Dhanwantaram Taila (also spelt Dhanwantharam Thailam or Dhanvantara Taila) is a classical Ayurvedic massage oil made by slowly cooking Bala root, the ten Dashamoola roots and around thirty other herbs into sesame oil. It is traditionally used for vata-type stiffness in the joints and back and in postnatal oil massage. This guide explains what is in it, what the research does and does not show, and exactly how to massage your knees, shoulders and lower back with it.
Key takeaways
- Dhanwantaram Taila is a classical Ayurvedic oil for external massage, with sesame oil as its base and Bala (Sida cordifolia) root as its main herb.
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists around 40 plant ingredients, including the Dashamoola roots, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Devadaru and Manjishtha.
- In Ayurvedic tradition it is used for vata conditions such as joint and back stiffness, and in postnatal care; this is traditional use, not proven medical treatment.
- Good-quality research on Dhanwantaram itself is lacking, but massage in general has modest, short-term evidence for knee osteoarthritis comfort.
- Persistent, swollen, hot or injured joints need a doctor's assessment; an oil is not a treatment for arthritis or injury.
What is Dhanwantaram Taila?
Dhanwantaram Taila is a medicated oil (taila) from the classical Ayurvedic tradition, named after Dhanvantari, the deity of Ayurveda. It is applied to the skin during massage (abhyanga) and is one of the most widely used vata-balancing oils in Kerala and across India.
In Ayurveda, vata is the dosha (functional principle) associated with movement, dryness and cold. When vata is described as aggravated, the body is said to feel dry, stiff and achy, particularly in the joints and lower back. Warm, oily, nourishing massage is the classical counterbalance, and Dhanwantaram is one of the oils most often chosen for it.
Today the formula appears in India's official reference books. The GRAYU database, built by researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, from the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and the Ministry of AYUSH's Ayurvedic Standard Treatment Guidelines, records Dhanvantara Taila as a reddish-brown medicated oil with a pleasant odour12. Recipes are standardised, but every manufacturer's batch will differ slightly, so always check the ingredient list on your bottle.
What are the ingredients of Dhanwantaram Thailam?
The main ingredients of Dhanwantaram Thailam are sesame oil, a large quantity of Bala root decoction, a decoction of the Dashamoola roots with barley, jujube and horse gram, and a fine herbal paste of about thirty herbs. The pharmacopoeial recipe lists roughly 4.6 kg of Bala root for every 768 ml of sesame oil, which shows how central Bala is to the formula1.
A classical oil is made in three layers. First, herbs are boiled in water and reduced to a strong decoction (kvatha). Second, a different set of herbs is ground into a paste (kalka). Third, the decoction and paste are cooked into the oil over many hours until the water has evaporated and the herbal compounds have passed into the oil. The table below groups the ingredients recorded in the pharmacopoeial version.
| Group | Main ingredients (botanical names) | Role in the preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Base oil | Tila taila, sesame oil (Sesamum indicum), pre-treated as murchhita taila | Carrier that holds the herbal compounds; traditionally considered warming and vata-balancing |
| Main decoction | Bala root (Sida cordifolia) | The signature herb, used in by far the largest quantity |
| Second decoction | Dashamoola: Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Agnimantha, Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum), Gambhari (Gmelina arborea), Patala, Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum), Prishniparni (Uraria picta), Brihati, Kantakari and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris); plus Yava (barley), Kola (jujube) and Kulattha (horse gram) | Classical group of ten roots long used in vata formulas |
| Herbal paste | Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Agaru, Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kushtha, Tagara, Triphala fruits, cardamom and cinnamon | Adds aromatic, nourishing and traditionally warming herbs |
If several of these names sound familiar, that is because many of them appear in oral formulas too. Ashwagandha, for example, is best known as a capsule herb; you can read what the human trials show in our guide to KSM-66 Ashwagandha research on stress and energy. In Dhanwantaram, however, it is part of an oil meant only for the skin.
Is there milk in Dhanwantaram Taila?
The pharmacopoeial method we checked lists water, herbs and sesame oil, and does not list milk1. Some manufacturers follow other classical versions, so the label on your bottle is the only reliable guide to what your oil contains.
What is Dhanwantaram Thailam traditionally used for?
Dhanwantaram Thailam is traditionally used as a massage oil for vata conditions: stiffness and aching in the joints, back and limbs, general depletion, and in oil massage for mothers after childbirth. These uses come from classical texts and practice, not from modern clinical trials.
The Ayurvedic Standard Treatment Guidelines, as compiled in the GRAYU database, connect Dhanvantara Taila with several classical categories1:
- Vata roga, the broad group of disorders attributed to vata, including stiffness and aches.
- Katigraha, stiffness of the lower back.
- Gridhrasi, a pattern of pain radiating down the leg that resembles sciatica.
- Vatarakta, a classical joint condition often compared with gout.
- Sootika roga, conditions of the postnatal period, and Bala roga, conditions of childhood.
