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The first sign of aging shows up around the eyes as this area has few sebaceous glands to produce oil and keep the skin around the eyes is supple. As a result, puffiness under the eyes starts showing up at the advent of the aging process.

Causes of puffy eyes

With aging, the tissues around our eyes and muscles that support our eyelids, get weak. The normal fat that helps to support the eyes moves into the lower eyelids, causing the lids to appear puffy. Sometimes, fluid gets accumulated in the region under the eyes, adding to the swelling.

According to Ayurveda, puffiness around the eyes occurs when our digestion system gets disturbed. Ayurveda suggests eating food with full concentration, slowly and calmly. If we eat while watching the television or working on the computer, there are chances that we are not chewing the food properly, hence, digestion takes time. Continuous indigestion over a period of time will lead to puffiness around the eyes.  Excess salt intake can also cause puffy eyes as it increases peri-orbital edema.

Some diseases like diabetics also cause puffiness because poor kidney function leads to baggy eyes.

Sometimes, when we sleep on our tummy, it can lead to puffy eyes in the morning.

Inflammatory and Pitta aggravating substances like alcohol, tobacco, infections can also cause puffy eyes.

Puffy eyes can also happen due to allergies, fluid retention, lack of sleep, accumulation of emollient night creams, smoking, and heredity. If we have puffiness in the morning after we wake up, it is due to water retention.

Ayurvedic remedies

Proper digestion: Ensure that whatever you eat, it gets fully digested. Chew your food thoroughly. Eat slowly and with full attention to your chewing. Also, give a gap of at least 3 hours in between meals for proper digestion.

Eat collagen-rich food: Collagen is the foundation of connective tissue that supports the skin’s structure, making it firmer. Moreover, with aging, the body produces less collagen. Also, the naturally occurring enzymes break collagen down damaging the skin. When the body produces less collagen, you should start eating collagen-rich food to repair the damage. Collagen-rich foods include dark green vegetables, red vegetables, and orange vegetables. In non-veg, egg, bone broth, meat-based soups, fish like tuna or salmon are rich in collagen. Herbs like garlic, amla, gotu kola, aloe vera, and fruits like pomegranate, berries are rich in collagen.

Reduce salt intake: Sodium found in common salt causes fluid retention that leads to puffiness under the eyes. So try to avoid high salty foods like pizza and other processed foods. Instead eat more of fresh vegetables and fruits. Celery helps to control your desire for salt.

Avoid allergies: Try to find out what gives you eye allergies. Try to avoid those things. In case you get an eye allergy, use a good eye drop or splash cold water on your eyes a number of times. You can also use pure rose water, triphala water or amla water to wash your eyes. A Neti pot also helps to flush out the extra moisture in your sinuses that come from seasonal allergies like colds or infections.

Cold compress: For an external solution, compress the puffy area with ice or cold water. This will help to get rid of the puffiness. Placing cucumber slices or chilled tea bags over your closed eyes also helps. This will also relax your eyes.

Facial muscle exercises: Facial exercises promote glowing and flawless skin. The area under your eyes will also benefit from facial exercises. There are eye exercises also that soothe the eyes. Yoga for the face includes slow exercises of the facial muscles that help in toning and tightening the area around the eyes. Inverted yoga poses such as shoulder stand and back bends, also help to increase circulation to the face.

Keep yourself hydrated: Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water to keep you hydrated, particularly in the summer. Cut down on alcohol and aerated beverages as they dehydrate the skin. Also consume hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, berries, celery, tomatoes and beetroot. These foods have circulation-boosting antioxidants that help to reduce puffy eyes.

Stop smoking: The chemicals found in cigarettes are toxic and causes irritation around the eyes. This results in baggy eyes.

Sleep enough: Getting enough sleep is essential. At least 6-8 hours of sleep at night is essential.

Every woman desires for long, lustrous and healthy hair. This is achievable with the help of Ayurvedic tips. Scientific researches have proved that Ayurvedic hair oils are effective in treating autoimmune diseases of hair loss like Alopecia areata.

According to Ayurveda, since hair is a by-product of bone tissue and is linked to the central nervous system and gut, it gets affected when there is any weakness in the bone tissue, nervous system or digestive system. These problems lead to hair loss and less hair growth. The root problem of underlying issues in bone marrow, nervous and digestive systems is an imbalance in Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas. This eventually manifests in hair problems.

While an imbalance in Vata dosha causes excessive dryness and flaky dandruff, an imbalance in Pitta dosha causes receding hairlines, hair thinning and premature greying. Similarly, imbalance in Kapha dosha leads to oil secretion, and excess oil blocks the follicles of the scalp and leads to wet and sticky dandruff.

