Body Massage Oils

Mustard oil is pressed from mustard seeds and has a sharp, warming smell that fills the room. In Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it has been used for body massage for generations. Babies are traditionally given a daily oil massage before their bath, grandmothers rub it into sore knees on cold mornings, and it is massaged into dry skin, feet and hands through the winter. Many people also use it on the scalp, sometimes warmed with a few garlic cloves or fenugreek seeds.

The bottles on this shelf are all labelled for external use, and we list them as massage oils for that reason. They range from small bottles for occasional use to large containers for families who massage every day. Kachi ghani, or cold pressed, oils keep more of the strong mustard smell, which some people prefer for massage and others find too sharp. Mustard oil can be mixed with almond or coconut oil for a milder massage oil.

Warm the oil gently before use by standing the bottle in hot water. Mustard oil can irritate sensitive skin, so try a little on the inner arm first, keep it away from the eyes, and take extra care with babies and young children. If you want mustard oil for cooking, that is a different product found under mustard oil in the oils aisle. See also hair oils and the wider personal care and household department.