Ayurveda and Beauty: What You Need to Know

Ayurveda is the science of ancient healing, a pillar of beauty that has been inspired by the rituals and ancient systems of natural healing. It originated in India around 5000 BCE, and continues to hold significance and relevance to this date. Ayurveda focus on three types of beauty – roopam that is the outer element, gunam which defines the inner beauty, and vayas tyaga that emphasizes on the everlasting union of body and spirit. The philosophy behind Ayurveda is the naturopathic system of healthcare, that engenders an equilibrium between human body and the environment.

Ayurveda is arguably the key to achieving flawless, radiant and younger skin. It is a far more suitable option than the artificial or chemical substances that ruin the texture and natural glow of the skin. Ayurveda suggests that excess accumulation of Vata in the skin makes it rough and dry, resulting in cracks or brittleness. Some Ayurvedic tips can help resuscitate the natural flawlessness of skin.

Recommended Read: 10 Natural Oils for Healthy Skin

Body Care:

Including vegetables in your diet is a significant part of Ayurveda. These must necessarily include lettuce, carrot, cucumber, radish, fennel, asparagus, etc. They are revered by Ayurveda for their stupendous healing effects.
Supplementing one’s diet with seeds and nuts is strongly recommended in Ayurveda as it contains healthy fats such as Omega-3s. Adding almonds, flax seeds, and other nuts lead to skin rejuvenation.
Herbal teas that include fresh lemon and ginger are preferable as it keeps the skin hydrated and digestion healthy.
An improved blood circulation and healthy blush demands exercises. This pump up regime doesn’t exhaust energy, rather enlivens the body and helps sweat out the toxins. Meditation, however, remains an indispensable health and fitness requirement.

Skin Care:
The Vata skin type is dry and delicate, vulnerable to weather conditions when it tends to get flaky. It needs skin care products that contain essential oils and help maintain the pH balance of the skin.

Recommended Read: How to Beat Dry Skin

The Pitta skin type is defined by fair, sensitive and soft skin which easily develops freckles and moles. It requires protection from rashes and acne – hence keeping it away from the sun and using products that are sun-protective are essential.

The third type of skin is Kapha which is more thick, oily, and resistant to harmful sun rays. It suffers comparatively less from ageing but has other associated problems like blackheads, enlarged pores, eczema, and dull complexion. The remedy lies in natural exfoliating scrubs that eliminate toxins from the skin.

Some herbal Ayurvedic products which must be used are:

Sandalwood: It has germicidal properties, and balances the moisture and oil content of the skin by forming an invisible protective film on the surface of the skin.
Saffron oil: A natural boon against acne and pimples. It beautifies the skin and makes it fairer. Other than that, ‘Majith’ also has the same purifying effects.
Turmeric: With magical healing properties, turmeric acts as an antiseptic against skin ailments and gives a glowing effect.
Buchanania lanzan/Charoli: It provides nutrition to the cells of the skin, that soften it and provide elasticity.
Saffron: It is an amazing element for reduction of blemishes and acting against acne or pimples. It also accentuates fairness.
Aloe vera: Be it chapped skin, itchiness, or small infections, nothing is comparable to aloe vera. Its nourishing properties moisturize the skin and make it younger. Gajar beej also does the same.
Quince seeds: The secret of looking younger.
Holy Basil: A natural and ubiquitously found antiseptic and astringent.

Hair Care:
Here are some Ayurvedic tips for hair care.

Normal hair texture needs sporadic hair wash and doesn’t get dried too frequently. It needs shampoos that contain tulsi or henna.
Dry hair is due to deficiency of requisite proteins and vitamins. It is less elastic and prone to damage. It requires an almond oil or warm olive oil massage.
Oily hair tends to appear dark or coarse, due to excess of fat or starch. The ideal shampoo for this type of hair is one that contains Indian Gooseberry, Acacia concinna/shikakai, and Indian pennywort/Brahmi. The hair conditioner must be oil-free, and the regular oil must be rosemary or coconut.

Ayurvedic treasures for hair care include:

Convolvulus Pluricaulis/Shankh Pushpi and Indian pennywort/Brahmi: These are nerve tonics and relieve mental stress, stimulating hair growth.
Fenugreek and Soapnut/Aritha: They act against hair fall, and encourage healthy hair growth. They also deter dandruff, making hair silky.
Sandalwood oil: It has a cooling effect on the skin and is anti-fungal and antiseptic.
Indian Gooseberry: A perfect recipe for hair growth and pigmentation that contains Vitamin C.
Acacia concinna/Shikakai: A natural astringent that clears the dirt on the scalp and strengthens roots of the hair.

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