The word “Janu” signifies the knee, and vasti means “a compartment that holds”. The knee is bathed in healing medicated oils over a period of time to reduce inflammation, nourish the joints and release pain and injury trauma.
As an important weight-bearing joint, the knees are prone to a number of disorders. In this therapy, warm, medicated, Dosha-specific oil is kept in contact with the skin for a particular amount of time, using a well made of dough walls. As the oil cools it is replaced with warm oil to maintain a uniform temperature. Following this, the excess oil is drained off and a light massage is given to the knee and surrounding areas.