Have you ever heard of the word Ayurveda? If not, come on this journey of discovery into the world of Ayurveda and its connection to beauty and beauty treatments!
What Is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda refers to the world’s oldest healing system. It is an ancient healing science which covers all the different aspects of life such as health or beauty. It was given various names by scholars such as, “The Science of Life” or “The Mother of all Healing”.
The origins of Ayurveda can be traced back more than 5000 years ago in India to the Vedic Culture. It is based on the concept that an individual’s health and beauty depends on an effective equilibrium between the three states of an individual; namely, the mind, body and spirit.
In India, beauty is regarded as God’s blessing and a form of purity. A common belief of Ayurveda is that beauty is not only surface-level but what comes from within also matters.
The Five Lines of Treatments
If you want to look and feel beautiful, follow the five basic principles of treatment in Ayurveda.
Herbs and Herbal Remedies
An ancient Ayurvedic book, called the “Sushruta Samhita” is made up of a list of Ayurvedic herbs, procedures and recipes to maintain one’s beauty.
According to Ayurveda, turmeric plays a significant role in keeping and maintaining beautiful skin. Turmeric supplements have been scientifically proven to have several health benefits and to combat against depression. If all pregnant women consume turmeric during the pregnancy stages, they will give birth to children with a pretty skin.
Furthermore, if you have a problem with acne, then neem is the solution. Used for blood purifying and supporting the immune system, this traditional natural herb contains antioxidants that can reduce dark spot, acne and blemishes on the skin. It can also make your skin look soft and glowing.
For instance, did you know that even people who suffer from skin diseases use neem soap?
Food and Diet
One of the basic principles of Ayurveda is to follow a specific diet based on your body type, such as ‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha’. These three body types shall be further discussed in part two of this series.
The diet recommended by the Ayurveda principles constitutes eating or avoiding certain types of food. It also involves fasting once a week, where one can consume only water, fruits or vegetable juices.
Secondly, a balanced diet is an essential factor for the maintenance of the body. The ancient science considers a routine for food intake an essential element of beauty treatment.
Furthermore, almonds are considered very beneficial as they are full of Prana and Sattwa, which are regarded as universal elements of divine energy. Almonds help with the digestion and metabolism process and are also considered as an essential recipe for anti-ageing. As a result, it is required to eat at least three skinned and soaked almonds per day.
Ayurvedic Massage and Bodywork
Here, the emphasis is put on body massage as it is as nourishing as the food itself!
Firstly, you should use either an Ayurvedic oil that suits your skin type such as ‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha’ or sesame oil. The massage should be concentrated on Marma points, which refer to specific parts of the body where there are high concentrations of life energy. Once the blocked energy is released and starts flowing smoothly, you will immediately feel revitalised and young.
Self-massage is also encouraged as it can make an individual look younger and rejuvenated.
However, one thing that you should always remember: a whole-body massage cannot be less than 15 minutes!
After a massage, it is vital to take a warm bath to wash off all the dirt and toxins. Facial steams and Ayurvedic face masks are also required after a massage.
Yoga and Breathing Exercise
It is noted that any exercise can stimulate blood circulation in the body and bring fresh oxygenated blood to the skin and face. Breathing exercises like belly breathing, nostril breathing or bee breath exercises are essential for both health and beauty
In Sanskrit, yoga refers to ‘life knowledge’. It is an ancient and traditional system of health which is based on the principle of uniting the mind, body and spirit. For instance, the lion pose enhances blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the neck and face and prevents face wrinkles. With the dog pose, you can stretch the muscles of the whole body and forward bends make the digestive system healthier and more robust.
Meditation is another healing practice which helps to balance a person’s mind and ensures inner peace and calmness. It is also true that people who meditate regularly look younger and have more attractive skin than those who do not.
Daily Lifestyle and Routine
Once again, it is essential first to find out your body type and then adopt a specific lifestyle!
An example of a healthy lifestyle includes starting the morning by washing your mouth with warm sesame oil and keeping it in your mouth for nearly two minutes. This will remove any impurities found in the digestive system and fortify it. It can also strengthen the gums and teeth and give a fresh touch to your face.
Another proper Ayurvedic lifestyle also consists of keeping and maintaining an appropriate schedule of activities.
What do you think of the five principles of Ayurvedic Treatment? Please share your comments! And, don’t forget to check back for part 2, where we will dive deeper into the Ayurvedic World.
