The world is gradually awakening to the invincible Indian text that is Ayurveda. Translating into modern parlance as the “science of longevity,” the world’s leading cosmetic companies rely on Ayurveda in their efforts to go natural.
Ayurveda Balance: Vata, Pitta and Kapha
According to Ayurveda, all activities of the mind and body are governed by three psychophysiological energies known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When these three elements are in perfect balance within us, we are in good health. If any of these energies within us are out of balance, upheavals occur.
Each of these principles is also associated with a season. Winter is the season when Vata becomes unbalanced for most people. Because the winter months are drier, harsher, and colder than the summer, spring, and fall, Vata often manifests itself in hair breakage, chapped lips, and dry skin.
Ayurveda has a wide range of treatments. The good thing about natural beauty care is that the treatments and recipes have both an aesthetic and a medicinal function.
Almonds and Ayurveda
If a mango is considered the king of fruits, almonds definitely lead the pack among dried fruits. Almonds are some of the oldest and most common nuts in the world. The almond enters the Ayurveda treatment either by eating it directly or by using the oil extracted from the nut in body pastes and masks. Almonds are also very valuable in Ayurveda for their ability to balance the skin’s moisture levels, or Vata.
Skin and Hair
Almonds are good for the heart because they contain lots of plant steroids, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamin E. In addition to helping the internal health of the heart, almonds also have the power to remedy a variety of skin problems, without matter your age. The nutrients found in almond oil help eliminate wrinkles, relieve acne breakouts, and create an overall radiant complexion.
In addition to hair, almond oil massages have wonderful benefits for hair problems. The oil and its nutrients fight hair loss and dandruff, and some even believe that it helps you retain your hair color for longer.
Sweet almond oil is the best massage oil for those with a Vata imbalance. Almond oil helps balance Vata (what Western medicine might call pH balance in the skin). It does this by seeping into the different layers of the skin and releasing its moisturizing properties. Future brides are always advised to incorporate almonds into their premarital beauty regimen.
Skin diseases and scars: almond powder, milk and paste
According to Ayurveda texts on skin disease treatments, almonds are effective in treating diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. A few leaves of the wild almond plant sprayed with water applied to the affected parts help to cure many symptoms of skin diseases. Also, almond milk can act as an astringent. Applied to the face after washing, the gentle removes excess residue and remaining impurities, leaving your skin radiant and with a better tone.
Creating a paste of five almonds soaked overnight and mixed with a teaspoon of rose water applied to your skin regularly will make your skin appear noticeably younger and even help smooth wrinkles. Ayurveda also prescribes the use of almond powder for cut and acne scars, as well as deep chickenpox scars. To remove scars, pulverize some almonds and mix them with heavy cream, turmeric, and sugar to form a paste. Use this paste regularly for at least two months.
Almonds and bridal beauty
Many beauty tips on various Indian wedding sites suggest almond tricks to beautify a bride’s appearance. Since almond treatments are natural and do not leave any side effects, they are very popular with brides in all parts of India, whether they have a traditional Hindu marriage or are part of another religion.
Four of the most common wedding beauty treatments with almonds are:
1. To remove blemishes and smooth skin, mix almond oil with lemon juice and honey. Mix it into a mask and use it once a week.
2. Mix a couple of drops of almond oil with your regular moisturizer to apply to the entire body immediately after showering. This keeps flaking at bay and relieves inflammation and rashes. Almond oil is compatible with all skin types, so you don’t have to worry if you have sensitive skin.
3. Indians are obsessed with the idea of long Rapunzel-like hair. Almond oil is great for hair because it hydrates without leaving a greasy feeling. When the oil settles on the scalp, it softens the cuticles and follicles, while adding shine to the lower shaft of the hair. For Rapunzel-like hair, apply almond oil to make it stronger so it can grow as long as possible without breaking.
4. To treat chronic back acne and pimples, take 5-6 unpeeled almonds and soak them in water. Once they are soaked, beat them into a paste with marigold petals. Apply the paste to the skin on your back and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Rinse the paste off with water. For best results, repeat twice a week for three months.