What causes hair loss

Frequent heat application: If you frequently use extreme heat to style your hair, it dries up the moisture in your hair strands. The heat also damages hair growth process on your scalp.

Poor diet: If your diet is insufficient in nutrients, or your digestion system is poor, it affects hair growth severely.

Vitamins: Vitamins A, B group, C, D, E, along with iron, zinc and protein are essential for hair follicles to stimulate healthy hair growth. However, excess intake of vitamins can lead to hair loss.

Stress: Physical and emotional stress causes Vata or Pitta imbalances, leading to hair fall. This is because stress affects the immune system, causing inflammation in hair follicles.

Environment, lifestyle: Exposure to toxins, pollution, and smoking, etc. severely affects hair health. High pollution in the environment increases the risk of sensitive scalp syndrome leading to dandruff, itching, and oily scalp.

Age: After 50 years of age, Vata dosha dominates, and hair loss increases as the hair growth process gradually decreases.

Hormones: Changes in our hormone levels cause hair loss. For example, post-pregnancy women experience heavy loss of hair. This is due to increase in the level of estrogen hormones, which promotes healthy hair follicles and leads to hair growth.

Some Ayurvedic hair oils are truly effective in curing hair problems and promoting hair growth.

Brihatri hair oil

Brihatri hair oil is an Ayurvedic herbal oil, which is known to effectively enhance hair growth and maintenance. The hair oil contains bhringaraja, amalaki, vibhitaki, neelini, and cow milk. The oil not only prevents hair fall but also promotes growth of new hair follicles. It is also found to thicken each strand, and its ingredients contain natural hair darkening pigments.

Sesa hair oil

Sesa Ayurvedic hair oil is highly effective in enhancing the health and texture of our hair. The oil nourishes the scalp and prevents infections. It also repairs damaged hair, and makes it soft and shiny.

The oil an amalgamation of 18 nourishing herbs and five essential oils, all boiled together in milk. Its ingredients like rasot, neem beej, and yashtimadhu keep infections and bacteria at bay, which, in turn, reduces hair fall. The manufacturer Sesa has patented its Ayurvedic process, which is called Kshir Pak Vidhi. Enriched with vital vitamins that protect the hair from pollution damage and also shields the hair and hair shaft from seborrheic dermatitis. It is a skin condition that affects our hair scalp, and causes scaly patches, red skin rashes and stubborn dandruff.

Trichup hair oil

This Ayurvedic hair oil contains natural goodness of sesame and coconut oil. It is further enriched with herbs like amla, licorice and bhringaraj, which are known to reduce hair fall. The oil efficiently penetrates into the hair roots and provides essential nutrients to the hair follicles that, in turn, encourage hair growth. It can also control dandruff and reduce hair fall. Regular usage of the oil improves hair texture and nourishes damaged hair.

Neelibhringadi taila

Neelibhringadi oil is an Ayurvedic hair oil that promotes hair growth, and prevents hair fall. It contains the goodness of neeli, (indigo), bhringraj, amla, mulethi, licorice, etc, blended with coconut milk, goat milk, buffalo milk, cow milk, and sesame oil. The oil improves hair quality and adds shine and smoothness to the hair. It is also known for treating premature grey hair in young people, and is effective in the treatment of baldness, dandruff and scalp itching.

The liquid that secretes through the sweat glands on our skin is called sweat. Sweat is mostly water with some amounts of electrolytes and minerals like sodium and potassium. While sweating is a normal process because of thermoregulation, excessive sweating can be caused due to various reasons.

When sweating goes beyond the purpose of physiological thermoregulation, it is called hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis can be of different types. If we sweat excessively without any medical reason, it is called primary hyperhidrosis. This type of sweating is because the nerves that trigger the sweat glands become overly active, and it happens usually because of genetic or hereditary causes.

Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs when sweating is due to some health issues like fever, anxiety, thyroid gland disorders, diabetes, menopause, drugs, cardiac diseases, or AIDS.

Ayurvedic perspective and reasons

In Ayurveda, sweating is called sweda, and it is considered as the mala (excreta) of fat tissue. According to Ayurveda, when fat is metabolized in the body, sweat is formed.

Ayurveda considers excessive sweating as abnormal. However, its texts do not mention excessive sweating as a disease. According to Ayurveda, excessive sweating can be caused due to contamination of the subtle channels that carry sweat from the sweat glands to the pores. And some of the causes of contamination can excessive physical exercise, prolonged exposure to heat, unhealthy eating habits, or strong emotions like anger or fear. Ayurveda also states that excess of fat can lead to excessive sweating. Charak Samhita mentions excessive sweating as a reason for overweight. Ayurveda also mentions excessive sweating as a cause of aggravated Pitta dosha.

