Author: Dr. Aseem Gautam

Pizhichil- Ayurvedic herbal oil bath

Posted on | by Dr. Aseem Gautam

🌿 Discover Herbal Oil Bath (Pizhichil): Ancient Ayurvedic Healing in New Plymouth 🌿

At AyuNature Wellness (ANW), we are proud to offer one of Ayurveda’s most luxurious and restorative treatments — the Herbal Oil Bath (Pizhichil), an ancient herbal oil therapy that deeply nourishes the body, calms the mind, and restores balance to the whole being.

Conveniently located in the heart of New Plymouth, our clinic provides a peaceful, professional, and personalised space for you to experience this authentic Ayurvedic healing.

What is Ayurvedic Herbal Oil Bath/Pizhichil?

Pizhichil (pronounced pee-zhih-chil or pee-ree-chil), meaning gentle squeezing, is a classical Ayurvedic treatment where warm, medicated herbal oils are gently poured over the body in a continuous, soothing, rhythmic flow. While this happens, a gentle, synchronised massage is performed to help you deeply relax and restore.

Traditionally known as the “treatment of kings”, this therapy combines the benefits of Swedana (heat therapy- to open channels and release toxins) and Snehana (oleation- to nourish tissues and joints deeply) to promote total relaxation and healing.

At AyuNature Wellness, we honour the traditional method while customising each session to suit your unique body constitution (dosha).

Benefits of Ayurvedic Oil Therapy/Pizhichil

This therapy is ideal if you are seeking to restore balance, vitality, or relief from ongoing discomfort. Benefits include:

🟢 Relief from Joint and Muscle Pain
Helps with arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and general stiffness.

🟢 Stress Reduction and Nervous System Support
 The warmth and rhythmic flow of oil calms the mind, easing anxiety and emotional tension

🟢 Improved Circulation and Detoxification
 Helps flush out toxins, boost energy and revitalise the body.

🟢 Skin Rejuvenation
Deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, supporting conditions such as eczema or dryness.

Backed by Modern Research

While Ayurveda is thousands of years old, modern science is also confirming its benefits.

Read this recent 2025 study published in the International Ayurvedic Medical Journal on 👉 Pizhichil, its mechanisms and benefits

 

Why Choose AyuNature Wellness?

  • Expert Care: Treatments are led by Dr Aseem Gautam, Ayurvedic doctor and registered natural health practitioner with over 15 years of experience. He was trained in India and brings genuine Ayurvedic expertise to New Zealand, blending ancient knowledge with modern wellness needs.

  • Authenticity: We use only high-quality, herbal oils, prepared as per classical Ayurvedic texts,

  • Personalisation: At AyuNature Wellness, you’re not just receiving a treatment — you’re experiencing care that is individualised, holistic, and rooted in tradition. Each session begins with understanding your health goals and body constitution.

  • Holistic Environment: A calming space, close to nature, designed for relaxation and healing.

What to Expect

  • A full-body therapy with warm herbal oils applied in a gentle, continuous stream.

  • Relaxation in a calm, nurturing space.

  • Post-treatment rest with warm herbal tea and tailored wellness advice.

👉 Session length: 30–60 minutes
👉 First-time visitors: Includes a brief health assessment for a customised experience.

Book Your Ayurvedic Herbal Oil Bath Today

Whether you’re looking for relief from a health condition or simply want to relax  & recharge, Pizhichil is a deeply transformative experience.

📍 Visit Us: 207 Frankley Road, New Plymouth 
 🌐 Book Online: www.anw.co.nz
 📞 Call: 0224145841
 📩 Email: info@anw.co.nz

📲 Follow Us   AyuNature Wellness  ayunature_wellness

Let the warmth of ancient Ayurvedic healing soothe your body and mind. Discover Pizhichil at AyuNature Wellness – where tradition meets modern natural care in the heart of Taranaki.

To do Neti or not

Posted on | by Dr. Aseem Gautam

Neti or nasal irrigation is an ancient ayurvedic and yogic practice of cleaning the nose with water. This is an important part of the Ayurvedic healthy lifestyle routine.

What is Neti?

