30 Ayurvedic tips and recipes for flawless hair and skin

Traditional Indian healing system, Ayurveda emerged about 7 thousand years ago in India and arouses curiosity due to its beliefs and precepts.

As the director of the School of Ayurveda, Fernando Tremello, describes, Ayurveda, a combination of the words ayur, which in Sanskrit means life, and veda, which means knowledge, was recognized by the World Health Organization as traditional medicine and a cheap and effective method of treatment, since it uses natural resources as a treatment and does not present side effects, in addition to standing out in the prevention of diseases and in helping to treat degenerative diseases.

Fernando also reports that, despite not being originally from Brazil, Ayurveda is gaining prominence in the country and is allied to the PNPI (National Program of Integrative Practices) of the SUS. “In some municipalities it is possible to find Ayurveda as a treatment option in basic health units, in addition to many professionals who provide private care in the main cities of the country”, he highlights.

Learn more about Ayurveda methods and principles and check out beauty tips and recipes to add to your skin and hair care and look even more beautiful:

Principles of Ayurveda

Regarding the principles of this system, the Ayurvedic therapist Maria Cecília Lunardelli explains: “As Ayurveda principles, we can mention the existence of the 5 great elements (ether or space, air, fire, water and earth) that form all the matter present in the body. Universe. These elements are organized into three forms of energies or biotypes present in living beings, known as doshas, ​​namely: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.”

“Each human being is formed by a certain composition of this tridoshae system, consequently presenting unique characteristics. Therefore, the Ayurvedic treatment approach is individual and personalized, therefore, it is very effective.”, adds Maria Cecília.

As a form of treatment, the ingredients found in nature are a fundamental part. “Ayurveda traditionally uses everything that nature offers as medicine – plant, animal and mineral kingdoms. Vegetable ingredients are the most used, such as roots, flowers, leaves and fruits of medicinal plants, used in the form of powder, paste, oils and teas, for external and internal uses”, says Tremello.

Some ingredients may be difficult to access, as this system does not originate in Brazil, but with searches in specialized online stores it is possible to find the necessary elements to perform Ayurvedic treatments.

8 treatments for the face and skin

A very common application of the precepts of ayurveda is in the beauty of the skin and hair. “Ayurveda says that beauty comes from the inside out. Hair, skin and nails are by-products of our tissues, and their beauty depends on their good formation. Therefore, a healthy diet combined with a proper lifestyle will result in beauty throughout the body”, instructs Fernando.

Maria Cecília explains that the skin types considered by Ayurveda present characteristics of the biotype or predominant dosha in the individual composition (original constitution or Prakritti). Vata-type skin is drier, fragile, prone to flaking, wrinkling, and grayish blemishes. Pitta-type skin is more humid, a little oily, with capillary fragility, a tendency to reddened spots and more susceptible to inflammation. Kapha-type skin, on the other hand, is more resistant, well oily and lubricated, and generally appears paler”, she teaches.

In order to know the necessary care according to the skin type, the therapist recommends that people with Vata-type skin keep their skin well hydrated, using more emollient substances and avoiding excessive exposure to cold, wind and substances which tend to reduce moisture.

“People with pitta skin should keep their skin more refreshed and hydrated, avoiding exaggerated exposure to the sun, heat sources and also avoiding very oily and dense substances”, he indicates.

For kapha type people, Maria Cecília recommends avoiding using dense and oily creams. “Moderate and thrifty exposure to the sun and wind tends to bring benefits, as well as more frequent skin cleansing, especially with more astringent natural substances,” she reveals.

Seeking to apply the Ayurvedic precepts, check out these homemade recipes and learn how to take care of your skin:

1. Coconut oil to moisturize your skin daily: use coconut oil to moisturize your face. In addition to causing a refreshing sensation, it is not so heavy, resulting in hydrated skin, but without excesses. Apply it in small amounts, spreading over the entire face. Let it act for a few minutes and remove it by washing your face.

2. Sugar exfoliation: this process helps with cell renewal and retains the skin’s natural moisture, leaving it looking more hydrated. If desired, mix with rose petals or even your favorite cream.

3. Whole milk to soothe and cleanse the face: using cotton wool, apply whole milk all over your face. Milk helps to remove impurities and dirt that are imperceptible to the naked eye, ensuring your skin glows.

4. Neem oil to soothe irritated or inflamed skin: use flexible rods to apply the oil to the inflamed or irritated area, leaving it to act overnight. In addition, it is a great option as a pimple-dryer.

