Women and Ayurveda:  Beauty Care

In Ayurveda, beauty care was never seen as distinct from health care. Hair care, by way of natural oil massages, natural shampoos and drying of hair using herbal fumes was a part of the daily routine for a woman following ayurvedic practices.  The usage of oil massages, herbal remedies, and natural packs for the maintenance of good skin was widely popular in the Ayurvedic way of living.

Skin Care:

Skin care is vital to preserving beauty and health.  By taking care of our skin we are inherently taking care of the largest sense organ in the body     In Ayurveda, the skin is ruled by Vata and Pitta elements which is responsible for the sensitivity and complexion of the skin.

It is recommended to do oil massage ,Abhyanga, prior to bathing as a daily regimen which  removes the dead tissue of the skin and improves the blood circulation and thereby enhances the vitality of the skin. 

In addition application of herbal packs constituting of herbs such as turmeric, sandalwood, vetti vera aloe vera and haritaki also nourishes the skin. These herbs also act as natural antibiotics, sunscreens and deodorants.

Hair Care:

Hairloss, graying, dandruff, dry and oily hair are common complaints one come across.   Hair is considered as Upardhatu or “the byproduct” of the metabolism of bone tissue.  Therefore health of the hair depends on the metabolism of the body and therefore if we have a healthy metabolism then the condition of the hair is also good.

In treating hair with effective herbs we can use Bringaraja or Eclipta Alba, Chandan, Triphala, Yashtimadhu, Jatamansi.  Triphala which act to remove infection of the scalp whereas  Bringaraja promotes hair growth.

Therapies such as Abhyanga for the head known as ShiroAbhyanga is advised to increase the blood circulation of the scalp which in turn rejuvenates the hair cells and also rejuventates all the sense organs.  Shira or the ”Head” is considered to be the seat of all the sense organs.  Wearing of flowers is a very common feature in India and other countries also as it enhances the beauty of the hair

Cosmetics and Jewellery:

In India, Kajal or eyeliner which is prepared of herbs, helps in improving the sight, warding off  infections and highlighting the beauty of eye.  Similarly the usage of jewelery which is worn in the ears, nose and neck, bangles, anklets, earrings are meant to highlight the natural curvatures of the body and incidentally stimulate the marma points which are the main points or the seat of prana energy or the vital energy of the body.  Usually the jewellery is made up of gold and silver as these metals have a lot of medicinal properties.

Bindi’s which are placed between the eyebrows  are also commonly worn in India to beautify the face but also to highlight the marma point, “stapani”,  and acknowledge the third eye or ”agna chakra”.  In Ayurveda Chandan, Turmeric and Kum Kum are used as bindis which all have medicinal value.

Beauty Care is essential in not only making us look better on the outside, but more importantly heals the mind and body……… allowing the beauty to shine from within!