The postnatal link is the reason many Indian families know this oil. In the traditional confinement period after delivery, daily warm oil massage for the mother is common, and Dhanwantaram is a familiar choice. If you are pregnant, recently delivered, or massaging a baby, speak to your obstetrician or paediatrician first; skin after delivery and newborn skin both need extra care.
Many readers want to know how this oil compares with others on the shelf. We cover that in detail in Dhanwantaram vs Mahanarayan vs Ksheerabala oil.
Does research support Dhanwantaram oil for joint comfort?
There are no large, well-designed human trials of Dhanwantaram Taila itself, so its benefits for joints are not scientifically established. What is better studied is massage, and that research suggests modest, short-term improvements in knee comfort and function for some people.
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that few well-designed clinical trials support Ayurvedic approaches, and that most trials of Ayurvedic preparations for osteoarthritis have been small or poorly designed3. That is the honest starting point for any classical oil.
Massage itself has more evidence. In a 2012 randomised trial published in PLoS One, 125 adults with knee osteoarthritis received different amounts of Swedish massage for 8 weeks. Those who had 60-minute sessions improved more on standard pain and function scores than people on usual care alone, but by 24 weeks most of the difference from usual care had disappeared4. NCCIH's review of massage reports that 5 of 6 studies in knee osteoarthritis found short-term improvement in pain, while noting that the overall evidence is limited5.
Putting this together:
- The act of regular, gentle massage may help some people feel more comfortable and mobile for a while.
- Warmth, touch and a calm routine probably contribute to how people feel after an oil massage.
- Whether the specific herbs in Dhanwantaram add benefit beyond massage with plain oil has not been tested properly.
The approach with the strongest evidence for long-term knee comfort is exercise, especially muscle strengthening. A 2015 Cochrane review of 44 trials found that exercise reduced knee osteoarthritis pain and improved physical function6. A massage oil fits best as a companion to movement, not a substitute for it. For simple strengthening moves, see our guide to knee pain when climbing stairs.
How do you massage your joints with Dhanwantaram Taila?
Warm a small amount of oil, apply it to clean, unbroken skin over the joint, and massage with gentle, long strokes along the limb and slow circles around the joint for 5 to 10 minutes. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then wash with warm water.
- Do a patch test first. Apply a few drops to the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. Skip the oil if you see redness, itching or a rash.
- Warm the oil gently. Stand the closed bottle or a small steel bowl of oil in hot water for a few minutes. Test a drop on your wrist; it should feel comfortably warm, never hot. Do not microwave oil, as it can heat unevenly.
- Use the right amount. About 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) is enough for one knee or shoulder. More oil does not mean more benefit.
- Follow the classical direction of strokes. Traditional abhyanga uses long strokes along the bones and circular strokes over joints. Keep pressure light to moderate; you should feel comfortable throughout.
- Add gentle movement. After massaging, slowly bend and straighten the joint 10 times within a pain-free range.
- Rest, then wash. Leave the oil on for 20 to 30 minutes, keep the area warm, then bathe with warm water. A little gram flour (besan) paste helps remove the oil.
Knees
Sit with your leg straight and supported. Massage in circles around the kneecap, then with long strokes up the front of the thigh, which works the quadriceps that steady the kneecap. Finish with strokes down the calf. Avoid pressing hard directly on the kneecap.
Shoulders and neck
Use the opposite hand to make slow circles over the top of the shoulder and long strokes down the upper arm. For the neck, use your fingertips with very light pressure along the sides, never on the front of the throat.
Lower back
The lower back is hard to reach alone, so this is a good place to ask a family member for help. Long strokes either side of the spine, not on it, with the palms flat, are traditional and comfortable.
For a full-body version of this routine, including timings and oil choice by season, read how to do Ayurvedic self-massage (abhyanga) step by step.
How often should you use it?
Traditional practice favours daily or near-daily massage, ideally in the morning before a bath or in the evening before bed. There is no evidence for a precise schedule, so choose a routine you can keep up, and stop if your skin becomes irritated.
Where Purely Yours Dhanwantaram Taila fits
Purely Yours Dhanwantaram Taila is a classical Ayurvedic oil prepared as Dhanwantaram Tailam, with its composition based on the classical texts; please read the ingredient list on the pack for the exact herbs in your batch. It is meant only for external massage and is traditionally used to support comfort in stiff joints, the back and limbs as part of a daily abhyanga routine. It is not a treatment for arthritis, injury or any medical condition, and it does not replace exercise, physiotherapy or a doctor's care. If you are unsure whether it suits you, our team offers a free consultation.
Is Dhanwantaram Taila safe? Who should be careful?
