Ayurvedic Care For Vata Skin – Dr. Mugdha  Writes…

Skin,the largest organ of our body elicits the composition or prakriti of a person. This must be little confusing though, but it's the fact that, the skin shows up the inner prakriti of a person. Let me explain, as we all know, our body is governed by three doshas viz, vata, pitta and kapha. The body having vata dosha in predominance has vata skin, similarly pitta body has pitta skin
and kapha body has kapha skin.

HERE WE ARE DISCUSSING VATA SKIN

What is Vata Skin?

The skin which is dry, rough, thin, cool, easily dehydrating, delicate, tend to dry during dry windy and cold weather is vata skin. Vata skin is typically found in vata prakriti person who has vata as a predominant dosha amongst tridoshas. The pitta and kapha prakriti person are also prone for vata skin during vata aggravating seasons.

WHAT CAUSES DRYNESS ?

Ayurvedic classics explain as, aggravation of vata dosha causes dryness, and vata gets aggravated due to excessive  eating of dry and light food, starving, excess mental and physical exertion, excess talking, excess sexual activity, suppressing the natural urges, vata kala/ season, sorrow, stress, depression, exposure to extreme cold weather and few underlying diseases like Hypothyroidism, psoriasis,  eczema, diabetes, irregular food and sleeping habits.

VATA SKIN PROBLEMS DUE TO VATA IMBALANCE 

• Extreme dryness
• Dullness
• Chapped skin
• Non lustrous
• Wrinkles
• Flaky 
• Aged 
• Dark marks
• Cracked skin

AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR VATA SKIN

According to Ayurveda vata is pacified best with oils internally as well as externally. 

• Consume hot and soft foods like hot soups, stews, milk flavoured with cardamom and cinnamon to pacify vata get a soft lustrous skin.
• Prefer sweet, sour, salty warm, heavy over spicy, pungent, light and dry food.
• Soft cooked vegetables like carrot, cucumber, garlic, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beet, asparagus, avocado and spinach prepared with oil and ghee.
• Fruits like,  berries, grapes, plums, pineapples, papaya, mango, banana, oranges, cherries, prunes, raisins, lime, kiwi, figs (soaked) are favourable. 
• Drink warm water throughout the day. 
• Include seeds,  nuts and dairy products in the diet. 
• Ashwagandha can be taken in any form which gives relief from anxiety, depression,  lowers cholesterol,  diabetes, strengthens immunity that reflects on skin giving a glare to the skin. 
• Ginger possess antioxidant and antibacterial property which bestows healthy vata skin. It can be taken in the form of tea or can be chewed in bits.
• Triphala is tridosha hara and rejuvenating. Consuming triphala powder, juice or tablets combats vata and renders glowing, healthy skin.
• Aloe vera also has an antioxidant property which helps pacify vata to obtain a smooth and radiant skin.

According to Ayurveda vata is pacified best with oils internally as well as externally. 

Internally

• Consume hot and soft foods like hot soups, stews, milk flavoured with cardamom and cinnamon to pacify vata get a soft lustrous skin.
• Prefer sweet, sour, salty warm, heavy over spicy, pungent, light and dry food.
• Soft cooked vegetables like carrot, cucumber, garlic, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beet, asparagus, avocado and spinach prepared with oil and ghee.
• Fruits like,  berries, grapes, plums, pineapples, papaya, mango, banana, oranges, cherries, prunes, raisins, lime, kiwi, figs (soaked) are favourable. 
• Drink warm water throughout the day. 
• Include seeds,  nuts and dairy products in the diet. 
• Ashwagandha can be taken in any form which gives relief from anxiety, depression,  lowers cholesterol,  diabetes, strengthens immunity that reflects on skin giving a glare to the skin. 
• Ginger possess antioxidant and antibacterial property which bestows healthy vata skin. It can be taken in the form of tea or can be chewed in bits.
• Triphala is tridosha hara and rejuvenating. Consuming triphala powder,juice or tablets combats vata and renders glowing, healthy skin.
• Aloe vera also has an antioxidant property which helps pacify vata to obtain a smooth and radiant skin.

Externally

• Abhyanga ( daily massage with coconut oil,  sesame oil, apricot oil) at least once a week improves blood circulation providing soft and glowing skin. 
• Apply warm honey or banana mashed to the face.
• Regular exercise and schedule keeps the skin healthy. 
• Use natural moisturisers to keep the skin hydrated. 
• Take plenty of rest which calms the mind and body making you look fresh and recharged.
• Avoid exposure to cold and wind.
• Wrap yourself with warm clothing.
• Apply good moisturiser or even ghee to foot cracks.
• Apply fruit face packs like papaya, black grapes, oranges, banana to ward off dryness and bring glow and luster to the facial skin. 
• Practice yoga and pranayama which helps control vata imbalance and ensure good health and a healthy skin.

To conclude, it's very easy to maintain a healthy moisturised skin, with a simple and healthy lifestyle. It's just that we need to be a little careful about vata imbalance and maintain it with a proper vata pacifying diet and exercise. We need to take more precaution during the vata season i.e., winter to prevent skin dryness and further damage. The Ayurvedic way of living not only ensures good health but also healthy skin to flaunt. So, let's try and adapt Ayurveda in our day to day life styles. 

Dr. Mugdha Kulkarni 

Ayurcentral

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