| Skin: Ayurveda describes the skin as one among the | | | | vitiation of humors like "VATA" , "PITTA" and |
| "PANCHANHANENDRIYAS". We feel with our skin. | | | | "KAPHA". Treatments such as "VAMANA" or emesis, |
| The skin is the most exposed part of our body and | | | | "VIRECHANA" or purgation are recommended. These |
| is hence the most affected area of our body. It is | | | | treatments help in detoxifying the body. |
| more prone to diseases since the dirt, grime, polluted | | | | The changes in lifestyle: The changes in the lifestyle |
| air and exhaust from the vehicles all gets | | | | and the use of chemicals affect the skin a lot. |
| accumulated here. Hence skin is to be given proper | | | | Extensive use of soaps, shampoos and the like |
| care. | | | | causes dryness. The skin of some people is |
| The things that affect the skin: | | | | extremely sensitive and bleaching and other beauty |
| Changes in weather: Often we have to go out. The | | | | therapies cause blemishes on the skin. We do not |
| summer takes the toll on the exposed part of the | | | | have the time to take care of the skin these days |
| skin and heat tends to darken the skin. Tan is often | | | | and hence the skin looks old very easily due to the |
| good. But overexposure to sun can cause even | | | | lack of proper care. Extensive use of makeups |
| small-scale burns and blackening. Hence the part that | | | | results in premature ageing. Our grandmothers knew |
| is more often exposed to sun becomes dark | | | | how to take good care of the skin with oils and |
| whereas that part of the skin, which remains under | | | | other natural herbs |
| the dress, retains the original color. People often | | | | Food: Use of fried food is on the increase now days. |
| complain about this change in color especially on the | | | | People have no time for a regular meal and they |
| face. Lot of sunscreen lotions is available in the | | | | often end up eating junk food from the roadside. |
| market and is prescribed for this problem. Winter | | | | Often children take these fries, which comes in |
| poses another problem- dryness of the skin. The skin | | | | packet for their snacks to school daily. The use of |
| becomes dry during the winter season, which often | | | | these may cause eruptions on the skin. To have a |
| leads to the ageing. The skin looks old due to the | | | | good skin one must include a lot of leafy vegetables, |
| dryness. Companies manufacture and market lot of | | | | fruits etc in their menu. |
| lotions specially made for this purpose. | | | | Tension: Stress and tension has become a part of |
| Atmospheric pollution: Since we are living in an era of | | | | our modern day life. Hypertension is the most |
| pollution, many diseases which were not heard of | | | | common disease. This leads to numerous ailments, |
| earlier are very common nowadays. As mentioned in | | | | which can also affect the skin. |
| the introduction, the exhaust fumes coming out from | | | | Remedies: Ayurveda recommends "ABHYANGA" or |
| the vehicles and dirt and grime affect the skin. The | | | | oil bath. Oil bath is the most effective medicine. It |
| skin loses its glow after some time. It is a very | | | | acts as a tonic for the skin. Massaging the body with |
| difficult task to preserve the glow and texture of | | | | oil and then washing it off with herbs like gram flour, |
| the skin. | | | | besan, rita, amla etc can work wonders on the skin. |
| Ailments: Various skin ailments are on the rise these | | | | This will help to have a glowing skin and also acts as |
| days. Of these the most common ones are | | | | a precaution for skin ailments. From childhood itself it |
| Luekoderma and Psoriasis. Both were very rare | | | | is recommended to use oil on the baby and have a |
| earlier but are quite common now days. In | | | | herbal wash. Including leafy vegetables is essential for |
| Luekoderma , the body is not able to produce a | | | | good skin. Drink lot of water and wash the face with |
| pigment called "MELANIN" which gives the skin its | | | | water as many times as possible. Fruits like pappaya, |
| characteristic colour and thus certain parts shows | | | | cucumber etc can be pulped and applied to get a |
| white patches which is prominently seen. It looks like | | | | glowing skin. Honey prevents ageing of the skin and |
| disfigurement in some cases especially when it is | | | | it also helps in easy healing of wounds. Turmeric is an |
| seen in the face. This has become common | | | | antiseptic and also enhances skin colour. Henna leaves |
| irrespective of the climatic conditions or the places | | | | pasted with a little turmeric and betel leaves were |
| we live in. Equally seen is Psoriasis. The number of | | | | used for applying mehendi on the hands and feet |
| patients suffering from these diseases is on the high. | | | | before. Apart from beautifying purpose, this also was |
| People suffering from psoriasis often develop allergy | | | | good for the skin. This paste when applied on the |
| like itching and blemishes on the skin. These are often | | | | feet helped to control fungus infection during rainy |
| seen as small spots, which gradually spread to other | | | | seasons. |
| parts of the body. Treatment would be more | | | | There are numerous remedies mentioned in |
| effective if started in the initial stages. These have | | | | Ayurveda for skin care but above all, a healthy mind |
| no effective cure in Modern Medicine other than | | | | is necessary for a healthy skin. |
| intake of steroids. Ayurveda relates these to the | | | | |