How Ayurveda can help prevent the early signs of ageing?

Youth is worth celebrating, both in terms of appearance and in terms of health. It is a desire of every woman to get a picture perfect, glowing skin. Whether you are a student, a homemaker or a working professional, it is very important to have good skin. Your skin is a complex organ that changes constantly throughout your life, depending on your age, diet, lifestyle choices and many other factors. From the perspective of Ayurveda, the skin’s texture and appearance also change as we move through the different stages of life. Ageing is the process of degeneration of cells as you grow old. It is inevitable but one can definitely delay this with Ayurveda. Ayurveda is known to be the art of daily living in harmony and laws of nature. In Ayurveda, Rasayana is the branch which deals with youthfulness and maintenance of disease free-state. It aims towards protection, promotion of health and curing the disease by increasing natural immunity, enhancing general well-being and keeping the signs of early ageing at bay. Ayurveda is that one technique to prevent premature ageing which eliminates the need for chemical supplements. These Ayurvedic tips will help you prevent premature ageing.

Nourishment

What you put on your plate might affect what you see in the mirror. But a few tweaks to your eating habits can go a long way to keeping your skin youthful and your body healthy. Processed foods are greatly responsible for premature ageing. The additives, preservatives and artificial flavouring substances are not good for health and its side effects can be seen on hair and skin. To counter all these situations one must choose a healthy and balanced diet. Sweet Juicy fruits, whole grains, high-fibre foods, sweet, sour, pungent, salty, astringent and bitter flavours are recommended to add to your diet. Cook green vegetables and season with turmeric, cumin, black pepper.

Massage your skin

The significance of Ayurveda is tremendous and it has changed the lifestyle of an individual. Ayurveda has helped the individual to move from a world loaded with ailments to the world perfectly fit and healthy.

Panchakarma is the most ostensibly eminent branch of Ayurveda. “Panchakarma” literally means ‘Five actions’. It works best with the utilization of medicated oils that helps in eliminating the impurities from the human body. Panchakarma includes two way of treatment: Oleation – It includes the use of oily or oily substance on the body to loosen up toxins stuck in the cells; Fomentation – The tissues are first made delicate with the oleation process the body is made to sweat to make it more flexible.

Benefits of Panchakarma:

• Completely purifies the blood
• Riddance of toxins
• Opens up the blocked channels
• Rejuvenation of tissues
• Boosts immunity
• Relieves stress
• Relaxes the body and mind

Abhyanga is a subtype of Bahya Snehan (external massage), which is a part of Panchakarma therapy. Abhyanga is the anointing of the body with oil. Oil is infused with herbs and is usually warm; the oil is massaged into the entire body before bathing. This process allows the oil to pass through minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue.

Benefits of Abhyanga:

• Imparts softness, strength and colour to the body
• Decreases the effects of ageing
• Nourishes the body
• Benefits skin
• Increases longevity
• Strengthens the body’s tolerance
• Pacifies vata and pitta

Swedana is a full-body steam therapy and is administered as the part of Panchkarma. It is the process of inducing sweat with the help of steam, generated from medicated herbal decoctions. It is the pre-operative procedure in various Ayurvedic detox therapies where the objective is to dilate the channels of the body to eliminate toxins from the tissues. Ayurvedic fomentation is usually given after an oil massage.

Benefits of Swedana

• Detaches toxins; reduces inflammation
• Eases sore muscles
• Increases circulation
• Revitalizes and rejuvenates the skin
• Reduces numbness, stiffness, rigidity
• Improves mobility
• Acts on fat tissues
• Relieves stress
• Removes stupor
• Improves digestion

Keep your skin hydrated

Grab a glass of water! You might have heard this nth number of times, but it’s the truth. Water is the most effective anti-ageing treatment as it hydrates your skin, including dull skin, acne, dark spots etc. If your skin does not get enough water, it will turn dry and flaky. Dry skin is more prone to age spots and wrinkles. Dehydrated skin is mainly caused by external factors like less water intake, unhealthy diet, weather changes and excessive caffeine consumption. Every day, water is lost in large quantities from our body through perspiration, urine and bowel movements. It is very essential to replace it by drinking more water and also by consuming foods that contain high water content. It is recommended to drink 8 glasses of water every day, which equals to about 2 litres of water. If you can drink three to four litres of water, it can easily flush out toxins from your body.