Ayurvedic remedies to pacify aggravated Pitta

Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. Sip on herbal tea and mint water. Have a glass of tomato juice daily as it controls our sweat glands. Eat lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

You should sleep at least for 6-7 hours at night.

Go for a walk outdoor for fresh air. Make sure that you work in a well-ventilated room.

Soak 10 raisins in a bowl of water overnight and have them on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

Soak coriander seeds overnight and next morning strain the water and drink it.

Have a teaspoon of amla churna with jaggery twice a day after your meals.

Add 10-12 drops of jasmine oil or rose water in your bathing water. It will reduce sweating.

Other Ayurvedic remedies

Herbal treatment: Herbs work wonders in treating excessive sweating. Anti-perspirant herbs help to reduce excessive sweating, and can even stop it. These herbs have dry and cold effects and can thereby stop sweating. Some of these herbs include chandana, mustaka and padmakashta, and ushira, which are the most effective and is most fragrant. These herbs can be taken in the form of powder, liquid, or tablet. A paste of ushira can even be applied on the sweaty parts.

Manage your stress level: Try to control your temper. Always try to think about happy things to manage your anger. Whenever you feel stressed out or anxiety, take slow and long breaths. Also, practice pranayama to calm down your mind and relieve stress. You can use a few drops of brahmi oil and massage on your scalp to cool you down.

Applying Ayurvedic oil: Apply an Ayurvedic oil called Chandanadi taila an hour before taking a bath. It will prove beneficial. When you rub the oil on your hair follicles, it will open up the blockage of the sweat pores. After applying it, leave it for a little while and rinse it with warm water. It works effectively in stopping excessive sweating.

Bath with Triphala powder: Take bath twice daily to get rid of bacteria. Use triphala powder and scrub your body. This fights the germs on the skin.

Avoid consumption of fatty food: Do not consume fatty foods that increase your belly fat. The lower the fat level, the lesser you will sweat. Also, wear loose cotton clothes to feel comfortable.

Sandalwood and coconut oil: Make a mixture of sandalwood or camphor with a few drops of coconut oil and rub it on your body. It helps to relax the body and reduce hyperhidrosis.

Menstruation is a part of the normal process of reproductive life in women. But due to today’s sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise, dysmenorrhoea or menstrual pain is becoming a problem for women. It not only hampers their day to day activities, but also makes it difficult to participate in school/office activities. Surveys have shown that about 50% of all women experience some degree of painful menstruation. 

Causes of dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is felt in the lower abdomen and lower back. Menstrual pain is caused by tightening in the uterus by a chemical called prostaglandin. When the uterus contracts strongly, it presses against other blood vessels, cutting off the supply of oxygen to the muscle tissue of the uterus. Pain is felt when the muscle loses supply of oxygen.

Ayurvedic perspective on dysmenorrhea

According to Ayurveda, all gynecologic disorders including painful menstruation happen due to imbalance in Vata dosha, which can be pacified by a complete cleansing of the doshas. This can be done by oleation or snehana (the use of medicated oils, either internally or externally) and sudation or swedana (a process in which an individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating), and purification therapies like panchakarma.

Ayurvedic remedies for menstrual pain

For menstrual pain relief, Ayurveda suggests yoga, dietary, and lifestyle modifications. It also recommends some treatments like medicated enemas or basti, which means medicated oil or herbal decoction is administered through the anal route.

Virechana treatment is also suggested for menstrual pain relief if it is a chronic complaint. This treatment is the administration of purgative substances for the cleansing of Pitta through the lower pathways. However, basti and virechana are part of the panchakarma treatment.

Bhela Samhita, the classical Ayurvedic medical text, stated that castor oil with haritaki powder can be taken at night after food for menstrual pain relief. Abhayarishta (a haritaki-based Ayurvedic formulation) is also good for menstrual pain.

Diet and lifestyle recommendations

Drinking warm water: Ayurveda suggests drinking a lot of water during your periods can help prevent dehydration and give relief in pain. Water intake also helps to regulate the proper functioning of cells in the body.

Hot water baths and heating pad: Take hot water baths in menstrual days. Sip on warm liquids and avoid cold water during those five days. Also a heating pad or warm water bottle helps in relieving the pain. Applying heat on lower abdomen during periods relax contracting muscles in the uterus. Eating warm foods are advised.

Ginger, cumin, fenugreek: Regular use of ginger, cumin seeds, and fenugreek in cooking helps. Ginger and black pepper tea is relaxing. You can add a little honey to this for the taste. Ginger is known to reduce period pain because it lowers the levels of prostaglandins in a woman’s body. It also reduces the levels of prostaglandins, thereby reducing period pain. Ginger is also good for making irregular periods regular. Cumin, on the other hand, has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is beneficial for getting rid of menstrual cramps.

