Ayurveda offers many natural skincare solutions. The recipe below creates a thin paste that helps heal acne and some kinds of eczema. Mix the herbal powders with water or whole milk if your skin is oily; if you have dry skin, use ghee. Apply this to the face for one-half hour at bedtime and one-half hour upon rising in the morning. If no irritation occurs, continue this regimen until imbalances clear.
4 parts chickpea flour
3 parts Mahasudarshan powder
2 parts triphala
1 part turmeric
Make into a paste with rose water or milk or ghee. Apply ½ hour before bedtime and let dry. Rinse with warm water.
Herbal Information
Mahasudarshan is a synergistic combination of cooling and cleansing herbs that helps heal infections by supporting the following functions*:
Promotes elimination of toxins
Bolsters immunity and supports the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and viruses
Supports proper function of the liver and lymphatic system
Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa (taste): bitter, pungent, astringent
Virya (action): cooling
Vipaka (post-digestive taste): pungent
Doshas (constitutions): Balancing for pittaand kapha, may aggravate vatawhen used in excess
Triphala is prized in Ayurveda as a multi-purpose remedy that gently cleanses and detoxifies the system while simultaneously replenishing and nourishing it by balancing vata, pitta, and kapha. Translated as “three fruits,” triphala consists of the dried fruits of amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki, which in combination offer the following benefits*:
Helps promote natural internal cleansing
Gently maintains regularity
Nourishes and rejuvenates tissues
Supports healthy digestion and absorption
Promotes proper functions of the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and genitourinary system
Functions as natural antioxidant
Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa(taste): sweet, sour, pungent, bitter, astringent
Virya(action): neutral
Vipaka(post-digestive taste): sweet
Doshas(constitutions): Balancing for vata,pitta, and kapha
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is renowned in Ayurveda for its extensive range of beneficial effects, including the following*:
Strengthens digestion and promotes healthy intestinal flora
Boosts immune function
Cleanses the blood and promotes healthy skin
Helps maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range
Promotes comfortable movement of the joints
Supports healthy pancreatic function
Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa(taste): pungent, bitter, astringent
Virya(action): heating
Vipaka(post-digestive taste): pungent
Doshas(constitutions): Balancing for all doshas, may increase vataand pittaif used in excess
Preliminary studies of the turmeric constituent curcumin are currently underway to evaluate its potential as a treatment for a range of disorders, including cancer, colitis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis.
Disclaimer
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The sole purpose of this article is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease.