Recently, I took a month long class using the Ayurvedic principals for a “5 sense cleanse”. What is a 5 sense cleanse? According to Ayurveda, we should take part in a seasonal cleanse to decrease toxins in our mind, body and spirit. We look at our physical habits. How much screen/computer time are you enduring each day? How about movement? Where are you at on stress? What I like about this type of cleanse is that you go at your own pace. No two people are alike and changing up your habits for a month is a short commitment and the results are absolutely amazing.
This got me thinking about Skin and how we can apply some Ayurvedic principles into our life. Hopefully, this synopsis will inspire you on a path toward revising your skin conditions and overall healthy.
According to Ayurveda the key to overall health and wellbeing begins in the digestive system. We can learn to pay attention to our digestive “fire” and how well or not we are able to absorb, digest and release waste from our bodies. Radiant skin is one of these benefits as the skin is our largest digestive organ. Think of your skin as the back side of your lymph system. If the movement and removal of waste/toxins is healthy on the inside, our skin will be healthy on the outside. Your skin can offer clues to your overall health.
Ayurveda and Skin:
- To Keep your Colon clean hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Most of us are chronically dehydrated and we don’t even know it. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water or clear fluids every day (ie. if you weigh 150 lbs, aim for 75 oz of water per day). Try to drink room temperature or warm water. Ice cold water restricts the tissues in our bellies damping our digestive “fire”.
- When eating meals do not consume more than 8oz of water as this dilutes our digestive enzymes leading to undigested food that cannot be correctly absorbed by the body.
- Eat your meals without distractions. Chew your food about 30 times before swallowing.
- Manage raw foods as they are difficult to digest. Moderation is the key.
- Eat your largest meal at lunchtime.
- Portion size = two fistfuls of food. Eating more than the body needs can cause additional toxins in the digestive tract.
What to avoid?
Ideally, we should all be eating organic, locally grown food. They don’t have the chemicals and pesticides that non organic foods do.
Avoid:
- Chemically treated foods
- Processed foods (including canned and frozen foods)
- Microwaves (they deplete nutrients)
- Anything artificial
- Items that say low fat, non fat as they have chemical additives.
When you think about what types of foods to buy, think about the foods we used to eat 100 years ago. Eat fresh and organically when you can.
How should you develop healthy habits for great skin according to your body type?
The Ayurvedic approach says that there are three body types (Doshas) and according to each of these, there are specific do’s and don’ts when it comes to foods. Each Dosha is associated with two of the five universal elements (air, space, fire, earth, and water). Everyone is comprised of their own mixture of the three Doshas, There is generally one or two that stand out more.
Vata: Consumes warm foods and avoids cold (see references below to go in more depth. They naturally have dry skin, dehydrated skin. (Check out occlusive moisturizers like DMK’s hydroloc).
Pitta: Focus on fruits and grains. This dosha tends to have acne, breakouts, beauty marks, sun sensitivity and inflammation. Try Beau Visage’s Luxury Facial Oil and Moisture mist to balance the skin for adequate moisture and calm redness.
Kapha: Focus on regular exercise, maintain warm body temperature and establish a good sleep routine. They tend to have excess oil that keeps the skin moisturized. Their skin type tends to be oily t-zone and congested pores. Eat lighter foods to counteract the oils.
Try DMK’s Creme Acu Moist to moisturize acne prone skin.
When our Dosha’s are balanced, we are at our prime state of wellbeing with radiant skin..
Take this quiz to see what your dominant dosha is to learn more about the types of foods and healthy habits that work best for your skin and dosha. There are two sites you might want to check out. Joyfully Belly: Quiz, or Banyan: Quiz.
Authors note: The Ayurvedic practices has been so enlightening experience for me; however please note I’ve barely scratched the surface. It is recommended that you work with a professional trained in Ayurvedic practices to go deeper in your learning. ♥️
References:
If you are interested in learning more about my teacher and her online Ayurvedic classes, you can check out her website at https://www.samnormanbyoh.com/
Nachman, K. (2019, January 15). Skin food: Ayurvedic diet for beautiful skin. Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://www.naoayurveda.com/blog/2015/8/15/skin-food-ayurvedic-diet-for-beautiful-skin
What to eat for beautiful glowing skin, based on your dosha. (n.d.). Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://odacite.com/blogs/tohealthandbeauty/what-to-eat-for-beautiful-glowing-skin-based-on-your-dosha
Jandel, H. (2020, December 15). Vibrant living holistic life coaching. Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://www.heidijandel.com/