Turmeric and nutmeg: A little turmeric and nutmeg mixed with warm almond milk or regular milk and taken before going to bed helps. While turmeric has high anti-inflammatory and healing properties, nutmeg is a spasmodic spice. They together give relief in menstrual pain.

Yogasanas: Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes daily except during your periods. Yoga can relieve pain effectively as they improve tissue nourishment and blood and lymphatic circulation, thus reducing pain signalling lipid compound in menstrual days. Some yoga poses that help in reducing the severity of feminine conditions are Matsyasana (fish pose), Dhanurasana (bow pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose), Ustrasana (camel pose), Ardhamatstyendrasana (half fish pose), Paschimotasana (seated forward bend pose), Salabhasana (butterfly pose), Sarvangasana (shoulder bend pose), Padmasana (lotus pose), and Surya Namaskara (sun salutations).

Sesame oil massage: Massage with sesame oil is beneficial. Sesame oil rich in linoleic acid, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. If you massage sesame oil on your lower abdomen when you are menstruating, it gives relief.

Herbal medicine: Herbal products like pycnogenol, fennel or combination products are known to have provided some relief from menstrual cramps. You can consult an Ayurvedic doctor on this.

Isabgol is a soluble fiber known as a common remedy for effective weight loss and clearing out the toxins from the digestive tract. Due to its excellent water solubility, psyllium can absorb water and become a thick compound that resists digestion in the small intestine. As a result, it helps to regulate high cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.

Benefits of Isabgol

Relieves constipation: Isabgol acts as a laxative and helps relieve constipation. Initially, it binds to partially digested food that passes from the stomach into the small intestine. It then absorbs water and increases the size and moisture of stools, which easily passes out. According to a study, taking 5.1 grams of isabgol twice a day for two weeks increased the water content and weight of stools in 170 individuals with chronic constipation.

Treats diarrhea: Research shows that isabgol can relieve diarrhea. As it is a water-absorbing agent, it increases stool thickness and slows down its passage through the colon. A study found that psyllium husk decreased diarrhea in 30 people who were undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. They had fewer bowel movements. Therefore, it prevents constipation as well as reduces diarrhea and effectively thus normalizing the bowel movements.

Boosts digestion: Isabgol is known to be aiding in better digestion. When you take isabgol with curd, it significantly helps in better digestion. As isabgol is enriched with fiber, it cleans the stomach walls from excessive toxins and helps in the smooth movement of food through the intestines. Taking isabgol powder with buttermilk after your meal helps improve digestive system.

Low blood sugar levels: Isabgol is great for diabetic people as it contains gelatin that slows the breakdown and absorption of glucose into the body. It, therefore, helps in controlling the amount of blood sugar in the body. Taking fiber supplements like isabgol helps control the body’s glycemic response to a meal, which means it reduces insulin and blood sugar levels. The gel-forming fibre in Isabgol slow down the digestion of food, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Boosts weight loss: After you take isabgol, it makes you feel full for a long time, thereby controlling unwanted food cravings. This is because fibres that form viscous compounds help control appetite and aid weight loss. Also, if you have isabgol powder mixed with water and lemon juice on an empty stomach in the morning, it helps to reduce weight. A study showed that taking up to 10.2 g of isabgol before breakfast and lunch led to reduction in hunger, and increased fullness between meals.

Reduce cholesterol levels: The hygroscopic properties of psyllium helps to reduce cholesterol from blood as it forms a thin layer in the intestines that prevents absorption of cholesterol from food and eventually helps in lowering cholesterol. Isabgol gets binds to fat and bile acids, and helps the body to excrete them. As a result, instead of replacing lost bile acids, the liver uses cholesterol to produce more, decreasing blood cholesterol levels in the process.

Good for the heart: All types of fibre are good for the heart including isabgol. Water soluble fibre like isabgol helps to reduce blood triglycerides, blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease. A 2020 review of 11 trials found that psyllium reduces systolic blood pressure by 2.04 millimeters of mercury. Hence, it is recommended to consume isabgol to treat hypertension.

Dosage

A group of medicinal herbs that are beneficial in improving brain abilities is described as Medhya Rasayana in Ayurveda. It has several benefits, of which the most important is to improve memory and intellect. If taken regularly, Medhya Rasayana will also boost health, immunity and delay the process of ageing.

