Treating Dry Skin Condition Naturally Applying Ayurveda Principles:

Dry skin looks dull and life less due to lack of moisture. Well hydrated skin glows and exhibits a healthy look. Wrinkles develop at an early age due to prolonged dryness of skin. Dry, rough and wrinkled skin gives an aged appearance. Dry and cracked skin harbor microbes and cause fungal infections. Excess drying of skin leads to dry eczema. 

Hence a proper care should be taken to increase the moisture level of skin and prevent drying. Soft, smooth and wrinkle free skin gives young and healthy look.
Causes of Dry Skin
Our skin is soft and smooth because of oil glands found under our skin. The skin becomes dry when these glands fail to supply sufficient lubrication to keep the skin soft and smooth.

1. The cold and dry weather of winter takes its own toll on the skin. The cold, dry weather of winter brings about drying of skin making it scaly. Lack of sufficient humidity out doors also leads to dry skin. Indoor heating further removes the traces of moisture and aggravates dryness of skin. Thus in winter the skin becomes extremely dry.
2. Dry skin condition may occur due to genetic factors.
3. Dry skin condition may arise from nutritional deficiencies due to poor diet.
4. Unhealthy practices like exposure to extreme weather conditions, bathing for long time in very hot water, using harsh soaps, swimming in chlorinated water, chemicals and harsh cosmetics.
5. The skin loses its capacity to retain moisture, as we grow old. The extreme climatic conditions to which we get exposed, as we grow old worsen the condition and skin becomes more dry.
6. Few underlying diseases like hypothyroidism, diabetes, eczema, psoriasis or seborrhea may also lead to dry skin.
7. Dry skin may arise as an effect of medications like diuretics, antihistamines and anti spasmodics.

What Ayurveda says about Dry Skin?
According to texts of Ayurveda dry skin is caused by vata dosha. When vata dosha increases in body it reduces kapha and makes skin dry and wrinkled. (Kapha keeps skin soft and smooth where as vata makes the skin dry and rough. Vata dosha's qualities are opposite to kapha dosha qualities).
The causes which increase vata dosha in body

• Exposure to cold and dry climate
• Controlling natural urges like urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, etc.
• Staying awake at unearthly hours (late night). Irregular food habits.
• Excess physical and mental exertion.
• Consumption of spicy, dry, bitter food.

Here are the natural tips to take care of dry skin

• Do not use hot water to cleanse dry skin.
• Use a soft cotton cloth and pat dry your skin. Do not rub the skin with harsh, rough textured towels.
• Instead of washing with water use a clean sprayer to moisten your skin. Use mineral water instead of tap water for spray.
• Lightly pat dry the skin.
• Avoid using harsh soaps and face washes as they remove natural oil that protects your skin.
• Pamper your skin by massaging with moisturizer. Moisturizer increases the moisture of upper layer of skin and makes it soft and smooth.
• Regularly massage your body with herbal oil. Herbal oil softens and sooth the dry skin and help to trap the moisture between skin pores.
• Apply a thin layer of coconut oil before finishing the bath and pat dry the skin
  Avoid alcohol-based cleansers.
• Consume a balanced diet which includes foods from all groups like vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, cereals, milk and milk products.
• Include yellow and orange vegetables like carrot which have rich anti oxidants.
  Avoid junk food like chips, deep fried food etc

Ayurveda Tips for dry skin condition.

• Keep yourself warm in dry cold climates.
• Massage whole body with body massage oil which is infused with vata balancing herbs.
• Do not sit near fire place.
• Avoid stale, over fried, dry food.
• Always consume fresh warm food with little fat like ghee or olive oil.
• Include sour and salty food in diet.
• Sweet juicy fruits are recommended.
• Drink 7-9 glasses of warm water everyday. (Do not drink cold water as it increases vata)

Home Remedies for dry skin

• Mix egg yolk, rose water lime juice, olive oil and orange juice (1 tea spoon each) thoroughly. Apply a smooth mixture of this ingredient on your face in morning and wash it off after 20 minutes
• A face mask of honey, egg, olive oil and rose water works very well for dry skin.
• Liberally apply gentle herbal moisturizer all over your body.
• Massage your body with herbal oil infused with vata balancing herbs, twice in a week.
• Increase the moisture level of skin by applying natural herbal gel which is rich in aloevera and essential oils.
• Consume herbal tea which contains vata balancing herbs regularly.   

