A Guide to Marma Points for Radiant Skin : Unlocking Facial Energy

Why Marma massage is given so much importance?

In Ayurveda, marma massage is considered important as it helps to target the specific energy points of our body called as marma points. These points are the places where the prana (vital energy) is in concentrated form.

Some reasons which justify its importance:

• These points are at the sites which are highly rich in the blood supply as well as the nerve supply.
•  It is connected to the nadis of our body hence, due to the stimulation of marma points the blockages can be removed and energy flow is maintained which promotes vitality.
• It releases the stored toxins of our body.
• It can reduce pain, stress, tension in the muscles, etc.
• It gives clarity in brain and makes the person emotionally balanced.
• It has therapeutic effect which works locally on the point of stimulation as well as the organ or body part which is connected to it due to the nervous system of our body.
• It gives mental stability, emotional stability.
• This provides your skin the touch of youthfulness along with firmness and skin tightening.
• This was an ancient and time-tested method by Acharya Sushruta who has beautifully explained about various 107 Marma points in our body.

What are the key marma points needed to be taken care of during facial massage?

Shankha marma – The location of this marma point is exactly at the temple region in our face. It is the specific area where the 4 skull bones intersect (frontal bone, parietal bone, temporal bone and sphenoid bone).

Massaging this marma point is beneficial for the face. You can prefer any Pitta pacifying oil for this point like Sandalwood oil. This may prevent the Pitta associated diseases like ance, rosacea or redness of face as this marma point’s bhautika guna is Agneya.

Apanga marma – The location of this marma point is on the lateral side of the outer canthus of eyes and where the eyebrows end; it is present near and above the zygomatic arch.

Massaging this marma point is helpful in reducing the puffiness of lower eyelids as it stimulates renal functions. The bhautika guna of this marma is Soumya.

Antara, Madhya and Bahya Vartma – These three marmas are located below the eyes and in the infraorbital ridge. All three start from inner canthus of the eyes to the slightly medial region of outer canthus of the eyes and can be massaged all together in a semi-circular motion.

Massaging these points can reduce the swelling of eyes, dry eyes and puffiness of eyelids as this too stimulates the renal function. This can also help with the excessive tear production.

Kapola nasa –The location of this marma point is lateral to the area, where your nostril ends on each side. As the name suggest, Kapola (cheek) and Nasa (nose); It is the point between the cheek and nose.

Massaging this point benefits the face as it is very beneficial in facial paralysis.

Kapola Madhya marma- As the name suggest, middle of the cheek (Kapola=cheek; Madhya=middle). The location of this marma point can be felt on the cheeks like a depression when the teeth are tightly packed.

Massaging these points benefits the face and can improve the colour complexion; it can beneficial in facial paralysis.

Ostha marma -The location of this marma point is between the nose and the upper lip. It is closer to the nose.

Massaging these points can help in improving the colour complexion and good in facial paralysis.

Hanu marma - The location of this marma point is at the midpoint of labiomental angle.

Massaging these points can help in improving the colour complexion of the skin and tones the face muscles.

Chibuka marma-

The location of this marma point is laterally at the angle of mouth; on both sides.

Massaging these points can improve colour complexion of the face, reduce facial pain and can help in facial muscle paralysis.

Manyamula marma - The location of this marma point is four angula above the base of the head. Massaging this point can help in enhancing lymph circulation which will be good for the immunity, reduces swelling and pain etc.

Mantha marma- The location of this marma point could be found two angula below the ear lobes.

Massaging this point is beneficial to get rid of the congestion present in the lymphatic drainage and corrects the cervical lymph circulation.

Siramantha marma - The location of this marma point is below the Mantha marma.

Massaging this point is good for cervical lymph system.

Karnapala or Karna Urdhva marma- The location of this marma point is at the ear apex.

Massaging this point is helps with neck and facial pain.

Karnamula marma- The location of this marma point is near the ear lobes.

Massaging this point is beneficial for nerves of face and it helps with facial paralysis conditions.

How you should do the marma massage? 

• Clean your face properly using a good quality face wash.
• Then, dry your face by lightly patting it on the face using a soft towel.
• Massage gently on the face using a good quality face oil/ Ghee/ Adhyay's shata dhauta ghrita.
• While massaging take time to press gently these specific marma points.
• You can either gently press or do rhythmic massage in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
• You can use specific tools for massaging too, according to your requirements like gua sha stones, thai massaging wooden tools, kansa vatki.
• Later, you can wash your face using lukewarm water.

References:

• Sushruta Samhita
• Vd. Vasant Lad, Anisha Durve (2008,2015), Marma points of Ayurveda (The Ayurvedic Press).
• Dr Sunil Kumar Joshi (2023), Marma Chikitsa Vigyan (Vani publications).