The term Medhya Rasayana came from two Ayurvedic words—Medhya, which means intellect or cognitive power and Rasayana, which means curative or rejuvenating. Sage Charaka had mentioned in his Ayurvedic scriptures that Medhya Rasayana is a group of four main medicinal herbs that have effective curative properties. Besides these four powerful herbs, Medhya Rasayana also consists of other herbs which include Brahmi, Jyotishmati, Kushmanda, Chitrak, Jatamansi, and Vacha.

Benefits of Medhya Rasayana for mid-age people

While ageing is a natural process, Ayurveda describes ageing as physiological and believes that with certain remedies it can be delayed. One such remedy is Medhya Rasayana, which is specific to brain tissue. It supplies micronutrients which are well needed by mid-age people. Medhya Rasayana delays brain aging and helps in the regeneration of neural tissue. It also produces anti-stress, adaptogenic and memory-enhancing effects.

With the kind of lifestyles we lead, by mid-age, we suffer from mental health and nervous system issues. Medhya Rasayana is an ideal solution for these problems plus it is helpful in anxiety, depression, stress, and mood swings.

Studies conducted on Medhya Rasayana have shown promising results in ensuring healthy brain ageing and its role in promoting mental wellbeing in mid-age people. People in their mid-age lose virility, strength, and cognitive power. Ayurveda stresses the use of Medhya Rasayana to delay this physiological process in middle age. It is a neuro tonic that is specific to the brain and nervous system and promotes the cognitive function of the brain.

Recall: From our mid-age, we start forgetting things. People from mid-age suffer from issues of recollecting and retrieving information from the brain. Medhya Rasayana herbs play an important role in improving the processing, storing and information retrieving abilities of the brain.

Retention: Through our memories, we can hold on to our past experiences and recall them when required. Medhya Rasayana herbs improve the brain’s retention capacity and aid us in remembering the past.

Acquisition: Our brain can take in more and more knowledge and learn new things every day. Medhya Rasayana enhances this property of our learning capabilities.

Benefits of 4 Medhya Rasayanas

Guduchi (Giloy): These are leaves from the Tinospora cordifolia plant that have potent antioxidant and rejuvenating properties. This herb is a natural anti-depressant, and improves verbal and logical abilities, and relieves us from stress and anxiety. These heart-shaped leaves are loaded with essential nutrients and minerals including zinc and copper. Hence, this herb has been proved to be beneficial in treating neural disorders. This herb also enhances mental and emotional wellbeing.

Shankhapushpi: The botanical name of this herb is Convolvulus pluricaulis. It improves the intellectual power of a person. Shankhpushpi is a brain-boosting herbal remedy that helps our memory. The herb also contains powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, and therefore, improves memory capacity, concentration, creativity, alertness and calmness in particularly in mid-age people. It also cures anxiety issues, tension headaches, insomnia, and digestive problems like ulcers or dysentery.

Madhukaparni (Gotu kola): A powerhouse of flavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamin C, this herb an excellent brain food. The herb calms the mind and relieves one from anxiety, stress, depression and tension. When taken regularly, this herb promotes brain health in mid-age people and decelerates down the process of memory impairment in them.

Yashtimadhu (Licorice): This herb is also called mulethi, which is the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. It has antioxidant properties and is an excellent brain tonic. It also relieves one from stress and enhances memory power. It also cures Pitta aggravating disorders. Its anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant properties also help in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. The herb also supports liver health and is an antiseptic that helps to soothe the stomach. When taken in a small amount, this herb decreases sugar cravings.

There are no side effects of these Medhya Rasayana. With proper guidance and consultation with your Ayurvedic doctor, you can enjoy your mid-age with the wellness of Medhya Rasayana

Muscle and fatty tissues make a woman’s breasts. The breasts are the channel of milk production after childbirth. While breasts are a symbol of femininity, they sag with age as with time, breasts lose their suppleness and elasticity. Ayurveda can prevent and delay saggy breasts and keep them toned.

What causes breasts to sag?

While breasts sag with age, there are other key factors that influence sagging breasts. Some of these causes include menopause, mental stress, and estrogen deficiency. Collagen deficiency, too much weight, multiple pregnancies, smoking, and genetic factors also contribute to sagging breasts. Exercising or too much physical activity without breast support and not wearing the correct size bra can also lead to sagging breasts.

According to Ayurveda, there are four causes for saggy breasts

In an obese woman, too much fatty and muscle tissues in the breast lead to sagging breasts.

Underweight leads to dryness and emaciation of the body. This causes shrunken breasts.

As a woman age, the skin loses its tone and elasticity causing saggy breasts.

Breastfeeding a child is also another cause of saggy breasts.

