Skin Rasayanas and Ayurvedic beauty
What is it that sets Ayurvedic beauty above the rest? There is a sophistication and wisdom in the eastern healing system that sets it apart from any other. These qualities are one of herbal energetics and tastes and rasayanas. Eastern wisdom recognizes that plants have particular characteristics and inherent qualities that have specific actions or affinities with an individuals body and skin type. This knowledge helps to clarify the basic qualities of plants and gives us an intuitive way to understand the way they work internally and externally in the body. It enforces the vital concept that, what is good for one is not necessarily good for another, and we all have qualities that will either have a special affinity for an herb or be in discordance with it.
Plant energies, known in Sanskrit as Virya, consist of either:
- Warming or Heating, which is balancing for vata and kapha
- Cooling, refreshing, enlivening, and calming , which is balancing for pitta.
Herbs are also categorized according to their physical “tastes” and these qualities impart very specific actions to the skin.
- Pungent is always warm and induces circulation in the body. Pungent herbs have a "painkilling" action and can alleviate swelling and edema. This pungent quality helps to discharge wastes from the body; therefore, it has a purifying and simulating action. Pungent herbs alleviate kapha dosha.
- Bitter herbs heal skin disorders, alleviates itching, inflammation and is drying and detoxifying. Bitter herbs are usually beneficial for pitta (if cool) and kapha (if warm). Bitter herbs can be pungent or astringent at the same time.
- Astringent herbs contain chemical constituents, called tannins, making them drying, contracting, firming and anti-inflammatory. Astringent herbs are pacifying for kapha/pitta.
- Sweet taste promotes the health and growth of skin and hair. It is nourishing, revitalizing and promotes tissue regeneration. These herbs usually contain a lot of mucilaginous qualities making them moisturizing and healing. It is helpful for pitta and vata.
In addition to the plants energies, many Ayurvedic herbs and plant extracts are unsurpassed in their rejuvenating qualities. In Ayurveda these rejuvenating properties are known as Rasayana’s
In Sanskrit Rasayana means; A substance that helps eliminate the body of disease and aging. In a subtle, etheric way, it is what penetrates and revitalizes our whole beingness; body, mind and spirit. Rasayana is meant to increase health and Ojas, keep body tissue’s healthy, enhance memory, strength of the body and senses and preserve beauty. Rasayana qualities are infused in the essence of plants. To comprehend Rasayanas from a western viewpoint, they can be considered Rejuvenatives for the body and mind, helping to delay the aging process.
Prepared properly and in their pure form, herbs can be a superior way to enhance beauty of the skin.
The most powerful skin Rasayanas
Ashwaganda: Sweet and Warming. Like Gingeng of the west because of it’s powerful tonic and restorative powers. Excellent tonic for the nervous system and useful anti-aging herb because of its rejuvenative qualities. According to Ayurveda it is useful for white discolorations on the skin. A fine powder of Ashwagandha well mixed with oil is very use full in many skin conditions. (Pacifies Vata/Kapha)
Amalaki: Sweet, Cool and Heavy. In Sanskrit Amalaki means “sustainer of health.” According to Ayurveda it enhances longevity and delays the signs of ageing. Good tonic for the eyes. The fruit allegedly contains 720 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fresh fruit pulp, or up to 900 mg per 100 g of pressed juice. Because of its high tannin content even the dried form retains most of the vitamin content.
The Charaka Samhita says, " Amalaki is the best among rejuvenative herbs." (Tri-doshic. Except excess Kapha).
Tulsi: Light, Warm and Pungent. In Sanskrit Tulsi means simply that no other plant stands in comparison. One of the best known anti-oxidants because of its high polyphenol content helping to fight free radical damage. According to Ayurveda it is useful in all skin disorders. (Pacifies Kapha/Vata)
Yashtimadhu: Licorice. Sweet and Cool. Extrodinarily healing and moisturizing. Good for inflammatory skin conditions. According to Ayurveda it is a Rejuvenator for the eyes. (pacifies Vata/Pitta)
Haridra: Light, warm and Pungent. Also known as Turmeric in the west. Haridra in Sanskrit simply means “that which improves the complexion of the body”. Haridra is one of the best known Indian herbs for natural beauty and a perfect complexion. According to Ayurveda it enhances the complexion is a good purifier and wound healer. Useful for diseases of the skin because it is a natural anti-biotic. (Tri-doshic. Especially good for Kapha).
Manjistha: Bitter, sweet, cooling, pungent. In Sanskrit it means “bright red” and has an affinity for the blood. According to Ayurveda it is a Superior blood purifier. Improves the complexion and alleviates skin disease. Known for its use on age (brown) spots. Anti-inflammatory action. (Pacifies Kapha/Pitta).
Shatavari: Sweet, heavy and cool. In Sanskrit it translates as “she who possesses a hundred husbands”. Atirasa: Sanskrit term which means good nourishing qualities. According to Ayurveda it rejuvenates the body and delay’s ageing. Extremely nourishing. Demulcent properties that are good for moisturizing. (Tri-doshic but especially for Vata/Pitta. Not for excessive Kapha).
Jatamansi: Sweet, Astringent, Light and Cool. Also known as Spikenard in the west. Jatamansi contains velaranol (major chemical component of valerian root) which gives it a strong sedative action. This property makes it very useful for calming vata types. Preserves mature skin. According to Ayurveda it i mproves the complexion and imparts a glowing look. It is also useful in the management of skin diseases. (Tri-doshic but especially beneficial for Vata). Annointing the heart or solar plexus region provides a sedative effect.
Vacha: Pungent, bitter, heating and astringent. Known as Calamus or Sweet Flag in the west. Vacha means “to speak”
Brahmi: Light, Sweet, Cool and Calm. According to Ayurveda Brahmi increases longevity and decreases the signs of aging. It is a great Nervine, mild anti-bacterial and mild anti-inflammatory. (Tri-doshic. Especially pacifies Pitta and Kapha).