Reenita's Wisdom

How many times have you heard the cliché “You are what you eat”? I think that when it comes to staying healthy, most clichés originated from Ayurveda. According to this ancient healing science, everything that you eat, and the way you eat it, has a strong effect on your mind and body. So not only the food and herbs that you eat, but the amount you eat, the timing of your meals and snacks, and the combinations of flavors all influence your well being. Ayurvedically speaking, food and cuisine can have a medicinal effect. When you eat well, you maximize your vitality or ojas. Ayurveda recommends whole, nutritious foods and eating patterns that are tailored to balance your mind-body constitution or prakruti (primary dosha).

There are no “bad” foods in Ayurveda—there is only the idea of balance. A harmonious diet balances not only nutritional qualities, but tastes and even the heating or cooling energetic effects of a food after it is digested. It takes into account single raw materials such as fruits, meats and vegetables as well as they meals that they combine into once they are cooked. While there is an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, and many Indians are vegetarian, Ayurveda in itself does not prescribe vegetarianism. In fact, a whole array of meats and fish are emphasized in the ancient texts.

But Ayurvedic doctors do recommend a diet that is pure and close to nature with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish and lean meats, combined with herbs and spices that will purify and balance the mind and body. Moreover, if you are to truly benefit from these foods then it is important that each meal reflect the natural colors and flavors of the ingredients. Poor digestion, stemming from an unbalanced diet, is one of the first signs of ill health. When your diet is out of balance, not only are food nutrients are not easily absorbed, but they can also accumulate as toxins.

Since your digestive tract is the origin for imbalances, ahar or diet is always considered to be the first order of medicine. And since preventative medicine is the only surefire way to ward off disease, eating Ayurvedically as often as you can, will help you to stay healthy for the long term. Although this healing science originated in India, Ayurvedic cooking encompasses so much more than merely Indian food. As long as it is prepared per Ayurvedic principles, it can draw from just about any cuisine. You can have fun mixing and matching your favorite foods with Ayurvedic herbs, ingredients and cooking techniques to yield flavorful cuisine. It is simple to prepare, yet easy for the body to assimilate into the raw building blocks for health and vitality.

Moisturize to Replenish Your Skin
Moisturizing your skin is essential for providing nourishment.  Natural Ayurvedic moisturizers do wonders to replenish your skin, they alleviate the dryness of the Vata dosha and enhance  skin elasticity without exposing the body to chemical pollutants. You can moisturize in the morning or in the evening, but it’s a must for your everyday routine. Vata types with drier skin would do well to moisturize their face and neck twice a day after cleansing. Pitta and Kapha types can get away with moisturizing just once.

Here are some moisturizer recipes for each dosha. Remember if your skin is generally healthy, then use the recipe for your natural dosha. If however you are experiencing any imbalances then use the recipe for the dosha that best pacifies your skin imbalances.

Because Ayurvedic moisturizers are made from natural ingredients they do not keep long. Prepare enough to last for one week at a time, about 1/2 to 1 cup, and store in cool, dry place. Avoid refrigerating the moisturizers as this will disrupt the natural chemistry of your skin with the outside temperature.

Vata Moisturizer Recipe
Vata skin needs plenty of natural moisture and oil to keep it supple and maintain elasticity. Ghee is one of the best moisturizer bases for Vata skin. In a bowl, mix together equal parts ghee and rose water. Add a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to add fragrance. Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Rub the small amount of the solution onto your face and neck at least once a day. Sesame oil may be substituted for ghee.

Pitta Moisturizer Recipe
Pitta skin needs a light moisturizer that is also cooling. Aloe is an ideal ingredient as it moisturizes while cooling the skin. For a daytime moisturizer, in a bowl, combine 1 part brewed licorice tea,1 part aloe vera gel, and 2 parts coconut or sunflower oil. Use the moisturizer on your face and neck at least once a day. At night, moisturize with equal parts aloe and ghee, or just plain ghee.

Kapha Moisturizer Recipe
Kapha skin is generally well toned and needs only a mild balancing moisturizer. In a bowl, mix together equal parts mustard oil and almond oil. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to help dissipate the strong smell of mustard. This moisturizer is ideal for head-to-toe use, both day and night, but if the faint smell of mustard during day bothers you, almond or sunflower oils are good alternatives for Kapha skin.

Moisturize to Replenish Your Skin

If you want to nourish your skin, moisturizing is essential. Natural Ayurvedic moisturizers can do wonders to replenish your skin because they alleviate the dryness of the Vata dosha and enhance  skin elasticity without exposing the body to chemical pollutants. You can moisturize in the morning or in the evening, but it’s a must for your everyday routine. Vata types with drier skin would do well to moisturize their face and neck twice a day, whereas Pitta and Kapha types can get away with moisturizing just once a day.

Here are some moisturizer recipes for each dosha. Remember if your skin is generally healthy, then use the recipe for your natural dosha. If however you are experiencing any imbalances then use the recipe for the dosha that best pacifies your skin imbalances.

Because Ayurvedic moisturizers are made from natural ingredients they do not keep long. Prepare enough to last for one week at a time, about 1/2 to 1 cup, and store in cool, dry place. Avoid refrigerating the moisturizers as this will disrupt the natural chemistry of your skin with the outside temperature.

Vata Moisturizer Recipe

Vata skin needs plenty of natural moisture and oil to keep it supple and maintain elasticity. Ghee is one of the best moisturizer bases for Vata skin. In a bowl, mix together equal parts ghee and rose water. Add a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to add fragrance. Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Rub the small amount of the solution onto your face and neck at least once a day. Sesame oil may be substituted for ghee.

Pitta Moisturizer Recipe

Pitta skin needs a light moisturizer that is also cooling. Aloe is an ideal ingredient as it moisturizes while cooling the skin. For a daytime moisturizer, in a bowl, combine 1 part brewed licorice tea,1 part aloe vera gel, and 2 parts coconut or sunflower oil. Use the moisturizer on your face and neck at least once a day. At night, moisturize with equal parts aloe and ghee, or just plain ghee.

Kapha Moisturizer Recipe

Kapha skin is generally well toned and needs only a mild balancing moisturizer. In a bowl, mix together equal parts mustard oil and almond oil. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to help dissipate the strong smell of mustard. This moisturizer is ideal for head-to-toe use, both day and night, but if the faint smell of mustard during day bothers you, almond or sunflower oils are good alternatives for Kapha skin.

From the book: Inner Beauty by Reenita Malhotra Hora