Ayurvedic and herbal remedies

Ayurvedic tips and herbal remedies can bring the right shape to the breasts. Herbs are known for nourishing the breasts and uplifting them. They can delay the effect of aging and add firmness to the breasts.

Some of these herbs are:

Shatavari ( Indian asparagus, Asparagus recemosus)

Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng, Withania somnifera)

Vidari (Indian sarsaparilla, Hemidesmus indicus)

Lodhra (symplocos tree, Symplocos racemose)

Amla (Indian gooseberry, Emblica officinalis)

Khus khus grass (Vetiveria Zizanioides, vetiver)

Guduchi (Indian tinospora, Tinospora cordifolia)

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica, mandukparni)

Punarnava (spreading hogweed, Boerhavia diffusa)

Rasna (pluchea lanceolata, Indian camphorweed)

Harad (chebulic myrobalan, Terminalia chebula)

Mudgaparni (vigna trilobata, Phaseolus trilobus)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

A study has shown that fennel and anise seeds contain photo-anethole and anethole that stimulate estrogen production and help breast growth. Fenugreek seeds also have estrogenic properties which enhances breast size.

Aloe vera is known to improve wrinkles and elasticity in our skin, with an increase in collagen production in the skin. Due to these properties, it brings in firmness to breasts.

Red clover has estrogen boosting nutrients, which help to stimulate breast growth. Damiana leaves are known to contain phytoestrogens, which also stimulate the tissue of the breasts. It also balances hormonal levels and helps to build firmness in breasts.

Diet rich in antioxidants

Take a diet that is rich in antioxidants and phytoestrogens. It helps to support breast health. Vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, A, B, E, and K, iron, and calcium help in scavenging free radicals and prevent damage to the body. Pomegranate is a phytoestrogen-rich and nutraceutical fruit that helps to make the breasts firm.

Lentil soups or dals, organic vegetables prepared with fresh spices and whole grains promote healthy skin. Consume at least 6-8 glasses of water, green tea or a glass of juice a day to keep the breast tissues and skin healthy. This helps to slow down breast sagging.

Massage the marma points

Gently massaging the breasts or deep tissue massage on marma points help to balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas. Massaging the breasts help to balance the hormones in a woman’s body and makes the breasts firm. The breasts have several vital marma points, so massage should be done gently using preferably the thumb, as it contains the main pranic power of the hand. Massage should be done in a clockwise motion, which helps in strengthening the breast tissues.

Oil massage

Massaging the breasts with oils help to maintain its firmness. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond or argan oil, as they have proved to be effective in bringing firmness to saggy breasts.

Yoga for breast firmness

Since stress play an important role in influencing breast health, doing yoga helps. Studies have shown that yoga postures, breath control techniques, and meditation have proved beneficial for physical and mental health. As a result, it helps to manage stress effectively.

There are also specific yoga asanas for breast health. These are:

Cobra pose (Bhujangasana)

Camel pose (Ustrasana)

Warrior pose (Virabhadrasana)

Triangle pose (Trikonasana)

Bow pose (Dhanurasana)

Wheel pose (Chakrasana)

While fine lines are inevitable with aging, they can be delayed. Aging and its related issues should be accepted gracefully. However, Ayurveda claims that fine lines can be prevented. They first start showing up around the eyes and mouth in your late thirties or early forties.

When we age, the collagen and elastin in the skin starts breaking naturally, causing fine lines. If you are careless and have exposed yourself too much to the harmful UV rays of the sun, you may start getting fines lines faster than your age. Fine lines are also caused by the movement of facial muscles, for example, when we smile or frown. Even before you see the first signs of these fine lines, start taking precautions! Otherwise, fine lines can appear before age and will develop into wrinkles.

AYURVEDIC TIPS TO PREVENT FINE LINES

According to Ayurveda, when we do not follow the Ayurvedic rules of eating a proper diet that is deficient in balanced nutrients, or our lifestyle is defective, it creates imbalance in our doshas. Also, when we follow unhealthy lifestyle, some pathological changes take place such as the muscles lose compactness, the joints get loosened, blood vitiates, and excessive fatty tissues are produced. These pathological changes lead to fine lines. Ayurveda suggests a chain of solutions.

Ayurvedic diet as per your skin type

First find out what is your skin type. Vata skin is usually dry, thin, small-pored, and delicate. As a result, Vata skin tends to age faster when out of balance. You may, therefore eat warm, unctuous foods to counteract the cool and dry skin. Include all six tastes in your meals. Also eat lots of cooked, leafy green vegetables spiced with cumin, coriander and turmeric. A little more of the sweet, sour and salty tastes will balance the dry, rough Vata dosha.