Benefits of drinking water

• Water helps you renew your skin and maintain the optimum skin moisture; it will also ensure that the essential nutrients are getting circulated to the skin cells and will also increase the elasticity of your skin.   
• You can rely on water to delay the appearance of signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.
• It keeps your skin soft and supple and also enhances the complexion
• Drinking enough water tightens up your skin and gives a perfect glow.
• Keeps skin breakouts, acne and pimples at bay

Vegetable oils, especially those that are all-natural, organic and cold-pressed, contain many phytochemicals and nutrients that help moisturize, protect and strengthen your skin. If oil is safe to eat, it’s ok to put on your skin, but never apply anything to broken or infected skin. Vegetable oil such as sunflower, nuts, seeds, avocado are high in linoleic acid and it forms a barrier on the upper layer of the skin and protects from getting dry and damaged. It keeps moisture from leaving your skin and evaporating into the air and it prevents chemicals such as uric acid, from damaging skin cells.

Stress Management

Stress happens to everyone, but it can show up on your skin very easily. Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes it more sensitive and reactive. Stress aggravates psoriasis, rosacea and eczema and causes hives and triggers skin rashes. When you’re stressed, your body releases stress hormones including cortisol, which may increase the skin’s oil production, making you prone to pimples. You can probably avoid stress better with these tips.

• Do not neglect your skin. Take care of it, even if you’re tired or stressed
• Practise regular exercise. It is good for your skin and the rest of your body
• Go for stress management techniques, such as breathing exercise, yoga, meditation or visual imagery.
• Get enough sleep. At least take 7-8 hours of sleep

Magical Herbs for skin

Everyone wants to achieve a glowing, gorgeous and perfect skin. Instead of spending dollars on chemical-laden beauty products, use beneficial herbs to get a real and long-lasting healthy skin.

Ashwagandha

It helps in rapid cell generation and rejuvenation that helps in delaying signs of ageing. It stimulates DHEA, a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen and stimulates the production of natural skin oils. Include Organic Ashwagandha to your diet as it aids in cell regeneration, Nourishes and rejuvenates tissues and relieves from stress.

Turmeric

 Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which possesses a powerful anti-ageing effect. It revives your skin by bringing out its natural glow. Include Organic Turmeric as it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components which provides glow and lustre to the skin.

Amalaki

Include Organic Amalaki as it is an excellent source of Vitamin-C and antioxidants that help your body fight various diseases. It also helps you keep safe from age-related macular degeneration and cataract. It is a potent rejuvenative that nourishes the tissues and gently removes toxins.

Brahmi

Brahmi has antioxidant which helps in removing all the toxins from the body and enhances your skin complexion by stimulating cell regeneration. Include Organic Brahmi as it is a memory enhancer, especially useful for those who may be suffering from age-related memory loss. It is believed to have refreshing effects on your brain. To improve Medhashakti or memory, one can take our Brahm Rasayana, Shankhapushpi, Saraswtarishatam, Ashwagandha Gritam etc.

Guggulu

It is a powerful and potent herb which contains anti-inflammatory properties and helps in combating various diseases and inhibits the growth of free radicals in the body. Include Organic Guggulu as it engenders vibrant and healthy skin.

Guduchi

Include Organic Guduchi as it is known to revive our skin tissues and resolve inflamed skin conditions by its anti-inflammatory properties. It is responsible for promoting mental clarity and enhances your immune system.

Moringa   

Include Organic Moringa as it is packed with natural vitamin C which boosts collagen, helping reduce fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Moringa is a superfood and a powerhouse of all essential vitamins. One should take in this superfood moringa to enhance the functioning of CVS.

Maharishi Amrit Kalash is presented in two forms- Nectar and Ambrosia. Amrit Kalash Nectar is enriched with 40 powerful herbs that helps boost immunity, prevents premature ageing and detoxify the body in a way that one remains active, energetic and youthful for a long time. The nectar is in paste form, tastes great, is easy to consume and remains effective for long term. Overall, it’s a full spectrum antioxidant, nourisher and de-stressor.