Neti is a nasal cleansing technique. This is performed to clear the nasal passages. There are two types of neti, Jala neti/water neti and Sutra neti/thread neti. A neti pot is used to perform water neti. Thread neti is performed using a soft rubber catheter or a rolled cotton string that’s been dipped in melted beeswax.

Neti

What is a neti pot?

Neti pot is a medium to perform nasal irrigations or jala neti. It can be made from plastic, ceramic, stainless steel or copper. It looks like a teapot but has a longer spout.

As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I love to use copper neti pots. This has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. Copper is an antimicrobial metal and people used to store water in copper vessels overnight in ancient days to enhance their well being. This is known as ‘Tamara jal’  in Ayurvedic medicine. This is also the reason why copper water bottles and jugs are getting popular these days. However, other materials pots are also widely available these days.

 Copper neti pots are available at AyuNature Wellness at a very affordable price. Contact the clinic if you are interested to purchase one.

Why to do neti?

Nasal rinse or jala neti is an effective method to help with a variety of symptoms such as nasal congestion, post nasal drip, runny nose or facial pain/pressure. This has been a practice since thousands of years. More recently, the clinical benefits of doing saline rinses/neti have been recognized. Studies conducted on nasal rinses such as Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions and A review on the therapeutic effects of Neti have found Neti an effective adjunctive care for upper respiratory tract concerns.

When we breathe, we take in allergens, pollution or many forms of irritants. This can lead to increased mucus production leading to nasal or sinus congestion and/or infections. By performing nasal rinses, one can

  • prevent this accumulation
  • flush out mucus and other particles which helps to thin out mucus
  • open up nasal passages
  • reducing inflammation of the nasal mucus membranes
  • maintain healthy nasal and sinus lining
  • helps in the prevention of nasal dryness
  • support a healthy upper respiratory system 

 

Important Tips for Neti

  • Always wash your hands and neti pot thoroughly before using.
  • After use ensure to completely dry your neti pot.
  • You can use non-iodised salt to help with stinging if it occurs.
  • Make sure the salt is completely dissolved in water.
  • If you are new to it, limit your time to 2-3 minutes a day on each nostril.
  • Visit your doctor if you are having discoloured mucus or any associated concerns.

 

Dr Aseem Gautam

AyuNature Wellness

WELLNESS TIPS

AYURVEDIC WINTER WELLNESS TIPS

Posted on | by Dr. Aseem Gautam | Leave a Comment on AYURVEDIC WINTER WELLNESS TIPS
Ayurveda is based on the concept of five fundamental elements: sky, air, fire, water, and earth. These five elements are further condensed into three basic metabolic forces in the human body called doshas – vata, pitta and kapha. These forces or doshas are the basis of Ayurvedic diagnosis and therapeutics.
The winter season is dominated by dosha kapha which is made up of earth and water elements so kapha is heavy, wet and cold. This is the reason people feel sluggish, slow and may get mucus diseases in winter. Ayurveda recommends to warm up, be active, dry out the respiratory tracts and strength the immunity in this season.
The changes for the better adaptation to the season can be incorporated in both food and lifestyle. Food choices should be warm, dry, light and easy to digest. Cold, oily and heavy foods should be avoided because excess kapha (cold weather + cold food) causes cold, slow, wet and heavy conditions such as chest congestion or increased tendency towards obesity. It is beneficial to eat warm foods and to use mild warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves and garlic. Warm winter teas such as ginger root, cinnamon, cardamom, clove and black pepper can also be taken.
Tastes to balance kapha include pungent, bitter and astringent. Foods with pungent taste like ginger, radish can be eaten to keep warm. Bitter taste like leafy greens and astringent taste like apple or pomegranate is great to maintain body’s detoxification during this sedentary season. The strategy with food intake according to kapha dosha would be to eat less total food, low fat, low calorie, less frequency, largest meal midday. Cooked beans with warming spices is an excellent dish to use in winters.
Massage with warm, moistening oils such as sesame, olive or mustard oils is also recommended in winter because these oils help to reduce kapha. As kapha is cold and slow so people should be warm and active in winter to balance this dosha.