If you have a Pitta skin, it is usually sensitive, soft, warm, and of medium thickness. When out of balance, Pitta skin manifests in rashes, acne, or sun spots. If you have Pitta skin, you should include sweet, bitter and astringent tastes, for example, sweet, juicy fruits. Also have cooked greens and more of cooling spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel. Avoid hot, spicy foods.

Kapha skin, on the other hand, ages slowly and form less fine lines compared to Vata and Pitta skins. Kapha skin, however, suffer from enlarged pores, excessive oil, blackheads, pimples, etc. Your diet should include warmer, lighter, and less oily food. Also eat more of bitter, astringent and pungent foods to stimulate digestion and balance Kapha. Ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cumin and coriander are suitable for you.

For all types of skin, ensure that you get enough vitamins through your diet because they directly affect the health of the skin. Proteins and minerals are also essential to prevent the skin from losing its elasticity and developing fine lines. Water is also essential to flush out undigested food from the body and lead to healthy skin.

Protect the skin from stress

We all know stress affects our skin and leads to fine lines that take shape of wrinkles. Mental stress has a chain of reactions on the skin. It starts drying the skin out of Shleshaka Kapha, the subdosha of Kapha, which keeps our skin moist. When Shleshaka Kapha starts drying it makes the skin thin that starts aging early. If we do not control stress, the micro-channels that carry nutritive fluid to the skin starts shrinking, leading to fine lines and then to wrinkles, which are also called stress lines.

Emotional stress, on the other hand, makes us angry, which has a connection between Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha of Pitta that governs the emotions, and Bhrajaka Pitta, which governs the skin. When emotional stress becomes chronic, it starts manifesting in acne, sun sensitivity, and other Pitta-based problems.

To save your skin from mental stress, give yourself aroma oil massage and have Vata-pacifying diet. To bring emotional stress into balance, take a Pitta-pacifying diet.

Cleanse the pores

Every skin type needs cleansing, but Kapha skin needs a little more. Kapha skin has low agni, which leads to ama collecting in the body, which in turn clogs the channels of the skin. You, therefore, need to clean the pores and open up the channels so that the skin’s own balance is maintained. For all skin type, you should taking warm baths with mild herbal soap to keep the pores and channels open. Avoid products that would make your skin too dry.

Rehydrate the skin

It’s important to moisturize your skin from the inside so that your skin gets the necessary nutrients. This also keeps the inner layers of the skin moist and soft. Drink lots of water. Add some spices to the water so that the water gets absorbed and transported to the skin. You can use thin slices of fresh ginger root, or basil leaves, or spices like cloves, cumin seeds, etc in the water.

A natural glowing look is the first sign of healthy skin. This sparkling look is possible when you are healthy from within. Usually factors like stress, lack of sleep, wrong diet and unhealthy lifestyle rob the radiance from your look. As a result, your skin starts looking dull and tired. Ayurveda suggests some tips which will make you glow inside out. 

According to Ayurveda, sparking beauty is quite easy to acquire. It comes from three vital elements:

• A nourished and healthy body
• A balanced mind
• A calm and peaceful spirit

Let’s find out the simple ways to achieve radiant beauty

Disciplined lifestyle

A disciplined life solves many problems. Ayurveda asks you to create certain good habits like waking up early, going to bed early, and eating your meals at fixed times. These are powerful beauty ingredients. Also, don’t overeat, keep at least one-quarter of your stomach empty. Before taking bath, pamper your skin with a massage for 15 minutes. Closely examine your teeth and tongue and clean them with care.

Stretches and yoga

Doing stretching exercises are essential. When you do stretching exercises, every muscle of your body should stretch. This will keep you physically fit. Every morning after half-hour of walk, take out some time to exercise. Yoga makes you fit in and out. It nourishes the body, strengthens the mind, and nurtures the spirit. This will also boost blood circulation, loosen accumulated toxins, and will help to push out towards exit points.

Proper breathing

Breathe in and breathe out works wonder and gives you the desired radiant look. Observe your rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. Maybe you breathe too shallow, just in and out from your upper chest. Ayurveda suggests breathing deep and slow. Inhale and feel the air reach into your abdomen. Also don’t breathe too fast—the air circulating channels need to be clear so that oxygen is distributed equally in your body. Therefore, your breathing pace should be easy and steady.

Find some silence

Don’t make your lifestyle too hectic. Get away from too much of noise and get some silence into your life. For a few hours every day, say nothing and hear nothing. Shut off your phones, TV, and don’t look at the computer or books. Just tune in to your inner self. You can also do meditation for some time every day to be with your inner self.

