chala kala webshop · handcrafted botanical oils & teas

Within Ayurveda, daily oiling of the body is an important ritual to support health and vitality. It is a simple yet powerful way to care for yourself.

Applying oil to the body works on multiple levels: it nourishes and hydrates the skin, lubricates the joints and subtle channels, and—perhaps most importantly in our time—it soothes the nervous system, for example during stress or overstimulation.

Botanical body oils carry the medicinal qualities of plants. Through the skin, these properties are absorbed. The touch involved in oiling stimulates circulation and absorption. Positive touch not only conveys a message of love, it also influences neurochemistry, which is why you feel better after oiling. The Sanskrit word for oil, snehana, also means “love.”

You can apply botanical oils in various ways: locally for small discomforts, or over the whole body during a (self)massage.

I am happy to bring this tradition closer to you with a small selection of handmade botanical oils. The technique I use allows the plant properties to be absorbed as fully as possible into the oil, resulting in a potent and effective botanical remedy. All ingredients are organic, responsibly produced, and regional where possible. Each oil contains only three components: plants, oil, and a minimal amount of alcohol as a processing aid and preservative.