Hmmm... a packet from India! What’s inside? After peeling 7 layers of duct tape from around the lid, I finally cracked open a fresh bottle of Kayatreemaini - the Green Oil - and had to smile. The rich, layered scent brought me, as always, straight back to Kerala, and into the sacred treatment room of coconut thatch walls and to the start of another healing therapy session.

Then I unwrapped a few kilos of dark, earthy powder. Last year I learned to make Red Oil in Kerala, and am delighted to hold in my hands the ingredients I need, freshly made in Dr. Reghu’s pharmacy with 29 herbs and minerals like copper oxide and camphor.

Mukuta - the Red Oil - is used for Siddha Massage, the rhythmic, cell-charging, incredibly thorough technique which stimulates every muscle fiber from every direction.

Cooked in a base of sesame, castor and coconut oils, it takes over an hour to complete the processing, and a lot longer to cool before bottling. It’s simple to make, the main challenge controlling the froth that bubbles up as the mixture makes its magic. The scent of Red Oil is clarifying to the mind. It is very detoxifying, especially when application is followed by a body steam treatment.