Our facial
skin needs constant care as flawless glowing skin is a crucial component of our
charm and more importantly, it can boost our self-confidence. Ayurveda, the
holistic healing science, offers scores of solutions for all skin types.
Ayurveda’s
concept of beauty is founded on a holistic approach. Only when the body and the
mind remain healthy does one’s Ojus (vitality) emanate the force needed
to keep the inner as well as the outer selves radiant.
According
to Ayurveda, the skin has seven layers that are derived from raktha dhathu
(blood) – avabhasini, lohitha, swetha, thamra, vedini, rohini and mamsadhara.
It elaborates the diseases that can affect each of these layers and the
treatment procedures. The humour (dosha) predominant in skin is Pitha,
specifically bhrajaka pitha. Aggravation of doshas can cause skin
problems – Vata dosha can cause cracks on the skin, and pimples/acne may
erupt due to Kapha dosha.
Acharya
Sarngadhara talks about varnya lepam, a paste for improving skin
complexion. Applying mukha lepa (face pack) is one of the best ways to
moisturize and nourish the skin. The combinations of the ingredients vary
depending on the skin condition.
The
ingredients in face pack can detoxify and supply micro-elements that help in
removing wrinkles and softening the skin. They penetrate deep, cleanse the skin
and remove dead cells.
Lepa should be applied with gentle upward strokes to make its action quick
and more effectively. Its thickness should be one angulam (approximately
the thickness of the person’s thumb). It enters the body through roma koopam
(hair roots) and gets absorbed through swedovaha srothas (sweat pores).
Oil or ghee should be added to the pastes in ¼, 1/6, and 1/8 parts for Vata,
Pitha and Kapha respectively.
Treatments
like abhyanga (oil massage) and udwarthana (powder massage) are
highly effective against premature ageing and help in improving complexion.
Tips
n A spoonful of lime juice with half teaspoon of honey and a few
drops of milk is good for oily skin.
n Apply one teaspoon turmeric powder mixed with sandal powder,
gram flour and honey one hour before bath for keeping the face fresh and soft.
n For pigmentation and acne, use powders of Red Sandal, Rubia
Cordifolia, Symplocus Cochinchinensis, Sassurea lappa and Callicarpa
macrophylla.
n A paste made of Shashtika Sali (a variety of rice harvested in
60 days) cooked in cow’s milk, sandal powder, badam paste, turmeric and a
little of Mentha arvensils acts as a good rejuvenator.
n A face pack is effective only until it is moist. Hence wash off
once it gets dry. Otherwise it will harm the skin.
Herbs for good complexion and reducing black marks
Sanskrit
Name
Botanical Name
Sthoola
elam
Amomum sabulatum
Kushtam
Sassura
lappa
Jadamamsi
Nardostachys
jadamansi
Thwak
Cinnamomum tamala
Jathiphalam
Myristica fragrans
Naaga
Messua nagassarium
Devadaaram
Cedrus deodara
Sookshma
elam
Elettaria cardamomum
Priyangu
Callicarpa macrophylla
Hreeveram
Coleus vativeroides
Shati
Kaempferia galangal
Punnagam
Calophyllum inophyllum
Vyaakhranakha
Ipomoea pes-tigridis
Kumkumam
Crocus sativus
FOR OILY SKIN
Chandanam
Santalum
album
Lodhram
Symplocus
Cochinchinensis
Vacha
Acorus
calamus
Rakthachandanam Pterocarpus
santalinus
Dhanyakam
Coreandrum sativum
Manjishta
Rubia cordifola
(Powders of all these or a few are to be made into a paste with cucumber
juice or orange juice)
FOR DRY SKIN
Devadaaram
Cedrus deodara
Chandanam
Santalum album
Laksha
Lac
Agaru
Aquilleria agalocha
Usheram
Vetiveria zizanoides
(Powders of all these or a few should be made into a paste with aloe
vera juice or egg white)
(The author is Dr Rakhi S J, Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Centre, Kalady)