For most adults, external use of a classical oil on healthy skin is low-risk, but skin reactions can happen and some situations call for medical advice first. Never swallow a massage oil unless an Ayurvedic doctor has prescribed it specifically for internal use.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Broken, cracked or infected skin, rashes, eczema flare | Do not apply oil to that area |
| A joint that is red, hot or newly swollen | Do not massage; see a doctor, as this can signal infection, gout or inflammatory arthritis |
| Recent injury, fall or suspected fracture | Do not massage; get the joint assessed first |
| Fever or feeling unwell | Skip oil massage until you recover; traditional practice also avoids abhyanga during fever |
| Pregnancy, the weeks after delivery, babies and young children | Check with your obstetrician or paediatrician before use |
| Varicose veins, a history of blood clots, or blood-thinning medicines | Avoid pressure on the legs and ask your doctor first |
| Known allergy to sesame or any listed herb | Do not use |
NCCIH notes that the risk of harm from massage appears low, but rare serious events such as blood clots, nerve injury and fractures have been reported, mostly with vigorous massage or in higher-risk people such as older adults5. Gentle pressure is all a home routine needs. Oil also makes bathroom floors slippery; wipe them and wear slippers with grip, especially if you are older or have unsteady knees.
Buy classical oils from licensed manufacturers that list full ingredients and a batch number. NCCIH has warned that some Ayurvedic products sold without proper controls have been found to contain heavy metals3; this concern mainly applies to oral products, but quality matters for anything you use regularly.
How to choose and store a good bottle
Look for the classical name on the label (Dhanwantaram, Dhanwantharam or Dhanvantara Taila), a full ingredient list, the manufacturer's licence number, a batch number and a clear expiry date. A genuine classical oil usually has a reddish-brown colour and a distinctly herbal smell. Store it tightly closed, away from sunlight and heat, and do not use it if it smells rancid or sharply sour. Pour out only what you need for one session rather than dipping fingers into the bottle, which keeps water and skin bacteria out of the oil.
When to see a doctor
- A joint that is badly swollen, red or hot to touch, especially with fever or chills.
- Pain after a fall, twist or injury, or a joint that has changed shape.
- You cannot put weight on the leg, or the knee locks, gives way or clicks painfully.
- Pain that wakes you at night or does not settle with rest.
- Joint pain with unexplained weight loss, rash, tiredness or pain in many joints at once.
- Back pain with numbness, weakness in the legs, or new bladder or bowel problems; treat this as an emergency.
- Any joint pain that has not improved after a few weeks of sensible self-care7.
The bottom line
Dhanwantaram Taila is a well-documented classical oil built around Bala root, the Dashamoola roots and sesame oil, with a long tradition of use for vata-type stiffness and postnatal massage. Its specific benefits are not proven by modern trials, but a gentle, regular massage routine alongside strengthening exercise is a reasonable, low-risk way to look after stiff joints. Anything persistent, swollen or painful after an injury deserves a doctor's assessment, and if low energy is part of the picture, our guide to everyday habits that drain energy is a useful next read.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dhanwantaram Thailam used for?
Dhanwantaram Thailam is traditionally used as an external massage oil for vata conditions, such as stiffness in the joints, back and limbs, and in oil massage for mothers after childbirth. These uses come from classical Ayurvedic texts rather than modern clinical trials, so it should be seen as a comfort and self-care oil, not a medical treatment.
What are the main ingredients of Dhanwantaram Taila?
The main ingredients are sesame oil, a large amount of Bala (Sida cordifolia) root decoction, the ten Dashamoola roots with barley, jujube and horse gram, and a paste of about thirty herbs including Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Devadaru and Manjishtha. Versions vary slightly between manufacturers, so check your bottle's label.
Can Dhanwantaram oil be used after delivery?
Dhanwantaram oil has a long tradition in postnatal oil massage in India, but you should check with your obstetrician before starting, especially after a caesarean section, stitches or any complication. Never apply oil to a wound or broken skin, and stop if your skin reacts. Ask your paediatrician separately before using any oil on a baby.
Can I drink or take Dhanwantaram Thailam internally?
No, not on your own. Some classical references describe internal or other specialised uses of Dhanvantara Taila, but only under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic doctor. A massage oil sold for external use should be applied to the skin only and kept out of the reach of children.
How long should I leave Dhanwantaram oil on the skin?
Leave Dhanwantaram oil on for about 20 to 30 minutes after massage, keep the area warm, then wash with warm water. Some people prefer a light evening application left overnight on a small area. Either is fine if your skin stays comfortable, but stop if you notice redness, itching or a rash.
Sources
- NCBS GRAYU database: Dhanvantara Taila (data from the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Ayurvedic Standard Treatment Guidelines) (accessed 2026)
- Frontiers in Pharmacology: GRAYU, a graph-based database integrating Ayurvedic formulations, medicinal plants, phytochemicals and diseases (2026)
- NCCIH (NIH): Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth (2019)
- PLoS One: Massage Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Dose-Finding Trial (2012)
- NCCIH (NIH): Massage Therapy: What You Need To Know (2019)
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee (2015)
- NHS: Knee pain (accessed 2026)