Eat for radiant beauty

Ayurveda recommends choosing fresh and local ingredients to cook your food. While your daily food should be simple, it should have the aroma and the essential spices. Basically, you should be happy while eating. The act of eating should be pleasant. Take small morsels and savour well. While eating sit with your spine straight, and there should be a relaxed stillness to the body. Add ghee (clarified butter), whole grains, lightly-cooked fruit, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, legumes and herbal tea to your diet. These nourish your skin, hair, and give you a radiant glow to your look.

Beauty bath

Make your daily bath pleasurable. Give yourself 15 minutes massage with warm sesame oil. This self-massage nourishes all the seven layers of the skin, and the seven different types of body tissues. This will help increase firmness of the skin. It will also reduce physical and mental fatigue and calm you down. This massage will purify the skin and give a radiant glow.

HOME CLEANSING RECIPES

Cleansing scrubs

For dry skin

• 2 teaspoons oats
• ¼ teaspoon almond powder
• ¼ teaspoon orange peel powder
• ¼ teaspoon lavender flower powder
• 2 tablespoons yogurt

Mix well and apply gently on face. Let it dry, then take it off and wash your face. Apply a good moisturizer.

Oatmeal is excellent for exfoliating the skin. It fights sun damage and replenish the skin with vitamins B & E. Orange peel balances the pH level of the skin and softens it. Almond powder is a protein-pack, and yogurt contains good lactobacilli that pacify Pitta.

For oily skin

• 1 teaspoon toasted wheat bran
• ¼ teaspoon almond powder
• ½ teaspoon orange-peel powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Wheat bran is an efficient scrub. When mixed with cooling yogurt, it helps to exfoliate the skin. Lemon juice has vitamin C, which promotes scrubbing activity.

Common cold may be harmless, but it is an irritating feeling when one feels weak and fatigue. A viral infection of your nose and throat, it can occur at any time throughout the year but the most common are in winter and during season change. It is also quite common in children but healthy adults can also expect to get twice or thrice a year.

Symptoms of common cold

Symptoms of a common cold usually surface at least one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Some of the common symptoms are:

• Running or blocked nose
• Sore/Scratchy throat
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Cough
• Headache
• Mild fever

Ayurvedic remedies for preventing common cold

Besides eating a balanced seasonal diet, Ayurveda suggests certain remedies that can help you stay healthy, particularly throughout the winter season, when common cold is prevalent.

Turmeric: Turmeric is an immune-boosting spice. Make a paste of organic turmeric powder and pure honey. At the first hint of a cold, start taking 1 teaspoon of the paste every two hours until you feel better. To make it even more powerful, to this paste add black pepper and ghee.

Amla, tulsi and ashwagandha: Strengthen your immune system by having amla and tulsi. Also take ashwagandha, which is an adaptogenic herb that has immune-boosting properties. Ashwagandha powder or in other forms are available over the counter. You can have it thrice a day after meals.

Put oil in your ear: If you put a few drops of warm oil—sesame oil, mustard seed oil, or any ear oil—in each ear at night, it will lubricate the upper Eustachian tube and the cervical lymph nodes in the neck. Our lymphatic system carries our immune system, and when the cervical lymph nodes get dry, they get swollen glands. This happens when the immune system is down. When the nodes are lubricated, the glands can effectively get rid of any bad bacteria that might have accumulated.

Neti and nasya: Do Neti and nasya every day. Take saltwater in a neti pot. Stand in front of your sink and place the tip of the pot’s spout in one nostril. Tilt your head and pour the saltwater into one nostril. Keep your head tilted till the solution enter the nasal passage and flow out from the other nostril. This cleans out the sinuses. But the saltwater may make the skin dry, which reacts by producing mucus. Mucus is a breeding ground for bad bacteria. So you have to do nasya, which is a nasal-lubricating technique. You have to sniff herbalized oils in the nose to moisturize the sinuses and prevent dryness.

Oil pulling: Start oil pulling every day. It is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth. Oil pulling with herbalized oils removes bad bacteria from the mouth and boosts good immune-boosting bacteria in your mouth.

Ayurvedic remedies to cure common cold

Inhale steam: Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in hot water and inhale the steam. While inhaling, cover your head and the bowl with a towel. This will relieve a stuffed nose.

Sip tea made with tulsi leaves with an equal quantity of dried ginger powder. It is an excellent drink for common cold. You can also add milk and sugar to it.

Mix the juice of ginger and tulsi one teaspoon each to one teaspoon honey and take two-three times a day. You can also take a small piece of ginger fried in ghee, two times a day.

Mix half teaspoon of black pepper powder to jaggery and have it twice a day.

Add one teaspoon of powder or paste of turmeric to a cup of warm milk and take it thrice a day. This gives immediate relief in cold.