Hair and Scalp Massage: The Ayurvedic Secret for Gorgeous Hair

According to Ayurveda, a healthy beautiful head of hair requires an ongoing care routine that starts with nourishment. Why wait until you experience hair problems? As with your skin, start taking care of it now, and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.
Massaging the scalp and hair with warm oil, preferably infused with hair-friendly herbs, is the best way to nourish the scalp and hair topically. Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system. The oil for the massage can be customized by hair and body type. If your hair is thin, dry and frizzy and prone to split-ends, you have Vata hair. If you have fine hair prone to premature thinning or graying, you are Pitta-predominant. If you are predominantly Kapha, your hair will tend to be thick and oily.

The Benefits:

A warm oil massage, done at least once a week (if you have more Vata in your make-up, you would want to try to do it two to three times a week), has the following benefits:

·        It lubricates and conditions the scalp, helping to prevent flakes and dry scalp without the use of harsh chemical shampoos.

·        It helps enhance blood circulation in the head and neck area. When the scalp is “tight” from stress, circulation and hair growth are impeded.

·        It helps relax the scalp and increase pliability.

·        It helps strengthen the roots of the hair and nourishes the hair-shafts, promoting new hair growth and strengthening current hair.

·        It helps soften and condition the hair, making it more manageable.

·        It spreads the natural oils of the hair, increasing hair luster and vibrancy.

·        It helps protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun and harsh weather by improving resiliency over time.

·        It is replenishing and rejuvenating for dry, damaged hair, and helps prevent excessive brittleness and split-ends.

·        It helps pacify Vata dosha. Especially when enriched with Vata-pacifying herbs, a warm oil hair and scalp massage can be wonderfully relaxing for the mind and nervous system.

When fortified with cooling, Pitta-pacifying herbs, the hair and scalp massage can help balance Pitta dosha and help prevent Pitta-related problems such as premature graying or thinning of hair. It also helps reduce body heat in general, especially if you have been up late a few nights or your eyes are smarting from too much close work on the computer or reading. A Pitta-pacifying massage also helps promote emotional balance.
The massage helps relax the muscles in the neck area.
The hair and scalp massage can help promote sound sleep at night.

Choosing a Massage Oil:

If you are Vata-predominant, choose almond oil or sesame oil as the base oil. Both of these oils are very nourishing for the scalp and hair and help reduce stiffness and tightness in the scalp.
For Pitta persons, cooling coconut oil is the ideal choice. Because coconut is very Pitta-pacifying, coconut oil massage can retard hair problems such as thinning and premature graying that are associated with an aggravated Pitta dosha.
If you are Kapha-predominant, sesame or olive oil are good choices. Olive oil has purifying properties that help keep pores open.
While massaging with a dosha-appropriate base oil can be helpful, Ayurvedic oils designed for hair and scalp massage typically include one or more hair-friendly herbs to augment the benefit of the massage. Traditionally, these herbs are slow-cooked with the oil, and the oil is then strained and ready for use.
Brahmi helps calm the mind and nervous system, pacifies Vata and is very nourishing for the hair. It helps promote hair thickness and body. Amalaki is cooling, nourishing and purifying all at the same time, so it is wonderful for all types of hair. It is especially beneficial for Pitta-predominant people because it pacifies Pitta and helps ward off premature thinning and graying of hair. It also helps prevent dry scalp and flakes. Bhringaraj, which translates to “king of tresses,” is also Pitta-pacifying and very nourishing for the hair. Hibiscus is cooling and helps maintain hair color and vitality. Neem is good for Kapha hair; it has purifying and cleansing properties. Rosemary and Lavender are excellent for all types of hair. Rosemary helps stimulate hair follicles and promotes growth, helps retard premature thinning and graying, and soothes and conditions the scalp. Lavender stimulates hair growth, balances oil production and replenishes the hair and scalp. Jasmine helps alleviate stress.

