The use of vegetable oils, herbalised oils and essential oils has been a rich Indian tradition for centuries.

Ayurvedic physicians have developed hundreds of useful formulations which have been demonstrated to help both common ailments and chronic conditions, including arthritis, rheumatism, sinusitis, headaches, migraines, insomnia and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

Neem is one Indian herbal oil becoming quite popular in the West. Neem (azadirachta indica) is a remarkable tree commonly found growing freely in most parts of India. All its parts, including leaves, seed, bark and roots, contain various natural chemicals which have been proven to kill fungal infection and parasites and heal dry and inflamed skin.

Use neem oil in coconut oil as a head massage two or three times a week, leaving it on overnight, to prevent hair loss, cool your head, relieve tension and help you sleep.

Asmita has combined essential oils of lavender and rose geranium in her Ayuneem oil as a relaxant.

You can use pure neem oil in sesame seed oil for treatment of chronic eczema or psoriasis. Harmless, natural and free from steroids, it is very effective in clearing the dry, itchy patches. Continue to use it to prevent recurrence.

Neem oil can also be used for cracked feet though to treat athlete's foot, you need the stronger, pure neem oil.

Taking neem extract orally with curcumin and manjishtha bark extract helps to clear acne, eczema and psoriasis.

The treatment, which is free from side-effects, should be taken for three to six months.

Another common oil I use is mahanarayan oil (rheumaease oil). Massage daily into the neck, knee joints and lower back before having a bath or shower to prevent problems of rheumatism.

Many patients with swollen or stiff knee joints find that rubbing the oil into their knee joints for five or ten minutes, two or three times a day, takes away the swelling and stiffness quickly without the need for anti-inflammatory tablets.

Taking a guggul preparation such as trifala guggul or boswellia orally helps relieve the pain and stiffness of arthritis. However, if you suffer from severe arthritis, torn cartilage or ligament tear, you may need to consult a specialist.

Another herbal oil useful in the cold season to treat colds, nasal congestion, headaches and earaches is shadbindu oil.

Two or three drops of this in the nasal passages followed by a steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil clears the head, nose and sinuses. It is not suitable for children under the age of five.

For children aged five to 12, add three drops of shadbindu oil and one or two drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water in a vaporizer or sink for steam inhalation. Doing this before going to bed stops the post-nasal drip which wakes you up with a cough in the night.

Dr Milind Jani works as a conventional and holistic GP and Dr Asmita Jani as Ayurvedic Consultant from 3 Eaton Gardens, Hove.

Call them on: 01273 777448 or email: milind.jani@ntlworld.com