5. Aloe Vera to tone the skin daily: widely used for sunburn, Aloe Vera is a great resource to ensure skin tone, if applied in the desired region. It ensures smooth, youthful looking skin.

6. Turmeric + sandalwood against acne: prepare a paste with 1 spoon of turmeric and 1 spoon of sandalwood by adding water. Apply all over the face and let it act for 15 to 20 minutes. After this time, wash your face with warm water. Repeat this procedure daily to achieve good acne control.

7. Potatoes to reduce blemishes on the face: a great natural lightener, the potato is considered one of the best Ayurvedic remedies for a natural glowing skin. Just gently rub a slice of raw potato on the spots with blemishes and hyperpigmentation.

8. Honey to hydrate the skin and prevent wrinkles: excellent natural humectant, honey can help to achieve smoother and hydrated skin, in addition to being very useful to prevent wrinkles and treat areas of extreme dryness. Just apply it to the desired area, let it act for a few minutes and remove it with the help of warm water and soap.

One of the great advantages of Ayurvedic beauty treatments is the low cost and easy access to ingredients, most of which are available in health food stores or even supermarkets.

5 Ayurvetic hair treatments

In addition to treating and maintaining the health of the skin, Ayurvedic beauty treatments also make it possible to restore dry hair, returning life to the wires. Discover some recipes to make your hair even more beautiful with the help of Ayurveda:

1. Coconut Oil to Nourish Hair: Apply organic extra virgin coconut oil to hair extensions once a week and leave overnight to keep hair healthy and shiny. Use a towel over the pillow to prevent oil from accumulating on the pillow. Wash your hair normally in the morning.

2. Massage with warm almond oil to grow hair: in addition to rejuvenating the follicle, this oil helps increase blood circulation at the root, favoring hair growth and reducing hair loss. Just apply the warm oil to the scalp massaging with your fingers. Results are seen after 6 months of using this technique.

3. Amla mask for thicker hair: amla is an Indian gooseberry very suitable for purifying the blood. Due to the high concentration of vitamin C, it is known to treat hair from the inside out. Just dehydrate the fruit and turn it into powder. Make a paste with warm water and apply it on the scalp. Let it act for a few minutes and wash your hair. It gives thicker strands and helps in hair growth.

4. Massage the scalp with rosemary oil to reduce hair loss: apply rosemary oil to the scalp, massaging it gently with your fingers. Repeat this procedure three times a week to reduce hair loss and encourage hair growth.

5. Bhringaraj Hair Growth Mask: Also known as false daisy, Bhringaraj is a very effective herb in hair growth treatment. To use it, remove some leaves and make a paste, applying it to the entire hair root. Let the paste act for a few minutes and wash your hair with ice water. If you’re having trouble finding the herb, look for powdered options and make the paste by adding 5 to 6 tablespoons to warm water.

By using natural oils for hair hydration, in addition to making them healthier and more beautiful, we can also favor their growth and even fight hair loss.

17 Ayurvedic tips for your beauty

Supporting Ayurvedic beauty treatments, we can mention food as an important part of conquering the skin and hair of your dreams. The therapist Maria Cecília explains that the vision of Ayurveda is not restricted to the quality of the food, but the individual’s ability to digest. “With this, a food that can be very good for one person, can be bad for another, so there is no way to refer to a specific food that will make the skin look more beautiful. The same can be said of hair, hair is a by-product of bones, its health directly depends on the health of bone tissue,” she stresses.

“So, according to the Ayurvedic vision, the beauty of hair and skin are the result of a fully functioning digestive capacity, combined with adequate nutrition for each biotype”, adds the professional.

Seeking to help achieve healthier hair and skin, the therapist cites some tips that can facilitate this goal:

1. “Try to eat more natural, fresh, seasonal foods and preferably without pesticides”, he says.
2. “Try to keep the digestive capacity or digestion (digestive fire or Agni) in good working order to avoid the formation of biotoxins (known as Ama in Ayurveda)”, he proposes.
3. Avoid combing your hair while it is wet, as this will make it more prone to breakage.
4. “Avoid the consumption of processed meats, very matured cheeses, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners and unnatural fruit juices”, he instructs.
5. Sleep at least 8 hours a day to ensure radiant skin and promote hair growth.
6. “Avoid excessive consumption of industrialized, heavily processed or heavily modified products that contain preservatives and artificial colorings”, he informs.
7. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a good diet is important to ensure the optimal functioning of the body and promote hair growth.
8. “Try to sleep early and wake up early”,…