How to Do the Scalp and Hair Self-Massage:

Pour some oil into a bowl and warm the oil by placing the bowl in some hot water. The oil should be warm but comfortable to the touch.
Using the pads of your fingers, apply the oil little by little to different parts of your scalp, parting your hair as needed. Also work some oil along the length of your hair. Then, using the pads of your fingers, work the oil into your scalp, using circular motions. Slow, deliberate movements are relaxing while steady but vigorous movement helps enhance energy and circulation. Cover your entire scalp, all the way down the sides to your ears and at the back to your neck. Leave the oil on for at least 30-60 minutes, longer if you can. If you like, you can dip a towel in hot water, wring it out, and wrap it around your head after your massage for added conditioning and softening of hair. You can even leave the oil on overnight—place a thick towel over your pillow to protect your linens. Shampoo out with a gentle, natural shampoo.   

Eating as a way to health – Ayurvedic tips for diet

The purpose of food is to provide our body with nutrients and essential substances such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Food also supplies the body with its energy requirements. In Ayurved the functioning of the digestive system is considered just as important as the quality of the nutrients; for without this, the food will not get properly digested and absorbed. On this page we list some Ayurvedic tips for proper diet, which you will find beneficial to your health. 1. Eat only when you feel genuinely hungry. Do not eat until the previous meal has been fully digested (about 3-6 hours after a main meal). 2. Do not overeat. After eating, the stomach should be only up to 3/4 full. 3. Eat in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. While eating you should not read, work or watch TV. Always sit down to eat. 4. After the meal, give yourself time to sit quietly for a further 5-10 minutes. 5. Always eat at about the same time each day. 6. You should neither eat too fast or too slowly. 7. Lunch should be the main meal of the day. 8. Avoid eating between meals if you do not feel hungry. 9. Food should be freshly prepared, good to taste, wholesome, and warm. Avoid re-heated or stale food. 10. Most of one’s diet should consist of cooked food, as the body can more easily absorb this. Raw food should be eaten only as a side-dish, e.g. salad. 11. Make use of spices, for these not only make the food tasty, but often support the digestive process as well. Vata, Pitta and Kapha Churnas are highly recommended in this respect. 12. Liquids such as water, juice, or lassi, may be taken in small sips during the meal. Warm drinks are preferred; ice-cold drinks should be avoided. 13. Milk should not be drunk with meals. However, it is fine to combine milk with toast, cereal products, and sweet-tasting foods. 14. Honey should not be heated, and should not be used for cooking or baking. 15. In the evening avoid heavy foods such as meat, fish, yoghurt, cheese, buttermilk, quark, etc. 16. According to your requirement, include the appropriate food supplements in your diet.

