When skin has a lot to say, go with these Ayurvedic Remedies
Whatever the skin problem may be, there is a common saying in Ayurveda: “Show it to an Ayurvedic practitioner.” Though the treatment may take a little longer, there is always hope of completely curing the condition — this particular belief is the strength behind that saying.
According to Ayurveda, the main causes of skin diseases are improper and incompatible food habits, lifestyle, and mental patterns. Imbalance in the body’s Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas, as well as disturbances related to the tissues (dhatus), can also lead to disease or any kind of skin problems. Changes in climate, seasons, geography, and environmental conditions can also affect the skin in various ways. Also read: Ayurveda – 20+ Common Doubts Cleared.
Let us look at five common skin problems and their Ayurvedic remedies.
1. How to make skin soft through Ayurvedic Remedies
Dry skin is a condition in which the skin becomes rough, dull and lacks moisture. White, powder-like flakes may also appear on the surface of skin, along with itching. The legs, hands and face are the areas where dryness is most commonly experienced. As age passes by, our skin turns dry and lacks moisture content. We need to make adjustments in food such way, and keep ourselves hydrated always. Drink sufficient water.
Remedy:
Before starting treatment, it is important to confirm with a doctor that the dryness is not caused by allergies or other underlying health conditions.
For general dryness, Ayurvedic treatments such as Eladi Keram, Dasha Pushpa Keram, Pinda Thailam and Shatadhouta Ghritham, or similar medicated oils depending on the physician’s advice may be used regularly to improve moisture and skin health.
Bathing with extreme hot or extreme cold water can worsen skin dryness. Use lukewarm water if possible. Bath time should not exceed ten minutes. Avoid highly fragranced or harsh soaps and cleansers, which can take away the moisture retained in skin and make it dry.
Powdered coconut cake, oatmeal, or green gram flour can be mixed with water and used as a natural cleanser instead of soap. A lukewarm bath is ideal. After bathing, apply a moisturizer or Eladi cream/oil. Use sunscreen regularly.
Include plenty of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. You may also add a little ghee to lukewarm porridge and consume it. Drink plenty of water. Diet can definitely influence skin health.
Home Care Tips based on Ayurveda/Ayurvedic remedies
- Mix aloe vera gel with coconut oil. Apply it to the body, and bathe after 20 minutes.
- Blend one avocado, add one tablespoon of warm coconut oil and half a tablespoon of honey, and use it as a face mask.
2. Ayurvedic Remedies for Darkening of the Face
One common skin concern which many people experience is hyperpigmentation. Brownish patches may appear on the cheeks, forehead, or spread across the face. In some cases, changes in skin texture may also occur. This condition can develop due to sun exposure, hormonal changes, and several other factors including ageing. If you are not giving proper skin care such as over exposure to sun or not moisturizing your skin, these conditions may worsen.
Sometimes, the patches may change in appearance or spread within a few days. This may be an indication of internal issues, allergies, or infections. Many times, some diseases may point towards changes in skin as a symptom, and we treat peripheral only.
Remedy
The first step is to consult a doctor and correctly identify the underlying cause. You need to double-check if it’s not some other disease condition internally.
Drink plenty of water, reduce internal body heat, and limit spicy, sour, and salty foods. You may include plenty of cooling foods and seasonal fruits in your diet. Lack of proper sleep and irregular eating habits can also contribute to hyperpigmentation. Nalpamaram Keram, Khaditha Pinda Thailam, and Shatadhauta Ghee can be used as per the doctor’s prescription.
Home Care Tips based on Ayurveda/Ayurvedic remedies
- Mix licorice (Irattimadhuram) with milk, heat it and thicken it slightly and allow it to cool. Apply on the face, and wash off after 20 minutes. It reduces dimness of face.
- Powder manjatti stick and neermaruthu bark, mix with milk, and apply as a face pack.
- Mix red sandalwood and manjishta choornam (powder) with rose water and apply to the face.
3. Ayurvedic Remedies for Acne / Pimples
Acne is a very common skin condition seen in teenagers and youngsters. It’s seen in mid-aged people because of hormonal imbalance too. In the initial stage, acne appears as small red spots and then develops into painful bumps. Some pimples have a white tip surrounded by redness, which indicates infection. People with acne usually have excess sebum (oil) production on the face and other areas. Excess oil clogs pores and leads to acne formation.
When the pores on the face become clogged, blackheads and whiteheads begin to form. These can later turn into bacterial acne. After the pimples rupture, dark spots or marks may appear on those areas. Hair-related issues can also trigger acne, so proper hair care is essential.
