Cosmetology in Ayurveda

Cosmetology in Ayurveda

Cosmetology includes the treatment of skin, hair and nails.
Ayurvedic cosmetology specialises in the field of natural principles and it is ideal for modern demands. Plant extracts and natural substances have been formulated into cosmetic products according to the ayurvedic system one of the major benefits is that biologically active ingredients are easily absorbed into the deeper layer of the skin and influence it at the cellular level.

The human body responds extremely well to natural substances, while it has an in-built resistance to synthetic ones.

Beauty enhancement by Ayurveda:

In Ayurveda dinacharya and ritucharya are explained in the context of preservation of health and promotion of beautification aspect. The procedures like.

• -Karnaabhyanga / karnapoorna, lepanam
• -Abhyanga
• -Sugandhadravya lepana
• -Udvartuna
• -Souviranjana dharana
• -Gandusha
• -Prayogika dhoomapana
• -Pratimarsha nasya
• -Aaschyotana and tarpana karma

Are described elaborately for health preservation & beauty enhancement. An ideal ayurvedic strategy for achieving complete beauty care and prevention of ageing is as follow:

The patient should be thoroughly examined and 'Prakriti' should be evaluated so that the appropriate treatment can be planned. The therapy can be planned by shodhana (detoxification) and by shamana (pacification).

Shodhana(detoxification): to remove the accumulated toxins in the body. Ritu anusara shodhana karma should be performed. To begin with, the person is given medicated ghe internally till the samyak sneha lakshana appear in the body.

After ghritapana, abhayanga and swedana karma should be performed. The patient is then subjected to the specific shodhana karma.

Shamana (pacification): Useful drugs are chandanasavam. saribadyasavam.

Care of the Skin: Twacha is the term for skin in ayurveda.Skin is a cover of the exposed parts of the body. The sense of touch spreads over the entire body through the skin. As ayurveda believes that all living beings have the panchamahabhoota as it is components, the same is for the skin. It is the seat of sparshana indriya. Skin is also the dwelling of bhrajaka pitta and regulates the temperature of the living body and absorbs all local medicinal application.

In charaka samahita,the charaka state medicinal plants in 'Varnaya mahakashaya'. used to obtain a glowing complexion. The herbs mentioned in Varnaya Mahakashaya are -

1. Chandana
2. Nagkeshara
3. Padamaka
4. Khus
5. Yashtimadhu
6. Manjistha
7. Sariva
8. Payasya
9. Seta(shweta durva)
10. Lata(shyama durva)

In sushruta samahita 'Eladi gana' contains -Ela.Tagara,kushtha,jatamansi,tavaka,dhamamaka,patra,nagkeshra,priyangu,harenuka,vyaghranakha,shukti,stouneyaka,choraka,shriveshata,khus,guggul,sarjarasa,turushka,kundaru,agaru,ushira,devdaru,keshra and padamakeshra.All these herbs can eliminate toxins from the body, clear the complexion that leads to a glow on the skin and alleviates kushta and boils. Before choosing any ayurvedic beauty care method, it is important to know about the body constitution (Prakariti) and the basic types of skin. Three basic type are based on the doshas Vata,pitta,kapha.

Care of the Hair :
Hair is also a part of beauty of the human beings.a hair consist of a root( the part implanted in the skin) and a shaft (portion projecting from the surface)

Ayurvedic aspect of hair:
The hair (kasha) is the waste of asthi dhatu. Hence, anything detrimental to ashthi dhatu will be harmful to the hair. Depletion of ashthi dhatu causes hair loss.
The health of hair depends on the health of the bones and skin.

The nourishment of hair depends entirely upon the rasa dhatu.Dearrangement of rasa dhatu causes hair fall and premature greying .So health of hair depends upon rasa and ashthi dhatus and on all the three doshas.

Herbs for hair care:

• -Bibhitaka: The seed oil of bibhitaka prevents premature greying of hair.
• -Brahmi : Sesame oil enhanced with brahmi ,kulanjana and vacha is very useful for promoting hair growth and prevents the hair fall.
• -Bhringraja: The fresh juice blackens the hair. It is the best natural hair dye. The fresh juice of the leaves or sesame oil enhanced with it is useful in promoting growth of hair.
• -Shankhapushpi: Its oil prevents the hair fall and premature greying of hair.
• -Tila (sesame): Prepare the decoction of its roots and leaves .give hairs wash with it. It promotes the hair growth, blacken them and gives a silky texture.
• -Yashtimadhu: Sesame oil enhanced with liquorice and amalaki prevents the hair fall .In charaka the term 'keshya' is used for liquorice.
• -Madayantika(Mehndi): Henna is mainly used as a colouring agent. It is mixed with other natural dyes, and largely used as hair dye.
• -Methika : A paste of its leaves applied over the scalp regularly before taking bath help hair grow and keep them silky.
• -Narikel : Daily massage the scalp with coconut oil. It promotes the hair growth and prevents the hair fall.

Natural hair cleanser
Take amla, shikakai and reetha seeds in an iron pan and soak them in water for a night. Mash them and wash your hair with this water.
growth.