Ayurvedic Secrets and Tips For A
Radiant Skin
Ayurveda believes in the inside out skin care approach. As
per Ayurveda the quality of touch we
affects our nervous system; it can stimulate, disturb, or calm the airy
vata dosha. The skin, the body?s largest organ and when one is healthy from
inside the same radiates in the skin. Radiant skin generally indicates vigorous
circulation, good digestion, and strong capacity to detoxify. Despite the fact
that as per Ayurveda every
individual?s constitution determines
their skin?s specific needs, the following tips applies to all.
1. Daily Self – Massage
Ayurveda endorses self-massage to nourish the skin. Daily massage improves
circulation, immune system, and removes impurities from the skin. Best oils are organic unrefined sesame or
almond oil.
2. Drink Hot Water
with Lemon
Start the day with a cup of hot water with lemon to increase digestion and elimination, which
provides healthy and radiant skin.
3. Add-on Turmeric
An important spice in Indian dishes and a vital element in
ayurvedic treatment?turmeric has a magical effect on clearing the skin. Add it
to your food or favorite recipes?a pinch of black pepper along with the
turmeric helps enhance its effect?or take two tablets before meals.
4. Read Between the
Lines
Choose skin care products carefully; buy those that contain
only a few ingredients and know what each ingredient does.
Ayurvedic Secrets to
Radiant Skin
Ayurveda?s approach to skincare happens from the inside out. Try these
tips to nourish your skin naturally.
When we think of our skin?other than how it looks?most of us think of
it as the way in which we experience touch. From the ayurvedic perspective, the
quality of touch we receive affects our nervous system; it can excite, disturb,
or calm the airy vata dosha, which governs our nervous system and becomes
rattled when we are under stress. The skin, the body?s largest organ, also acts
as a protective barrier and an early warning system to the body. Its tiny hairs
increase our sensitivity to physical sensations, such as heat, cold, and pain,
and alert us to emotional pain as well. We talk about having a ?thick? or a
?thin? skin, and we feel our skin ?crawl? when we are frightened or
uncomfortable.
From an ayurvedic perspective, the quality of touch we receive affects
our nervous system; it can excite, disturb, or calm the airy vata dosha.
Even though the skin can be viewed as our outer shell, it is linked to
and reflects the inner workings of our body. In other words, we can tell how
healthy a person is by looking at her skin. Radiant skin usually indicates
hearty circulation, good digestion, and a strong ability to detoxify (which can
sometimes occur through the skin). Although in ayurveda our constitution (our
unique combination of vata, pitta, and kapha dosha) determines our skin?s
specific needs, the following advice applies to us all.
1. Give Yourself a Daily Massage
Ayurveda recommends
self-massage both to nourish the skin and to calm the body as a whole. Daily
massage can increase circulation, strengthen the immune system, and remove
impurities from the skin. Soothing oils massaged into the skin provide a
protective barrier that leaves us less vulnerable to being thrown off-kilter by
the overstimulation of everyday life. Choose organic unrefined sesame or almond
oil.
2. Drink Hot Water with Lemon
Start the day with a
cup of hot water with lemon (or lime, which is more cooling) to improve
digestion and elimination, which in turn support clear, healthy, radiant skin.
3. Supplement with Turmeric
A signature spice in
Indian dishes?and an important element in ayurvedic medicine?turmeric has a
powerful, almost magical effect on clearing the skin. Traditional ayurveda and
modern research both agree this culinary root herb (related to ginger) has
potent anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial effects; it also
strengthens and supports liver function. Add it to your food or favorite
recipes?a pinch of black pepper along with the turmeric helps enhance its
effect?or take two tablets before meals.
4. Read Between the Lines
The skin is the
largest organ of absorption, which means that what we put on our skin can
affect the rest of the body. So choose your skin care products carefully; look
for those that contain only a few ingredients and learn what each ingredient
does. Unfortunately, the label doesn?t tell the whole story. Cosmetic companies
don?t have to list everything they put in their products and can hide harmful
chemicals under the term ?fragrance.? Look for the words ?paraben-free,?
?phthalate-free? or ?made with 100% pure essential oils.? When in doubt, go to
safecosmetics.org for a list of healthy (and not-so-healthy) products.
Published on: May 13th 2013
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