the oil are fully melted
and mixed. once ingredients are melted , oils can be applied at room temperature
also. is this true ?