Hormonal imbalance and menstrual irregularities can also cause acne. Therefore, acne treatment should be done only under proper medical guidance. Read: 100 Plus Ayurvedic Methods For Health and Beauty
Remedy
- Avoid oily, deep-fried, and junk foods.
- Reduce or regulate the consumption of curd and pickles.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Include more fruits and leafy vegetables in your diet.
- Wash your face with cool water after sweating.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure.
- Avoid using face scrubs.
- Do not touch or pop pimples frequently.
The following Ayurvedic remedies may be used only as per a doctor’s prescription:
Nimbadi Kashayam, Varanadi Kashayam, Punarnavadi Kashayam, Trayantyadi Kashayam, Kaishora Guggulu, Kanchanara Guggulu, Avipathi Chooranam, Manibhadra Gulam. For severe acne, Rakta Mokshana (leech therapy) is considered highly effective.
Care Tips:
It is better to avoid applying face packs when a pimple is in its early stage or when it is filled with pus. Instead, you can wash your face and scalp with water boiled with neem leaves or water boiled with Triphala powder, after it cools down.
For unripe (non-pus) pimples, mix Triphala powder or Lodhradi Choornam with lukewarm water, apply to the face, and wash off after 15 minutes.
Apply kacholam (Aromatic Ginger) paste on hardened, large pimples. Wash off after 20 minutes.
After steaming your face using water boiled with neem leaves, Triphala powder, or Elaadi choornam, you can gently remove whiteheads and blackheads.
4. White Patches (Vitiligo) — Care & Treatment
Vitiligo occurs when the skin loses melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. It starts as small white patches and gradually spreads. It is not harmful to physical health, but it may create emotional or social difficulties.
Commonly affected areas are face, hands, feet, lips, cheeks and nose area. Over days or months, patches may enlarge and spread to other parts of the body. Hair over these patches may also turn white. Such people are sensitive towards light and patches may become red after sun exposure. The rate of spreading of patches differ from person to person.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Vitiligo
Ayurveda offers effective treatment for this condition. Under the supervision of an Ayurvedic doctor, the following may be used: Chitrakasavam, Gomootrasavam, Chilavilvadi Kashayam, Nirgunthyadi Kashayam, Manibhadra Gulam, and Aragwadhadi Mahathiktaka Khritam. Treatment is also available with Avalgujabeejadi choornam. All medicines should be taken strictly only with a doctor’s advice.
Vitiligo patients should also take some precautions. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Maintain proper digestion and avoid foods that cause stomach upset. Drink plenty of water. Boost immunity with a balanced diet. Choose food items to improve immunity.
Beneficial foods include – Leafy vegetables, Dates, Fruits like plantains and apples, Root vegetables—especially beetroot, carrot, radish
Foods to avoid – Excess use of Alcohol, Pickles, Sour fruits, Curd, Coffee, Junk foods, Tomatoes, Black gram (urad dal), and excessively sour or fermented foods.
5. Moles/freckle is not a disease
The small black or brown freckles/spot-like pigmentation that appear on the face—especially on the cheeks and nose—are commonly called moles. These may also appear on other exposed parts of the skin. These dark spots occur when the skin’s pigmentation process gets disturbed after sun exposure. Some people may get them due to hereditary factors and appear as birthmarks. Some of them may fade with time too. Read: Ayurveda Discipline for Healthy Life Style
The spots can range from dark brown to black in colour. In some individuals, they become visible only after strong sun exposure. They may appear more prominent during summer. It may vary in size and shape too, but mostly appear as small or large dots. This condition does not lead to serious health issues or pain, but people may dislike its visibility on face or other body parts. Since it affects only the superficial skin layers, it is considered more of a cosmetic issue rather than a disease. People who spend long hours in the sun or do not use sunscreen may notice that these spots turn darker faster.
Ayurvedic Approach (Remedy)
Body heat (pitta) should be controlled. Ayurvedic remedies that may be used under medical guidance include: Guluchyadi Kashayam, Saribadyasavam, Usheerasavam, Chandanasavam, and Avipathi Choornam. Topical applications may not produce dramatic quick changes, but the following may help: Nalparamari Kerala Thailam and Kumkumadi Thailam. Use only under a doctor’s advice.
Home Care / Maintenance Tips
- Make a paste of red sandalwood (rakta chandana) and manjishta powder mixed with rose water, apply on the face for 20 minutes, then wash off.
- Mix Yashti choornam (licorice powder) or Guluchyadi Kashaya choornam with milk, cool it, apply externally for 20 minutes, then wash off.
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