Ayurveda describes winter season as one of the times in the year, where the body has good strength and immunity.
You are familiar with the concept that everything in life including our bodies, the food and the environment around us is formed of the “Tridoshas”: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These qualities, or principles of nature, each have their fundamental features. Vata, the principle of movement, is the ruling dosha for the late fall and winter seasons. These periods are marked by the same qualities that characterize Vata: coldness, dryness, lightness, and movement.
11 Ayurvedic Tips for Glowing Skin in This Winter Season
1. Avoid excessively hot water for bathing instead use warm water.
2. Pamper your skin with a soothing oil massage before bath. It not only keeps skin smooth and healthy but also gives immense relaxation.
Make sure you leave the oil for at least for the 30mins before bathing. Use oils such as Coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil or almond oil.
3. Milk and milk products, wheat, meat and poultry, eggs, soups, herbal tea, coconut, walnuts, soaked almonds, pistachios all types of seeds which contain natural oil.
Increased use of jaggery in the diet helps to balance vata. Preparations like ladoos of fenugreek seeds, edible gum, dry dates, cashews in ghee prove healthy during winter.
4. Daily Water intake should also be increased. Juicy fruits and vegetables like carrot, lemon, cucumber, etc. which has high water content should be consumed.
5. Exercise increases the blood circulation and thus reduces vitiated Vata, and thereby improves digestion and ultimately leaves your skin soft.
6. Avoid harsh soaps, Use soaps with the high content of natural oils and glycerin which are soft for the skin. You can also use gram flour with milk or rose water.
7. A mixture of lime juice and glycerine can be stored in a clean and airtight bottle, apply this mixture daily and leave it on for at least an hour.
8. Anuvasan Basti is one of the Panchakarma which serves as excellent internal and external oleation. Abhyanga and Sweden not only smoothens the skin but also relaxes the entire body.
9. Facial pack with herbs like Shatavari, Yashtimadhu, Rose petals, Anantamool, Nagarmotha, Amla, Aloe-Vera in milk or cream leaves a great moisturising effect. You can apply this pack once or twice a week.
10. Herbs like Amla, Aloe, Shunthi, Manjishtha, Anantamool, Triphala, Chandan, Shatavari, Ashwagandha, have gentle detoxifying properties and also helps to maintain perfect moisturising balance.
11. Amla murabba, Chyawanprash serves additional benefits when consumed in winter. Amla keeps you fit and replenishes your body not only in winter but always.
Some Additional Tips: Massage and Bath
1. Hot water usage
To counter the effect of winter, we recommended hot water for drinking and warm water bath.
2. Oil Massage
Oil massage is highly recommended. During winter body ache worsens (Cold weather- vata and pain increase). So, oil Massage helps to relax muscles and relieve aches and pains. It reduces dry skin, improves blood circulation
3. Palm Massage
It helps to keep good blood circulation to hands and legs. Once in a week, it is best to undergo just dry Palm massage.
4. Head Oil Massage
Oil massage of the head is needed on a regular basis to avoid dry scalp, dandruff, hair fall, headaches, worsening of a migraine etc., which are quite common during winter. After the massage, the oil is washed off with astringent powders and bathing.
Follow these simple tips, stay healthy and gift yourself
with soft glowing skin in this winter season.