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Seven Suggestions for All-Natural Winter Skin Care
Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old holistic healing system from India, has
a lot to say about looking, and feeling, beautiful. Vaidya Rama Kant
Mishra is a world-renowned Ayurvedic dermatologist and has formulated
dozens of all-natural, botanical-rich skin care products. "Beauty
begins with common sense," he says. "It can be as simple as eating
right, getting your beauty sleep and managing stress."
According to Vaidya Mishra, what you put on your skin is absorbed by
your skin. If you use heavily synthetic, chemical-laden products on
delicate facial skin, be prepared for long-term damage. This doesn't
mean you have to do without cosmetics. Look for natural products, and
read those ingredients with a magnifying glass. Many products that
claim to be herbal or botanical can contain artificial ingredients.
Protect your skin. Winter winds can be very harsh and drying on some
types of skin. Natural fibers such as wool, silk or thick cotton are
recommended. Wear protective moisturizer, and remember that extended
periods of exposure to winter sun can be very harmful. Don't forget
that sunscreen on your skiing trip!
"Winter skin is very receptive to deep nourishment," says Vaidya
Mishra. "This is the season to pamper your skin with rich nourishment
routines, morning and evening." The Ayurvedic herb Gotu kola, for
example, is a collagen enhancer and can help your skin look and feel
younger. "Make sure you use an herbal product that is balanced," says
Mishra. Balance is key in Ayurveda, with different herbs in a
formulation working synergistically to magnify one another's benefits
and counteract possible side-effects from any particular herb.
"Diet is important," emphasizes Mishra. Balance tastes at every
meal. Include all six tastes - salty, sweet, sour, bitter, pungent
and astringent at every meal, with more of the three `s' tastes -
sweet, salty and sour especially recommended for this season.
Surprise - Ayurveda says bread, rice and milk are actually sweet
foods, so you can get the sweet taste without resorting to calorie-
adding heavy confections.
Beauty begins from within. More diet tips! Include lots of leafy
green vegetables in your diet. Eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits.
Drink lots of water through the day. Don't skip meals. Eat pure,
fresh foods - stay away from canned or processed foods that contain
additives and chemical preservatives. Cook with spices - they're not
only great flavor enhancers, they can help you stay healthy and
beautiful. Cumin, for example, helps flush your body of toxins, and
this, in turn, can mean a glowing, radiant complexion.
Get your beauty sleep. "Early to bed and early to rise still holds
good," says Mishra, "if you want to look beautiful everyday." Sleep
deprivation levels tend to be high in our 24/7 society. Lack of sleep
does not just put dark circles under your eyes and rob the luster
from your skin. Sleep deprivation has been linked in recent research
to long-term health problems, including obesity. "Manage your time,
plan ahead, get family members to share tasks," advises Mishra. A
soothing cup of herbal tea, a warm scented bath, or a settling aroma
diffusing in your bedroom can all help you get those zzzs.
Stress is dangerous to your health - and it can show. "Whether it's
time pressure, or your stress stems from the heart - old painful
memories, family conflict - you need to learn to manage it," counsels
Mishra. Music, aromatherapy, laughter with family and friends, a
quiet evening stroll - take a few minutes several times a day to
consciously relax. A luxurious full-body massage before your morning
bath or shower can get you set for a hectic day. Try this quick
recharger any time of day - lie down for 10 minutes with rose-water
scented cotton-wool over your eyes in a quiet room and feel the
tension dissolve.
"This advice may seem simple, basic," says Vaidya Mishra, "but if you
follow these suggestions, you'll be surprised how good you look and
feel. True beauty comes from within - from good health and a happy
soul. Pay attention to the health of your mind and body, and your
friends will say `You look fabulous! What's your secret?'"
Note - Information given in this article is solely for the purpose of
imparting education on Ayurveda, and is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or mitigate any disease. If you have a medical
condition, please consult your physician.
Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended
to replace standard medical care or advice.
Copyright MAPI, 2002.
For more information on Ayurveda or to subscribe to free newsletters,
plaese visit http://www.mapi.com
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