CALORIES CHART

Vegetables (per 100 grams)	Calories
Cabbage	45
Carrot	48
Cauliflower	30
Corn (baked)	84
Cucumber	12
Eggplant (Fresh)	24
Eggplant (Cooked)	69
Fenugreek (methi)	49
French Beans	26
Lettuce	21
Onion	50
Peas	93
Potato	97
Potato (fried- 1 cup)	450
Potato (baked- 1 cup)	100
Potato (mashed- 1 cup)	245
Potato (boiled- 1 cup)	83
Pumpkin (cooked)	33
Spinach	26
Tomato (fresh)	21
Tomato (stuffed and baked)	58
Tomato (baked)	39
Fruits (per 100 grams)	Calories
Apple	56
Banana	153
Black Grapes	45
Chickoo	94
Cherries	70
Dates	281
Guava	66
Litchies	61
Mango	70
Melon	74
Orange	53
Papaya	32
Peach	50
Pears	51
Pineapple	46
Plums	56
Pomegranate	77
Watermelon	16
Cereals (per 100 grams)	Calories
Bajra	360
Maize flour	355
Rice	325
Wheat flour	341
Breads (per slice)	Calories
Chapati (wheat bread) (medium)	119
White bread	60
Paratha (not stuffed)	280
Desserts (per 100 grams)	Calories
Biscuits	399
Boondi ladoo	150
Cake (with icing)	302
Cake (without icing)	218
Cookies (butter cookies)	482
Custard	205
Fruit pie	236
Fruit salad	80
Gujia	501
Gulab Jamun	387
Halwa (atta)	263
Halwa (rawa)	181
Halwa (sohan halwa)	399
Jalebi	494
Jelly	65
Kheer (rice)	141
Kheer (rice-carrot)	226
Maalpua	325
Sandesh	57
Milk and Milk Products (per cup)		Calories
Buffalo milk		115
Butter (100gms.)		750
Buttermilk		19
Cheese		315
Cow milk		100
Cream (100gms)		210
Ghee (100gms)		910
Skimmed milk		45
Miscellaneous		Calories
Coconut water (100 ml)		25
Coffee		40
Honey (1 tbsp)		90
Orange juice (100 ml)		47
Sugar (1 tbsp)		48
Tea		30
Tomato juice (100ml)		22

Activity (30 minutes)	Calories
Aerobic Dance	178
Basketball	258
Bicycling (10 mph, level ground)	189
Bowling (competitive)	108
Canoeing (vigorous)	192
Croquet	111
Field Hockey	249
Fishing	114
Golf (carrying clubs)	162
Golf (power cart)	108
Handball (leisure)	270
Handball (vigorous)	297
Horseback riding (galloping)	255
Horseback riding (trotting)	204
Horseback riding (walking)	75
Ice skating (fast pace)	315
Ice skating (slow pace)	199
Judo	363
Jumping rope		223
Mountain climbing		270
Rowing machine		378
Roller skating (fast pace)		315
Roller skating (slow pace)		199
Running (5.5 mph)		295
Running (7.5 mph)		426
Skiing (cross-country, 2.5 mph)		252
Skiing (cross-country, 8.0 mph)		459
Skiing (downhill)		247
Sleeping		32
Squash		393
Swimming (breast stroke, 1.0 mph)		300
Swimming (crawl, fast)		291
Swimming (back stroke)		341
Tennis (singles)		216
Tennis (doubles)		162
Volleyball		93
Walking (3.0 to 3.5 mph)		130

Softening Cracked Heels through herbal ayurveda remedies

Cracked heels are one of the most common beauty problems caused by
drying of skin. The desire to wear attractive foot wear will remain
just that with cracked heels. Cracked heels are also referred to as
heel fissures. When these fissures are deep they may bleed and become
painful. Some times they may also get infected.

Ayurveda classifies cracked heels under "kshudra rogas" (common
diseases without much complecations) and explains the causes and
remedies for cracked heels.
Cracks or fissures usually appear on outer edges of heels when the skin
on these parts is dry and thick.
What causes cracked heels?
According to ayurveda  the cracked heel is caused by vitiation of Vata.
Due to vitiation of vata the skin becomes dry, rough and  fissured.
Walking bare foot for long distances vitiates vata  causing cracked
heels.
Dry and cold weather increases vata in body and may cause cracks on the
heels. The same weather conditions worsen the already present cracks or
fissures on heels.
Usually the process of sweating keeps our skin moist and soft. Absence
of or inactive sweat glands cause dryness of skin. Vitiated vata dries
up sweat glands.
People who have dry skin tend to develop cracked heels easily.
Continued pressure on feet causes cracking of skin on heels. This may
be due to prolonged standing or over weight.
Thin soled shoes, Open backed shoes, heel spurs, Surgery of lower
extremities, flat feet, high arched feet and diseases like psoriasis,
eczema etc also cause fissured heels.
Self care for cracked heels
Avoid thin soled shoes or footwear and open backed shoes.
Use  pumice stone bars to remove thick, dead skin of heels.
Apply medicated herbal balm which keeps the skin of heels soft and
closes fissures.